BINDING OF RED BLOOD CELLS TO EXPOSED SUBENDOTHELIAL SURFACES TO IMPEDE PLATELET DEPOSITION THEREON AND/OR FOR USE IN TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY THERETO

摘要

Binding of red blood cells (RBCs) to exposed subendothelial surfaces. According to one aspect of the invention, RBCs bind to a subendothelial surface that has been exposed by angioplasty so as to block the deposition of platelets onto the exposed surface, thereby impeding thrombosis and the triggering of restenosis by deposited platelets. A bispecific antibody is used to mediate the binding of RBCs to the exposed subendothelial surface, the bispecific antibody having a first antigen binding site directed against an RBC surface marker and a second antigen binding site directed against a subendothelial epitope. The bispecific antibody is preferably introduced into the bloodstream just prior to the performance of the angioplasty and is introduced in a quantity sufficient to bind a high percentage of RCBs. According to another aspect of the invention, RBCs are drawn from a patient, treated and then administered back to the patient for targeted drug delivery. The RBC treatment comprises coating the RBCs with two types of bispecific antibodies, the first type being adapted to bind the RBCs to an exposed subendothelial surface, the second type being adapted to removably bind the RBCs to a drug. The drug is then loaded onto the second type of bispecific antibody.