Preventing airway mucus production by administration of EGF-R antagonists
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJay A. Nadel, Kiyoshi Takeyama
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Abstract
Hypersecretion of mucus in the lungs is inhibited by the administration of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) antagonist. The EGF-R antagonist may be in the form of a small organic molecule, an antibody, or portion of an antibody that binds to and blocks the EGF receptor. The EGF-R antagonist is preferably administered by injection in an amount sufficient to inhibit formation of goblet cells in pulmonary airways. The degranulation of goblet cells that results in airway mucus production is thereby inhibited. Assays for screening candidate agents that inhibit goblet cell proliferation are also provided.
Claims15
A pharmaceutical formulation for treatment of airway mucus hypersecretion, comprising:
- a therapeutically effective amount of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) antagonist that binds to an EGF-R, wherein said amount is effective to reduce airway mucus hypersecretion, wherein the EGF-R antagonist is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor;
- and a flowable formulation suitable for delivery by inhalation.
A package for use in treating airway mucus hypersecretion, comprising a container having therein a flowable formulation suitable for delivery by inhalation, the formulation comprising a pharmaceutically active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) antagonist that binds to an EGF-R, wherein the EGF-R antagonist is present in the formulation in an amount effective to reduce airway mucus hypersecretion, wherein the EGF-R antagonist is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
An aerosol comprising a pharmaceutically active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) antagonist that binds an EGF-R, wherein the EGF-R is present in the aerosol in an amount effective to reduce airway mucus hypersecretion, wherein the EGF-R antagonist is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.