Glycolipid containing compositions for use in the treatment of tumours

摘要

The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising α-Gal BOEL for use in treating patients with tumours. The invention also relates to methods of treating tumours using said compositions. The invention discloses that following intratumoural injection of α- Gal BOEL, binding of the natural anti-Gal antibody to de novo expressed tumoural α-Gal epitopes induces inflammation resulting in an anti-Gal antibody mediated opsonization of tumour cells and their uptake by antigen presenting cells. These antigen presenting cells migrate to draining lymph nodes and activate tumour specific T cells thereby converting the treated tumour lesions into in situ autologous tumour vaccines. This therapy can be applied to patients with multiple lesions and in neo-adjuvant therapy to patients before tumour resection. In addition to the regression and/or destruction of the treated tumour, such a vaccine will help in the immune mediated destruction of micrometastases that are not detectable during the removal of the treated tumour. The invention further teaches the enhancement of anti-tumour α-Gal BOEL treatment by the use of antibodies that inhibit the activity of immunological checkpoints molecules.