Abstract: The invention relates to an antiviral agent for use in combination with an anticancer agent, for the treatment of cancer. Especially, the invention provides means for the treatment of non-virus-associated cancer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a use of a MHC class II ligand, such as CD4 and LAG-3. for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating pathological conditions involving an antigen specific immune response, as well as the use of LAG-3 in cancer-immunotherapy. The invention also concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of an antigen able to induce an antigen-specific immune response together with an effective amount of a MHC class II ligand wherein said MHC class II ligand is present as an adjuvant-like agent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of a MHC class II ligand, LAG-3, for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating pathological conditions involving an antigen specific immune response, as well as the use of LAG-3 in cancer immunotherapy. The invention also concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of an antigen together with an effective amount of human LAG-3, wherein LAG-3 s present as an adjuvant.

Abstract: The lymphocyte ativation gene (LAG-3) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that is selectively transcribed in human activated T and NK cells. Surface LAG-3 expression correlated with IFN-&ggr; but not IL-4, production in antigen-stimulated T-cells and it was up-regulated by IL-12 and is preferentially associated with CD4+ T-cells producing Th1-type cytokines. The presence of LAG-3 on the surface of Th1 lymphocytes is used as a marker to detect and identify Th1 lymphocytes and differentiate them from Th2 lymphocytes. Monoclonal antibodies to LAG-3 are used in methods of detecting and isolating Th1 cells as well as methods of diagnosing Th1-mediated disease. The present invention also relates to methods of treating infectious diseases, cancer, and disorders assocated with Th1/Th2 imbalance.

Abstract: A process for detecting malignant transformation of cells involves detecting the overexpression of the products of the &bgr;3, &bgr;5, &bgr;8 and &bgr;9 genes, which encode the hCG&bgr; subunit, relative to their expression in nonmalignant cells. A kit for diagnosing an hCG- or an hCG fragment-secreting cancer includes an assembly of polypeptides covering at least a part of the primary sequence of hCG. The use of a polypeptide corresponding to at least one portion of the primary sequence of hCG for producing a composition useful in hCG- or hCG fragment-secreting cancer immunotherapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: Soluble polypeptide fraction consisting of all or part of one at least one of the four immunoglobulin-type extracellular LAG-3 protein domains (amino acids 1-159, 160-230, 240-330 and 331-412 of the SEQ ID NO:1 sequence) or consisting of one peptide sequence derived from these domains by replacement, addition or deletion of one or more amino acids. The fraction of the invention has a specificity at least equal to that of LAG-3 in relation to its ligand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind a protein comprising the peptide sequence represented by the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or an immunogenic sequence of such a protein and derivatives and fragments thereof, as well as hybridomas useful for preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions in which they can be used.

Abstract: Soluble polypeptide fraction consisting of all or part one at least of the four immunoglobulin-type extracellular LAG-3 protein domains (amino acids 1-159, 160-230, 240-330 and 331-412 of the SEQ ID NO:1 sequence) or consisting of one peptide sequence derived from these domains by replacement, addition or deletion of one or more amino acids. The fraction of the invention has a specificity at least equal to that of LAG-3 in relation to its ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein containing the extracellular domain of LAG-3, and DNA sequences coding for the protein and the pharmaceutical and biological uses of the protein.

Abstract: Proteins produced by human lymphocytes are described, particularly a protein which is expressed on their surface. DNA sequences coding these proteins and their pharmaceutical and biological uses are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tetrapeptide corresponding to the general formulaSer-Asp-Lys-Pro--OHand its substitution derivatives by one or several groups, identical or different, currently used in the chemistry of peptides for biological use, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in particular the tetrapeptideSer-(N-Ac)-Asp-Lys-Pro--OHwhich can be extracted, for example, from fetal calf marrow or obtained by peptide synthesis.The peptide of the invention is particularly useful in the protection of bone marrow in the course of anti-cancer treatments by chemotherapy.