Treatment agents for inhibiting HIV and cancer in HIV infected patients

Abstract

Methods are provided for treating HIV and cancer in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of an mTOR inhibitor. Other methods are provided for treating subjects infected with HIV by administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of the mTOR inhibitor INK128, GSK2126458, AZD2014 or Torin-2.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional application 62 / 163,408, entitled “A Single Treatment Agent for Inhibiting HIV and Cancer in HIV Infected Patients,” filed May 19, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.BACKGROUND[0002]Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, is one of the world's most serious health and development challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there were approximately 36.9 million people worldwide living with HIV / AIDS in 2014. Of these, 2.6 million were children (<15 years old).[0003]In the United States, the CDC estimates that 1,218,400 persons aged 13 years and older are living with infection, including 156,300 (12.8%) who are unaware of their infection. Over the past decade, the number of people living with HIV has increased, while the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. Still, the pace of new infections conti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes the use of certain mTOR inhibitors to treat HIV and cancer. The mTOR inhibitors include INK128, Torin-2, GSK2126458, and AZD2014. These inhibitors can be administered alone or in combination with other antiretroviral agents or cancer therapeutic agents. The methods involve administering the mTOR inhibitor to a subject in need thereof, with the dosage ranging from 0.5 mg to 4 mg for certain inhibitors. The patent also describes the use of mTOR inhibitors that target both R5 and X4 HIV replication or inhibit entry of R5 HIV in vitro. The technical effects of the patent include providing new methods for treating HIV and cancer using mTOR inhibitors and expanding the range of cancers that can be treated with these inhibitors.

Problems solved by technology

Still, the pace of new infections continues at far too high a level—particularly among certain groups.

The HIV virus has been difficult to treat in view of the emergence of drug-resistant viral strains, the need for sustained adherence to complex treatment regimens, and the toxicity of currently used antivirals agents.

With the exception of some derived from tumors, most primary cell cultures have limited lifespan.

Patients on therapy can fail treatment, among other factors, because of the emergence of drug resistance.

This need for the development of alternative antiretroviral agents is primarily due to drug resistance but also for sustained adherence to complex treatment regimens and toxicity of currently used antiviral drugs.

However, the virus tropism specificity of Maraviroc (7) and the need for twice-daily s.c. injection of Enfuvirtide (8) limit their clinical potential.

Second, there are no licensed inhibitors of HIV transcription.

A downside, of course, is the possibility of side effects from inhibition of a cellular protein.

Unfortunately, HIV mutates under drug pressure, which can lead to drug resistance.

Patients undergoing long-term drug therapies (e.g., highly active antiretroviral therapy treatment) are at a higher risk of various HIV-related complications.

Unfortunately, a growing population of HIV infected patients with cancer exists.

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