JP2005515175A - Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a factor VII polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptide - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to a composition comprising Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, and the use of the composition to treat bleeding episodes. .

Description

Field of the invention

  The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. The invention also relates to a Factor VII or Factor VII related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-anti-antigen for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a subject suffering from bleeding episodes. It relates to the use of a combination of plasmin related polypeptides. The invention also relates to a method for treating the onset of bleeding in a subject and a method for enhancing clot formation in a subject. The present invention also relates to kits containing these compounds.

Background of the Invention

  Hemostasis is initiated by the formation of a complex between tissue factor (TF) exposed to the circulating blood after injury to the vessel wall and FVIIa present in the circulating blood in an amount equivalent to about 1% of the total FVII protein mass Is done. This complex is anchored to cells with TF and activates FX to FXa and FIX to FIXa on the cell surface. FXa activates prothrombin to thrombin, which activates FVIII, FV, FXI, and FXIII. In addition, the limited amount of thrombin formed at this early stage in hemostasis activates platelets. Following the action of thrombin on platelets, they change shape and expose charged phospholipids on their surface. This activated platelet surface forms a template for further FX activation and complete thrombin generation. Further FX activation on the activated platelet surface occurs via the FIXa-FVIIIa complex formed on the activated platelet surface, and FXa then converts prothrombin to thrombin, but still On the surface. Thrombin then converts fibrinogen into fibrin that stabilizes the initial platelet plug. This process is compartmentalized or localized at the site where TF is expressed or exposed, thereby minimizing the risk that the coagulation system is activated systemically. The fibrin forming the plug is further stabilized by cross-linking of fibrin fibers catalyzed by FXIII; this makes the clot insoluble.

  FVIIa is present in plasma primarily as a single-chain proenzyme, which is cleaved by FXa into its double-chain active form FVIIa. Recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been developed as a pro-haemostatic drug. Administration of rFVIIa provides a rapid and highly effective pre-hemostatic response in hemophilia subjects with bleeding that cannot be treated with clotting factor products due to antibody formation. Also, bleeding subjects lacking factor VII or subjects with a normal coagulation system but receiving excessive bleeding can be successfully treated with FVIIa. In these studies, no adverse rFVIIa side effects (particularly the development of thromboembolism) were encountered.

  Exogenously extra dose of FVIIa increases the formation of thrombin on the activated platelet surface. This occurs in hemophilia subjects who lack FIX or FVIII and thus lack the most potent pathway for complete thrombin formation. Also, in the presence of a reduced number of platelets or defective platelets, extra FVIIa increases thrombin formation.

  Clot lysis is mediated by plasmin in vivo. Under natural conditions, plasminogen is converted to plasmin by tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Since activation occurs at the fibrin surface, proteolytic activity is limited to the appropriate site. Plasmin binds to natural inhibitors immediately after being released into the circulation. Inactivation of plasmin is the last necessary step in the protection process against unwanted proteolysis. Alpha 2-antiplasmin is a major physiological plasmin inhibitor in mammalian plasma. Alpha 2-antiplasmin is synthesized in the liver and is present in plasma at a concentration of about 1 μM. Human and mouse alpha 2-antiplasmin is a serpin (serine protease inhibitor) with a molecular weight (Mr) of 65-70 kD, which inhibits plasmin in a very fast reaction and forms a stable inactive complex. . The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences of both human and mouse alpha 2-antiplasmin and the organization of the gene have been elucidated (Holmes WE. Et al. J Biol Chem 262: 1659, 1987; Menoud PA. Et al. J Clin Invest 97: 2478, 1996).

  It is well known that subjects who bleed excessively in connection with surgery or major trauma and need to be transfused will develop more complications than subjects who have not received any bleeding. However, moderate bleeding that requires the administration of human blood or blood products (concentrates derived from platelets, white blood cells, plasma, etc. for the treatment of coagulation defects) is also possible with human viruses (hepatitis, HIV, parvo Viruses, and other currently unknown viruses) may cause complications related to the risk of transmitting. Extensive bleeding that requires massive transfusions may cause the development of multiple organ failure, including impaired lung and kidney function. Once a subject develops these serious complications, a cascade of events involving many cytokines and inflammatory responses is initiated, making any treatment extremely difficult and unfortunately often unsuccessful. Thus, the main goal in surgery as well as in the treatment of large tissue damage is to avoid or minimize bleeding. In order to avoid or minimize such bleeding, it is important to ensure the formation of a stable and firm stop thrombus that is not easily dissolved by fibrinolytic enzymes. Furthermore, it is important to ensure the rapid and efficient formation of such plugs or clots.

  Because of the short half-life of FVIIa (2.5 hours), one or more doses are required to maintain a certain level of hemostasis, so today subjects undergoing bleeding, such as trauma victims and Subjects who are bleeding in connection with surgery are often treated with several injections or infusions of FVIIa. More rapid bleeding prevention would be an important benefit for such subjects. If so, the number of doses needed to stop bleeding and maintain hemostasis will be reduced.

EP 225.160 (Novo Nordisk) relates to FVIIa compositions and methods for the treatment of bleeding disorders not caused by coagulation factor defects or coagulation factor inhibitors.
EP 82.182 (Baxter Travenol Lab.) Relates to a composition of Factor VIIa for use in a subject to counteract the effects of inhibitors on blood coagulation factor deficiency or blood coagulation factors.
International Patent Publication No. WO 93/06855 (Novo Nordisk) relates to topical application of FVIIa.

  Subjects undergoing bleeding episodes, for example, bleeding, surgery, trauma, or other forms of tissue damage; induced coagulopathy including coagulopathy in subjects who have been transfused multiple times; decreased liver function Congenital or acquired clotting or bleeding disorders, including ("liver disease"); defective platelet function or decreased platelet count; There remains a need in the art to improve treatment of subjects that are deficient or abnormal; increased fibrinolysis; anticoagulation or thrombolytic therapy; or stem cell transplantation.

  The following methods that are improved, reliable, and widely applicable: enhance coagulation, enhance or ensure the formation of a stable thrombus, or enhance convenience for the subject being treated There remains a need in the art for a method to achieve complete hemostasis in a subject, particularly a subject in which thrombin production is impaired. There is also a need for a method with reduced bleeding prevention time.

Summary of the Invention

One object of the present invention is to provide a composition that can be used effectively in the treatment or prevention of bleeding episodes and coagulation disorders.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a composition in a single unit dosage form that can be used effectively in the treatment or prevention of bleeding episodes or as a clot. Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition, method of treatment or kit that exhibits a synergistic effect.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a composition, method of treatment, or kit that does not exhibit substantial side effects such as high levels of systemic activation of the coagulation system.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading this specification.

  In a first aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a kit of parts comprising a therapeutic agent for the development of bleeding,
a) an effective amount of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide in a first unit dosage form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
b) an effective amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a second unit dosage form; and
c) providing a kit comprising container means for containing said first and second unit dosage forms;

  In a third aspect, the invention relates to a factor VII or factor in combination with alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides for the manufacture of a medicament for treating the development of bleeding in a subject. The use of a Factor VII related polypeptide is provided. In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating the development of bleeding in a subject.

  In its different embodiments, the drug extends the clot lysis time to reduce the time required to obtain complete hemostasis, to reduce the time required to maintain hemostasis, and to reduce the clotting time. To increase clot strength.

  In different embodiments, the agent is congenital or includes surgery, trauma, or other form of tissue damage; coagulopathy including coagulopathy in a subject who has been transfused multiple times; reduced liver function (“liver disease”) Acquired clotting or bleeding disorders; impaired platelet function or decreased platelet count; deficiency or abnormality of essential clotting “compounds” (eg, platelets or von Willebrand factor protein); increased fibrinolysis; anticoagulant therapy Or thrombolytic therapy; for treating a subject who has developed bleeding due to stem cell transplantation. In one set of embodiments, the bleeding occurs in organs such as the brain, inner ear region, eyes, liver, lungs, tumor tissue, gastrointestinal tract; in another set of embodiments, it includes hemorrhagic gastritis and massive uterine bleeding Diffuse bleeding in such as. In another set of embodiments, the onset of bleeding is acute arthremia (joint bleeding), chronic hemophilic arthropathy, hematoma (eg muscle, retroperitoneal, sublingual, and pharyngeal), in other tissues Associated with surgery or trauma in subjects with bleeding, hematuria (bleal from the renal tract), cerebral hemorrhage, surgery (eg, hepatectomy), tooth extraction, and gastrointestinal bleeding (eg, UGI bleeding) Bleeding. In one embodiment, the agent is for treating the development of bleeding in a subject due to trauma, or surgery, or reduced platelet count or activity.

  In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating the development of bleeding in a subject, wherein the first of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide against the subject in need thereof. And a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, the first and second amounts together for treating bleeding To provide a method that is effective.

  In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for reducing clotting time in a subject, wherein the first of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide is directed to a subject in need thereof. Administering an amount and a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts together reduce clotting time. To provide a method that is effective.

  In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for enhancing hemostasis in a subject, wherein for a subject in need thereof, a first amount of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, alpha Administering a second amount of a preparation of 2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective to enhance hemostasis. I will provide a.

  In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for prolonging the clot lysis time in a subject, wherein the preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide is directed against a subject in need thereof. Administering an amount of 1 and a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both clot lysis times. Provides a method that is effective for extending

  In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for increasing clot strength in a subject, wherein the first of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide against the subject in need thereof. And a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, said first and second amounts both increasing clot strength Provide a way to be effective.

  In one series of embodiments of the method, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are administered in a single unit dosage form.

  In another series of embodiments, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide comprise a preparation of factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide. Administered in the form of a first unit dosage form and a second unit dosage form comprising a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides. In that series of embodiments, the first unit dosage form and the second unit dosage form are administered at time intervals not exceeding 15 minutes.

In a further aspect, the present invention is a kit comprising a therapeutic agent for the development of bleeding,
d) an effective amount of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide, and an effective amount of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide in a single unit dosage form, and pharmaceutically Acceptable carriers; and
e) providing a kit comprising container means for containing said single unit dosage form;

  In one series of embodiments of the invention, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide is a Factor VII-related polypeptide. In one series of embodiments of the invention, the Factor VII related polypeptide is a Factor VII amino acid sequence variant. In one embodiment, the ratio between the activity of a Factor VII-related polypeptide and the activity of native human Factor VIIa (wild type FVIIa) is determined in an “in vitro hydrolysis assay” as described herein. At least about 1.25 when tested.

  In one series of embodiments of the invention, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide is Factor VII. In one embodiment, the Factor VII is human Factor VII. In one embodiment, the Factor VII is bovine, porcine, dog, horse, mouse, or salmon Factor VII. In another embodiment, Factor VII is made recombinantly. In another embodiment, factor VII is derived from plasma. In a preferred embodiment, the factor VII is recombinant human factor VII. In one series of embodiments of the invention, the Factor VII or Factor VII related polypeptide is its active form. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the factor VII is recombinant human factor VIIa.

  In one series of embodiments, the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide. In one embodiment, the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin amino acid sequence variant. In one embodiment, the ratio between the activity of said alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide and the activity of native human plasma alpha2-antiplasmin (wild type alpha2-antiplasmin) is described herein. As at least about 1.25 when tested in an “antiplasmin assay”. In one embodiment, the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptide. In one embodiment, the alpha 2-antiplasmin is human alpha 2-antiplasmin. In one embodiment, the alpha 2-antiplasmin is bovine, porcine, dog, horse, mouse or rat alpha 2-antiplasmin. In a preferred embodiment, alpha2-antiplasmin is made recombinantly. In another embodiment, alpha 2-antiplasmin is derived from plasma. In a preferred embodiment, the alpha 2-antiplasmin is recombinant human plasma alpha 2-antiplasmin. In one embodiment, the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is a fragment of alpha2-antiplasmin. In one embodiment, the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is a hybrid alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptide, eg, a porcine / human hybrid. In one embodiment, the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is in an active form.

  In one embodiment, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are about 100: 1 to about 1: 100 (w / w Factor VII: Present in a mass ratio between (alpha2-antiplasmin).

  In one embodiment, the Factor VII-related polypeptide has no more than 20 amino acids substituted as compared to wild-type Factor VII (ie, a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,784,950). Amino acid sequence variants that have been deleted, deleted, or inserted. In another embodiment, the Factor VII variant has no more than 15 amino acids replaced, deleted, or inserted as compared to wild-type Factor VII; in other embodiments, the Factor VII variant is , 10 or fewer amino acids, eg 8, 6, 5, or 3 amino acids have been substituted, deleted or inserted. In one embodiment, the Factor VII variant is selected from the following list: L305V-FVIIa, L305V / M306D / D309S-FVIIa, L305I-FVIIa, L305T-FVIIa, F374P-FVIIa, V158T / M298Q-FVIIa, V158D / E296V / M298Q-FVIIa, K337A-FVIIa, M298Q-FVIIa, V158D / M298Q-FVIIa, L305V / K337A-FVIIa, V158D / E296V / M298Q / L305V-FVIIa, V158D / E296V / M298Q / K337A-FVIIaV158 E296V / M298Q / L305V / K337A-FVIIa, K157A-FVII, E296V-FVII, E296V / M298Q-FVII, V158D / E296V-FVII, V158D / M298K-FVII, and S336G-FVII.

  In a further embodiment, the Factor VII related polypeptide has increased tissue factor independent activity compared to native human coagulation Factor VIIa. In another embodiment, the increased activity is not accompanied by a change in substrate specificity. In another embodiment of the invention, the binding of the Factor VII-related polypeptide to tissue factor is intact, and when the Factor VII-related polypeptide is bound to tissue factor, at least of wild-type Factor VIIa. Has activity.

  In a preferred embodiment, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are recombinant human factor VIIa and recombinant human alpha2-antiplasmin.

  In one embodiment, clotting time is reduced in mammalian blood. In another embodiment, hemostasis is enhanced in mammalian blood. In another embodiment, clot lysis time is prolonged in mammalian blood. In another embodiment, clot strength is increased in mammalian blood. In one embodiment, the mammalian blood is human blood. In another embodiment, the mammalian blood is normal human blood; in one embodiment, the blood is blood from a subject with impaired thrombin generation. In one embodiment, the blood is blood from a subject having a deficiency of one or more clotting factors; in another embodiment, the blood is from a subject having an inhibitor to one or more clotting factors. In one embodiment, the blood is from a subject with reduced fibrinogen concentration; in one embodiment, the blood is human blood deficient in alpha2-antiplasmin. In one series of embodiments, the blood is plasma.

  In one embodiment of the invention, Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are the only hemostatic agents included in the composition. In another embodiment, Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are the only active hemostatic agents included in the composition. In another embodiment, Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are the only clotting factors administered to the subject. In one embodiment of the invention, Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are the only active agents administered to the patient. In one embodiment, the composition is substantially free of thrombin or prothrombin; in another embodiment, the composition is substantially free of FX; in another embodiment, the composition is substantially free of FXa. Not included.

  In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intravenous administration, preferably injection or infusion, especially injection. In one embodiment, the composition comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier.

  In one embodiment of the invention, the composition is a single unit dosage form, the single unit dosage form comprising both clotting factors. In one embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide as a first unit dosage form, and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha as a second unit dosage form. 2-in the form of a kit-of-parts containing a preparation of anti-plasmin related polypeptides and containing container means for containing said first and second unit dosage forms. In one embodiment, the composition or kit further includes instructions for administering the composition or separate components, respectively, as applicable.

  In one embodiment of the invention, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are administered in a single dosage form. In one embodiment of the invention, the factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide comprise a preparation of a factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide. In a first unit dosage form comprising and a second unit dosage form comprising a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides.

  In one embodiment of the invention, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are administered simultaneously. In another embodiment, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are administered sequentially. In one embodiment, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are 15 minutes, preferably 10 minutes, more preferably 5 minutes, more preferably It is administered at time intervals not exceeding 2 minutes. In one embodiment, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are up to 2 hours, preferably 1-2 hours, more preferably up to 1 hour. More preferably 30 minutes to 1 hour, more preferably up to 30 minutes, more preferably 15 to 30 minutes.

  In one embodiment, the effective amount of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide is about 0.05 mg / day to about 500 mg / day (70 kg subject). In one embodiment, the effective amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is from about 0.01 mg / day to about 500 mg / day (70 kg subject).

  In one embodiment, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide are about 100: 1 to about 1: 100 (w / w Factor VII: Present in a mass ratio between (alpha2-antiplasmin).

  In one embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition is in a single unit dosage form and is a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, as well as alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin. From the preparation of related polypeptides and one or more components selected from the list of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, stabilizers, detergents, neutral salts, antioxidants, preservatives, and protease inhibitors Essentially.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, stabilizers, detergents, neutral salts, antioxidants. A first unit dosage form consisting essentially of one or more ingredients selected from the list of preservatives, protease inhibitors, and preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides And essentially one or more ingredients selected from the list of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, stabilizers, detergents, neutral salts, antioxidants, preservatives, and protease inhibitors. It is in the form of a kit-of-parts with two unit dosage forms.

  In a further embodiment, the subject is a human; in another embodiment, the subject has impaired thrombin generation; in one embodiment, the subject has a decreased plasma concentration of fibrinogen (eg, multiple In one embodiment, the subject has a reduced plasma concentration of Factor VIII or FIX.

  In another aspect, the present invention is a method for enhancing hemostasis in a subject suffering from a factor VII responsive syndrome as compared to treating the subject with factor VII as the only coagulation protein. For a subject in need thereof, a first amount of a Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide preparation and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide preparation. Administering a second amount, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective for enhancing hemostasis.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for enhancing thrombin formation in a subject, wherein the first amount of a Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide preparation relative to the subject in need thereof. And a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts together are to enhance thrombin formation. It relates to a method that is effective.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for enhancing thrombin formation in a subject suffering from a factor VII responsive syndrome as compared to treating the subject with factor VII as the only coagulation protein. A first amount of a Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide preparation and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide for a subject in need thereof And a second amount, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective to enhance thrombin formation.

  In another aspect, the invention provides hemostasis in a subject suffering from a factor VII responsive syndrome as compared to the number of administrations required when factor VII is administered to the subject as the sole coagulation factor protein. A method for reducing the number of administrations of clotting factor protein required to achieve a first of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide for a subject in need thereof Administering an amount and a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both the number of administrations of clotting factor protein. It relates to a method that is effective for reducing.

  In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating bleeding in a subject suffering from a Factor VII responsive syndrome, wherein the subject is in need of Factor VII or Factor VII-related Administering a first amount of a preparation of the polypeptide and a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, the first and second amounts Both relate to methods that are effective for treating bleeding.

  In one embodiment, the factor VII is human recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). In another embodiment, the rFVIIa is NovoSeven® (Novo Nordisk A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

  In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide in combination with alpha2-antiplasmin for the manufacture of a medicament for enhancing fibrin clot formation in mammalian plasma. .

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for enhancing fibrin clot formation in a subject, comprising: And a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, the first and second amounts together for treating bleeding It relates to a method that is effective.

Detailed Description of the Invention

  Subjects who need to be transfused due to excessive bleeding associated with surgery or major trauma develop more complications than subjects who have not received any bleeding. However, if even moderate bleeding requires administration of human blood or blood products (concentrates derived from platelets, leukocytes, plasma, etc. for the treatment of coagulation defects), this is the case with human viruses ( Hepatitis, HIV, parvovirus, and other currently unknown viruses) and risk of transmitting non-viral pathogens, may cause complications. Extensive bleeding that requires massive transfusions may lead to the development of multiple organ failure, including impaired lung and kidney function. Once a subject develops these serious complications, a cascade of events involving many cytokines and inflammatory responses is initiated, making any treatment extremely difficult and unfortunately often unsuccessful. Patients experiencing large blood loss become clinically unstable. Such patients are at risk of undergoing atrial fibrillation, which can lead to fatal cessation of cardiac activity; renal dysfunction; or fluid extravasation in the lungs (so-called “wet lungs” or ARDS) There is. Thus, the main objective in surgery as well as in the treatment of large tissue damage is to avoid or minimize bleeding. In order to avoid or minimize such undesired bleeding, it is important to ensure the formation of a stable and firm stop thrombus that is not easily dissolved by fibrinolytic enzymes. Furthermore, it is important to ensure the rapid and efficient formation of such plugs or clots.

  In addition, subjects with thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count or activity) have impaired thrombin generation and incomplete stabilization of the fibrin plug, resulting in a thrombus that tends to dissolve early. . In addition, subjects with significant trauma or organ damage, resulting in frequent transfusions, often have decreased platelet counts and decreased levels of fibrinogen, factor VIII, and other clotting proteins . These analytes have impaired (or reduced) thrombin production. Therefore, these analytes are defective or inefficient in hemostasis, resulting in the formation of fibrin plugs that are easily and quickly lysed by proteolytic enzymes, and such enzymes are widely used. Released extensively in situations characterized by severe trauma and organ damage.

Bleeding in tissues can also cause hematoma formation. The size of the hematoma (especially intracranial and spinal cord) is closely related to the degree of neurological loss, difficulty in rehabilitation, and / or the severity and extent of permanent impairment of neurological function after rehabilitation . The most severe hematoma results are seen when they are located in the brain, which can even lead to patient death.
Therefore, the main purpose in the treatment of bleeding is to stop bleeding in the shortest time, thereby minimizing blood loss.

  Thus, the present invention provides beneficial therapeutic compositions, therapeutic uses, and therapeutic methods for treating the development of bleeding in a subject in need of such treatment. Such compositions, uses, and methods reduce blood loss before hemostasis occurs, reduce blood required during surgery, and maintain blood pressure at an acceptable level until hemostasis occurs. Rapidly stabilizing blood pressure, reducing the recovery time of treated patients, reducing the rehabilitation time of treated patients, reducing the formation of hematomas, including brain hematomas, and reducing hematomas May be involved in beneficial effects such as reducing bleeding, reducing bleeding quickly, and reducing the number of doses required to stop bleeding and maintain hemostasis.

  By administering a factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide, such as a preparation of factor VIIa, in combination with a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, factor VIIa or alpha 2- Coagulation time, clot firmness, and resistance to fibrinolysis when administered alone with any of anti-plasmin, compared to reduced clotting time, firmer clot, and resistance to fibrinolysis An increase is brought about.

  Also, by administering a factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide, such as a preparation of factor VIIa, in combination with a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, factor VIIa Or, compared to the situation when either alpha2-antiplasmin is administered alone, the time to suppress bleeding is reduced and the number of doses to maintain hemostasis is also reduced. The present invention provides beneficial effects in the simultaneous or sequential dosing of alpha2-antiplasmin or factor X related polypeptide preparations and factor VII or factor VII related polypeptide preparations. The pharmaceutical composition according to the invention may be in the form of a single composition or in the form of a multi-component kit (kit-of-parts). . The compositions according to the present invention are useful as therapeutic and prophylactic clots in mammals including primates such as humans. The present invention further provides a method for treating (including prophylactically treating or preventing) the development of bleeding in a subject, including a human.

  Whenever a unit dose such as first or second or third is mentioned throughout this specification, it does not indicate a preferred order of administration, but is merely used for convenience purposes.

  A combination of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide produces a short clotting time, rapid formation of a hemostatic thrombus, and stable An advantageous product that ensures the formation of a thrombus. A combination of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide ensures the formation of a robust, stable, and rapidly formed hemostatic thrombus It has been found by the inventors of the present invention to be an advantageous product.

  The inventors of the present invention have found that the combination of Factor VIIa and alpha2-antiplasmin can increase clot firmness more efficiently than either factor VIIa or alpha2-antiplasmin alone. showed that. Also, the combination of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin is more efficient in vitro in normal human plasma than either factor VIIa or alpha2-antiplasmin alone. It has been shown that clot lysis time can be extended. Also, the combination of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin is half more blood in normal human plasma than either Factor VIIa or alpha2-antiplasmin alone. It has been shown that the dissolution time can be extended. Also, the combination of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin is more efficient than either factor VIIa or alpha2-antiplasmin alone in fibrinolysis in normal human plasma, In particular, it has been shown that clots can be protected from tPA-mediated fibrinolysis. Thus, by enhancing coagulation, bleeding in the subject can be treated more effectively.

  Without wishing to be bound by theory, complete thrombin generation is believed to be necessary to form a robust and stable hemostatic thrombus and thereby maintain hemostasis. The fibrin structure of such a plug is dependent on both the amount of thrombin formed and the initial rate of thrombin generation. In situations where thrombin generation is impaired, highly permeable porous fibrin plugs are formed. The fibrinolytic enzyme normally present on the fibrin surface readily dissolves such fibrin plugs. Also, the formation of a stable fibrin plug is dependent on the presence of factor XIIIa activated by thrombin and thus also on complete thrombin generation. Furthermore, the recently described thrombin activatable fibrinolytic inhibitor, TAFI, requires a considerable amount of thrombin for its activation. Thus, in situations where thrombin formation is not fully sufficient, TAFI may not be activated, resulting in the formation of a hemostatic thrombus that is more easily dissolved than normal due to normal fibrinolytic activity. . In thrombocytopenia in situations involving a reduction in platelet count, administration of exogenous extra factor VIIa initiates more rapid thrombin generation. However, overall thrombin generation is not normalized even by high concentrations of Factor VIIa.

  In subjects with reduced plasma concentrations of fibrinogen (subjects who have been transfused multiple times as a result of many traumas or extensive surgery), complete thrombin activation does not occur. At this time, more effective hemostasis is achieved by administering factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin in combination.

  Thrombocytopenic subjects have impaired thrombin generation and incomplete stabilization of the fibrin plug, resulting in a thrombus that is easily dissolved early. In addition, subjects with significant trauma or organ damage, resulting in frequent transfusions, often have decreased platelet counts and decreased levels of fibrinogen, factor VIII, and other clotting proteins . These analytes have impaired (or reduced) thrombin production. In addition, a decrease in fibrinogen levels negatively interferes with factor XIII activation. Therefore, these analytes are defective or inefficient in hemostasis, resulting in the formation of fibrin plugs that are easily and quickly lysed by proteolytic enzymes, and such enzymes are widely used. Released extensively in situations characterized by severe trauma and organ damage.

  To facilitate the formation of a fully stabilized plug with full ability to maintain subject hemostasis, a composition according to the present invention is administered. This composition is particularly useful in subjects with reduced platelet counts and subjects with reduced plasma levels of fibrinogen and / or other clotting proteins.

Factor VII polypeptide:
In practicing the present invention, any Factor VII polypeptide effective for preventing or treating bleeding can be used. This includes factor VII polypeptides derived from blood or plasma or produced by recombinant means.

  The present invention includes Factor VII polypeptides such as those having the amino acid sequences disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,784,950 (wild type human Factor VII). In some embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide is human Factor VIIa disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,784,950 (wild type Factor VII). In one series of embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide comprises at least about 10%, preferably at least about 30%, more preferably at least about 50%, and most preferably at least about 70% of the specificity of human Factor VIIa. Polypeptides that exhibit potential biological activity. In one series of embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide is at least about 90%, preferably at least about 100%, preferably at least about 120%, more preferably at least about 140%, and most preferably at least about 160%. A polypeptide that exhibits the specific biological activity of human Factor VIIa. In one series of embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide has at least about 70%, preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 90% of the wild-type Factor VII sequence disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,784,950. %, And most preferably polypeptides that exhibit at least about 95% identity.

  “Factor VII polypeptide” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, Factor VII, as well as Factor VII related polypeptides. The term “Factor VII” refers to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence 1-406 of wild-type human Factor VII (disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,784,950), as well as, for example, bovine, porcine, dog, mouse, and salmon It is intended to include, but is not limited to, wild type Factor VII from other species such as Factor VII, said Factor VII being derived from blood or plasma or by recombinant means Produced. This further includes naturally occurring allelic variants of Factor VII that can occur from one individual to another. Also, the extent and location of glycosylation or other post-translational modifications can vary depending on the chosen host cell and the nature of the host cell's environment. The term “Factor VII” is also referred to as Factor VIIa, which has undergone proteolytic treatment to form an uncut (enzyme precursor) form of the Factor VII polypeptide and the respective biologically active forms. Is intended to include Typically, Factor VII is cleaved between residues 152 and 153 to produce Factor VIIa.

  A “Factor VII-related polypeptide” is chemically modified compared to human Factor VII and / or includes one or more amino acid sequence changes compared to human Factor VII (ie, A factor VII variant), and / or a truncated amino acid sequence compared to human factor VII (ie a factor VII fragment), including any factor VII polypeptide, It is not limited to these. Such factor VII-related polypeptides may exhibit different properties such as stability, phospholipid binding, altered specific activity, etc. compared to human factor VII. The term “Factor VII-related polypeptide” refers to the uncut (enzyme precursor) form of such a polypeptide as well as the “Factor VIIa-related polypeptide that has undergone proteolytic processing to yield the respective biologically active form. It is intended to include what are referred to as “peptides” or “activated factor VII-related polypeptides”.

  As used herein, a “Factor VII-related polypeptide” is a polypeptide that exhibits substantially equivalent or improved biological activity as compared to wild-type human Factor VII, and Including, but not limited to, polypeptides in which the biological activity of Factor VIIa is substantially altered or reduced compared to the activity of wild-type human Factor VIIa. These polypeptides include chemically modified Factor VII or Factor VIIa, and specific amino acid sequence changes that alter the biological activity of the polypeptide or disrupt Factor VII mutations Including but not limited to body.

  This includes chemicals with a slightly modified amino acid sequence, such as polypeptides with a modified N-terminus containing deletions or additions of the N-terminal amino acid and / or human Factor VIIa The modified polypeptide is included.

  Factor VII-related polypeptides, including variants of Factor VII, are substantially equivalent to wild-type factor VII, or exhibit superior biological activity, or compared to wild-type factor VII Different from wild-type factor VII sequence by insertion, deletion, or substitution of one or more amino acids, regardless of whether it exhibits substantially altered biological activity or reduced biological activity Including but not limited to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence.

  A Factor VII-related polypeptide comprising a variant is a wild-type Factor VIIa produced in the same cell type when tested in one or more of a coagulation assay, proteolysis assay, or TF binding assay as described above. At least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least of the specific activity Including those exhibiting about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about 110%, at least about 120%, or at least about 130%.

  A Factor VII-related polypeptide comprising a variant and having substantially the same or improved biological activity compared to wild-type Factor VIIa is a coagulation assay, proteolytic assay as described above. At least about 25%, preferably at least about 50%, more preferably at least about 75%, more preferably at least about 100%, more preferably at least about 110%, more preferably at least about 120%, and most preferably at least about 130%.

  A Factor VII-related polypeptide comprising a variant and having a substantially reduced biological activity compared to wild-type Factor VIIa is one of the clotting, proteolytic, or TF binding assays as described above. Less than about 25%, preferably less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably, of the specific activity of wild-type factor VIIa produced in the same cell type when tested in one or more Less than about 1%. Factor VII variants with substantially altered biological activity compared to wild-type factor VII are factor VII variants that exhibit TF-independent factor X proteolytic activity, and TF Including, but not limited to, that binds but does not cleave factor X.

  In some embodiments, a Factor VII polypeptide has an activity of said Factor VII polypeptide and native human Factor VIIa when tested in an “in vitro hydrolysis assay” (see “Assay” below). A factor VII-related polypeptide, in particular a variant, wherein the ratio between the activity of the factor (wild type FVIIa) is at least about 1.25; in other embodiments, the ratio is at least about 2.0; The ratio is at least about 4.0. In some embodiments of the present invention, a Factor VII polypeptide has an activity and native activity of said Factor VII polypeptide when tested in an “in vitro proteolytic assay” (see “Assay” below). A factor VII-related polypeptide, particularly a variant, wherein the ratio between the activity of human factor VIIa (wild type FVIIa) is at least about 1.25; in other embodiments, the ratio is at least about 2.0 In a further embodiment, the ratio is at least about 4.0; in a further embodiment, the ratio is at least about 8.0.

  In some embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide is human Factor VII disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,784,950 (wild type Factor VII). In some embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide is human Factor VIIa. In one series of embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide comprises at least about 10%, preferably at least about 30%, more preferably at least about 50%, and most preferably at least about the biological specific activity of human Factor VIIa. It is a Factor VII related polypeptide which shows about 70%. In some embodiments, the Factor VII polypeptide has an amino acid sequence that differs from that of wild-type Factor VII by one or more amino acid insertions, deletions, or substitutions.

  Non-limiting examples of Factor VII variants that are substantially equivalent or have superior biological activity compared to wild type Factor VIIa are Danish patent application numbers PA 2000 00734 and PA 2000 01360. Including, but not limited to, those described in (corresponding to WO 01/83725) and PA 2000 01361 (corresponding to WO 02/22776). Non-limiting examples of Factor VII variants that have substantially the same or improved biological activity as wild type Factor VII are S52A-FVII, S60A-FVII (lino et al., Arch Biochem. Biophys. 352: 182-192, 1998); L305V-FVII, L305V / M306D / D309S-FVII, L305I-FVII, L305T-FVII, F374P-FVII, V158T / M298Q-FVII, V158D / E296V / M298Q- FVII, K337A-FVII, M298Q-FVII, V158D / M298Q-FVII, L305V / K337A-FVII, V158D / E296V / M298Q / L305V-FVII, V158D / E296V / M298Q / K337A-FVII, V158D / E296V / M298Q / L305V / K337A-FVII, K157A-FVII, E296V-FVII, E296V / M298Q-FVII, V158D / E296V-FVII, V158D / M298K-FVII, and S336G-FVII; increased proteolytic stability disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,580,560 FVIIa mutants exhibiting sex; Factor VIIa cleaved between residues 290 and 291 or between residues 315 and 316 (Mollerup et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 48: 501-505, 1995) As well as the oxidized form of Factor VIIa (Kornfelt et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 363: 43 -54, 1999). Non-limiting examples of Factor VII variants with substantially reduced or altered biological activity compared to wild type Factor VII are R152E-FVIIa (Wildgoose et al., Biochem 29: 3413- 3420, 1990), S344A-FVIIa (Kazama et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270: 66-72, 1995), FFR-FVIIa (Holst et al., Eur. J. Vasc. Endovasc. Surg. 15: 515-520, 1998), and Factor Vila lacking the Gla domain (Nicolaisen et al., FEBS Letts. 317: 245-249, 1993). Non-limiting examples of chemically modified Factor VII polypeptides and sequence variants are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,997,864.

  The biological activity of factor VIIa in blood clotting is activated by catalyzing (i) the ability to bind to tissue factor (TF) and (ii) proteolytic cleavage of factor IX or factor X. Derived from the ability to produce factor IX or factor X (factor IXa or factor Xa, respectively).

For purposes of the present invention, the biological activity of a Factor VII polypeptide ("Factor VII biological activity") is deficient in Factor VII, for example, as described in US Pat. No. 5,997,864. Plasma and thromboplastin can be used to quantify by measuring the ability of the preparation to promote blood clotting. In this assay, biological activity is expressed as a decrease in clotting time compared to a control sample and is compared to a pooled human serum standard containing 1 unit / mL of Factor VII activity, a “Factor VII unit”. Convert to Alternatively, the biological activity of Factor VIIa is
(I) Measure the ability of Factor VIIa or Factor VIIa-related polypeptide to produce activated Factor X (Factor Xa) in a system containing TF and Factor X embedded in a lipid membrane (Persson et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272: 19919-19924, 1997);
(Ii) measuring the hydrolysis of factor X in an aqueous system (see “In Vitro Proteolysis Assay”, see below);
(Iii) Measuring the physical binding of Factor VIIa or Factor VIIa related polypeptides to TF using an instrument based on surface plasmon resonance (Persson, FEBS Letts. 413: 359-363, 1997) And (iv) measuring hydrolysis of the synthetic substrate by Factor VIIa and / or Factor VIIa related polypeptides (see “In Vitro Hydrolysis Assay”, see below); and (v) TF independent It can be quantified by measuring thrombin production in a simple in vitro system.

The terms “Factor VII biological activity” or “Factor VII activity” are intended to include the ability to generate thrombin; and the term is activated in the absence of tissue factor. It also includes the ability to generate thrombin on the surface of platelets.
A preparation of Factor VIIa that may be used according to the present invention is, but is not limited to, NovoSeven® (Novo Nordisk A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

Alpha 2-antiplasmin polypeptide:
The present invention relates to the use of alpha 2-antiplasmin polypeptides, such as Holmes WE. Et al., Biochemistry 1987 Aug 11; 26 (16): 5133-40; Holmes WE. Et al. J Biol Chem 262: 1659, 1987. And the use of those having the amino acid sequence disclosed in Menoud PA. Et al. J Clin Invest 97: 2478, 1996. In practicing the present invention, any alpha 2-antiplasmin polypeptide effective for preventing or treating bleeding can be used. This includes alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptides derived from blood or plasma or produced by recombinant means.

  As used herein, “alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptide” includes, but is not limited to, alpha2-antiplasmin, as well as alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides. The term “alpha2-antiplasmin” is defined by Holmes WE. Et al., Biochemistry 1987 Aug 11; 26 (16): 5133-40; Holmes WE. Et al. J Biol Chem 262: 1659, 1987 and Menoud PA. et al. J Clin Invest 97: 2478, 1996 polypeptide having the amino acid sequence (wild-type human alpha2-antiplasmin), as well as wild-type alpha2-antiplasmin from other species, eg bovine, It is intended to include but is not limited to porcine, canine, murine and rat alpha 2-antiplasmin. The term “alpha2-antiplasmin” is intended to include all naturally occurring alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptides in both active and latent conformations.

  The term further includes naturally occurring allelic variants of alpha 2-antiplasmin that may exist and occur from one individual to another. Also, the extent and location of glycosylation or other post-translational modifications can vary depending on the host cell selected and the nature of the host cell's environment. The term “alpha2-antiplasmin” is also intended to include alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptides in the form of enzymatic precursors, as well as those processed to produce each bioactive form. .

  An “alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide” is one that has been chemically modified compared to human alpha2-antiplasmin and / or of one or more amino acid sequences compared to human alpha2-antiplasmin. Contains an alteration (ie, is an alpha2-antiplasmin variant) and / or contains a truncated amino acid sequence compared to human alpha2-antiplasmin (ie, with an alpha2-antiplasmin fragment) A), including but not limited to any alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptide. Such alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides may exhibit different properties in stability, phospholipid binding, altered specific activity, etc., compared to human alpha2-antiplasmin.

  The term “alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide” is intended to include such enzymatic precursor forms of the polypeptide as well as those processed to produce each bioactive form.

  As used herein, an “alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide” has substantially equivalent or improved biological activity compared to wild-type human alpha2-antiplasmin. As well as polypeptides that have a substantially altered or reduced biological activity of alpha2-antiplasmin as compared to the activity of wild-type human alpha2-antiplasmin. It is not limited. These polypeptides include chemically modified alpha2-antiplasmin and alpha2-antiplasmin variants in which specific amino acid sequence changes have been introduced to alter or disrupt the biological activity of the polypeptide. However, it is not limited to these.

  The term is chemically compared to a polypeptide having a slightly modified amino acid sequence, such as a polypeptide having a modified N-terminus containing a deletion or addition of the N-terminal amino acid, and / or human alpha 2-antiplasmin. It further includes a modified polypeptide.

  Alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptides, including alpha2-antiplasmin variants, are substantially equivalent to or exhibit superior biological activity as wild-type alpha2-antiplasmin or The sequence of wild-type alpha 2-antiplasmin by insertion, deletion or substitution of one or more amino acids, regardless of whether it is substantially altered or exhibits reduced biological activity compared to antiplasmin A polypeptide having a different amino acid sequence from, but not limited to.

  Alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides, including variants, of wild type alpha2-antiplasmin produced in the same cell type when tested in an alpha2-antiplasmin activity assay as described herein. At least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least of the specific activity Including those exhibiting about 100%, at least about 110%, at least about 120%, and at least about 130%.

  Alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides comprising variants and having substantially the same or improved biological activity compared to wild type alpha2-antiplasmin are specific as described At least about 25% of the biological specific activity of wild-type human alpha2-antiplasmin produced in the same cell type when tested in one or more of the various alpha2-antiplasmin activity assays, preferably at least Including those exhibiting about 50%, more preferably at least about 75%, more preferably at least about 100%, more preferably at least about 110%, more preferably at least about 120%, and most preferably at least about 130%. For the purposes of the present invention, the biological activity of alpha 2-antiplasmin is determined by its chromogenic substrate assay (Nagai, N. et al. Blood, 97, 3086-3092, 2001) based on its rapid inhibition of plasmin. ) Or, for example, by plasmin-mediated clot lysis as described herein. In both assays, biological activity may be expressed relative to a control sample, eg, wild type human alpha 2-antiplasmin (see “Assay Portion” herein).

  Alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides comprising variants and having substantially reduced biological activity compared to wild type alpha2-antiplasmin are specific alpha2-antiplasmin as described Less than about 25%, preferably less than about 10%, more preferably about 5% of the specific activity of wild-type alpha 2-antiplasmin produced in the same cell type when tested in one or more of the activity assays Less than, and most preferably less than about 1%.

  In some embodiments, alpha2-antiplasmin is said to be alpha2-antiplasm when tested in an “antiplasmin assay” (Nagai, N. et al. Blood, 97, 3086-3092, 2001, see above). An alpha2-antiplasmin equivalent wherein the ratio between the activity of the plasmin polypeptide and the activity of native human alpha2-antiplasmin (wild type alpha2-antiplasmin) is at least about 1.25; The ratio is at least about 2.0; in a further embodiment, the ratio is at least about 4.0.

  Alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides also include alpha2-antiplasmin or fragments of alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides that retain these characteristic hemostasis-related activities. The hemostasis-related activity of an alpha 2-antiplasmin polypeptide can be measured using, for example, the alpha 2-antiplasmin activity assay described herein.

Definitions In the context of this specification, the three-letter or single-letter designations for amino acids were used in their conventional meaning, as shown in Table 1. Unless explicitly indicated, the amino acids referred to herein are L-amino acids. For example, the first letter in K337 represents the naturally occurring amino acid at the indicated position of wild-type factor VII, for example [K337A] -FVIIa is represented by the one-letter code K that occurs naturally at the indicated position. It is understood that the amino acids to be represented represent FVII-variants substituted by the amino acid represented by the one letter code A.

Table 1: Abbreviations for amino acids:
Amino acid 3 letter code 1 letter code Glycine Gly G
Proline Pro P
Alanine Ala A
Valin
Leu L
Isoleucine Ile I
Methionine Met M
Cysteine Cys C
Phenylalanine Phe F
Tyrosine Tyr Y
Tryptophan Trp W
Histidine His H
Lysine Lys K
Argin R
Glutamine Gln Q
Asparagine Asn N
Glutamate Glu E
Aspartic acid Asp D

The terms “Factor VIIa” or “FVIIa” may be used interchangeably.
In the context of the present specification, a “subject with impaired thrombin production” means a subject that is unable to produce a complete thrombin burst on the activated platelet surface and of normal amount and function. Including a subject with less thrombin production than thrombin production in a subject with a fully functioning normal hemostasis system, including clotting factors, platelets, and fibrinogen (eg, from pooled normal human plasma) A subject lacking factor VIII; a subject with a reduced number of platelets or defective platelets (eg, a subject with thrombocytopenia or Grantzmann platelet asthenia or heavy bleeding); prothrombin, FX or FVII Subjects with reduced levels of (eg, due to excessive bleeding as a result of trauma or extensive surgery) Including, but not limited to, subjects with reduced levels of some clotting factors; and subjects with reduced plasma concentrations of fibrinogen (eg, subjects transfused multiple times).

  “Level of thrombin generation” or “normal thrombin generation” means the level of thrombin generation in a patient as compared to the level in a healthy subject. The level is shown as a percentage of the normal level. The term may be used interchangeably where appropriate.

  The term “enhanced hemostatic system” means an enhanced ability to produce thrombin. The term “enhance hemostasis” refers to thrombin generation measured on a test sample comprising a preparation of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. Individual thrombin generation in a control sample containing only factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide or only alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, respectively, when tested in the same thrombin generation assay It is intended to include extended situations as compared to. Thrombin generation can be assayed as described in the thrombin generation assays described herein (see “Analysis Portions”).

  As used herein, the “only” agent or factor is a Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide together Or the only hemostatic agent, active hemostatic agent, or clotting factor included in the kit, or the only hemostatic agent administered to the patient in the course of a particular treatment, such as in the course of the development of a particular bleeding, A condition that is an active hemostatic agent or coagulation factor. These situations are understood to include situations where other hemostatic agents or clotting factors, as applicable, are not present in sufficient amounts or activity to significantly affect one or more clotting parameters. Is done.

  Clot lysis time, clot strength, fibrin clot formation, and clotting time are clinical parameters used to assay the status of the patient's hemostatic system. Blood samples are taken from patients at appropriate intervals, for example Meh et al., Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis 2001; 12: 627-637; Vig et al., Hematology, Vol. 6 (3) pp. 205-213 ( 2001); Vig et al., Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis, Vol. 12 (7) pp. 555-561 (2001) Oct; Glidden et al., Clinical and applied thrombosis / hemostasis, Vol. 6 (4) pp. 226 -233 (2000) Oct; McKenzie et al., Cardiology, Vol. 92 (4) pp. 240-247 (1999) Apr; or Davis et al., Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Vol. 6 (4) As described in pp. 1250-1255 (1995), one or more parameters are assayed, for example by thromboelastography.

  The term “prolong clot lysis time” is measured on a test sample comprising a preparation of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. Controls containing only factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptides or only alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptides, respectively, when tested in the same clot lysis assay It is intended to include an extended situation compared to the individual clot lysis time in the sample. The clot lysis time can be assayed as described above.

  The term “increasing clot strength” was measured on a test sample comprising a preparation of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. Clot strength, eg mechanical strength, when tested in the same clot strength assay, only factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide, or only alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, respectively It is intended to include an increasing situation compared to the individual clot lysis time in the containing control sample. For example, as described in Carr et al., 1991. (Carr ME, Zekert SL. Measurement of platelet-mediated force development during plasma clot formation. AM J MED SCI 1991; 302: 13-8) Alternatively, it can be assayed by thromboelastic recording as described above.

  The term “enhance fibrin clot formation” is measured on a test sample comprising a preparation of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. The rate or extent of fibrin clot formation, when tested in the same coagulation assay, is only factor VII or factor VII related polypeptide, or only alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, respectively. It is intended to include an increasing situation as compared to the rate or extent of individual fibrin clot formation in the containing control sample. Fibrin clot formation can be assayed as described above.

  The term “reduces clotting time” refers to blood measured on a test sample comprising a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. Vaginal formation time (clotting time) includes only factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide or only alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, respectively, when tested in the same coagulation assay It is intended to include an increasing situation compared to the individual clotting time in the control sample. Clotting time can be assayed by standard PT or aPTT assays known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

  The term “reduced platelet count or activity” refers to the number of platelets (thrombocytes) present in the plasma of a subject, and the activity associated with the biological coagulation of such platelets. . The decrease in number may be due, for example, to increased platelet destruction, decreased platelet production, and a pool of platelets that is larger than the normal fraction of platelets in the spleen. Thrombocytopenia is defined, for example, as a platelet count of less than 150,000 platelets / microliter; the upper limit for normal platelet count is generally considered to be between 350,000 and 450,000 platelets / microliter. The platelet count may be counted by an automated platelet counter; this is a method well known to those skilled in the art. Syndromes due to reduced platelet count include, but are not limited to, thrombocytopenia and coagulophathy. “Activity” includes, but is not limited to, platelet aggregation, adhesion, and clotting activity. The decrease in activity may be due to, for example, glycoprotein abnormalities, abnormal membrane-cytoskeleton interactions, abnormal platelet granules, abnormal platelet clotting activity, abnormal signaling and secretion. Platelet activity, including aggregation, adhesion, and clotting activity, is measured by standard methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, Platelets. A Practical Approach, Ed. SP Watson & KS Authi: Clinical Aspects of Platelet Disorders (KJ Clemetson 15: 299-318, 1996, Oxford University Press; Williams Hematology, Sixth Edition, Eds. Beutler, Lichtman, Coller, Kipps & Seligsohn, 2001, McGraw-Hill. Syndromes due to reduced platelet activity include, but are not limited to, Granzman platelet asthenia, Bernard-Soulier syndrome, anticoagulant therapy, and thrombolytic therapy. “Decrease” refers to the number or activity in a sample of test plasma as compared to the number or activity in a sample of normal pooled plasma as measured in the same assay.

  The term “bleeding disorder” as used herein refers to any congenital, acquired, or induced defect of cellular or molecular origin that appears during the onset of bleeding. Examples of bleeding disorders include coagulation factor deficiency (eg, coagulation factor VIII, IX, XI or VII deficiency), coagulation factor inhibitors, platelet function deficiencies (eg, Granzmann platelet asthenia and Bernard-Soulier syndrome), platelets Caused by reduction, von Willebrand disease, and increased clotting protein, increased fibrinolysis, and decreased platelet count due to bleeding and / or blood transfusion (eg, in subjects who have undergone surgery or trauma and multiple blood transfusions) A coagulation disorder such as, but not limited to.

  Bleeding refers to extravasation of blood from any component of the circulatory system. The term “onset of bleeding” includes unwanted, uncontrollable, and often excessive bleeding associated with surgery, trauma, or other forms of tissue damage, as well as unwanted bleeding in subjects with bleeding disorders Means that. The onset of bleeding can occur in subjects who have a normal coagulation system, but suffer from (temporary) coagulation disorders, as well as those with congenital or acquired coagulation or bleeding disorders. Bleeding in a subject with a defective platelet function may be caused by a hemostatic system that lacks essential coagulation “compounds” (eg, platelets or von Willebrand factor protein) or is abnormal, such as hemophilia. To have, it can be associated with bleeding caused by hemophilia. For example, in subjects who have suffered extensive tissue damage related to surgery or massive trauma, normal hemostasis mechanisms are overwhelmed and not functioning by immediate hemostatic demands, and they are basically (pre-traumatic). Or it may develop excessive bleeding despite being a normal hemostatic mechanism (before surgery). Such subjects who have been transfused more frequently will result in (temporary) clotting disorders (ie, increased clotting protein dilution, fibrinolysis, and due to bleeding and / or blood transfusion) as a result of bleeding and / or blood transfusion. Develops a low platelet count). Bleeding can also occur in organs such as the brain, inner ear region, and eyes; these organs are areas where there is a problem in achieving satisfactory hemostasis because of the limited possibility of surgical hemostasis It is. Similar problems can occur in the process of collecting biopsies from various organs (liver, lung, tumor tissue, gastrointestinal tract) and in laparoscopic surgery and radical retropubic prostatectomy. Common in all these situations is that it is difficult to achieve hemostasis by surgical techniques (sutures, clips, etc.), which can be the case if the bleeding is diffuse (eg hemorrhagic gastritis and massive This also applies to uterine bleeding. Bleeding can also occur in subjects undergoing anticoagulation therapy in which hemostatic defects are induced by a given treatment; these bleedings are often acute and massive. Anticoagulant therapy is often performed to prevent thromboembolic diseases. Such treatment may include heparin, other forms of proteoglycans, warfarin or other forms of vitamin K-antagonists, and aspirin and other platelet aggregation inhibitors such as antibodies or other inhibitors of GPIIb / IIIa activity. Bleeding is also due to so-called thrombolytic therapy, including treatment in combination with antiplatelet agents (eg acetylsalicylic acid), anticoagulants (eg heparin), and fibrinolytic agents (eg tissue plasminogen activator, tPA). It can be. In addition, bleeding may occur in acute arthremia (joint bleeding), chronic hemophilic arthropathy, hematoma (eg muscle, retroperitoneal, sublingual, and pharyngeal), bleeding in other tissues, hematuria (renal) Uncontrollable, excess associated with surgery or trauma in subjects with bleeding from the ureter (renal tract), cerebral hemorrhage, surgery (eg, hepatectomy), tooth extraction, and gastrointestinal bleeding (eg, UGI bleeding) Is intended to include, but is not limited to. The onset of bleeding is an inhibitor of factor VIII; hemophilia A; hemophilia A and inhibitors; hemophilia B; factor VII deficiency; alpha 2-antiplasmin deficiency; thrombocytopenia; Vibrant factor deficiency (von Willebrand disease); severe tissue damage; severe trauma; surgery; laparoscopic surgery; hemorrhagic gastritis; biopsy collection; anticoagulation therapy; upper gastroentestinal bleedings ); Or may be associated with stem cell transplantation. The onset of bleeding can be massive uterine bleeding; one that occurs in organs with a limited chance of mechanical hemostasis; one that occurs in the brain; one that occurs in the inner ear region; or one that occurs in the eye. The terms “onset of bleeding” and “bleeding” may be used interchangeably where appropriate.

  In the context of the present specification, the term “treatment” has already occurred, for example during trauma, for the purpose of preventing anticipated bleeding, eg during surgery, and inhibiting or minimizing bleeding. It is intended to include both regulating bleeding. The “predicted bleeding” described above may be bleeding that is expected to occur in a specific tissue or organ, or may be bleeding that is not specified. Thus, prophylactic administration of a Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide preparation and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is included in the term “treatment”.

  As used herein, the term “subject” is intended to mean any animal, particularly a mammal such as a human, and may be used interchangeably with the term “patient” where appropriate. Good. The present invention also includes the use of Factor VII or FVII related polypeptides and tPA inhibitors within the veterinary practice.

  The factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide as defined herein and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide may be administered simultaneously or sequentially. . The factor may be supplied in a single dosage form in which a single dosage form includes both coagulation factors, or factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide as the first unit dosage form And a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide as a second unit dosage form, also provided in the form of a kit-of-parts Good. Whenever a unit dose such as first or second or third is mentioned throughout this specification, it does not indicate a preferred order of administration, but is merely used for convenience purposes.

  “Simultaneous” dosing of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide may result in coagulation factor protein in a single dosage form. Following administration, or administration of the first clotting factor protein, the second clotting factor protein is administered at an interval of time not exceeding 15 minutes, preferably 10 minutes, more preferably 5 minutes, more preferably 2 minutes. It means to administer. Either factor may be administered first.

  “Sequential” dosing is followed by administration of a first clotting factor protein followed by a second clotting factor protein for up to 2 hours, preferably 1-2 hours, more preferably up to 1 hour, more preferably 30 minutes to 1 It means administration at time intervals, more preferably up to 30 minutes, more preferably at intervals of 15-30 minutes. Either two unit dosage forms, or clotting factor protein, may be administered first. Preferably both products are injected with the same intravenous access.

  “Alpha2-antiplasmin level” or “alpha2-antiplasmin level” means the level of alpha2-antiplasmin activity of a patient compared to the level in a healthy subject. The level is expressed as a percentage of the normal level. The term may be used interchangeably where appropriate.

  “Decreased level of alpha2-antiplasmin” or “reduced level of alpha2-antiplasmin” is the mean alpha in a population of subjects who have no alpha2-antiplasmin deficiency and no inhibitors of alpha2-antiplasmin. Means a decrease in the presence or activity of alpha2-antiplasmin in the bloodstream compared to 2-antiplasmin levels. The level of circulating alpha 2-antiplasmin can be measured by either clotting or immunological assays. Alpha 2-antiplasmin activity is determined by the patient's plasma ability to correct the clotting time in plasma deficient in alpha 2-antiplasmin (eg, APTT assay, see below; see also “Assay Portion”). "reference).

  One unit of alpha2-antiplasmin is defined as the amount of alpha2-antiplasmin present in 1 mL of normal (pooled) human plasma (corresponding to 100% alpha2-antiplasmin level). .

  One unit of Factor VII is defined as the amount of Factor VII present in 1 mL of normal plasma and corresponds to about 0.5 μg protein. Once activated, 50 units correspond to about 1 g protein.

  "Deficiency" means that the presence or activity of alpha 2-antiplasmin, for example in plasma, is reduced compared to that of a normal healthy individual. The term may be used interchangeably with “reduced alpha 2-antiplasmin level” where appropriate.

  “APTT” or “aPTT” means activated partial thromboplastin time (eg, Proctor RR, Rapaport SI: The partial thromboplastin time with kaolin; a simple screening test for first-stage plasma clotting factor deficiencies. Am J Clin Pathol 36: 212, 1961).

  An “alpha2-antiplasmin-responsive syndrome” is any (predicted or present) caused by the exogenous alpha2-antiplasmin administered to a subject in need thereof. A syndrome in which a sign, symptom, or disease can be prevented, cured, or ameliorated. Syndromes caused by reduced levels of alpha 2-antiplasmin include, but are not limited to, bleeding disorders caused by inhibitors of alpha 2-antiplasmin. Alpha 2-antiplasmin-responsive syndrome can also be treated with the composition according to the invention.

  “Factor VII-responsive syndrome” is caused (expected or present) by an exogenous Factor VII administered to a subject in need thereof, preferably Factor VIIa A syndrome in which any sign, symptom, or disease can be prevented, cured, or ameliorated. Reduced levels of coagulation factor VIII, IX, XI or VII, coagulation factor inhibitors, defective platelet function (eg, Grantsmann thrombophilia and Bernard-Sulier syndrome), thrombocytopenia, von Willebrand disease, and (eg Clotting disorders such as those caused by bleeding and / or blood transfusion (in subjects who have undergone surgery or trauma and multiple transfusions) caused by dilution of clotting proteins, increased fibrinolysis and decreased platelet count, etc. It is not limited to.

  “Half-life” is because the plasma concentration of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide, or alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, decreases from a certain value to half that value. The time required.

  “Primary hemostasis” is the initial production of thrombin by FXa and TF: factor VIIa, the subsequent activation of platelets, and the formation of an initial loose plug by activated and adherent platelets, which are ultimately It means the formation of a plug that has not yet been stabilized by chemically cross-linked fibrin. This plug is easily dissolved by the fibrinolysis system if not stabilized by fibrin formed during the second step of the hemostasis process.

  "Secondary hemostasis" or "Maintenance of hemostasis" is a burst, or generation of secondary, complete and major thrombin that occurs on the activated platelet surface and is catalyzed by Factor VIIIa and Factor VIIIa, It means the subsequent formation of fibrin and the stabilization of the initial platelet plug. Stabilization of the plug with fibrin results in complete hemostasis.

  “Complete hemostasis” means the formation of a stable and firm fibrin clot or plug at the site of injury that effectively stops bleeding and is not easily dissolved by the fibrinolytic system. In the context of this specification, the term hemostasis is used to describe the complete hemostasis described above.

  The amount of total protein in the preparation can generally be measured by known methods, for example by measuring the optical density. The amount of alpha 2-antiplasmin or factor VII protein ("antigen") can be measured by commonly known methods such as standard Elisa immunoassays. In general terms, such an assay involves contacting a solution of a preparation containing, for example, alpha2-antiplasmin protein with an anti-thrombomodulin antibody immobilized on an elisa plate, followed by immobilized antibody-alpha. The 2-antiplasmin complex is contacted with an anti-alpha 2-antiplasmin secondary antibody having a marker and the amount is measured in a third step. The amount of each clotting factor can be measured in a similar manner using an appropriate antibody. The total amount of clotting factor protein present in the preparation is determined by summing the amount of individual clotting factor proteins. In one embodiment, the preparation includes an isolated clotting factor. In another embodiment, the preparation is essentially free of coagulation factor II and coagulation factor IIa (prothrombin and thrombin) and / or factor X or factor Xa.

  As used herein, the term “isolated” refers to a coagulation factor that has been separated from the cells that synthesize them or from the medium in which they are found naturally (eg, plasma or blood), for example Refers to alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides. Separation of polypeptides from their source cells can be performed by any method known in the art, removing cell culture medium containing the desired product from the culture of adherent cells; centrifugation or Including but not limited to filtering to remove non-adherent cells. Separation of the polypeptide from the medium in which they naturally occur can be performed by any method known in the art, such as in the respective column of anti-factor VII or anti-alpha2-antiplasmin antibody. , Affinity chromatography; hydrophobic interaction chromatography; ion exchange chromatography; size exclusion chromatography; electrophoretic techniques (eg preparative isoelectric focusing (IEF)), solubility differences (eg ammonium sulfate precipitation) Or including but not limited to extraction.

  Within the scope of the present invention, an “effective amount” of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide cures and reduces the disease and its complications. Factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide, such as FVIIa, and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin, both sufficient to prevent or reduce bleeding or blood loss to partially or Defined as the amount of related polypeptide.

  The term “factor VIIa activity” or “factor VIIa activity” includes the ability to generate thrombin; the term generates thrombin on the surface of activated platelets in the absence of tissue factor. Includes abilities.

Abbreviation
TF tissue factor
FVII Factor VII single chain, inactivated form
FVIIa Activated form of factor VII
rFVIIa Recombinant factor VII activated form
TAFI TAFI enzyme precursor, inactivated

Compound preparation:
Human purified Factor VIIa suitable for use in the present invention is described, for example, in Hagen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83: 2412-2416, 1986, or European Patent No. It is preferably made by DNA recombination techniques as described in No. 200.421 (ZymoGenetics, Inc.).

  Factor VII is also described in Broze and Majerus, J. Biol. Chem. 255 (4): 1242-1247, 1980, and Hedner and Kisiel, J. Clin. Lnvest. 71: 1836-1841, 1983 It may be produced by a method. These methods produce Factor VII without the detectable amount of other blood clotting factors. Further purified Factor VII preparation may be obtained by including further gel filtration as a final purification step. Factor VII is then converted to activated factor VIIa by known means, for example by several different plasma proteins such as alpha 2-antiplasmin, Ia, IXa, or Xa. Alternatively, as described in Bjoern et al. (Research Disclosure, 269 September 1986, pp. 564-565), factor VII is ion exchange chromatography column such as Mono Q® (Pharmacia fine Chemicals). You may activate by passing through.

  Factor VII-related polypeptides may be produced by modification of wild-type factor VII or by recombinant techniques. A Factor VII-related polypeptide whose amino acid sequence has changed when compared to wild-type Factor VII can be converted to an amino acid codon in a nucleic acid encoding native Factor VII by known means, such as by site-directed mutagenesis. It may be produced by altering the nucleic acid sequence encoding wild type factor VII by changing or by removing some amino acid codons.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substitutions can be made outside the region important for the function of the Factor VIIa or alpha2-antiplasmin molecule, resulting in a still active polypeptide. An amino acid residue that is essential for the activity of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, or alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, and therefore preferably not substituted, is site-specific It may be identified according to techniques known in the art such as mutagenesis or alanine scanning mutagenesis (see, eg, Cunningham and Wells, 1989, Science 244: 1081-1085). In the latter technique, mutations are introduced into all positively charged residues in the molecule, and the resulting mutant molecules are each tested for the crosslinking activity of the coagulant, leaving amino acid residues that are important for the activity of the molecule. Identify the group. Substrate-enzyme interaction sites can also be determined by analysis of three-dimensional structures determined by techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, crystallography, or photoaffinity lebelling (eg, de Vos et al., 1992, Science 255: 306-312; Smith et al., 1992, Journal of Molecular Biology 224: 899-904; Wlodaver et al., 1992, FEBS Letters 309: 59-64 ).

  The introduction of mutations into a nucleic acid sequence to exchange one nucleotide for another may be performed by site-directed mutagenesis using any method known in the art. Particularly useful is a technique that utilizes a supercoiled double stranded DNA vector with the insert of interest and two synthetic primers containing the desired mutation. Oligonucleotide primers, each complementary to the opposite strand of the vector, are extended during temperature cycling by pfu DNA polymerase. Incorporation of the primer generates a mutant plasmid containing staggered nicks. After temperature cycling, the product is treated with DpnI, which is specific for methylated and hemimethylated DNA, to digest the parental DNA template and select the synthetic DNA containing the mutation. Other techniques known in the art for creating, identifying, and isolating variants may also be used, such as gene shuffling or phage display techniques.

  Separation of polypeptides from their source cells can be performed by any method known in the art, removing cell culture medium containing the desired product from the culture of adherent cells; centrifugation or Including but not limited to filtering to remove non-adherent cells.

  Optionally, the Factor VII or Factor VII related polypeptide may be further purified. Purification can be performed by any method known in the art, such as affinity chromatography on an anti-factor VII antibody column (eg, Wakabayashi et al., J. Biol. Chem. 261: 11097, 1986). And Thim et al., Biochem. 27: 7785, 1988); hydrophobic interaction chromatography; ion exchange chromatography; size exclusion chromatography; electrophoretic techniques (eg, isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (eg, preparative isoelectric focusing ( IEF)), solubility differences (eg, ammonium sulfate precipitation), or extraction. See generally Scopes, Protein Purification, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1982; and Protein Purification, J. C. Janson and Lars Ryden, editors, VCH Publishers, New York, 1989. After purification, the preparation preferably contains less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 1% non-Factor VII or non-Factor VII related polypeptides derived from the host cell. Including.

  Factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptides can be proteolytically cleaved using factor XIa or other proteases with trypsin-like specificity, such as factor IXa, kallikrein, factor Xa, and thrombin. It may be activated by. See, for example, Osterud et al., Biochem. 11: 2853 (1972); Thomas, US Pat. No. 4,456,591; and Hedner et al., J. Clin. Invest. 71: 1836 (1983). Alternatively, Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptides may be activated by passing through an ion exchange chromatography column such as Mono Q® (Pharmacia). The resulting activated Factor VII or Factor VII related polypeptide can then be formulated and administered as described below.

  Alpha 2-antiplasmin used within the scope of the present invention may be isolated according to known methods, for example from placenta or lung; avoiding the use of blood or tissue derived products that carry the risk of disease transmission Therefore, it is preferable to use recombinant alpha 2-antiplasmin. Methods for isolating alpha2-antiplasmin and preparing recombinant alpha2-antiplasmin are known in the art. Alpha2-antiplasmin variants can be produced by site-directed mutagenesis as described above.

  Alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides may be produced by modification of wild type alpha2-antiplasmin or by recombinant techniques. Alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides that have altered amino acid sequence when compared to wild type alpha2-antiplasmin can be obtained by known means, such as site-directed mutagenesis, as described in detail above. By modifying the nucleic acid sequence encoding wild-type alpha 2-antiplasmin by changing the amino acid codon in the nucleic acid encoding native alpha 2-antiplasmin or by removing some amino acid codons May be produced. Separation of polypeptides from their source cells can be performed by any method known in the art, removing cell culture media containing the desired product from the culture of adherent cells; centrifugation or Including but not limited to filtering to remove non-adherent cells. Optionally, the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide may be further purified. Purification can be performed using any method known in the art, as described in detail above, eg affinity chromatography on an anti-alpha2-antiplasmin antibody column; hydrophobic interaction Chromatography; ion exchange chromatography; size exclusion chromatography; including electrophoretic techniques (eg preparative isoelectric focusing (IEF)), solubility differences (eg ammonium sulfate precipitation), or extraction, etc. It is not limited to. After purification, the preparation contains non-alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides derived from host cells, preferably less than about 10% by weight, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably about Contains less than 1%. The resulting activated alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide can then be formulated and administered as described below.

  As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in order to reduce the risk of inducing an immune response, it is preferred to use alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptides and factor VII polypeptides that are isogenic to the subject. The invention also includes the use of such alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptides and factor VII polypeptides within the veterinary practice.

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods of Use The preparations of the present invention provide reduced levels of coagulation factor VIII, IX, XI or VII, coagulation factor inhibitors, defective platelet function (eg, Grantsman platelet asthenia, Bernard-Soulier syndrome) , Thrombocytopenia, von Willebrand disease, and bleeding and / or blood transfusion (eg, in a subject who has undergone surgery or trauma and multiple blood transfusions), diluting clotting proteins, increasing fibrinolysis and reducing platelet count Can be used to treat any Factor VII-responsive syndrome, including but not limited to bleeding disorders, including those caused by coagulation. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a preparation of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide according to the invention is prophylactic and / or therapeutic. Parenteral administration for primary treatment is primarily intended. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition is administered parenterally, ie intravenously, subcutaneously or intramuscularly; intravenous is most preferred. The pharmaceutical composition may also be administered by continuous or pulsed infusion.

  A pharmaceutical composition or formulation according to the invention comprises Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, in a single unit dosage form or It is formulated in either kit-of-parts form and is preferably dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, preferably an aqueous carrier or diluent. In short, a pharmaceutical composition suitable for use in accordance with the present invention is a Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide, or alpha2-antiplasmin, or factor VII or VII in combination with alpha2-antiplasmin. The factor-related polypeptide is made by mixing with a suitable adjuvant and a suitable carrier or diluent, preferably in purified form. Various aqueous carriers such as water, buffered water, 0.4% saline, 0.3% glycine can be used. The preparations of the invention can also be formulated using non-aqueous carriers, for example in the form of gels or liposome preparations, for delivery or targeting to the site of injury. Liposome preparations are generally described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,837,028, 4,501,728, and 4,975,282. The composition may be sterilized by conventional, well-known sterilization techniques. The resulting aqueous solution may be packed for use, or filtered under aseptic conditions and lyophilized, the lyophilized preparation being mixed with a sterile aqueous solution prior to administration.

  The composition includes a pH-adjusting buffer and / or a tonicity adjusting agent, such as, but not limited to, sodium acetate, sodium lactate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, and the like. It may contain substances or adjuvants.

The formulation may further comprise one or more diluents, emulsifiers, preservatives, buffers, excipients, etc. and may be provided in the form of a liquid, powder, emulsion, controlled release, etc. . One of ordinary skill in the art has accepted the compositions of the present invention as appropriate methods and those disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences , Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 1990. Can be formulated according to practice. Thus, a typical pharmaceutical composition for intravenous infusion can be formulated to contain 250 mL of sterile Ringer's solution and 10 mg of the preparation.

  Compositions comprising the preparations of the invention can be administered for prophylactic and / or therapeutic treatments. In therapeutic applications, the composition can be applied to a subject already suffering from a disease in an amount sufficient to cure, reduce or partially reduce the clinical symptoms of the disease and its complications. As administered. An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as “therapeutically effective amount”. Effective amounts for each purpose will depend on the severity of the disease or injury as well as the weight and general state of the subject. It will be appreciated that the appropriate dosage may be determined using routine tests by constructing a matrix of values and testing different points in the matrix.

  Local delivery, eg topical application, of the preparations of the present invention includes, for example, spraying, perfusion, dual balloon catheters, stents, vascular grafts or incorporation into stents, hydrogels used to coat balloon catheters, or others Can be implemented by well-established methods. In any event, the pharmaceutical composition should provide an amount of the preparation sufficient to effectively treat the condition.

  In combination with a factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide, alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, or alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide in these formulations The concentration of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide can vary widely, i.e., less than about 0.5 wt.%, Usually at least about 1 wt.%, Up to about 15 or 20 wt. According to the particular method of administration, mainly by fluid volume, viscosity, etc. Administration by injection or infusion, especially injection, is preferred. Thus, factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are in a form suitable for intravenous administration, eg, factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide And a preparation which is a dissolved and lyophilized powder or liquid formulation comprising both alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptides in one dosage form, or factor VII or factor VII A dissolved and lyophilized powder or liquid formulation containing the related polypeptide in one dosage form and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide in another dosage form Prepared in either a dry powder or liquid preparation.

  It is understood that the amount of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the amount of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide together include a total amount effective to treat the onset of bleeding. Is done.

  It must be taken into account that the material of the present invention can generally be used in serious disease or injury situations, ie life threatening or potentially life threatening situations. In such cases, these can be determined by the treating physician in view of minimizing foreign substances and the general lack of immunogenicity of Factor VIIa and alpha 2-antiplasmin in humans. It may be desirable and desirable to administer the composition in substantial excess.

  In prophylactic applications, a composition comprising a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide is susceptible to a disease state or injury. Administer to a strong or at-risk subject to enhance the subject's own clotting ability. Such an amount is defined to be a “prophylactically effective dose”. It is understood that the amount of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the amount of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide together include a total amount effective to prevent bleeding episodes. Is done.

  Single or multiple administrations of the composition can be carried out with dose levels and pattern being selected by the treating physician. The composition may be administered one or more times per day or week. An effective amount of such a pharmaceutical composition is an amount that provides a clinically significant effect on the development of bleeding. Such amount will depend to some extent on the particular condition being treated, the age, weight and general health of the subject, as well as other factors apparent to those of skill in the art.

  The compositions of the invention are generally administered in a single dose before the anticipated bleeding or at the start of the bleeding. However, depending on the dose given and the condition of the subject, it may be given repeatedly (in multiple doses), preferably at intervals of 2-4-6-12 hours.

  For therapies associated with careful treatment, Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are within about 24 hours prior to treatment, As well as typically for about 7 days thereafter. Administration as a coagulant can be by a variety of routes as described herein.

  The composition comprises a single preparation comprising both a preparation of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide at appropriate concentrations (Single dosage form). The composition also includes a first unit dosage form comprising a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, and a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. It may be in the form of a kit of parts consisting of a second unit dosage form. In this case, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are preferably followed by the other, preferably within about 15 minutes of each other, for example 10 minutes of each other. Within, or preferably within 5 minutes of each other, or more preferably within 2 minutes of each other. Either of the two unit dosage forms can be administered first.

  The kit includes at least two separate pharmaceutical compositions. The kit includes container means for containing separate compositions, such as separate bottles or separate foil packets. Typically, the kit includes instructions for administering the separate components. The kit form is particularly advantageous when separate components are preferably administered at different dosage forms, at different dosing intervals, or when titration of a combination of individual components is required by the prescribing physician.

  The amount of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the amount of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide administered according to the invention is about 1: 100 to about 100: 1 (w / The ratio may be changed between w). Thus, the ratio of factor VII to alpha 2-antiplasmin is, for example, about 1: 100, or 1:90, or 1:80, or 1:70, or 1:60, or 1:50, or 1:40. , Or 1:30, or 1:20, or 1:10, or 1: 5, or 1: 2, or 1: 1, or 2: 1, or 5: 1, or 10: 1, or 20: 1 Or 30: 1, or 40: 1, or 50: 1, or 60: 1, or 70: 1, or 80: 1, or 90: 1, or 100: 1; or from about 1:90 to about 1 : Between 1, or between about 1:80 and about 1: 2, or between about 1:70 and about 1: 5, or between about 1:60 and about 1:10, or between about 1:50 and Between about 1:25, or between about 1:40 and about 1:30, or between about 90: 1 and about 1: 1, or between about 80: 1 and about 2: 1, or about 70: Between 1 and about 5: 1, or between about 60: 1 and about 10: 1, or between about 50: 1 and about 25: 1, or between about 40: 1 and about 30 It can be between 1.

  The dose of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide is about 0.05 mg to about 500 mg / day of wild-type Factor VII, such as about 1 for a 70 kg subject as a loading dose and a maintenance dose. Varying depending on the subject's weight, symptoms, and severity of symptoms, ranging from mg to about 200 mg / day, or such as from about 5 mg to about 175 mg / day.

  The dose of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide is about 0.05 mg to about 500 mg / day of wild-type alpha 2 for a 70 kg subject as a loading or maintenance dose. -Antiplasmin, for example, ranging from about 1 mg to about 200 mg / day, or such as from about 5 mg to about 175 mg / day, depending on the subject's weight, symptoms, and severity of symptoms .

  The combination of Factor VIIa and alpha 2-antiplasmin shows a synergistic effect in in vitro clot firmness assay and fibrinolysis time assay. Furthermore, the combination of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin against stable fibrin clot formation, half clot lysis time increase, clot strength increase, and fibrinolysis Shows a synergistic effect in increasing tolerance.

  The composition can be in the form of a single preparation comprising both Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin in appropriate concentrations. The composition also comprises a first unit dosage form comprising Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and a second unit dosage comprising alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide. The form of the kit which consists of a form may be sufficient. In this case, the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are preferably within about 1-2 hours of each other, such as within 30 minutes of each other, or preferably They should be administered sequentially within 10 minutes, or more preferably within 5 minutes of each other. Either of the two unit dosage forms can be administered first.

  Since the present invention relates to the prevention or treatment of the onset of bleeding or the coagulation treatment by treating in combination with active ingredients that may be administered separately, the present invention combines separate pharmaceutical compositions in kit form It also relates to that. The kit includes at least two separate pharmaceutical compositions. The kit includes container means for containing separate compositions, such as separate bottles or separate foil packets. Typically, the kit includes instructions for administering the separate components. The kit form is particularly advantageous when separate components are preferably administered at different dosage forms, at different dosing intervals, or when titration of a combination of individual components is required by the prescribing physician.

Assay:
Testing for factor VIIa activity:
A suitable assay for testing Factor VIIa activity and thereby selecting appropriate Factor VIIa variants can be performed as a simple preliminary in vitro test:

In Vitro Hydrolysis Assay The specific activity of natural (wild-type) Factor VIIa and Factor VIIa variants (both hereinafter referred to as “Factor VIIa”) can be assayed. These may be assayed in parallel and their specific activities compared directly. The assay is performed in microtiter plates (MaxiSorp, Nunc, Denmark). Final concentration of 1 mM chromogenic substrate D-Ile-Pro-Arg-p-nitroanilide (S-2288, Chromogenix, Sweden) with 0.1 M NaCl, 5 mM CaCl ₂ and 1 mg / mL bovine serum albumin Add to Factor VIIa (final concentration 100 nM) in 50 mM Hepes, pH 7.4. Absorbance at 405 nm is measured continuously with a SpectraMax ^™ 340 plate reader (Molecular Devices, USA). The absorbance generated during the 20 minute incubation is used to calculate the ratio between the activity of the mutant and wild type factor VIIa after subtracting the absorbance of blank wells without enzyme:
Ratio = (A _{405 nm} Factor VIIa variant) / (A _{405 nm} Factor VIIa wild type).

  Based on the results, a factor VIIa variant having activity comparable to or higher than that of natural factor VIIa, eg between the activity of the variant and the activity of natural factor VII (wild type FVII) Mutants etc. in the vicinity where the ratio exceeds 1.0 to 1.0 can be identified.

  Alternatively, the activity of factor VIIa or factor VIIa variants may be measured using a physiological substrate such as factor X, optimally at a concentration of 100-1000 nM, in which case factor Xa Factor production is measured after the addition of a suitable chromogenic substrate (eg, S-2765). In addition, activity assays can be performed at physiological temperatures.

In Vitro Proteolytic Assay Natural (wild type) Factor VIIa and Factor VIIa variants (both hereinafter referred to as “Factor VIIa”) are assayed in parallel and their specific activities are directly compared. . The assay is performed in microtiter plates (MaxiSorp, Nunc, Denmark). Incubate Factor VIIa (10 nM) and Factor X (0.8 μM) for 15 minutes in 100 μL of 50 mM Hepes, pH 7.4 containing 0.1 M NaCl, 5 mM CaCl ₂ and 1 mg / mL bovine serum albumin . Cleavage of factor X is then stopped by adding 50 μL of 50 mM Hepes, pH 7.4 containing 0.1 M NaCl, 20 mM EDTA and 1 mg / mL bovine serum albumin. The amount of factor Xa produced is determined by adding the chromogenic substrate ZD-Arg-Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide (S-2765, Chromogenix, Sweden) (final concentration 0.5 mM). Absorbance at 405 nm is measured continuously with a SpectraMax ^™ 340 plate reader (Molecular Devices, USA). Absorbance generated during 10 min incubation is used to calculate the ratio between the proteolytic activity of mutant and wild type factor VIIa after subtracting the absorbance of blank wells without FVIIa To:
Ratio = (A _{405 nm} Factor VIIa variant) / (A _{405 nm} Factor VIIa wild type).

  Based on the results, a factor VIIa variant having activity comparable to or higher than that of natural factor VIIa, eg between the activity of the variant and the activity of natural factor VII (wild type FVII) Mutants etc. in the vicinity where the ratio exceeds 1.0 to 1.0 can be identified.

Thrombin generation assay:
The ability of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, or alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide (eg, a variant) to generate thrombin, is related to all relevant clotting factors and physiological concentrations (See Monroe et al. (1997) Brit. J. Haematol. 99, 542-, which is hereby incorporated by reference). 547, page 543).

Testing for alpha 2-antiplasmin activity:
An assay suitable for testing alpha2-antiplasmin activity and thereby providing a means to select alpha2-antiplasmin variants suitable for use in the present invention is, for example, Nagai, N. et al. Blood. , 97, 3086-3092, 2001 or Lee AYY. Et al. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 85, 502-508, 2001, or as other assays known in the art. Yes ("antiplasmin assay").

  The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection. The features disclosed in the foregoing description and the features disclosed in the following examples may be used separately and in any combination thereof as materials for understanding the present invention in various forms.

Example 1
Methods for improving the stability of hemostatic clots by combining coagulation factor VIIa and alpha 2-antiplasmin :
Clot lysis assay: Buffer containing Innovin (Dade Behring, 2000-fold dilution), rFVIIa (Novo Nordisk A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark; various concentrations) and t-PA (American Diagnostics, 8 nM) Normal human plasma diluted 10-fold with 20 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM CaCl, pH 7.4) was added to 96-well ELISA plates and turbidity at 650 nM was measured over time at room temperature. Where indicated, purified human alpha 2-antiplasmin (Calbiochem, various concentrations) was included.

  Rotational thromboelastography (roTEG): Normal human plasma with citrate or factor VIII deficient plasma (George King Bio-Medical, Inc. # 0800) supplemented with 5 nM t-PA Measurements were made to analyze the effect of adding 1 nM FVIIa alone or in combination with 30 nM alpha 2-antiplasmin. Clotting was initiated by the addition of inobin (final concentration 2000 fold dilution, Dade Behring # 526945) and calcium (final concentration 15 mM) in 20 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.4 buffer.

result:
Clot lysis assay: Addition of FVIIa results in a dose-dependent extension of clot lysis time (Figure 1). This effect was optimal at 10 nM FVIIa. In the presence of 10 nM FVIIa, addition of alpha 2-antiplasmin resulted in further extension of clot lysis time (FIG. 2). This effect was dose dependent and optimal with 500 nM human alpha 2-antiplasmin.

Conclusion:
These results demonstrate that the addition of FVIIa and alpha 2-antiplasmin in plasma in the form of a synergist improves clot mechanical strength and resistance to fibrinolysis.

Addition of FVIIa causes a dose-dependent extension of clot lysis time. This effect was optimal with 10 nM FVIIa. In the presence of 10 nM FVIIa, addition of alpha 2-antiplasmin resulted in a further extension of clot lysis time. This effect was dose dependent and optimal with 500 nM human alpha 2-antiplasmin.

Claims (53)

  A pharmaceutical composition comprising Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide.   2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide is a factor VII-related polypeptide.   The composition according to claim 2, wherein the Factor VII-related polypeptide is a Factor VII amino acid sequence variant.   4. The composition of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the ratio between the activity of the Factor VII-related polypeptide and the activity of native human Factor VIIa (wild type FVIIa) is defined herein. A composition that is at least about 1.25 when tested in an "in vitro hydrolysis assay" as described.   The composition of claim 1, wherein the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide is Factor VII.   6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein the factor VII is human factor VII.   7. A composition according to claim 6, wherein the factor VII is recombinant human factor VII.   The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the factor VII or the factor VII-related polypeptide is an active form thereof.   9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the factor VII is recombinant human factor VIIa.   10. The composition of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide.   11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin amino acid sequence variant.   12. The composition of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the activity of the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is between that of natural human alpha2-antiplasmin (wild type alpha2-antiplasmin). Wherein the ratio of at least about 1.25 when tested in an “antiplasmin assay” as described herein.   10. The composition of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin polypeptide.   14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the alpha 2-antiplasmin is human alpha 2-antiplasmin.   15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the alpha2-antiplasmin is recombinant human alpha2-antiplasmin.   16. The composition of claim 15, wherein the alpha 2-antiplasmin is its active form.   17. The composition of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are about A composition present in a mass ratio between 100: 1 to about 1: 100 (w / w Factor VII: alpha 2-antiplasmin).   18. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient suitable for injection or infusion, in particular for injection. A kit of parts containing a therapeutic agent for the onset of bleeding,
f) an effective amount of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide in a first unit dosage form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
g) an effective amount of a preparation of an alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide in a second unit dosage form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and
h) container means for containing said first and second dosage forms;
Including kit.   20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the factor VII or factor VII-related polypeptide is a factor VII-related polypeptide.   21. The kit of claim 20, wherein the Factor VII related polypeptide is a Factor VII amino acid sequence variant.   22. A kit according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the ratio between the activity of said Factor VII related polypeptide and the activity of native human Factor VIIa (wild type FVIIa) is described herein. A kit that is at least about 1.25 when tested in an “in vitro hydrolysis assay”.   20. The kit according to claim 19, wherein the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide is Factor VII.   24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the factor VII is human factor VII.   25. The kit of claim 24, wherein the Factor VII polypeptide is recombinant human Factor VII.   The kit according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the factor VII or the factor VII-related polypeptide is an active form thereof.   27. The kit of claim 26, wherein the factor VII is recombinant human factor VIIa.   28. A kit according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide.   30. The kit of claim 28, wherein the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is an alpha2-antiplasmin amino acid sequence variant.   30. A kit according to claim 28 or claim 29, between the activity of the alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide and the activity of native human alpha2-antiplasmin (wild type alpha2-antiplasmin). A kit wherein the ratio is at least about 1.25 when tested in an “antiplasmin assay” as described herein.   28. A kit according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide is alpha2-antiplasmin.   32. The kit of claim 31, wherein the alpha 2-antiplasmin is human alpha 2-antiplasmin.   33. The kit of claim 32, wherein the alpha 2-antiplasmin is recombinant human alpha 2-antiplasmin.   34. The kit of claim 33, wherein the alpha 2-antiplasmin is its active form.   35. The kit of any one of claims 19 to 34, wherein the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are about 100: A kit present in a mass ratio between 1 and about 1: 100 (w / w Factor VII: alpha2-antiplasmin).   Use of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide in combination with alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide for the manufacture of a medicament for treating the development of bleeding.   Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating the onset of bleeding.   38. Use according to claim 36 or claim 37, wherein the medicament is for reducing clotting time.   38. Use according to claim 36 or claim 37, wherein the medicament is for extending clot lysis time.   38. Use according to claim 36 or claim 37, wherein the medicament is for increasing clot strength.   41. Use according to any one of claims 36 to 40, wherein the medicament is formulated for injection or infusion, in particular for injection.   42. Use according to any one of claims 36 to 41, wherein the onset of bleeding is due to trauma or surgery, or a decrease in platelet count or activity.   43. Use according to any one of claims 36 to 42, wherein the medicament is in a single dosage form.   A first unit dosage form comprising a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and a second comprising a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide; 43. Use according to any one of claims 36 to 42, prepared in the form of a unit dosage form.   A method for treating the development of bleeding in a subject, wherein for a subject in need thereof, a first amount of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, and alpha 2-anti Administering a second amount of a preparation of a plasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective for treating bleeding.   A method for reducing clotting time in a subject, wherein for a subject in need thereof, a first amount of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin Or administering a second amount of a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective to reduce clotting time.   A method for enhancing hemostasis in a subject, wherein for a subject in need thereof, a first amount of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2 -Administering a second amount of a preparation of an antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective to enhance hemostasis.   A method for extending clot lysis time in a subject, wherein for a subject in need thereof, a first amount of a preparation of factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide, alpha 2 − Administering a second amount of a preparation of an antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective to prolong clot lysis time. Method.   A method for increasing clot strength in a subject, wherein for a subject in need thereof, a first amount of a preparation of Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide, and alpha 2-anti Administering a second amount of a preparation of a plasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide, wherein the first and second amounts are both effective to increase clot strength.   50. Any one of claims 45-49, wherein said Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and said alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are administered in a single dosage form. The method according to item.   50. The method of any one of claims 45 to 49, wherein the Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide and the alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide are VII. Administered in the form of a first dosage form comprising a preparation of factor or factor VII-related polypeptide and a second dosage form comprising a preparation of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin related polypeptide How to be.   52. The method of claim 51, wherein the first dosage form and the second dosage form are administered at time intervals not exceeding 15 minutes. A kit comprising a therapeutic agent for the onset of bleeding,
a) an effective amount of Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptide, and an effective amount of alpha2-antiplasmin or alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide in a single unit dosage form, and pharmaceutically Acceptable carriers; and
b) A kit comprising container means for containing said single unit dosage form.

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