Use of an active substance binding to cd28 for producing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of b-cll

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a superagonistic monoclonal antibody (mAb), which is specific for a naturally costimulatory receptor expressed on T cells, or a mimicry compound thereto, for producing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases occurring with lacking costimulability of T cells, in particular of the B-CLL.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for stimulating the antigen presenting function of B cells in a cell suspension, comprising reacting the cell suspension with a superagonistic monoclonal antibody specific for CD28, wherein:
 the cell suspension is prepared from a body fluid taken from a B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patient.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the B cells are induced to express B7.1. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the B cells are induced to express B7.2. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises activation and expansion of T cells in the cell suspension. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the T cells are activated to express CD40 ligand (CD40L). 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the number of T cells in the cell suspension are increased. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the body fluid is blood. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the superagonistic monoclonal antibody specific for CD28 comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26 or SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the superagonistic monoclonal antibody specific for CD28 comprises a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the superagonistic monoclonal antibody specific for CD28 comprises a heavy chain constant region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in one of SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, and SEQ ID NO: 24. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the superagonistic monoclonal antibody specific for CD28 comprises a light chain constant region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21.