Methods of prevention and treatment of asthama, and allergic conditions

Abstract

The present invention relates to allergy vaccines and methods of treating and/or preventing asthma, and allergic conditions. The invention is based on the discovery that inhibiting the ligand/receptor interactions involving, e.g., IgE, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, interferon-alpha, histamine, leukotriene, and their respective receptors, inhibits production of IgE thereby treating or preventing such diseases or conditions. Competitive inhibition of such receptor/ligand interactions is accomplished by immunizing a human or veterinary patient with the interleukin, interferon-alpha, histamine, leukotriene, their receptors, in any combination. Also, the invention relates to inhibiting receptor/ligand interactions involved in IgE production by competitively inhibiting such interactions by administering antibodies to the ligands, receptors, or both, as well as by administering analogs of the receptors (e.g., soluble receptors not associated with a cell).

1 - 94 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         95 . A method of treating bronchial asthma in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-interferon alpha antibody, an anti-interferon alpha receptor antibody, and a soluble interferon alpha receptor, thereby treating bronchial asthma in a mammal.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95 , said method further comprising administering to said mammal at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-IgE antibody, an anti-IgE receptor antibody, and a soluble IgE receptor.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96 , said method further comprising administering to said mammal at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-histamine antibody, and anti-histamine receptor antibody, and a soluble histamine receptor.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , the method further comprising administering interferon gamma to said mammal.  
     
     
         99 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 95  wherein said mammal is a human.  
     
     
         101 . A kit for treating bronchial asthma in a mammal, said kit comprising at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-interferon alpha antibody, an anti-interferon alpha receptor antibody, and a soluble interferon alpha receptor, an applicator and an instruction material for the use thereof.  
     
     
         102 . The kit of  claim 101 , said kit further comprising at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-IgE antibody, an anti-IgE receptor antibody, and a soluble IgE receptor.  
     
     
         103 . The kit of  claim 102 , said kit further comprising at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-histamine antibody, an anti-histamine receptor antibody, and a soluble histamine receptor.  
     
     
         104 . The kit of  claim 103 , said kit further comprising interferon gamma.