Method of treating retained asthma pulmonary secretions

• US 5,849,706 A
• Filed: 01/28/1998
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molichem Medicines Incorporated, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: Molichem Medicines Incorporated, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Boucher, Richard C. Jr., Stutts, Monroe Jackson, Henke, David C., Molina y Vedia, Luis Miguel
• Primary Examiner(s): Criares, Theodore J.
• Application Number:
  US09/014,757
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 514/12, 514/826
• US Class Current: 514/1.7
• 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 38/04 Peptides having up to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof enzyme inhibitors A61K38/005; gastrins A61K38/2207, somatostatins A61K38/31, melanotropins A61K38/34 ; protease inhibitors A61K38/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/12 Cyclic peptides , e.g. bacitracins; Polymyxins; Gramicidins S, C; Tyrocidins A, B or C A61K38/043 - A61K38/046 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/164 from bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/00 Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/08 Bronchodilators
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/10 Expectorants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/12 Mucolytics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/00 Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/06 for tuberculosis

Abstract

A method of facilitating the clearance of retained pulmonary secretions in a subject using lantibiotics is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject an effective amount of a lantibiotic. The lantibiotic is preferably administered by topically applying it to the respiratory epithelia, such as by generating an aerosol thereof which is then inhaled by the subject. A preferred lantibiotic for carrying out the present invention is duramycin. The method may be used in treating disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Also disclosed is a method of combatting tuberculosis comprising administering a lantibiotic to a subject in need of such treatment.

Claims

1. A method of combatting asthma in a human subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering by inhalation an aerosol of respirable particles to the respiratory system of said subject, said particles comprising a lantibiotic, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to facilitate lung mucus clearance.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said lantibiotic is selected from the group consisting of duramycin, nisin, subtilin, epidermin, Pep 5, gallidermin, mersacidin, actagardine, cinnamycin, and ancovenin.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said lantibiotic is duramycin.