Anti-idiotypic antibody and its use in diagnosis and therapy in HIV-related disease

Abstract

The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic antibody having specific reactivity with an idiotope common to more than one type of anti-HIV-1 antibody, and having no specific reactivity with non-HIV-1 antibodies. The present invention provides methods of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of HIV-related diseases through the use of this antibody or related compounds.

1 . An anti-idiotypic antibody having specific reactivity with an idiotope common to at least three types of human anti-HIV-antibody of differeing specificities, but not significantly reactive with idiotypes of human non-HIV-1 antibodies.  
   
   
       2 .- 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . The idiotope recognized by the antibody of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       8 . A compound which is specifically reactive with the idiotope of  claim 7 , and not reactive with idiotypes found on human non-HIV-1 antibodies.  
   
   
       9 .- 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the compound of  claim 8  in a physiologically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       24 . A method for the prevention or treatment of HIV-related disease comprising administrating an effective amount of the composition of  claim 23  to an HIV-infected individual.  
   
   
       25 . A method for the prevention or treatment of HIV-related disease comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of claims  24  to an HIV-infected individual.