Langerin+ Cell Targeting

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This invention describes a novel vehicle (such as a liposome or nanoparticle) that can precisely target and deliver therapeutic or diagnostic cargo to cells expressing the protein Langerin on their surface (Langerin+ cells), which are mostly specialized immune cells found in the skin. The vehicle uses a specifically designed sugar-based ligand that binds tightly and selectively to Langerin, enabling efficient and targeted delivery of drugs, vaccines, or other agents directly into these cells. This approach opens up new possibilities for needle-free, localized, and highly specific delivery of treatments and vaccines, especially through the skin.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Targeted delivery of vaccines (for cancer, bacterial, viral, or parasitic diseases) via skin or transdermal administration, enabling needle-free vaccination.
• Immunotherapy for cancer, where tumor antigens are delivered directly to dendritic cells (Langerin+ cells) to stimulate an effective immune response.
• Treatment and management of autoimmune diseases by delivering tolerance-inducing agents specifically to Langerin+ dendritic cells, thereby limiting unwanted immune reactions.
• Allergy desensitization (hyposensitization) by targeted delivery of allergens to Langerin+ cells to induce immune tolerance.
• Localized or systemic anti-inflammatory therapies by modulating skin-resident immune cells.
• Delivery of gene editing tools (e.g., CRISPR/Cas components) specifically to dendritic cells for research or therapeutic applications.
• Development of advanced diagnostic tools to identify, monitor, or characterize the state of Langerin+ cells in health and disease.
• Treatment of skin disorders or diseases involving aberrant immune responses by modulating Langerhans cell (Langerin+) functions.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Highly specific targeting of Langerin+ cells, leading to greater treatment effectiveness and reduced side effects by avoiding non-target cells.
• Needle-free and minimally invasive administration through the skin, improving patient comfort, adherence, and reducing medical waste and risk of needle-stick injuries.
• Potential for lower required doses of therapies due to improved delivery efficiency and localization, reducing cost and systemic exposure.
• Versatile platform: the delivery vehicle can transport diverse cargos such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), small molecule drugs, adjuvants, or antigens.
• Enhanced safety profile compared to antibody-based targeting, as the ligand can dissociate and allow for repeated/continuous uptake by target cells.
• Facilitates the combination or co-delivery of multiple cargos (e.g., antigen plus adjuvant) for synergistic therapeutic effects.
• Faster and more flexible product development compared to conventional antibody or ex vivo cell-based targeting technologies.
• Enables new immunotherapy strategies for cancer, infectious diseases, allergy, and autoimmunity, as well as improved vaccine design.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a vehicle for specific molecular targeting of Langerin+ cells, wherein the vehicle is capable of specifically binding to a Langerin+ cell, said vehicle comprising (a) at least one carrier and (b) at least one saccharide moiety-based conjugate for a targeted cargo delivery into a Langerin+ cell, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and uses comprising the inventive vehicle.