AU2004203180A1 - Method of using lectins for prevention and treatment of skin diseases and disorders - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Method of using lectins for prevention and treatment of skin diseases and disorders The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 004510960 1A METHOD OF USING LECTINS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASES AND DISORDERS This application is a divisional of Australian patent application no. 43798/01, which in turn is a divisional of Australian patent application no. 58841/96, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention: This invention relates generally to methods of prevention and treatment of skin diseases and disorders and, more particularly, to the use of topical administration of lectins for prevention and treatment of skin diseases and disorders.

Description of the Prior Art: Skin diseases and disorders, including diseases and disorders of the hair and nails, are commonly caused in man and other animals by a variety of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Frequently, these disorders and disorders develop into chronic conditions which are only partially responsive to conventional therapies. These therapies are often uncomfortable for the patient, leading to poor patient compliance with the therapy and resultant exacerbation of the skin disease or disorder. For certain diseases and disorders, there are no therapies at all. As a result, there has been a longstanding need for an improved method for safe and effective treatment and prevention of skin diseases and disorders.

One of the most common bacterial-related skin diseases is acne vulgaris, or acne. Acne is common in pubescent boys and girls as a result of androgenic hormones acting upon susceptible hair follicles. The sebaceous gland associated with the follicle enlarges and ultimately the follicle opening is sealed off, leading to formation of a keratinaceous cyst. Certain anaerobes may be trapped in these cysts, notably Propionibacterium acnes, which can then metabolize sebum to produce irritating free fatty acids. These acids lead to the inflammation and abscesses associated with acne. Propionibacterium granulosum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are also associated with acne.

The most common therapy for acne is topical benzoyl peroxide which, although it is an effective antimicrobial and keratolytic, is noteworthy for its harsh and severely drying effect upon skin.

As a result, patient compliance is a serious problem with this drug, inasmuch as a lasting therapeutic response typically requires diligent administration over a period of six weeks or so. Other therapeutic agents for acne, such as retinoic acid and coal tar, can also have unwanted side-effects.

There are several staphylococcal diseases of the skin, including impetigo, ecthyma, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS). Impetigo is a childhood pyoderma of the face and extremities characterized by the formation of localized crusty regions. Staphylococcus aureus is the usual cause, although sometimes a Group A p-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), such as Streptococcus pyogenes, is implicated. Ecthyma is an ulcerative form of impetigo. S.

aureus also causes folliculitis, which is a pyoderma of the hair follicles and-apocrine areas; Pseudomonas aeruginosa has also 2 been implicated. Furuncles (boils) and carbuncles (clusters of furuncles with subcutaneous spread of infection) are also caused by S. aureus. SSSS usually occurs in young children or immunosuppressed patients and is characterized by crusted lesions which lead to peeling of the epidermis in large sheets. Group II coagulase-positive staphylococci are the cause. Systemic penicillin or other antibiotics are generally prescribed for these diseases. However, this therapy can be problematical because of increasing bacterial resistance as well as patient intolerance to these compounds.

Many other bacteria can cause skin diseases. Erysipelas is caused by GABHS; erythrasma is caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum; and erysipeloid is caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, a gram-positive bacillus. These diseases are also generally treated by prescribing antibiotics, just as the staphylococcus-caused diseases, and, hence, the same bacterial resistance and patient intolerance problems arise.

Paronychial (nail) infections are usually caused by micrococci, Pseudomonas, or Proteus. Once again, the recognized treatment is with antibiotics.

Common body odor is a disorder arising from bacterial and yeast-mediated breakdown of the concentrated fatty sweat secreted by apocrine sweat glands. The resultant unsaturated fatty acids have a characteristic pungent odor. The predominant microbe responsible for body odor is the anaerobe Propionibacterium avidum. Although this problem can be satisfactorily addressed by 3 modern deodorant and antiperspirant formulations, many people are sensitive to the active ingredients, usually hydrated aluminum chloride salts.

Many skin disorders are the result of fungal infection which can generally be classified as either dermatophyte (ringworm) or yeast infections.

Dermatophytes are fungi that can invade the stratum corneum of the skin or other keratinized tissues derived from the epidermis, such as hair and nails. They may cause infection at most skin sites, although the feet, groin, scalp, and nails are most commonly affected. Three genera of pathogenic fungi that cause dermatophytosis in humans are: Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Tinea corporis (ringworm of the body), characterized by the annular lesions from which the disease takes it name, is usually caused by T. rubrum, M. canis, and/or T.

verrucosum. In the case of tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp), the lesions are caused by T. tonsurans, but are not annular. Tinea pedis (athlete's foot), manifested by itching and scaling, is usually caused by either T. rubrum or T.

mentagrophytes. The scratch dermatitis and lichenification associated with tinea cruris (jock itch) are usually the result of infection by T. rubrum or E. floccosum, although certain yeasts can also be involved. Tinea unguium (ringworm of the nails), which can lead to destruction of the nails, is generally caused by a Trichophyton species. Griseofulvin is prescribed as a systemic therapy for all of these "ringworm" dermatophytoses.

4 004470638 However, some patients are sensitive to griseofulvin, which is a penicillin derivative, and its use is contraindicated for all pregnant women. Oral and topical imidazoles are also prescribed. The oral use of ketoconazole is hampered by the possibility of severe, or even fatal, liver toxicity.

Topical imidazoles can be irritating to the skin and can induce allergic reactions. Increasing dermatophyte resistance to both griseofulvin and imidazoles has further limited the usefulness of these drugs.

The most important yeast infections are candidiasis, pityriasis (tinea versicolor), and seborrheic dermatitis.

Infections from Candida albicans are expressed as a variety of forms of candidiasis. The most common symptoms include well-demarcated erythematous patches which are pruritic and exudative. Small pustules rim the lesions and occur in the umbilicus, groin, gluteal folds (diaper rash), axillas, inframammary areas, nails (candidal paronychia), and between the toes and fingers. Vaginal candidiasis, which results in vaginal discharge and inflammation, is addressed in U.S. Patent No. 6,159,174. Vaginal candidiasis can also lead to the infection of penile tissues, which is a skin condition treatable by this invention. Imidazoles, such as miconazole nitrate, are frequently prescribed for candidiasis, but such compounds can cause irritation, burning, maceration, and allergic contact dermatitis.

Nystatin is also a preferred therapy. Although nystatin has no serious side effects, candidiasis frequently recurs subsequent to this or other therapies.

Pityriasis is common in young adults and is characterized by multiple scaly lesions on the chest, neck, and abdomen. The causative fungal organism is Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare). Pityriasis can also occur in the scalp and is caused by M. furfur and M. orbiculare. Selenium sulfide in shampoo form is the usual therapy. However, recurrence is almost universal.

Seborrheic dermatitis, which causes dandruff, is caused by several species of Malassezia. It is usually apparent as a pruritic dry or greasy scaling of the scalp. Selenium sulfide shampoo is recommended but, as with pityriasis, does not provide an effective cure.

Some other superficial fungal diseases include: tinea nigra, an infection of the palms and soles caused by Exophiala (Phaeoanellomyces) werneckii; white piedra, an infection of hair shafts caused by Trichosporon beigelii; and black piedra, an infection of hair shafts caused by Piedraia hortae. Conventional antifungals are prescribed for these conditions, with the same undesirable safety or efficacy consequences described previously.

Viral diseases of the skin include warts (verrucae) and various herpes infections.

The wart viruses (papovaviruses) are circular, doublestranded DNA having about 8000 base pairs. Warts are expressed in a variety of forms and locations on the body, including: 6 plantar, palmar, mosaic, periungual, filiform, and flat. Removal is accomplished by means such as acid treatment, surgery, freezing, or cantharidin therapy. All of these treatments must be performed in a clinical setting and are frequently painful for the patient. Recurrence of warts occurs in about one-third of patients within a year of these treatments.

Genital wart infections are one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STD). They are caused by human papilloma virus types 1, 2, 6, 11, 16, and 18. They may be removed by electrocauterization, freezing, or topical applications of acids, but no treatment is completely satisfactory.

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) is responsible for fever blisters, for which there is no quick, effective remedy. Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) causes genital herpes, which is a highly infectious and widespread STD. Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Oral acyclovir has been used with some success for herpes infections, but even early treatment does not resolve latent infections or prevent recurrences.

It is noteworthy that certain non-dermal diseases can be prevented by neutralizing the pathogenic vector while it remains on a dermal surface, prior to invading other bodily tissues. For example, syphilis, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, is not usually classified as a skin disease, but the pathogen can be transmitted to superficial penile tissues as a result of 7 intercourse. Currently, there are no adequate prophylactic compounds to deal with this circumstance. Similarly, measles (rubeola), caused by a paramyxovirus, and German measles (rubella), caused by an RNA virus, are not usually classified as skin diseases. However, these viruses are easily spread to other dermal areas on the body, whereupon new lesions will form, as a result of rubbing or scratching in an effort to relieve pruritis.

There are no particular treatments for rubella or rubeola, other than symptomatic treatments, such as for pruritis. These treatments, such as calamine lotion, are usually of limited effect and duration.

In addition to bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases, there are other traumas and maladies of the skin. For example, wrinkles arise from aging of the skin, particularly through photo-aging processes. Retinoic acid has been used with some success to deal with this difficult problem, but this therapy often leads to irritation and other undesirable side-effects.

Surgery is commonly employed, but this is usually painful and carries uncertain results.

The skin is highly susceptible to lacerations, burns, and other wounds. The focus of most therapies for these traumas is to discourage infection by the use of antiseptic compounds while natural recovery takes place. However, the alternative strategy of accelerating natural healing has not been dealt with successfully. In the case of lacerations, including open, 8 004449931 surgical incisions, there is a need for a safe, effective thrombogenic agent.

Thus, it is apparent that for many diseases and disorders of the skin, existing therapies are either ineffective or have undesirable side-effects and, for certain other conditions, there is no therapy available.

Prophylactic methods are similarly deficient. Accordingly, there is a clear need for a new dermatological approach which will afford safe and effective treatments for both prophylaxis and therapy.

SUIVMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a safer and more effective therapy and prophylaxis for disease and disorders of the dermal tissues, i.e. skin, hair and nails. The invention provides a method according to which one or more lectins, capable of binding to the surface of pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting the hair, skin and nails, or of binding to the superficial dermal tissues that comprise hair, skin, and nails, are administered topically or subcutaneously to a patient infected with such pathogens or in danger of being exposed to such pathogens.

The method of the invention also provides for the use or one or more lectins to stimulate cell mitosis and thereby promote dermal cellular growth to restore the smooth structure of wrinkled skin due to aging and to promote the healing of skin wounds.

-9- 004449931 The method of the invention also provides for the use of one or more lectins to agglutinate and thereby stanch the bleeding associated with skin lacerations and open, surgical incisions.

The lectins may be applied according to the method of the invention either neat or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

The invention relates to an improved method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by bacteria.

The invention also relates to a method of prophylaxis and/or treatment for acne.

The invention further relates to a method of prophylaxis and/or treatment for body odor.

The invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by species of Staphylococcus.

The invention also relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by species of Streptococcus.

The invention further relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by fungi.

The invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by dermatophytes.

004449931 The invention also relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by species of Trichophyton, especially T. rubrum.

The invention further relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by species of Microsporum.

The invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by species of Epidermophyton.

The invention also relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by yeast.

The invention further relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by Candida albicans.

The invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by species of Malassezia.

The invention also relates to a method for prophylaxis and/or treatment for seborrheic dermatitis.

The invention further relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by viruses.

The invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by papovaviruses.

-11- 004449931 The invention also relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by human papilloma virus types i, 2, 6, 11, 16, or 18.

The invention further relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by herpes viruses.

The invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by HSV-1.

The invention also relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by HSV-2.

The invention further relates to a method for preventing and/or treating dermatological infections caused by varicella-zoster virus.

The invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating rubeola.

The invention also relates to a method for preventing and/or treating rubella.

The invention further relates to a method of prophylaxis for human males against syphilis.

The invention relates to a method for binding, and thereby neutralizing, pathogenic microorganisms located on the skin, hair, or nails.

The invention also relates to a method for binding target receptors on the skin, hair, or nails, thereby preventing invasion by pathogenic microorganisms.

-12- 004449931 The invention further relates to an improved method for removing wrinkles which arise as a result of aging.

The invention relates to an improved method for promoting the healing of skin wounds, including burns.

The invention also relates to an improved method for stopping the bleeding associated with skin lacerations and open, surgical incisions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins of non-immune origin that agglutinate cells or precipitate polysaccharides or glycoconjugates, i.e. proteins or lipids conjugated to oligo- or polysaccharides. They are widely distributed and have been isolated from both plant and animal sources.

Their reactions with living cells are based on their ability to bind with antibody-like specificity to particular arrangements of the sugar residues that make up oligo- or polysaccharides.

The surfaces of eukaryotic cells contain numerous molecules of glycoproteins and glycolipids. Such glycoconjugates are found in the plasma membranes of cells of multicellular animals, including mammals and humans, as well as on the surfaces of single-celled eukaryotic organisms. Similarly, the cell walls and capsules of bacteria and the envelopes of viruses contain structural polysaccharides and/or glycoproteins. The -13carbohydrate moieties of these molecules which are displayed on the cell surfaces exhibit great variety in composition and structure that serves to distinguish the types of cells and to serve as a signal to other cells or materials which come into contact with the cell. For, example, variation in the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins and glycolipids in the plasma membrane of red blood cells serves as the basis for conventional blood typing. When lectins recognize and bind to certain carbohydrate moieties, they may serve to cross-link and agglutinate the cells bearing the binding groups, a property that earns for them the alternate name of agglutinins.

Furthermore, because the same sort of carbohydrate moieties often serve as attachment points for pathogens to. bind to target cells and invade them, lectins may block infection of target cells by blocking the sites used by pathogens as recognition markers. The same type of specific binding occurs between sperm and egg in conception, and can be blocked by lectins. The binding ability of lectins may be very specific for certain monoor oligosaccharides, allowing lectins to be used as a powerful tool for investigating the oligosaccharide epitopes on the surface of organisms or cells. Lectins can distinguish between blood cells of specific blood type, malignant from normal cells, and among species and genera of organisms. While glycoproteins, glycolipids, and bacterial cell walls and capsules are believed to be the main lectin-binding locations on the surfaces of cells, it is not excluded that carbohydrate moieties derived from other 14 004470638 molecules or cellular structures may be displayed on the cell surface or that other lectin-binding structures may be targets for the lectins used in the method of this invention.

Current medical uses of lectins include distinguishing erythrocytes of different blood types (blood typing). More recently, lectins have been used ex vivo in depleting Tcells of patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

Among the microorganisms that are bound by certain lectins are infectious organisms such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. Lectins may be used to identify such microorganisms in vitro and are also capable of binding them in vivo, thereby preventing them from infecting living cells. Human disease-causing organisms that can be bound by lectins include the organisms responsible for numerous sexually transmitted disease (as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,159,174) and disease of the oral and alimentary canal (as described in WO 96/24368) as well a Propionibacterium acnes, Propionibacterium granulosum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Corynebacterium minutissimus, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, various species of Proteus, Propionibacterium avidum, Trichophyton rubrum, Mi crosporum canis, Tri chophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Candida albicans, Malassezia furfur, Malassezia orbiculare, Exophiala (Phaeoanellomyces) weneckii, Trichosporon beigelii, Piedraia hortae, papovaviruses, human papilloma viruses, HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella-zoster virus, Treponema pallidum, the virus causing rubella, the virus causing rubeola, and others. Other infections and diseases in which the portal of entry or initial attachment is the skin, hair, or nails are also capable of being treated or prevented by administration of lectins according to this invention.

According to the invention, a dose of lectins effective for binding and agglutinating pathogenic microorganisms and/or blocking the recognition sites on target cells is administered to the skin, hair, or nails prophylactically or as therapy. Because of the specificity of lectins for certain microorganisms, a mixture of lectins can be chosen for their ability to bind or agglutinate specific pathogens.

Lectins also have mitogenic activity and can induce quiescent cells to grow and multiply. For example, lectins can stimulate mitosis in lymphocytes. It is suspected that most lectins of vegetable origin have this.ability.

According to the invention, a dose of one or more lectins sufficient to induce cell mitosis in skin can be administered in areas of age-wrinkled skin so as to mitigate or eliminate the wrinkling. Alternatively, a dose of one or more lectins sufficient to induce cell mitosis in skin can be administered so as to promote wound healing.

Many lectins also have the ability to agglutinate (coagulate) blood because of their ability to bind to both erythrocytes and leukocytes. According to the invention, a dose 16 of one or more lectins sufficient to coagulate blood can be administered to the area of a skin laceration or to open, surgical incisions in order to stanch bleeding.

A representative listing of lectins, the abbreviations by which they are referred to, and their sources are given in Table 1.

TABLE I Rep~resentative Lectins, Abbreviations Sources

AAP

AAnA AAurA

ABA

ABrA

AGT

AL

APA

AS

BIDA

BPA

CA

CAA

CCA

ConA Aaptos papillata (sponge) Anguilla angui.lla (eel serum) Aleuria auzrantia (orange peel fungus) Agaricus bisporus.(common mushroom) Amphicazpaea bracteata (hog-peanut) Aga.rdhiella tenez-a (red alga) Hippeastzrum hybrid (amaryllis bulb) Abrus p-ecatorius (Jequirity bean) Avena sativa (oat) Bryonia diolca (white bryony) Bauhinia pur-pur-ea alba (camel s foot tree) Colchicumn autuinnale (meadow saffron) Ca.raqana arborescens (Siberian pea tree) Cancer- antennazrius (California or blue crab) Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean) 17

CPA

CSA

DBA

DSA

ECA

ECorA

EEA

GNA

GSA-I/GSA-II

HAA

EPA

JAC (Jacalin

LAA

LBA

LCA (LcH)

LEA

LFA

LIP (Limulin)

LOA

LTA (LOTUS)

MAA

MIH

MPA

NPL (NPA)

PAA

PRA (PHA-L) Cice arietinum (chickpea) Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom) Dolichos bitlorus (horse gram) Datura stramoniuz (jimsonweed, thorn apple) Erythrina cristagalli (coral tree) Erythrina corrallodendrin (coral tree) Evonymus europaeus (spindle tree) Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop bulb) Griffonia sixplicifolia (African legume) Helix aspersa (garden snail) Helix pomatia (Roman or edible snail) Atocarous integrifolia (jackfruit) Laburnum alpinum (golden chain) Phaseolus lunatus (also linensis) (lima bean) Lens culinaris (lentil) Lycopersicon esculentui (tomato) Limax flavus (garden slug) Limulus polyphemus (horseshoe crab) Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea) Lotus tetragonolobus (asparagus pea) Maackla amuzensis (maackla) Mangifera indica (mango) Maclura ponifera (Osage orange) Narcissus pseudonarcissus (daffodil) Persea americana (avocado) Phaseolus vulqaris (red kidney bean) 18

PNA

PSA

PTP

PWA

S PTAgalactose PTAgalNa c RCA- I/RCA-II

RPA

S BA

SJA

S NA

SOF

STA

TKA

TL

TMT

UEA-I/UEA-I I

VAA

VFA

VGA

VRA

VSA

VVA

WFA

WGA

suc-WGA Arachis hypogaea (peanut) Pisum sativum (pea) Ptilota pluinosa (red alga) Phytolacca americana (pokeweed) Psophocarpus tetr-agonclobus (winged bean) Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (winged bean) Ricinus communis (castor bean) Robinia pseuo'oacacia (black locust) Glycine max (soybean) Sophora japonica (Japanese pagoda tree).

Sambucus nigra (elderberry) Soduim fragile (green alga) Solanum tuberosum (potato) Prichosanthes Jirilowii (China gourd) Tulipa gesneriana (tulip) Tomentine (seaweed Codium tomentosum) Ulex europaeus (gorse or furze seeds) Viscum album (European mistletoe) Vi cia .faba (fava bean) Vicia graminea (herb) Vigna radiata (mung bean) Vicia sativa (vetch)' Vicia villosa (hairy vetch) Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria) Triticum vulgaris (wheat germ) Succinylated WGA 19 The choice of lectins for prophylaxis or treatment of a particular infection is determined, in part, by the lectinbinding properties of the pathogenic microorganism, which is a function of the composition of the particular oligosaccharide residues of the glycoproteins and glycolipids found on the external surface of the pathogen.

For example, Staphylococcus aureus can be bound by the lectins WGA (Davidson, SK et al, J Clin Microbiol 15: 547-53 (1982)), ConA (Reeder, NJ et al, J Immunol 196: 334-40 (1971)), and LIP (Gilbride KJ et al, Prog Clin Biol Res 29: 525-35 (1979)). WGA and ConA have a binding affinity for N-acetyl-Dglucosamine residues expressed on a surface (Doyle, RJ, Lectin- Microorganism Interactions, Marcel-Dekker (New York), 43-55 (1994)), and strains of S. aureus are known to express such residues (Slifkin, M, Lectin-Microorganism Interactions, Marcel- Dekker (New York), 144-5 (1994)).

Candida albicans can be bound by the lectins ConA, LCA, and GSA-II (Dean, JW et al, J Biol Chem, 265: 12553-62 (1990). Each of these lectins has binding specificity for N-acetyl-Dglucosaminyl residues (Doyle, ibid.). These carbohydrate moieties have, in turn, been shown relevant for the binding of C.

albicans (Ghannoum, MA et al, Candida albicans: cellular and molecular biology, Springer-Verlag (Heidelberg), 144-163 (1991)).

Herpes simplex viruses can be bound by the lectin HPA (Slifkin, M et al, J Clin Microbiol 27: 1036-39 (1989)). HPA can 20 bind to residues of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (Doyle, ibid.). Nacetyl-D-galactosamines represent a major class of oligosaccharide chains in viral envelope proteins.

Alternatively, a lectin can be selected for its ability to bind appropriately to a dermal tissue, thereby blocking the potential binding sites for pathogens; this technique has applicability for both prophylaxis and therapy.

The choice of lectins for stimulating mitosis for the purpose of mitigating age-induced wrinkles or promoting the healing of wounds, including burns, is determined by the tissuebinding properties of the lectin. Examples of mitogenic lectins include PHA (Nowell, PC, Cancer Res 20: 462-66 (1960)),

SBA

(Licastro, F et al, Lectins, Vol. III, Walter de Gruyter Co.

(Berlin), 293-302 (1983)), and TL (Kilpatrick, DC et al, Lectins- Biology, Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemistry, Vol. 7, Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis), 259-63 (1990)).

Many lectins are capable of agglutinating blood and are, therefore, useful for stopping the bleeding from superficial wounds and open surgical incisions by local, topical, administration to a bleeding lesion. ConA, WGA, and LCA are examples of lectins capable of agglutinating all types of human blood.

While the lectins discussed above and the organisms and conditions against which they are effective are representative of useful lectins according to the invention, it is to be understood 21 that other lectins may be discovered which are also useful for these purposes.

The administration of lectins for these various dermal diseases and disorders will depend upon the particular condition and whether prophylaxis or therapy is required. In certain instances, a mixture of lectins is preferred. For example, a prophylactic product designed to protect against a variety of dermal diseases would contain a mixture of lectins selected for their ability to bind to certain dermal receptors and/or individual pathogens.

In some cases, a single lectin will suffice. As an example involving prophylaxis, when Treponema pallidum is transmitted to the superficial penile tissues as a result of intercourse, it can be neutralized by the prompt administration of a lectin, thereby preventing development of syphilis. The lectin SBA binds to Treponema pallidum (Fitzgerald, TJ et al, Infect Immun 24: 261- 68 (1979)) and is useful for this application. In this case, the lectin product is applied either immediately before or after intercourse. If, instead of binding directly to Treponema pallidum, the lectin is chosen so as to bind to the penile receptors sought by the pathogen, then the lectin is preferably administered prior to intercourse..

For acne and other conditions, a single lectin product (containing one or more lectins) will frequently be useful for both prophylaxis and therapy. In many cases, the course of administration will begin with a therapeutic dosage because the 22 condition is already well-developed. Upon resolution of the condition, a maintenance dosage will be employed for prophylactic purposes. Sometimes, the therapeutic and prophylactic dosages will be equivalent.

Certain therapeutic regimens of the invention, in order to satisfactorily resolve a particular condition, will require the initial administration of one lectin product followed by another,.

different lectin product.

The lectins may be administered in a variety of forms for delivery to dermal surfaces, either topically or subcutaneously.

Topical vehicles include creams, ointments, sprays, lotions, gels, solutions, foams, soap and non-soap bars, shampoos, rinses, and powders. Some of these forms may also be pre-impregnated into gauze or other sorptive coverings intended to be applied to the skin. Vehicles may be either aqueous or non-aqueous. Some vehicles may contain agents, natural or synthetic polymers, which form a dry, occlusive film when applied to the skin. Such polymers might include cellulose derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose; poly(vinylpyrrolidone); poly(acrylic acid) and salts thereof; and the like, as are known to those skilled in the art.

Such films may have controlled delivery properties in order to provide a sustained delivery of lectin to the target organism or dermal receptor. Other vehicles, for either controlled or bolus delivery of lectins, will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The concentration or proportion of the lectin active 23 ingredient in the dosage forms used in the method of the invention will vary widely depending on the particular application. It is even possible to use the lectins in neat form, as pure solids without admixture of any vehicle, as a dusting powder of finely divided lectins applied to the skin. When the lectins are applied in a vehicle or excipient, the concentration will be determined by the amount of lectin to be applied to the dermal tissues, among other factors.

If a high concentration of lectins on the dermal tissues is required a dosage form such as a lotion, ointment, or the like having a high concentration of lectins, greater than 50 by weight may be used. If a lesser concentration of lectins on the dermal tissues is sufficient to achieve the therapeutic or prophylactic goal, a less concentrated formulation, less than 50 by weight can be used. It is also according to the invention to apply the lectins dispersed in a fugitive vehicle, a vehicle that is absorbed into the skin or a volatile vehicle such as water or a pharmaceutically acceptable volatile alcohol, which serves to disperse the lectins over the surface of the tissues to be treated and then evaporates or is absorbed by the skin to leave a coating of lectins on the surface of the tissues. Lectins dispersed in such a vehicle may be applied to the skin by manual distribution or by spraying and allowed to remain on the surface until the fugitive vehicle has disappeared leaving a deposit of lectins on the skin surface. Such vehicles may merely deposit the solid lectins on the skin surface or may 24 also contain non-volatile ingredients that can serve to hold the lectins in place on the tissues after the fugitive vehicle has departed.

Duration and amount of dosage will be determined by the type and severity of condition, including the number of pathogens to be neutralized, and whether prophylaxis or therapy is intended.

Dosage is also dependent upon the strength of binding between the lectin and the pathogen receptor or dermal receptor, on the binding constant for the interaction between the lectin and the receptors, and on the number of receptors that have to be saturated with lectin in order to produce an effective response.

Dosage will also be affected by the bioavailability of the lectin to interact with the receptors. Accordingly, while the practitioner can gain some guidance as to an effective dose from the experimental determination of the binding effectiveness of a given lectin for a particular dermal condition, it must be expected that determination of an effective dose will involve some experimentation of the type that is entirely conventional in the development of pharmaceutical treatment for the skin diseases and disorders which are the subject of this disclosure.

EXAMPLE

This example illustrates the binding of various lectins to Propionibacterium acnes, which is a principal organism involved in the development of lesions associated with acne vulgaris. P.

acnes (ATCC 6919) was grown under anaerobic conditions at 37"C 25 for 3-4 days on blood agar plates containing 5 sheep blood.

The bacteria were harvested with 0.01 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) containing 0.15 M NaCl (PBS), washed twice with PBS, and suspended to a final optical density of 0.9 in sodium bicarbonate buffer, pH 9.5. Bacteria (100 mL) were added to flat-bottomed wells of polystyrene microtiter plates (Corning) and incubated at room temperature overnight. The coated plates were then washed three times with Hanks balanced salt solution supplemented with HEPES buffer containing 0.1 Tween 20 (HBSST), pH 7.2, followed by the addition of 15 pg (150 pg/mL HBSST) of the appropriate biotinylated lectin. After two hours at ambient temperature, the wells were emptied and washed three times with HBSST. Bound biotinylated lectin was detected by the addition of 100 ng of streptavidin alkaline phosphatase (10 ng/gL), followed after one hour by washing the cells as above, followed by the addition of 100 g of p-nitrophenol phosphate (1 mg/mL). Color production was quantified using a spectrophotometer at 405 nm.

Lectins were evaluated for their possible reactivity with immobilized P. acnes in vitro. The lectins LcH, STA, ConA, PSA, VFA, and MPA showed markedly strong binding to P. acnes, producing optical densities that were greater than 3.00. The lectins GNA, CPA, NPA, LEA, Jacalin, UEA, and BPA showed strong binding, while CAA, LAA, SBA, WFA, RPA, and LBA bound moderately with P. acnes in vitro. Other lectins reacted.weakly with these bacteria. The experimental data are summarized in Table 2 below.

26 Lect in LcH-

STA

ConA

PSA

VFA

MPA

GNA

CPA

NPA

LEA

Jacalin

!JEA

BPA

CAA

LAA

SBA

WFA

RPA

LBA

VVA

DSA

PHA.

CSA

Lotus Table 2 optical Density >3.00 >3 .00 >3 .00 >3.00 >3 .00 >3 .00 2.16 1.65 1.42 1.32 1.20 1.15 1.12 0.91 0.87 0.76 0.70 0.63 0.54 0.45 0.43 0.43 0.42 0.41 27 004449931' ECA 0.40 HAA 0.40 PNA 0.38 ABA 0.32 MA- 0.31 WGA 0.31 SJA 0.27 suc-WGA 0.26 TKA 0.26 The invention having now been, described, it should be understood that it may be embodied in other specific forms or variations without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Accordingly, the embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

As used herein, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction.

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Claims (72)

1. A method of preventing and/or treating diseases and disorders of dermal tissue such as the skin, hair, or nails of humans and other animals caused by pathogenic microorganisms which comprises locally administering to a cutaneous site at least one lectin capable of interfering with the infective capability of a pathogenic microorganism toward dermal tissue, in an amount effective to diminish said infective capability of said microorganism.

2. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is administered prophylactically.

3. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is administered therapeutically.

4. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is administered topically. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is administered subcutaneously.

6. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is administered neat.

7. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

8. The method of Claim 7 wherein said vehicle is a fugitive vehicle.

9. The method of Claim 8 wherein said vehicle is a volatile vehicle. The method of Claim 7 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, sprays, lotions, gels, solutions, foams, soap, and non-soap bars, shampoos, rinses and powders.

11. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is capable of binding to said microorganism.

12. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is capable of binding to said dermal tissue. 004510960

13. The method of Claim 1 wherein said plurality of said lectins is administered.

14. The method of Claim 1 wherein said microorganism is a bacterium. The method of Claim 14 wherein said bacterium is a species of Staphylococcus.

16. The method of Claim 14 wherein said bacterium is a species of Streptococcus.

17. The method of Claim 1 wherein said microorganism is a fungus.

18. The method of Claim 17 wherein said fungus is a dermatophyte.

19. The method of Claim 18 wherein said dermatophyte is a species of Trichophyton. The method of Claim 19 wherein said dermatophyte is Trichophyton rubrum.

21. The method of Claim 18 wherein said dermatophyte is a species of Microsporum.

22. The method of Claim 18 wherein said dermatophyte is a species of Epidermophyton.

23. The method of Claim 17 wherein said fungus is a yeast.

24. The method of Claim 23 wherein said yeast is a species of Malassezia. The method of Claim 23 wherein said yeast is Candida albicans.

26. The method of Claim 1 wherein said microorganism is a virus.

27. The method of Claim 26 wherein said virus is a papovavirus. 004510960 31 said 28. The method of Claim 26 wherein virus is human papilloma virus type 1, 2, 6, 11, 16, or 18.

29.

31.

32.

33.

34.

36. The method The method The method The method The method The method The method The method of Claim 26 wherein said virus is a herpes virus. of Claim 29 wherein said herpes virus is HSV-1. of Claim 29 wherein said herpes virus is HSV-2. of Claim 29 wherein said herpes virus is varicella-zoster. of Claim 1 wherein the disease is acne. of Claim 1 wherein the disorder is body odor. of Claim 1 wherein the disease is seborrheic dermatitis. of Claim 1 wherein the disease is rubella.

37. The method of Claim 1 wherein the disease is rubeola.

38. The method of Claim 1 wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of WGA, ConA, HPA, LIP, LCA, SBA, GSA-II, LcH, STA, PSA, VFA, MPA, GNA, CPA, NPA, LEA, Jacalin, UEA, BPA, CAA, LAA, WFA, RPA, and LBA.

39. The method of Claim 38 wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of LcH, STA, ConA, PSA, VFA, MPA, GNA, CPA, NPA, LEA, Jacalin, UEA, BPA, CAA, LAA, WFA, RPA, LBA, WGA, and SBA. The method of Claim 38 wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of LcH, STA, ConA, PSA, VFA, MPA, GNA, CPA, NPA, LEA, Jacalin, UEA, BPA, WGA, and SBA.

41. The method of Claim 38 wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of LcH, STA, ConA, PSA, VFA, MPA, WGA, and SBA. 004510960 32

42. A method of alleviating age-induced skin wrinkles in humans comprising locally administering to skin tissue afflicted with wrinkles at least one lectin capable of inducing cell mitosis in the tissues comprising the wrinkled area in an amount effective to decrease the prominence of said wrinkles.

43. The method of Claim 42 wherein said lectin is administered neat.

44. The method of Claim 42 wherein said lectin is dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The method of Claim 44 wherein said vehicle is a fugitive vehicle.

46. The method of Claim 45 wherein said vehicle is a volatile vehicle.

47. The method of Claim 44 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, sprays, lotions, gels, solutions, foams, soap and non-soap bars, shampoos, rinses, and powders.

48. The method of Claim 42 wherein said lectin is administered topically.

49. The method of Claim 42 wherein said lectin is administered subcutaneously. The method of Claim 42 wherein a plurality of said lectins is administered.

51. The method of Claim 42 wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of PHA, SBA, and TL.

52. A method of promoting the healing of dermal wounds and burns in humans and other animals comprising locally administering to injured skin tissue at least one lectin capable of inducing cell mitosis in said injured tissue in an amount effective to promote healing of said injured tissues.

53. The method of Claim 52 wherein said lectin is administered neat. 004510960 33

54. The method of Claim 52 wherein said lectin is dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The method of Claim 54 wherein said vehicle is a fugitive vehicle.

56. The method of Claim 55 wherein said vehicle is a volatile vehicle.

57. The method of Claim 54 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, sprays, lotions, gels, solutions, foams, soap and non-soap bars, shampoos, rinses, and powders.

58. The method of Claim 52 wherein said lectin is administered topically.

59. The method of Claim 52 wherein said lectin is administered subcutaneously. The method of Claim 52 wherein a plurality of said lectins is administered.

61. The method of Claim 52 wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of PHA, SBA, and TL.

62. A method of promoting the coagulation of blood from skin lacerations or open surgical incisions in humans and other animals comprising locally administering to a bleeding lesion at least one lectin capable of agglutinating blood or blood constituents in an amount effective to promote healing of said injured tissues.

63. The method of Claim 62 wherein said lectin is administered neat.

64. The method of Claim 62 wherein said lectin is dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The method of Claim 64 wherein said vehicle is a fugitive vehicle.

66. The method of Claim 65 wherein said vehicle is a volatile vehicle. 004510960 34

67. The method of Claim 64 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, sprays, lotions, gels, solutions, foams, soap and non-soap bars, shampoos, rinses, and powders.

68. The method of Claim 62 wherein said lectin is administered topically.

69. The method of Claim 62 wherein said lectin is administered subcutaneously. The method of Claim 62 wherein a plurality of said lectins is administered.

71. The method of Claim 52 wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of ConA, WGA, and LCA.

72. A method of preventing syphilis in human males which comprises locally administering to the penis of a human male at least one lectin capable of binding to Treponema pallidum or to superficial receptor sites for Treponema pallidum on penile tissues, said lectin being effective for diminishing the infective capability of Treponema pallidum, and said lectin being administered in an amount effective to diminish said infective capability of T. pallidum.

73. The method of Claim 72 wherein said lectin is administered neat.

74. The method of Claim 72 wherein said lectin is dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The method of Claim 74 wherein said vehicle is a fugitive vehicle.

76. The method of Claim 75 wherein said vehicle is a volatile vehicle.

77. The method of Claim 74 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, sprays, lotions, gels, solutions, foams, soap and non-soap bars, shampoos, rinses, and powders.

78. The method of Claim 72 wherein said lectin is administered topically. 004510960

79. The method of Claim 72 wherein said lectin is administered subcutaneously. The method of Claim 72 wherein a plurality of said lectins is administered.

81. The method of Claim 72 wherein said lectin is SBA.

82. A pharmaceutical composition for administering lectins to the skin comprising at least one lectin dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

83. The composition of Claim 82 wherein said composition comprises a plurality of lectins.

84. The composition of Claim 82 wherein said vehicle is an aqueous vehicle.

85. The composition of Claim 84 wherein said composition additionally comprises a film-forming polymer, whereby said polymer is deposited on said skin as a polymer film containing said lectin.

86. The composition of Claim 85 wherein said polymer film is capable of sustained delivery of said lectins to the skin.

87. The composition of Claim 82 wherein said vehicle is an emulsion comprising an organic phase, an aqueous phase containing at least one lectin, and an emulsifier.

88. The composition of Claim 87 wherein said composition additionally comprises a film-forming polymer, whereby said polymer is deposited on said skin as a polymer film containing said lectin. 004510960 36

89. The composition of Claim 88 wherein said polymer film is capable of sustained delivery of said lectins to the skin. Legere Pharmaceuticals, Ltd By their Registered Patent Attorneys Freehills Carter Smith Beadle 14 July 2004