lymphotoxin alpha / beta complex and the lymphotoxin - beta receptor antibodies as agents against tumours.

摘要

A method (A) for treating or reducing the advancement, severity or effects of neoplasia, comprises: administering: (i) a lymphotoxin (LT)-alpha /beta heteromeric complex (LHC) and a carrier, or (ii) = 1 LT-beta receptor (LT-beta -R) activating agent and a carrier. Also claimed are: (1) a method (B) for selecting a LT-beta -R activating agent which acts in the presence of a LHC, comprising: (a) culturing tumour cells in the presence of LHCs, a first LT-beta -R activating agent and a second putative LT-beta -R activating agent; and (b) determining whether the second putative LT-beta -R activating agent increases the anti-tumour activity of the LHC in the presence of the first LT-beta -R activating agent; (2) a pharmaceutical compsn. comprising an LHC and a carrier; (3) a pharmaceutical compsn. comprising = 1 LT-beta -R activating agent without exogenous LHC and a carrier, and (4) a pharmaceutical compsn. comprising cross-linked anti-LT-beta -R antibodies as a LT-beta -R activating agent and a carrier.