Antibodies for use in targeted and temporary treatment of humans and animals

Abstract

Described is an antibody, or a fragment of an antibody, which binds to an epitope under specifically chosen conditions, and the binding of which to that epitope is broken under specifically chosen different conditions, in addition to an antibody or fragment thereof with which a diagnostically, therapeutically or cosmetically active substance is optionally conjugated, for targeted and temporary diagnostic, therapeutic or cosmetic treatment of externally accessible parts of the human and animal body, wherein both the specifically chosen binding conditions and the conditions wherein the binding is broken lie within physiologically acceptable limits and are formed by the pH and/or ionic strength. The invention further relates to the use of such an antibody or fragment thereof for manufacturing a medication for targeted and temporary treatment of externally accessible parts of the human and animal body, in addition to a composition comprising at least one antibody, or a fragment thereof, according to the invention such as a teeth cleaning agent, mouthwash, mouth spray, chewing tablet, cream or ointment.

1 . An antibody, or fragment thereof, which binds to an epitope under specifically chosen conditions, the bond of the antibody, or fragment thereof, to the epitope being broken under specifically chosen different conditions, wherein both the specifically chosen binding conditions and the conditions under which the bond is broken lie within physiologically acceptable limits.  
   
   
       2 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 1  further comprising a diagnostically, therapeutically or cosmetically active substance conjugated thereto.  
   
   
       3 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , wherein the specifically chosen binding conditions and the conditions under which the bond is broken are dependent upon pH.  
   
   
       4 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds to the epitope at a pH within a range of 4 and 8.5, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at a different pH within the range of 4 and 8.5.  
   
   
       5 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds to the epitope at a pH within a range chosen from a range of between 4 and 7 and a range of between 7 and 8.5, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at a pH of 7.  
   
   
       6 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds to the epitope at a pH of 7, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at a pH within a range chosen from a range of between 4 and 7 and a range of between 7 and 8.5.  
   
   
       7 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds to the epitope at a pH within a range chosen from a range of between 4 and 6 and a range of between 8 and 8.5, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at a pH of between 6 and 8.  
   
   
       8 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds to the epitope at a pH of between 6 and 8, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at a pH within a range chosen from a range of between 4 and 6 and a range of between 8 and 8.5.  
   
   
       9 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , wherein the specifically chosen binding conditions and the conditions under which the bond is broken are dependent upon ionic strength.  
   
   
       10 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds to the epitope at an ionic strength within a range of 0 and 13 M, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at a different ionic strength within the range of 0 and 13 M.  
   
   
       11 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds to the epitope at an ionic strength within a range of 0 and 500 mM, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at an ionic strength within the range of 1 and 13 M.  
   
   
       12 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, binds the epitope at a pH within a range of 4 and 8.5 and/or at an ion concentration within a range of 0 and 13 M, and the bond between the antibody, or fragment thereof, and the epitope is broken at a different pH within the range of 4 and 8.5 and/or a different ionic strength within the range of 0 and 13 M.  
   
   
       13 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody, or fragment thereof, comprises a F(ab), F(ab)′, F(ab)′ 2  or an scFv.  
   
   
       14 . A method of using the antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , as a targeted or temporary diagnostic, therapeutic or cosmetic treatment of externally accessible parts of a subject's body.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said targeted or temporary diagnostic, therapeutic or cosmetic treatment comprises a treatment of an oral cavity of a human or an animal body.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said antibody, or fragment thereof, is capable of bleaching teeth included in said oral cavity.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said antibody, or fragment thereof, is able to detect plaque in an oral cavity.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said antibody, or fragment thereof, is capable of removing plaque in said oral cavity.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said targeted or temporary diagnostic, therapeutic or cosmetic treatment comprises a treatment for fighting infections in externally accessible parts of a human or an animal body.  
   
   
       20 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 2 , wherein the diagnostically, therapeutically or cosmetically active substance comprises an enzyme.  
   
   
       21 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 20 , wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of an oxidase, a peroxidase, a protease, a cell-wall lysing enzyme, and a plaque matrix inhibitor.  
   
   
       22 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 21 , wherein the enzyme comprises an oxidase selected from the group consisting of glucose oxidase, lactase oxidase, and uric acid oxidase.  
   
   
       23 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 21 , wherein the enzyme comprises a peroxidase selected from the group consisting of horseradish peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, lactoperoxidase, and chloroperoxidase.  
   
   
       24 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 21 , wherein the enzyme comprises a protease selected from the group consisting of papain, pepsin, trypsin, ficin, and bromelin.  
   
   
       25 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 21 , wherein the enzyme comprises lysozyme.  
   
   
       26 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 21 , wherein the enzyme comprises a plaque matrix inhibitor selected from the group consisting of dextranase and mutanase.  
   
   
       27 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 2 , wherein the diagnostically, therapeutically or cosmetically active substance comprises a fluorescent or radioactive substance.  
   
   
       28 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or fragment thereof is capable of binding an epitope of a pathogenic microorganism or other pathogenic compound.  
   
   
       29 . The antibody, or fragment thereof, of  claim 28 , wherein said pathogenic microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Actinomyces actinomycetem comitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Streptococcus mutans, Bacteroides forsythus, Eikenella corrodens, Treponema denticola, Campylobacter lectus , and  Fusobacterium nucleatum.    
   
   
       30 . A composition comprising: 
 at least one antibody, or fragment thereof, as claimed in  claim 1;  and    at least one physiologically acceptable diluent, solvent or carrier.    
   
   
       31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . (canceled)