Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P17/00—Drugs for dermatological disorders
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P5/00—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system
  • A61P5/24—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system of the sex hormones
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system

Definitions

• Embodiments of the invention generally relate to the treatment of hot flashes, and more specifically relate to the treatment of hot flashes by vomeronasally administering a steroid agent to individuals.
• a hot flash is a momentary sensation of heat that may be accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating by a female or male individual.
• the cause of hot flashes may be related to changes in circulation. Hot flashes occur when the blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate to cool, which produces a red, flushed look to the face. An individual may also perspire to cool down the body. In addition, some individuals experience a rapid heart rate or chills. Hot flashes accompanied with sweating can also occur at night. These are called night sweats and may interfere with sleep.
• a hot flush is a hot flash plus a visual appearance of redness in the face and neck of the individual.
• Hot flashes may be the most common symptom of menopause. Although the appearance of hot flashes coincides with estrogen withdrawal, this does not entirely explain the phenomenon because estrogen levels do not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic women. Luteinizing hormone (“LH”) pulses do not produce hot flashes, nor do changes in endogenous opiates. Recent studies suggest that hot flashes are triggered by small elevations in core body temperature (“T c ”) acting within a reduced thermoneutral zone in symptomatic postmenopausal women. This narrowing may be due to elevated central noradrenergic activation, a contention supported by observations that clonidine and some relaxation procedures ameliorate hot flashes.
• LH Luteinizing hormone
• T c elevations procedures to reduce T c , such as lowering ambient temperature, are beneficial.
• Estrogen ameliorates hot flashes by increasing the T c sweating threshold, although the underlying mechanism is not known. Recent studies suggest that some sleep disturbances may be due to hot flashes while an individual is asleep.
• Hot flashes usually last from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes, with a small percentage persisting for about 6 minutes or longer.
• the experience of a hot flash is usually described as sensations of intense heat, sweating, flushing, chills, and clamminess. Sweating is reported most frequently in the face, neck, and chest, but rarely caudally.
• Peripheral vasodilation demonstrated by increased skin temperature and blood flow, occurs during hot flashes in many body areas. Skin temperatures in the digits, cheek, forehead, upper arm, chest, abdomen, back, calf, and thigh increase during hot flashes. Also, blood flow in the finger, hand, calf, and forearm may increase during hot flashes. These changes typically occur within the first few seconds of the reported onset of the hot flash. Sweating and skin conductance (electrical measure of sweating) also increase during hot flashes.
• NE Norepinephrine
• NE Norepinephrine
• ⁇ 2 -adrenergic receptors When injected into the preoptic hypothalamus of laboratory animals, NE causes peripheral vasodilation and heat loss, followed by decline in body temperature.
• gonadal steroids modulate central NE activity. This theory is supported by clinical studies showing that the selective ⁇ 2 -adrenergic agonist clonidine significantly reduces hot flash frequency.
• Increased shivering induced by increased skeletal muscle tone contributes to the production of body heat.
• the threshold for shivering measured using the electromyogram (EMG) of skeletal muscles is lower in symptomatic postmenopausal women than in asymptomatic postmenopausal women.
• Actual castration may be the accidental or surgical loss of at least one testicle or both testicles—such as in the treatment of testicular cancer, prostate cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer.
• Male individuals may receive actual castration during the course of a gender transformation procedure.
• Chemical castration may be induced by the administration of antiandrogen compounds or luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist compounds. Chemical castration may occur during the treatment of prostate cancer or metastatic prostate cancer, but occasionally for other medical conditions. In some examples, chemical castration may be used to voluntarily decrease sexual capability of male individuals, such as in the treatment of certain sexual offenders.
• Estrogen replacement therapy The lowered estrogen levels during menopause are treated by administering 17 ⁇ -estradiol systemically using oral dosage forms, nasal sprays, and lately low-dose transdermal administration using a patch.
• estrogen replacement therapy is reported to increase the risk for breast cancer, coronary heart disease (“CHD”), thromboembolism, stroke, and dementia when administered with progesterone, and increase the risk of stroke with no reduction of CHD risk when administered alone. In light of the altered risk-benefit ratios for these treatments, they are now being given at lower doses.
• SSRI serotonin-reuptake inhibitor
• venlafaxine reduced hot flash scores by 60% from baseline at 75 mg/day and 150 mg/day and 37% at 37.5 mg/day compared with 27% for placebo.
• Side effects of these antidepressants include nausea, dry mouth, somnolence, decreased appetite, and insomnia. Besides the side effects and the slow onset of action, antidepressants require several weeks of sustained administration before achieving therapeutic effects.
• Clonidine ameliorates hot flashes by increasing the T c sweating threshold.
• Two small placebo-controlled studies found that oral clonidine reduced hot flash frequency by 46% and transdermal clonidine reduced it by 80%.
• Two larger studies of breast cancer survivors receiving tamoxifen showed smaller, but significant reductions in hot flash frequency for oral and transdermal clonidine compared with placebo.
• clonidine has a slow onset of action and side effects including hypotension, dry mouth, and sedation.
• Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that binds to the ⁇ 2 ⁇ subunit of a voltage-gated calcium channel, which was fortuitously found to ameliorate hot flashes in some patients.
• Side effects of gabapentin include dizziness and peripheral edema.
• Non-pharmaceutical treatments include procedures to reduce T c and ambient temperature, such as dressing in layers and using fans or air conditioning, weight loss, smoking cessation, and relaxation procedures.
• VNO The vomeronasal organ
• Jacobson's organ is a bilateral chemosensory organ found in most vertebrates including humans. In mammals, this organ may be accessed through the nostrils (as a pair of blind tubular diverticula found at the inferior margin of the nasal septum), and has been associated with pheromone reception in most species.
• the distal axons of the terminals nerve neurons may also serve as chemosensory receptors in the VNO. This nerve has direct synaptic connection with the hypothalamus.
• vomeropherins which are substances that can bind to receptors in the VNO, may induce robust physiological, pharmacological, and behavioral changes when delivered airborne to the VNO. This information is supported by several studies in human volunteers using functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, showing that vomeropherins selectively activate the brain areas (hypothalamus, limbic system, cingulate gyrus, anterior thalamus, and prefrontal cortex) where their physiological, pharmacological and behavioral effects are integrated.
• Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for treating individuals suffering from hot flashes by vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent.
• the hot flashes may be a result of postmenopause or castration suffered by the individual.
• the method for treating individuals suffering with hot flashes is provided by vomeronasally administering a steroid agent containing an estrene compound, such as 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one.
• pharmaceutical compositions containing the steroid agent may be used to treat individuals suffering with hot flashes.
• Embodiments include methods for treating female or male individuals suffering from hot flashes due to postmenopause or castration by vomeronasally administering the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one to levitate the hot flashes.
• a method for treating a male castrate suffering from hot flashes which includes vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one to the male castrate.
• the steroid agent may be administered to the male castrate at an onset of a hot flash, or alternatively, may be administered to the male castrate on a daily schedule.
• the steroid agent may be administered from 2 to 8 times per day during the daily schedule, and in other examples, may be administered from 3 to 5 times per day, such as 4 times per day during the daily schedule.
• the therapeutically effective dosage of the steroid agent contains 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one at a concentration or an amount within a range from about 100 ng (nanogram) to about 4,000 ng, preferably, from about 200 ng to about 3,000 ng, more preferably, from about 400 ng to about 1,600 ng, for example, about 800 ng.
• the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one may be topically administered to a vomeronasal organ of the male castrate.
• the vomeronasal organ may be exposed to a nasal spray or a nasal powder spray containing the steroid agent during the administration.
• the nasal spray contains the steroid agent and water, and may further contain at least one excipient.
• the excipient may be propylene glycol, ethanol, or mixtures thereof.
• the nasal powder spray may contain aerosol particulate of the steroid agent.
• the vomeronasal organ may be exposed to a cream, a gel, or an ointment containing the steroid agent during the administration.
• the steroid agent may further be coated with a time-release agent, a slow-release agent, or a controlled-release agent (e.g., pH or temperature dependent).
• the male castrate has actual castration, such that at least one testicle has been removed from the male castrate during a surgical castration or an accidental castration. Usually, the male castrate has had both testicles surgically or accidentally removed during the actual castration.
• the male castrate has been administered a cancer treatment, that is, the male castrate may currently be a cancer patient or may be a former cancer patient.
• the cancer treatment may have been for testicular cancer, prostate cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer and the actual castration was administered during the cancer treatment.
• the male castrate may be a transsexual and the castration was administered during a surgical gender transition or sex change procedure.
• the male castrate has chemical castration, which may be a temporary castration or a permanent castration.
• the male castrate may have been administered at least one antiandrogen compound during a treatment.
• the antiandrogen compound may be bicalutamide, cyproterone, flutamide, nilutamide, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, or combinations thereof.
• the male castrate may have been administered at least one luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist compound during the treatment.
• the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist compound may be buserelin, goserelin, leuprolide, triptorelin, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, or combinations thereof.
• the chemically castrated man may have been administered a cancer treatment, such as for prostate cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, or brain cancer.
• the male castrate may be temporally castrated during or subsequent the cancer treatment.
• the male castrate may be permanently castrated during or subsequent the cancer treatment.
• the male castrate may have been chemically castrated during a treatment to reduce sexual capability and suffers hot flashes which may be treated by administering the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one.
• the method for treating an individual suffering from hot flashes includes administering a therapeutically effectively amount of a steroid agent within a nasal passage of the individual, wherein the steroid agent binds specifically to receptors on the surface of nasal neuroepithelial cells of the individual to alleviate the hot flashes, and the nasal neuroepithelial cells are part of tissue other than olfactory epithelia.
• the method for treating a male castrate suffering from hot flashes includes administering a therapeutically effectively amount of a steroid agent within a nasal passage of the male castrate, wherein the steroid agent binds specifically to receptors on the surface of nasal neuroepithelial cells of the male castrate to alleviate the hot flashes.
• the steroid agent for treating hot flashes is an estrene compound having the chemical formula of:
• R 1 may be selected from one hydrogen atom, two hydrogen atoms, methyl, methylene, one halogen atom, and two halogen atoms
• R 2 is absent or may be selected from hydrogen and methyl
• R 3 may be selected from oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower acyloxy, benzoyl, cypionyl, glucuronide, and sulfonyl
• R 4 may be selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower acyloxy, and halo
• R 5 is absent or may be selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, and lower acyloxy
• R 6 is hydrogen or halogen
• “a” represents optional aromatic unsaturation of ring A of the steroid, or “b”, “c”, and “d” are each optional double bonds
• “e”, “f”, “g”, “h”, “i”, and “j” are each optional double bonds
• “e” may also form an epoxy ring with C 16 and C 17
• “a” may be present and “g”, “h”, or “i” may optionally be double bonds. Further, “h” and “i” may both be double bonds. In another example, “b” may be a double bond. In another example, “j” may be a double bond. In another example, “c” may both be a double bond. In another example, “c” and “d” may be double bonds. In another example, R 2 may be methyl and “e” may be a double bond.
• the estrene compound may be selected from estra-4,16-dien-3-one; estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraene-3-ol; estra-4,16-dien-3 ⁇ -ol; estra-4,9(10), 16-triene-3-one; estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol-6-one; 3-methoxyl-estra-2,5(10),16-triene; estra-5(10), 16-dien-3 ⁇ -ol; and estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3,6 ⁇ -diol.
• R 5 may be methyl, and optionally, the estrene compound may be selected from estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol; estra-1,3,5(10),6-tetraen-3-ol; and estra-1,3,5(10),7-tetraen 3-ol.
• R 1 may be methylene, and optionally the estrene compound may be 17-methylene-estra-1,3,5(10),6,8(9)hexaen-3-ol.
• R 1 may be methylene or one hydrogen atom and R 2 is methyl.
• “f” may be a double bond and R 2 is methyl.
• Some specific examples of the estrene compound may be selected from 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol-methyl ether; 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol; 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-yl acetate; and 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-yl propionate.
• the estrene compound may be 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol.
• the estrene compound may be estra-4,16-dien-10 ⁇ -ol-3-one.
• estrene compound forms an epoxy ring with C 16 and C 17
• the estrene compound may be 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol or may be 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one.
• a method for treating a male individual having a testosterone level of about 50 ng/dL or less and suffering from hot flashes which includes vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one to the male individual.
• the testosterone level of the male individual may be about 20 ng/dL or less.
• the steroid agent may be administered to the male individual at an onset of a hot flash, or alternatively, may be administered to the male individual on a daily schedule.
• the steroid agent may be administered from 2 to 8 times per day during the daily schedule, and in other example, may be administered from 3 to 5 times per day, such as 4 times per day during the daily schedule.
• the therapeutically effective dosage of the steroid agent contains 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one at a concentration or an amount within a range from about 100 ng to about 4,000 ng, preferably, from about 200 ng to about 3,000 ng, more preferably, from about 400 ng to about 1,600 ng, for example, about 800 ng.
• the male individual may be a male castrate having actual castration or chemical castration as described above.
• a method for treating an individual suffering from hot flashes during postmenopause includes vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing an estrene compound (e.g., 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one) to the individual.
• the postmenopause experienced by the individual suffering from hot flashes may be drug induced postmenopause, surgically induced postmenopause, or naturally occurring postmenopause.
• the individual to be treated with the steroid agent may be female or male.
• a male individual suffering from hot flashes due to a drug induced postmenopause may be treated by administering the steroid agent.
• a male individual suffering from drug induced hot flashes may be treated by administering the steroid agent as described herein.
• the drug induced hot flashes may be drug induced from administration of an antiandrogen compound to the male individual undergoing androgen-dependent therapy.
• a female individual suffering hot flashes due to a surgically induced postmenopause may be treated by administering the steroid agent.
• the female individual may have undergone surgery to remove or otherwise simply lacks completely or a portion of at least one female reproductive organ, such as a uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or other female reproductive organs.
• the female individual may have been administered a surgery, such as during a hysterectomy. Such surgeries generally leave the female individual with considerable changes in her hormonal level which results in hot flashes.
• Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for treating individuals suffering from hot flashes by vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent.
• the individual suffering from hot flashes include postmenopausal women and postmenopausal men, as well as male castrates and women who have experienced removal of her uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or other female reproductive organs, such as during a hysterectomy.
• the method for treating individuals suffering with hot flashes is provided by vomeronasally administering a steroid agent containing an estrene compound, such as 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one.
• pharmaceutical compositions containing the steroid agent may be used to treat individuals suffering with hot flashes.
• Embodiments include methods for treating female or male individuals suffering from hot flashes due to postmenopause or castration by vomeronasally administering the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one to levitate the hot flashes.
• a method for treating a male castrate or other individual suffering from hot flashes includes vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one to the male castrate.
• the steroid agent may be administered to the male castrate or other individual at an onset of a hot flash, or alternatively, may be administered to the male castrate on a daily schedule.
• the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one has a rapid onset of action for alleviating or preventing hot flashes, such as a time period within a range from about 30 seconds to about 3 minutes, immediately after vomeronasally administering the therapeutically effective dosage to the male castrate or other individual.
• the steroid agent may be administered to the individual from 2 to 8 times per day during the daily schedule, and in other examples, may be administered to the individual from 3 to 5 times per day, such as 4 times per day during the daily schedule.
• the therapeutically effective dosage of the steroid agent contains 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one at a concentration or an amount within a range from about 100 ng (nanogram) to about 4,000 ng, preferably, from about 200 ng to about 3,000 ng, more preferably, from about 400 ng to about 1,600 ng, for example, about 800 ng.
• the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one may be topically administered to a vomeronasal organ of the male castrate or other individual.
• the vomeronasal organ may be exposed to a nasal spray or a nasal powder spray containing the steroid agent during the administration.
• the nasal spray contains the steroid agent and water, and may further contain at least one excipient.
• the excipient may be propylene glycol, ethanol, or mixtures thereof.
• the nasal powder spray may contain aerosol particulate of the steroid agent.
• the vomeronasal organ may be exposed to a cream, a gel, or an ointment containing the steroid agent during the administration.
• the steroid agent may further be coated with a time-release agent, a slow-release agent, or a controlled-release agent.
• the male castrate has actual castration, such that at least one testicle has been removed from the male castrate during a surgical castration or an accidental castration. Usually, the male castrate has had both testicles surgically or accidentally removed during the actual castration.
• the male castrate has been administered a cancer treatment, that is, the male castrate may currently be a cancer patient or may be a former cancer patient. The cancer treatment may have been for testicular cancer, prostate cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer and the castration was administered during the cancer treatment.
• the male castrate may be a castrated transsexual and the castration was administered during a surgical gender transition or sex change procedure.
• the male castrate has chemical castration, which may be a temporary castration or a permanent castration.
• the male castrate may have been administered at least one antiandrogen compound during a treatment.
• the antiandrogen compound may be bicalutamide, cyproterone, flutamide, nilutamide, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, or combinations thereof.
• the male castrate may have been administered at least one luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist compound during a treatment.
• the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist compound may be buserelin, goserelin, leuprolide, triptorelin, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, or combinations thereof.
• the male castrate may have been administered a cancer treatment, such as for prostate cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, or brain cancer.
• the male castrate may be temporally castrated during or subsequent the cancer treatment.
• the male castrate may be permanently castrated during or subsequent the cancer treatment.
• the male castrate may have been chemically castrated during a treatment to reduce sexual capability and suffers hot flashes which may be treated by administering the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one
• the method for treating an individual suffering from hot flashes includes administering a therapeutically effectively amount of a steroid agent within a nasal passage of the individual, wherein the steroid agent binds specifically to receptors on the surface of nasal neuroepithelial cells of the individual to alleviate the hot flashes, and the nasal neuroepithelial cells are part of tissue other than olfactory epithelia.
• the method for treating a male castrate suffering from hot flashes includes administering a therapeutically effectively amount of a steroid agent within a nasal passage of the male castrate, wherein the steroid agent binds specifically to receptors on the surface of nasal neuroepithelial cells of the male castrate to alleviate the hot flashes.
• the steroid agent for treating hot flashes is an estrene compound having the chemical formula of:
• R 1 may be selected from one hydrogen atom, two hydrogen atoms, methyl, methylene, one halogen atom, and two halogen atoms
• R 2 is absent or may be selected from hydrogen and methyl
• R 3 may be selected from oxo, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower acyloxy, benzoyl, cypionyl, glucuronide, and sulfonyl
• R 4 may be selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower acyloxy, and halo
• R 5 is absent or may be selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, and lower acyloxy
• R 6 is hydrogen or halogen
• “a” represents optional aromatic unsaturation of ring A of the steroid, or “b”, “c”, and “d” are each optional double bonds
• “e”, “f”, “g”, “h”, “i”, and “j” are each optional double bonds
• “e” may also form an epoxy ring with C 16 and C 17
• “a” may be present and “g”, “h”, or “i” may optionally be double bonds. Further, “h” and “i” may both be double bonds. In another example, “b” may be a double bond. In another example, “j” may be a double bond. In another example, “c” may both be a double bond. In another example, “c” and “d” may be double bonds. In another example, R 2 may be methyl and “e” may be a double bond.
• the estrene compound may be selected from estra-4,16-dien-3-one; estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraene-3-ol; estra-4,16-dien-3 ⁇ -ol; estra-4,9(10),16-triene-3-one; estra-1,3,5(10), 16-tetraen-3-ol-6-one; 3-methoxyl-estra-2,5(10), 16-triene; estra-5(10), 16-dien-3 ⁇ -ol; and estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3,6 ⁇ -diol.
• R 5 may be methyl, and optionally, the estrene compound may be selected from estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol; estra-1,3,5(10),6-tetraen-3-ol; and estra-1,3,5(10),7-tetraen 3-ol.
• R 1 may be methylene, and optionally the estrene compound may be 17-methylene-estra-1,3,5(10),6,8(9)hexaen-3-ol.
• R 1 may be methylene or one hydrogen atom and R 2 is methyl.
• “f” may be a double bond and R 2 is methyl.
• Some specific examples of the estrene compound may be selected from 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol-methyl ether; 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol; 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-yl acetate; and 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-yl propionate.
• the estrene compound may be 1,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol.
• the estrene compound may be estra-4,16-dien-10 ⁇ -ol-3-one.
• estrene compound forms an epoxy ring with C 16 and C 17
• the estrene compound may be 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol or may be 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one.
• a method for treating a male individual having a testosterone level of about 50 ng/dL or less and suffering from hot flashes which includes vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one to the male individual.
• the testosterone level of the male individual may be about 20 ng/dL or less.
• the steroid agent may be administered to the male individual at an onset of a hot flash, or alternatively, may be administered to the male individual on a daily schedule.
• the steroid agent may be administered from 2 to 8 times per day during the daily schedule, and in other example, may be administered from 3 to 5 times per day, such as 4 times per day during the daily schedule.
• the therapeutically effective dosage of the steroid agent contains 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one at a concentration within a range from about 100 ng to about 4,000 ng, preferably, from about 200 ng to about 3,000 ng, more preferably, from about 400 ng to about 1,600 ng, for example, about 800 ng.
• the male individual may be a male castrate having actual castration or chemical castration as described above.
• a method for treating an individual suffering from hot flashes during postmenopause includes vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one to the individual.
• the postmenopause experienced by the individual suffering from hot flashes may be drug induced postmenopause, surgically induced postmenopause, or naturally occurring postmenopause.
• the individual to be treated with the steroid agent may be female or male.
• a male individual suffering from hot flashes due to a drug induced postmenopause may be treated by administering the steroid agent.
• a male individual suffering from drug induced hot flashes may be treated by administering the steroid agent as described herein.
• the drug induced hot flashes may be drug induced from administration of an antiandrogen compound to the male individual undergoing androgen-dependent therapy.
• a female individual suffering hot flashes due to a surgically induced postmenopause may be treated by administering the steroid agent.
• the female individual may have undergone surgery to remove her uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or other female reproductive organs, such as during a hysterectomy. Such surgeries generally leave the female individual with considerable changes in her hormonal level which results in hot flashes.
• the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one may be administered at a frequency correlated to a population circadian rhythm of hot flashes. In other embodiments, the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one may be administered at a frequency correlated to a circadian rhythm of hot flashes of the male castrate.
• Hot flash or “hot flashes” includes the momentary sensation of heat, optionally accompanied by flushing and sweating, also optionally accompanied by tachycardia and chills, as experienced in postmenopausal individuals and male castrates. The term also includes “hot flushes” and “night sweats”.
• a “perimenopausal woman” is a post-pubertal woman who has experienced partial, but not yet complete, cessation of menses.
• a “postmenopausal woman” is a post-pubertal woman who has experienced complete cessation of menses.
• a “menopausal woman” includes both a perimenopausal woman and a postmenopausal woman.
• the menopause in these women may be either natural (such as with age), surgical (such as by removal of both ovaries), or induced by chemical treatment (such as by treatment with estrogen antagonists, e.g., fulvestrant, raloxifene, tamoxifen, and toremifine).
• a “castrate”, “male castrate”, or “castrated man” is a post-pubertal man who has experienced either actual castration or chemical castration.
• Chemical castration may include administering at least one antiandrogen compound, such as bicalutamide, cyproterone, flutamide, nilutamide, salts thereof, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
• Chemical castration may also include administering at least one luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist compound, such as buserelin, goserelin, leuprolide, triptorelin, salts thereof, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
• a normal adult male will have a testosterone level or concentration of greater than 50 ng/dL.
• a male castrate, or other male individuals having a low testosterone concentration may have a testosterone level or concentration of about 50 ng/dL or less, for example, about 35 ng/dL or less, about 20 ng/dL or less, or even about 10 ng/dL or less.
• Male castrates, postmenopausal men, and other male individuals having these low testosterone concentrations frequently experience hot flashes.
• male individuals having a testosterone level or concentration of about 50 ng/dL or less and suffering from hot flashes may be treated by vomeronasally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one.
• vomeronasal administration or “vomeronasally administering” is administration to the human vomeronasal organ. In a clinical setting, this may be accomplished by the use of a probe specifically designed to administer the steroid agent essentially solely to the vomeronasal organ.
• a probe useful for vomeronasally administering a steroid agent is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,703, which is incorporated herein by reference. More generally, however, vomeronasal administration includes intranasal administration in a manner that desirably directs the steroid agent generally towards the vomeronasal organ.
• a probe may be used to vomeronasally administer the steroid agent containing an estrene compound, such as 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one for alleviating hot flashes.
• a “therapeutically effective amount” is the amount of a steroid agent that, when administered to the vomeronasal organ of an individual suffering from hot flashes, is sufficient to effect treatment for the hot flashes.
• Treating” or “treatment” of hot flashes includes one or more of:
• estrene compound 16a 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one
• the steroid compound 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one has the chemical structure of:
• Genotoxicity tests revealed no evidence of mutagenic or clastogenic potential of the compound when examined in the Ames reverse mutation assay and the in vivo bone marrow micronucleus test.
• Reproductive toxicity studies in pregnant rabbits revealed no adverse effects on maternal or litter parameters attributable to the compound at intravenous doses up to 2.5 mg/kg/day administered during the period of organogenesis.
• Preclinical pharmacokinetic studies with the compound demonstrated very low systemic exposure when the compound was administered by repeated or singe escalating intranasal doses up to 100 ⁇ g/rat, 400 ⁇ g/rabbit, 600 ⁇ g/dog.
• plasma concentrations of the compound When given to rats, rabbits, or dogs in single repeated intravenous doses up to 2.5 mg/kg, plasma concentrations of the compound generally were dose-proportional and decreased rapidly.
• intranasal administration of a nasal spray containing 500 ng of 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one per administration (administration by a Valois intranasal spray pump of 50 ⁇ L of an aqueous solution of 10 ⁇ g/mL 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one with 2% propylene glycol and 2% ethanol) caused statistically significant decreases in respiratory frequency, electromyographic activity, electrodermal activity (skin conductance), and core body temperature; and statistically significant increases in vagal tone; and a not statistically significant increase in cardiac frequency compared to the vehicle.
• intranasal delivery of a nasal spray containing 1,600 ng of 16 ⁇ , 17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (one administration per nostril by a Valois intranasal spray pump of 50 ⁇ L of an aqueous solution of 16 ⁇ g/mL 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one with 2% propylene glycol and 2% ethanol) caused a rapid (0.5 to 4 minutes latency) decrease in core body temperature of 1 ⁇ 0.23° C. that persisted for 9 ⁇ 2.5 minutes.
• the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one may be administered vomeronasally by a suitable route.
• Routes of administration include, but are not limited to, topical applications (e.g., of a dermal or preferably an intranasal cream or gel), nasal spray, nasal powder spray, and the like.
• Pharmaceutical formulations generally will be formulations designed to administer the drug across mucosal membranes or transdermal formulations.
• Suitable delivery devices for these formulations are the metered-dose nasal spray pumps in common use for intranasal delivery of steroids for allergies and asthma, and the LHRH antagonist nafarelin for endometriosis.
• Such pumps are made by a number of manufacturers including Valois Pharma, Corporation. Liquid volumes are provided so that the formulation is efficiently delivered without an excess either flowing back into the nasal sinuses or dripping from the nose, and a volume of 50 ⁇ L has been found convenient, though greater or lesser volumes will also be satisfactory.
• a therapeutically effective dosage of a steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one may be from about 100 ng to about 4,000 ng, preferably, from about 200 ng to about 3,000 ng, more preferably, from about 400 ng to about 1,600 ng, for example, about 800 ng.
• a pharmaceutical composition contains the therapeutically effective dosage of the steroid agent containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one.
• the pharmaceutical composition may contain a concentration of the steroid agent within a range from about 100 ng to about 4,000 ng, preferably, from about 200 ng to about 3,000 ng, more preferably, from about 400 ng to about 1,600 ng, for example, about 800 ng.
• the pharmaceutical composition may be a nasal spray formulation, a nasal powder spray formulation, a cream, a gel, an ointment, a suspension, or a solution.
• the vomeronasal organ may be exposed to a nasal spray or a nasal powder spray containing the steroid agent during the administration to prevent or alleviate hot flashes.
• a nasal spray formulation may contain the steroid agent (e.g., containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one) and water.
• the nasal spray formulation may further contain at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
• the excipient may be a glycol ether, an alcohol, or a mixture of a glycol ether and an alcohol.
• the excipient may be propylene glycol, ethanol, or mixtures thereof.
• the liquid mixture of the nasal spray formulation may have a volumetric concentration of excipient within a range from about 1% to about 10%, preferably, from about 2% to about 6%, and more preferably, from about 3% to about 5%, for example, about 4%.
• the liquid mixture of the nasal spray formulation may have a volumetric concentration of propylene glycol within a range from about 0.5% to about 5%, preferably, from about 1% to about 3%, and more preferably, from about 1.5% to about 2.5%, for example, about 2%, and a volumetric concentration of ethanol within a range from about 0.5% to about 5%, preferably, from about 1% to about 3%, and more preferably, from about 1.5% to about 2.5%, for example, about 2%.
• the nasal spray contains the steroid agent within a liquid mixture containing by volume about 96% water, about 2% propylene glycol and about 2% ethanol.
• the nasal spray formulation may also contain a preservative, such as benzalkonium chloride.
• the liquid mixture of the nasal spray formulation may have a weight/volume concentration of the preservative within a range from about 0.1% to about 0.001%, for example, about 0.01%.
• the steroid agent may be dissolved or suspended within the liquid mixture.
• the nasal powder spray may contain aerosol particulate of the steroid agent (e.g., containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one).
• the aerosol particulate of the steroid agent may be administered by a pressurized gas supply, such as nitrous oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, various hydrofluorocarbons, or mixtures thereof.
• the vomeronasal organ may be exposed to a cream, a gel, or an ointment containing the steroid agent (e.g., containing 16 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -epoxy-10 ⁇ -hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one) during the administration to prevent or alleviate hot flashes.
• the steroid agent may further be coated with a time-release agent, a slow-release agent, or a controlled-release agent, such as by releasing the steroid agent at a particular pH or temperature.
• the compound may be administered as needed, for example immediately an individual senses the onset of a hot flash, to relieve and palliate the symptoms of that hot flash. It is also expected that the compound may be administered in a scheduled fashion throughout the day, such as from about 2 times/day to 8 times/day, for example, from about 3 times/day to 5 times/day, such as 4 times/day, to prevent the occurrence of hot flashes. Such scheduled administration may be on a uniform schedule, for example at 8 a.m., noon, 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.
• administration might be at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. (again for 4 times/day) to maximize the administration at the time when the frequency of occurrence of hot flashes is greatest.
• administration might be at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. (again for 4 times/day) to maximize the administration at the time when the frequency of occurrence of hot flashes is greatest.

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• 2009
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