Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a composition that includes a ?-glucan component and an antibody component that specifically binds to the ?-glucan. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method of increasing a subject's response to ?-glucan immunotherapy. Generally, the method includes identifying the subject as a low binder of ?-glucan and administering to the subject a composition that comprises a ?-glucan moiety conjugated to the therapeutic antibody. In some cases, the therapeutic antibody can be an anti-tumor antibody.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method for identifying ?-glucan binding to immune cells of a subject. Generally, the method includes obtaining a blood sample from the subject, the blood sample comprising immune cells, adding soluble ?-glucan to at least a portion of the blood sample and incubating the mixture under conditions allowing the soluble ?-glucan to bind to the immune cells, and detecting soluble ?-glucan bound to the immune cells. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method that generally includes identifying the subject as a low binder of ?-glucan, and co-administering to the subject a soluble ?-glucan and an antibody preparation capable of converting the subject from a low binder to a high binder.

Abstract: Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

Abstract: Modified and/or derivativized ?-glucans with an enhanced capacity to modulate human immune response as compared to the parent, unmodified and/or underivatized ?-glucans are demonstrated.