Patents by Inventor Joseph T. Opferman

Joseph T. Opferman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7326692
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing host immunity to a virus and/or a cancer and methods for enhancing the cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) mediated immune responses by providing granzyme B inhibitors to a subject. One objective of the invention is to induce long-term protective immunity to a subject in need thereof This is accomplished by providing granzyme inhibitors to the subject which increase the number of memory-CTLs and thereby prevent or alleviate viral infections and/or treat. Providing granzyme inhibitors is also effective in the prevention of cancers. Some examples of granzyme inhibitors contemplated within the present invention include the endogenous serpins such as SPI6 and PI9, other suicide substrates of granzyme B, granzyme B antibodies, etc. Also provided are methods for expression of nucleic acids encoding granzyme inhibitors in cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Philip G. Ashton-Rickardt, Joseph T. Opferman
  • Publication number: 20030148511
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing host immunity to a virus and/or a cancer and methods for enhancing the cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) mediated immune responses by providing granzyme B inhibitors to a subject. One objective of the invention is to induce long-term protective immunity to a subject in need thereof This is accomplished by providing granzyme inhibitors to the subject which increase the number of memory-CTLs and thereby prevent or alleviate viral infections and/or treat. Providing granzyme inhibitors is also effective in the prevention of cancers. Some examples of granzyme inhibitors contemplated within the present invention include the endogenous serpins such as SPI6 and PI9, other suicide substrates of granzyme B, granzyme B antibodies, etc. Also provided are methods for expression of nucleic acids encoding granzyme inhibitors in cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Philip G. Ashton-Rickardt, Joseph T. Opferman