Mittel zur Behandlung von Tumorerkrankungen durch Entfernen von B-Lymphozyten der Patienten

摘要

The aim of the invention is to treat patients with tumoral diseases by selectively removing their B-lymphocytes. Tumoral cells can be specifically identified by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes of the CD8 subtype. To do so, they require the help of auxiliary T-lymphocytes of the CD4 subtype. In the presence of B-lymphocytes, the assistance of T-cells is excluded. The B-lymphocytes actively prevent the development of T-cell mediated tumoral cell destruction. The invention is based on a mechanism of the immune system discovered by the inventors, wherein CD4+ T-cells, when they receive the antigens of tumor cells of B-cells, are differentiated to form a phenotype which prevents them from providing assistance to CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells which they require in order to mediate systemic tumoral immunity. In the absence of B-cells, other antigen-presenting cells present the tumoral antigens to the CD4+ T-cells so that they are differentiated to form T cells which can help the cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells to destroy the tumoral cells. The inventive method is also suitable for use in combination with tumor-specific vaccination and can basically be used to treat any type of tumoral disease. The inventive agent for enhanced cellular immune-response to tumors comprises substances which remove or inactivate the lymphocytes of patients. The invention can be used in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry.