Methods of treating asthma with interleukin-9 antibodies

• US 6,261,559 B1
• Filed: 06/04/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Genaera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Genaera Corporation
• Inventors: Maloy, W. Lee, Nicolaides, Nicholas C., Levitt, Roy Clifford, Kari, U. Prasad
• Primary Examiner(s): MERTZ, PREMA MARIA
• Application Number:
  US09/325,571
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 514/2, 514/8, 514/12, 514/885, 514/826, 424/85.1, 424/85.2, 424/130.1, 424/139.1, 424/145.1, 424/158.1, 424/141.1, D24/110
• US Class Current: 424/139.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/00 Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/13 Amines A61K31/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/145 having sulfur, e.g. thiurams (>N—C(S)—S—C(S)—N< and >N—C(S)—S—S—C(S)—N<), Sulfinylamines (—N=SO), Sulfonylamines (—N=SO2) isothiourea A61K31/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/00 Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/06 Antiasthmatics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/08 Antiallergic agents antiasthmatic agents A61P11/06; ophthalmic antiallergics A61P27/14
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/5425 IL-9
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/7155 for interleukins [IL]

Abstract

A C to T DNA variation at position 3365 in exon 5 of the human Asthma Associated Factor 1 (AAF1) produces the predicted amino acid substitution of a methionine for a threonine at codon 117 of AAF1. When this substitution occurs in both alleles in one individual, it is associated with less evidence of atopic allergy including asthma, fewer abnormal skin test responses, and a lower serum total IgE. Thus, applicant has identified the existence of a non-asthmatic, non-atopic phenotype characterized by methionine at codon 117 when it occurs in both AAF1 gene products in one individual.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient suffering from asthmatic symptoms comprising administering an amount of an antibody specific for human interleukin-9 effective to reduce the asthmatic symptoms.

2. A method of claim 1 wherein the antibody neutralizes interleukin-9 in the patient.

3. A method of claim 1 wherein the antibody down-regulates the activity of interleukin-9 in the patient.

4. A method of claim 1 wherein the antibody reduces bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the patient.

5. A method of claim 1 wherein the antibody reduces eosinophilia in the lungs of the patient.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the antibody is administered by one or more of the routes selected from the group consisting of intravenous, intraperitoneal, inhalation, intramuscular, subcutaneous and oral.

7. A method of any one of claims 1-6 wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

8. A method of any one of claims 1-6 wherein the antibody is administered by inhalation.

9. A method of claim 7 wherein the antibody is administered by inhalation.

10. A method of treating asthma in a patient comprising administering by inhalation an effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to human interleukin-9.

11. A method of claim 10 wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

12. An inhalation device that delivers to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to human interleukin-9.

13. An inhalation device of claim 12 wherein the antibody neutralizes interleukin-9 in the patient.

14. An inhalation device of claim 12 wherein the antibody down-regulates the activity of interleukin-9 in the patient.

15. An inhalation device of claim 14 wherein the antibody reduces bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the patient.

16. An inhalation device of claim 14 wherein the antibody reduces eosinophilia in the lungs of the patient.

17. An inhalation device of any one of claims 12-16 wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.