Therapeutic Inhibition of Granulocyte Function in Demyelinating Disease

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of IL-17-type inflammatory demyelinating diseases with inhibitors of granulocyte function, e.g. elastase inhibitors. Diseases of interest include multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, animal models of such diseases, etc. In some embodiments pharmaceutical formulations comprising an elastase inhibitor in an effective dose for treatment of IL-17-type inflammatory demyelinating disease and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are provided. Patients may be classified into subtypes prior to treatment, which subtypes are informative of the patient's need for therapy and responsiveness to a therapy of interest.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]There is a long-standing interest in manipulating cells of the immune system to achieve control of autoimmune disease. While targeted antigen-specific therapy remains of great interest, there has also been considerable development of polyclonal, or non-antigen specific therapies. In addition to general immunosuppression, e.g. through the use of agents such as hydrocortisone, many therapies are now being brought to the clinic that provide for a more selective modification of the immune system.[0002]A downside to this promising therapy is the diversity of responses in patient populations. While a significant proportion of patients may respond to a particular therapy, many do not. The clinician may therefore need to prescribe sequential expensive and time-consuming therapies in order to determine which is effective for the individual patient. Furthermore, it has been reported that IFN-β can exacerbate symptoms in some individuals.[0003]The use of diseas...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent provides a method for treating inflammatory demyelinating diseases using inhibitors of granulocyte function, particularly elastase inhibitors. These diseases include multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and animal models of these diseases. The patent also discusses the use of pharmaceutical formulations containing elastase inhibitors and the importance of assessing patients' responsiveness to treatment. The patent also provides a method for identifying responder and non-responder patients with these diseases using a cytokine measurement panel. The technical effect of the patent is improved care for patients with inflammatory demyelinating diseases by providing targeted therapies based on their responsiveness to treatment.

Problems solved by technology

A downside to this promising therapy is the diversity of responses in patient populations.

The clinician may therefore need to prescribe sequential expensive and time-consuming therapies in order to determine which is effective for the individual patient.

The use of disease-modifying therapies in autoimmune conditions is of great clinical interest; however these therapies suffer from the inability to determine a priori which patients will benefit.

Images