Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of subunits and oligomers of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) in prophylactic and/or curative treatment of an immunocompromised individual such as subjects suffering from solid tumors or haematological cancers. Solid tumors include such as female cancers, male cancers, cancers of the respiratory system, cancers of the gastro intestinal system, the renal system and further subjects suffering from thyroid cancer and melanomas. Haematological cancers include leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The immunocompromised condition of the individual may be due to a cancer disease as mentioned herein or the treatment of said cancer disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein capable of activating the complement system, the fusion protein comprising a first polypeptide sequence derived from a lectin-complement pathway activating protein or a functional homologue thereof; and a second polypeptide sequence derived from a collectin or a functional homologue thereof; wherein said complement activating protein is not a collectin. A preferred fusion protein comprises amino acids of the L-ficolin sequence of FIG. 1 and amino acids of the MBL sequence shown in FIG. 2. The fusion protein is suitable for use in treatment consisting of creation, reconstitution, enhancing and/or stimulating the opsonic and/or bactericidal activity of the complement system, i.e. enhancing the ability of the immune defence to recognise and kill microbial pathogens, and accordingly, the invention relates to a medicament comprising the fusion protein, methods for producing said fusion protein and methods for treating diseases, in particular infections.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of subunits and oligomers of collectins and/or ficolins, such as mannan-binding lectin (MBL) in prophylactic and/or curative treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising MBL and/or MBL variants. In particular the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least 200 &mgr;g/ml protein containing material, wherein mannan binding lectin (MBL) and/or MBL variants constitutes at least 35% (w/w) of the total protein; or to compositions comprising at least 400 &mgr;g/ml mannan binding lectin (MBL) and/or MBL variants. In addition the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising MBL and/or MBL variants and divalent cations. The invention also describes methods of preparing said compositions.