Methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of treating a mammal having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), independent of both smoking status and asthma status, with a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-IgE moiety. In accordance with the invention, COPD patients with an elevated serum IgE level may benefit from the treatment methods disclosed. In certain instances, the methods of the disclosure have been found to be useful for the treatment of COPD patients regardless of their skin test results and / or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen. Anti-IgE moieties, in accordance with the invention, include but are not limited to any IgG antibody that selectively binds to a given mammal immunoglobulin E (e.g., human immunoglobulin E) such as humanized anti-IgE, humanized murine monoclonal antibody, and / or Omalizumab.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 305,222 filed on Nov. 28, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 917,572 filed on Jul. 18, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,080,249, which is a national stage entry of PCT Application No. PCT / US2006 / 025654, filed Jun. 30, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 695,675, filed on Jun. 30, 2005, entitled “Novel Uses for IgE Antibodies.” The content of each of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with a comorbid component mediated by IgE antibody. More specifically, the present invention encompasses therapeutic modalities, and more particularly, relates to methods using known active entities for a novel indicat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about using anti-IgE therapy to treat COPD, a type of lung disease. This therapy has been found to be effective even in patients who smoke or have asthma. The invention also includes using anti-IgE therapy on patients with elevated levels of IgE serum regardless of their skin test results or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen. The invention provides methods of treating mammals with COPD with a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-IgE moiety. The humanized antibodies that selectively bind to human immunoglobulin E, such as Omalizumab, are particularly useful.

Problems solved by technology

COPD is associated with major healthcare costs, largely due to expensive treatments such as long-term oxygen therapy and hospital admissions, as well as indirect costs including loss of working capacity.

Airflow obstruction in COPD is usually progressive in patients who continue to smoke eventually leading to disability and shortened survival time.

In emphysema instead, the elastin in the terminal bronchioles is destroyed leading to the collapse of the airway walls and inability to exhale.

In advanced cases of COPD, lung reduction surgery is sometimes performed, but it is not clear that it helps.

There is very little currently available to arrest its progression and otherwise prevent its exacerbations, preserve lung function, and otherwise improve the quality of life of COPD patients.

Oral steroids are only recommended for acute exacerbations with long term use contributing to excess mortality and morbidity.

Treatment of asthmatic and COPD patients with the bronchodilators ipratropium bromide or fenoterol was not superior to treatment on an as-needed basis, therefore indicating that they are not suitable for maintenance treatment.

This latter list of medications help alleviate symptoms associated with COPD but do not treat COPD.

Thus, there is very little currently available to alleviate symptoms of COPD, prevent exacerbations, preserve optimal lung function, and improve daily living activities and quality of life.

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