Method of imaging cell death in vivo

Abstract

A method of imaging apoptosis in vivo, using radiolabeled annexin, is described. Methods for tumor radiotherapy are also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising an annexin or a fragment thereof coupled with a toxin.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said toxin is a toxin selected from the group consisting of:  E. coli,  Salmonella Sp., Listeria Sp., ciguatoxin and related marine polyethers, and aflatoxin.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said annexin is annexin V or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said annexin and said toxin are coupled at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:4.  
     
     
         5 . A method of tumor therapy comprising administering to a mammalian subject having a tumor involving a nucleated cell an effective tumor reducing amount of a composition comprising an annexin or a fragment thereof coupled with a toxin.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , used in conjunction with total body irradiation or targeted external irradiation.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , used in conjunction with targeted internal irradiation.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , used in conjunction with a treatment employing at least one chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , used in conjunction with total body irradiation and with a treatment employing at least one chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , used in conjunction with an apoptosis inducing agent selected from the group consisting of TNF, TRAIL and Fas.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , used in conjunction with an apoptosis inducing agent selected from the group consisting of a TNF-binding antibody, a TRAIL-binding antibody and a Fas-binding antibody.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said toxin is a toxin selected from the group consisting of:  E. coli,  Salmonella Sp., Listeria Sp., ciguatoxin and related marine polyethers, and aflatoxin.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said annexin is annexin V or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said annexin and said toxin are coupled at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:4.  
     
     
         15 . A method of tumor therapy, comprising 
 treating a subject having a tumor involving a nucleated cell with a chemotherapeutic agent; and    administering to the treated subject an effective tumor reducing amount of a composition comprising an annexin or fragment thereof coupled with a toxin.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl busulfan, cyclophosphamide, bischloroethyl nitrosourea, cytosine arabinoside, and 6-thioguanine.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising administering to said subject an apoptosis inducing agent selected from the group consisting of TNF, TRAIL and Fas.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising administering to said subject an apoptosis inducing agent selected from the group consisting of a TNF-binding antibody, a TRAIL-binding antibody and a Fas-binding antibody.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said toxin is a toxin selected from the group consisting of:  E. coli,  Salmonella Sp., Listeria Sp., ciguatoxin and related marine polyethers, and aflatoxin.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said annexin is annexin V or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said annexin and said toxin are coupled at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:4.