Methods for treating interleukin-6 related diseases

• US 20090181029A1
• Filed: 03/10/2009
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Maini, Revinder Nath, Okuda, Osamu, Yoshida, Noriaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,709,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/139.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/505 comprising antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/545 characterised by the dose, timing or administration schedule
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/519 ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/395 Antibodies agglutinins A61K38/36 ; as drug carriers A61K47/50; Immunoglobulins; Immune serum, e.g. antilymphocytic serum
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/3955 against proteinaceous materials, e.g. enzymes, hormones, lymphokines
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/2803 against the immunoglobulin superfamily
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/2866 against receptors for cytokines, lymphokines, interferons

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of interleukin-6 (IL-6) related diseases, comprising an interleukin-6 antagonist (IL-6 antagonist) and immunosuppressants. The IL-6 antagonist is preferably an antibody to an interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R).

Claims

1. A method for treating rheumatoid arthritis, comprising administering an effective amount of an interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonist and an effective amount of methotrexate (MTX) to a patient in need thereof, wherein the IL-6 antagonist is an anti-IL-6 antibody which inhibits binding of IL-6 to the IL-6 receptor by binding IL-6 and blocks signaling of IL-6 biological activity or an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody which inhibits binding of IL-6 to the IL-6 receptor by binding IL-6 receptor and blocks signaling of IL-6 biological activity.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the IL-6 antagonist is the anti-IL-6 antibody.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the IL-6 antagonist is the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the IL-6 is a human IL-6 and the IL-6 receptor is a human IL-6 receptor.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the IL-6 is a human IL-6 and the IL-6 receptor is a human IL-6 receptor.