PROCESS FOR PROMOTING GRAFT ACCEPTANCE BY DEPLETION OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS

摘要

Therapeutic compositions and methods for modulating the immune system for promoting acceptance of a graft and for treating a hematologic malignancy in the absence of myeloablative therapies are disclosed. The described methodology includes the step of depleting and/or inactivating the hematopoietic stem cells of the recipient using a therapeutic composition comprising at least one antibody specific for depleting and/or inactivating hematopoietic stem cells while maintaining mature blood cells, preferably the antibody selectively depletes and/or inactivates primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The therapeutic composition preferably is administered prior to the administration of bone marrow, mobilized peripheral hematopoietic stem cells, or donor leucocytes.