Inventors:
Samuel Strober - Stanford CA, US
Everett Hurteau Meyer - Redwood City CA, US
Dale T. Umetsu - Newton MA, US
Assignee:
The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA
International Classification:
A61K 31/7028, A61K 39/395
Abstract:
Molecules that interact with the NKT cell antigen receptor and its counterpart antigen presenting molecule, but which inhibit the NKT cell immune function, are administered to a patient. Conditions of particular interest include the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cancer, atherosclerosis, and allergic disease. In some embodiment of the invention, the inhibitory agent is an anergizing glycolipid, for example β-galactosylceramide. Pharmaceutical formulations of such glycolipids are provided, and find use in the treatment of diseases involving undesirable NKT cell activation.