Method of treating retained pulmonary secretions

A method of combatting cystic fibrosis in a human subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering by inhalation an aerosol of respirable particles to the respiratory system of said subject, said particles comprising a lantibiotic, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to facilitate lung mucus clearance;

• wherein said aerosol is comprised of particles having a particle size within the range of from about 1 to about 10 microns;
• wherein said lantibiotic is a lantibiotic that stimulates a Cl.sup.- secretory response;
• wherein said lantibiotic comprises from 0.1-100 (w/w) of said particles;
• and wherein said lantibiotic is administered in an amount sufficient to achieve concentrations of lantibiotic on the airway surfaces of said subject of from about 10.sup.-9 Moles/liter to about 10.sup.-3 Moles/liter.

A method of facilitating lung mucus clearance in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to the lungs of the subject a lantibiotic in an amount effective to facilitate lung mucus clearance;

• wherein said lantibiotic is selected from the group consisting of duramycin, nisin, subtilin, epidermin, Pep 5, gallidermin, mersacidin, actagardine, cinnamycin, and ancovenin;
• wherein said lantibiotic is delivered by administering an aerosol of respirable particles containing said lantibiotic to the lungs of said subject;
• wherein said aerosol is comprised of particles having a particle size within the range of from about 1 to 10 microns;
• wherein said lantibiotic comprises from 0.1-100 (w/w) of said particles;
• and wherein said lantibiotic is administered in an amount sufficient to achieve concentrations of lantibiotic on the airway surfaces of said subject of from about 10.sup.-9 Moles/liter to about 10.sup.-3 Moles/liter.

A method of combatting cystic fibrosis in a human subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering by inhalation an aerosol of respirable particles to the respiratory system of said subject, said particles comprising a lantibiotic, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to facilitate lung mucus clearance;

• wherein said lantibiotic is selected from the group consisting of duramycin, nisin, subtilin, epidermin, Pep 5, gallidermin, mersacidin, actagardine, cinnamycin, and ancovenin;
• wherein said aerosol is comprised of particles having a particle size within the range of from about 1 to 10 microns;
• wherein said lantibiotic comprises from 0.1-100 (w/w) of said particles;
• and wherein said lantibiotic is administered in an amount sufficient to achieve concentrations of lantibiotic on the airway surfaces of said subject of from about 10.sup.-9 Moles/liter to about 10.sup.-3 Moles/liter.