# US 5,703,048 A · Protection against liver damage by HGF > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,703,048 A - Document ID: US5703048A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/452,485 - Filed: 1995-05-26 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1992-09-16 - Assignees: Genentech, Inc. - Inventors: Filip Roos; Ralph Schwall - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5703048A ## CPC - C07K 14/4753: {Hepatocyte growth factor; Scatter factor; Tumor cytotoxic factor II} - A61K 38/1833: {Hepatocyte growth factor; Scatter factor; Tumor cytotoxic factor II} - A61K 39/395: Antibodies (agglutinins A61K38/36 {; as drug carriers A61K47/50}); Immunoglobulins; Immune serum, e.g. antilymphocytic serum - A61P 1/16: for liver or gallbladder disorders, e.g. hepatoprotective agents, cholagogues, litholytics - C07K 2319/00: Fusion polypeptide - C07K 2319/75: containing a fusion for activation of a cell surface receptor, e.g. thrombopoeitin, NPY and other peptide hormones - C07K: PEPTIDES (peptides in foodstuffs A23; obtaining protein compositions for foodstuffs, working-up proteins for foodstuffs A23J; preparations for medicinal purposes A61K; peptides containing beta-lactam rings C07D; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, C07D; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type C07D519/02; macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units in their molecules, i.e. when the preparation does not provide for a specific; but for a random sequence of the amino acid units, homopolyamides and block copolyamides derived from amino acids C08G69/00; macromolecular products derived from proteins C08H1/00; preparation of glue or gelatine C09H; single cell proteins, enzymes C12N; genetic engineering processes for obtaining peptides C12N15/00; compositions for measuring or testing processes involving enzymes C12Q; investigation or analysis of biological material G01N33/00) - 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) - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS ## Abstract The present invention provides methods for preventing occurrence or progression of liver damage using hepatocyte growth factor. In the methods, a preventatively effective amount of the hepatocyte growth factor is administered to the patient. The hepatocyte growth factor can be administered, for instance, prior to administering a hepatotoxic therapy to the patient. The hepatocyte growth factor can further be administered with activin or transforming growth factor-beta to prevent liver damage. Compositions comprising hepatocyte growth factor and activin antagonist or transforming growth factor-beta antagonist are also provided by the invention. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for preventing liver damage in a patient due to exposure to a hepatotoxic agent, the method comprising: administering hepatocyte growth factor to the patient, wherein said hepatocyte growth factor effectively prevents liver damage due to exposure to the hepatotoxic agent, and wherein said administering is prior to known liver damage in the patient. ### Claim 2 A method for preventing liver damage in a patient, the method comprising: administering hepatocyte growth factor to the patient concurrent with exposure of the patient to a hepatotoxic agent, wherein said administering is prior to diagnosis of liver damage in the patient. ### Claim 3 A method for preventing liver damage in a patient, the method comprising: administering hepatocyte growth factor to the patient prior to exposure of the patient to a hepatotoxic agent, wherein said hepatocyte growth factor effectively prevents liver damage due to exposure to the hepatotoxic agent. ### Claim 4 A method for preventing liver damage in a patient, the method comprising: administering to the patient hepatocyte growth factor, wherein said administering is after exposure of the patient to a hepatotoxic agent but prior to known liver damage in the patient. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said patient is mammalian. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said patient is human and said HGF is hHGF. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said hepatotoxic agent is a hepatotoxic compound. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said hepatotoxic agent is a therapeutic agent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said administering of HGF is prior to or concurrent with said exposure and is maintained after said exposure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said therapeutic agent is selected from anesthetics, neuropsychotropics, anticonvulsants, analgesics, hormones, antimicrobials, cardiovascular drugs, immunosuppressives, and anitneoplastics. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said patient is accidentally exposed to said hepatotoxic agent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said administering of HGF is initiated within 10-20 hours after accidental exposure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said hepatotoxic agent is radiation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein said radiation is radiation therapy. ### Claim 15 A method for the treatment of a patient comprising: administering to a patient a biologically effective dose of a therapeutic agent and HGF, wherein said therapeutic agent is activin, wherein said HGF effectively prevents liver damage due to exposure to activin.