Abstract: Macrophages and precursor monocytes are activated to exhibit tumoricidal activity by stimulation solely with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. A patient suffering from tumors can be treated by direct administration of therapeutically effective quantities of activated granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. Homogeneous granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor for use in activating macrophages and monocyte precursors is prepared by recombinant DNA techniques. The gene coding for granylocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor is isolated and then recombinant protein product expressed in an appropriate expression system. The granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor recovered from the expression system is purified to homogeneity by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 31, 1986
Date of Patent:
January 7, 1992
Assignee:
Immunex Corporation
Inventors:
Paul J. Conlon, III, Kenneth H. Grabstein
Abstract: A hybrid polypeptide composed of an identification peptide and a desired functional protein are produced by recombinant DNA techniques. A DNA expression vector is constructed that includes segments of DNA coding for the identification peptide and the desired functional protein. The identification peptide consists of a highly antigenic N-terminal portion and a C-terminal linking portion that connects the identification peptide to the N-terminal of the functional protein. The linking portion of the identification peptide is cleavable at a specific amino acid residue adjacent the functional protein by use of a sequence specific proteolytic enzyme or chemical proteolytic agent. The hybrid polypeptide expressed by the host cells transformed by the cloning vector is removed therefrom and purfied by affinity chromatography techniques by use of an immobilized ligand specific to the antigenic portion of the identification peptide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 23, 1987
Date of Patent:
November 1, 1988
Assignee:
Immunex Corporation
Inventors:
Thomas P. Hopp, Susan L. Bektesh, Paul J. Conlon, III, Carl J. March