Prevention and Treatment of Amyloidogenic Disease

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is Aβ peptide, active fragments thereof or an antibody thereto.

1 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . An immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof that binds to an amyloid fibril and is effective to enhance the cellular immune response of a patient to remove disease-associated amyloid fibril deposits. 
     
     
         57 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 56 , wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof. 
     
     
         58 . The immunoglobulin or fragment thereof of  claim 57 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         59 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 57 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is a chimeric antibody. 
     
     
         60 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 59 , wherein the chimeric antibody is a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         61 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 57 , wherein the antibody is a labeled antibody. 
     
     
         62 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 56 , wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof has been raised against synthetic amyloid fibrils. 
     
     
         63 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the immunoglobulin peptide or fragment thereof of  claim 56 .