| abstract |
In accordance with the present invention, we have discovered that the molecule CD147 as expressed on certain cells, such as T-cells, B-cells, and/or monocytes, can be utilized for the treatment of a variety of diseases. In particular, we have demonstrated that antibodies that bind to CD147 and that result in the killing of such cells, for example, through the binding of complement, is efficacious in the treatment of diseases. Diseases in which such treatment appears efficacious include, without limitation: graft versus host disease (GVHD), organ transplant rejection diseases (including, without limitation, renal transplant, ocular transplant, and others), cancers (including, without limitation, cancers of the blood (i.e., leukemias and lymphomas), pancreatic, and others), autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and others. |