# US 10,864,271 B2 · Combination therapy using riluzole to enhance tumor sensitivity to ionizing radiation

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- Number: US 10,864,271 B2
- Document ID: US10864271B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/768,544
- Filed: 2013-02-15
- Published: 2013-08-15
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2012-02-15
- Assignees: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Applicants: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
- Inventors: Atif Jalees Khan; Suzie Chen; James S. Goydos; Bruce G. Haffty
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864271B2

## CPC

- A61K 41/0038: {Radiosensitizing, i.e. administration of pharmaceutical agents that enhance the effect of radiotherapy (radiotherapy per se A61N5/10)}
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)

## Abstract

Disclosed is a method of treating a tumor in a patient, comprising (a) administering riluzole in an amount effective to sensitize the tumor cells to ionizing radiation, and (b) irradiating the tumor cells with ionizing radiation in a dose effective to reduce tumor cell growth. The method can further comprise administering an effective amount of one or more additional therapeutic agents.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of treating a tumor in a patient in need thereof, said tumor comprising cells expressing a metabotropic glutamate receptor, said method comprising:
(a) initially administering riluzole to said patient within the time window of about 24 to about 48 hours before radiation treatment,
(b) optionally, ceasing riluzole administration, and
(c) at least 24 hours following the initial treatment with riluzole, irradiating the tumor cells with a therapeutically effective dose of ionizing radiation,
wherein said tumor is a glioma, and wherein said metabotropic glutamate receptor is metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3; GRM3); and
wherein riluzole is administered in an amount of about 50 to about 200 mg/day, and said dose of ionizing radiation is from about 250 to about 3750 cGy/day.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said ionizing radiation comprises whole-brain irradiation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ionizing radiation comprises fractionated whole-brain irradiation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein riluzole administration begins about 36 to about 48 hours prior to radiation treatment.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein riluzole administration continues until initiation of radiation treatment, or throughout radiation treatment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein riluzole administration continues post-radiation treatment at the same or a lower amount.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising administering to said patient one or more additional therapeutic agents in an amount effective to kill said tumor cells when used in combination with riluzole and ionizing radiation.

### Claim 8

A method of treating a glioma tumor in a patient in need thereof, said glioma tumor comprising cells expressing metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3; GRM3), said method comprising:
(a) initially administering about 50 to about 200 mg/day of riluzole to said patient within the time window of about 24 to about 48 hours before radiation treatment, thereby increasing the population of tumor cells sensitive to ionizing radiation; followed by
(b) optionally, ceasing riluzole administration; and
(c) at least 24 hours following the initial treatment with riluzole, irradiating the tumor cells with about 200 to about 6000 cGy/day of ionizing radiation so that the growth of said tumor cells is reduced, thereby resulting in reduced glioma tumor growth in said patient.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein riluzole administration begins about 36 to about 48 hours prior to radiation treatment.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising administering to said patient one or more additional therapeutic agents in an amount effective to kill said tumor cells when used in combination with said riluzole and said ionizing radiation.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said glioma tumor comprises cells further expressing O6-methylguanine-DNA methyl-transferase (MGMT).

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said glioma tumor comprises cells further expressing O6-methylguanine-DNA methyl-transferase (MGMT).

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the last dose of riluzole is administered at least 24 hours before radiation treatment.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the last dose of riluzole is administered at least 24 hours before radiation treatment.