Prevention of ovarian cancer by administration of a vitamin D compound

• US 6,444,658 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: New Life Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Original Assignee: New Life Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Gustavo C., Whitaker, Regina Salas
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldberg, Jerome D.
• Application Number:
  US09/479,021
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 514/167
• US Class Current: 514/167
• 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 31/07 Retinol compounds, e.g. vitamin A retinoic acids A61K31/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/56 Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/565 not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/57 substituted in position 17 beta by a chain of two carbon atoms, e.g. pregnane or progesterone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/59 Compounds containing 9, 10- seco- cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/593 9,10-Secocholestane derivatives, e.g. cholecalciferol, i.e. vitamin D3
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for preventing the development of epithelial ovarian cancer by administering a Vitamin D compound in an amount capable of increasing apoptosis in non-neoplastic ovarian epithelial cells of the female subject.

Claims

1. A method of inhibiting conversion of non-normal non-neoplastic ovarian epithelial cells to neoplastic cells comprising administering to a female subject in need thereof a Vitamin D compound sensitive to inhibiting such conversion, wherein said Vitamin D compound is administered in an amount effective to inhibit conversion of non-normal non-neoplastic ovarian epithelial cells to neoplastic cells.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein Vitamin D compound is administered at a dosage equivalent of from 0.0001 to 1.0 mg 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃/kg of body weight.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein Vitamin D compound is administered at a dosage equivalent of from 0.005 to 0.1 mg/kg 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃/kg of body weight.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the Vitamin D compound is 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the Vitamin D compound is administered at a dosage equivalent of at least 400 I.U.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the Vitamin D compound is administered at a dosage equivalent of at least 2000 I.U.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the Vitamin D compound is administered at a dosage equivalent of at least 4000 I.U.

8. The method of claim 1 which includes first determining that such female subject does not display signs of ovarian cancer.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the female subject is at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said non-neoplastic cells are dysplastic cells.