Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/18—Growth factors; Growth regulators
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/18—Growth factors; Growth regulators
  • A61K38/1883—Neuregulins, e.g.. p185erbB2 ligands, glial growth factor, heregulin, ARIA, neu differentiation factor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
  • A61K9/0019—Injectable compositions; Intramuscular, intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous administration; Compositions to be administered through the skin in an invasive manner
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P29/00—Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
  • A61P31/12—Antivirals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P39/00—General protective or antinoxious agents
  • A61P39/02—Antidotes
• • 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
  • A61P9/04—Inotropic agents, i.e. stimulants of cardiac contraction; Drugs for heart failure
• • 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
  • A61P9/10—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/475—Growth factors; Growth regulators
  • C07K14/4756—Neuregulins, i.e. p185erbB2 ligands, glial growth factor, heregulin, ARIA, neu differentiation factor
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
  • G01N33/68—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving proteins, peptides or amino acids
  • G01N33/6893—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving proteins, peptides or amino acids related to diseases not provided for elsewhere
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
  • G01N33/74—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving hormones or other non-cytokine intercellular protein regulatory factors such as growth factors, including receptors to hormones and growth factors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2121/00—Preparations for use in therapy
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
  • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
  • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
  • A61K36/80—Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)
  • A61K36/804—Rehmannia
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K45/00—Medicinal preparations containing active ingredients not provided for in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
  • A61K45/06—Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2333/00—Assays involving biological materials from specific organisms or of a specific nature
  • G01N2333/435—Assays involving biological materials from specific organisms or of a specific nature from animals; from humans
  • G01N2333/575—Hormones
  • G01N2333/58—Atrial natriuretic factor complex; Atriopeptin; Atrial natriuretic peptide [ANP]; Brain natriuretic peptide [BNP, proBNP]; Cardionatrin; Cardiodilatin
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2800/00—Detection or diagnosis of diseases
  • G01N2800/32—Cardiovascular disorders
  • G01N2800/325—Heart failure or cardiac arrest, e.g. cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2800/00—Detection or diagnosis of diseases
  • G01N2800/52—Predicting or monitoring the response to treatment, e.g. for selection of therapy based on assay results in personalised medicine; Prognosis

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the use of neuregulin protein for the preparation of medication for preventing, treating or delaying heart failure in humans and methods for preventing, treating or delaying heart failure in humans using said medication.
• the present invention provides methods for preventing, treating or delaying heart failure using the medication comprising a neuregulin protein in specific populations of chronic heart failure patients.
• Heart failure affects approximately five million Americans, and more than 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with the condition each year.
• Current drug therapy for heart failure is primarily directed to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are vasodilators that cause blood vessels to expand, lowering blood pressure and reducing the heart's workload. While the percent reduction in mortality has been significant, the actual reduction in mortality with ACE inhibitors has averaged only 3%-4%, and there are several potential side effects. Additional limitations are associated with other options for preventing or treating heart failure. For example, heart transplantation is clearly more expensive and invasive than drug treatment, and it is further limited by the availability of donor hearts. Uses of mechanical devices, such as biventricular pacemakers, are similarly invasive and expensive. Thus, there has been a need for new therapies given the deficiencies in current therapies.
• ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
• NRGs a family of EGF-like growth factors
• NRGs comprises a family of structurally related growth and differentiation factors that include NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 and NRG4 and isoforms thereof, are involved in an array of biological responses: stimulation of breast cancer cell differentiation and secretion of milk proteins; induction of neural crest cell differentiation to Schwann cells; stimulation of skeletal muscle cell synthesis of acetylcholine receptors; and, promotion of myocardial cell survival and DNA synthesis.
• neuregulin is essential for heart and neural development.
• NRGs bind to the EGF receptor family, which comprises EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4, each of which plays an important role in multiple cellular functions, including cell growth, differentiation and survival. They are protein tyrosine kinase receptors, consisting of an extracellular ligand-binding domain, transmembrane kinase domain and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain.
• NRG binds to the extracellular domain of ErbB3 or ErbB4, it induces a conformational change that leads to heterodimer formation between ErbB3, ErbB4 and ErbB2 or homodimer formation between ErbB4 itself, which results in phosphorylation of the receptor's C-terminal domain inside the cell membrane.
• the phosphorylated intracellular domain then binds additional signal proteins inside the cell, activating the corresponding downstream AKT or ERK signaling pathway, and inducing a series of cell reactions, such as stimulation or depression of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell apoptosis, cell migration or cell adhesion.
• these receptors mainly ErbB2 and ErbB4 are expressed in the heart.
• NRG-1 ⁇ neuregulin-1 ⁇
• ErbB2 The orphan receptor, ErbB2
• ErbB3 The orphan receptor
• ErbB3 can form heterdimer with ErbB3 and ErbB4 with higher affinity than ErbB3 or ErbB4 homodimers.
• Research in neural development has indicated that the formation of the sympathetic nervous system requires an intact NRG-1 ⁇ . ErbB2 and ErbB3 signaling system. Targeted disruption of the NRG-1 ⁇ or ErbB2 or ErbB4 led to embryonic lethality due to cardiac development defects.
• NRG-1 ⁇ has been shown to enhance sarcomere organization in adult cardiomyocytes.
• the administration of a recombinant NRG-1 ⁇ EGF-like domain significantly improves or protects against deterioration in myocardial performance in distinct animal models of heart failure as well as in clinical trials.
• NHA New York Heart Association
• NRG enhances cardiac muscle cell differentiation and organization of sarcomeric and cytoskeleton structure, as well as cell adhesion. It has been also discovered by applicant that that NRG significantly improves or protects against deterioration in myocardial performance in distinct animal models of heart failure and in clinical trials. Neuregulin, neuregulin polypeptide, neuregulin derivatives, or compounds which mimic the activities of neuregulins, fall within the scope of the present invention.
• a pharmaceutical composition comprise an effective amount of neuregulin for treating chronic heart failure patients, and the patients received significant benefits from the pharmaceutical composition.
• the benefit is significant reduction of mortality rate.
• the benefit is significant reduction of rehospitalization.
• the benefit is the improvement of the biomarkers levels which indicate the improvement of chronic heart failure.
• the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the patients for an introduction regimen.
• the introduction regimen includes an administration of the pharmaceutical composition for at least consecutive 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
• the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the patients for a maintenance regimen for at least 3, 6 or 12 months after the introduction regimen.
• the maintenance regimen includes administration of the pharmaceutical composition every 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
• the invention provides a method to improve survival or reduce mortality of chronic heart failure patients, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of neuregulin to the chronic heart failure patients.
• the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the patients for an introduction regimen.
• the introduction regimen includes administration of the pharmaceutical composition for at least consecutive 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
• the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the patients for a maintenance regimen for at least 3, 6 or 12 months after the introduction regimen.
• the maintenance regimen includes an administration of the pharmaceutical composition every 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
• a pharmaceutically effective amount of neuregulin is used for treating chronic heart failure patients whose plasma level of NT-proBNP is within a favorite treatment zone prior to neuregulin treatment.
• the favorite treatment zone is no more than 4000 fmol/ml.
• the favorite treatment zone is between 1600 fmol/ml and 4000 fmol/ml.
• the favorite treatment zone is no more than 1600 fmol/ml.
• the plasma level is measured by immunoassay.
• a pharmaceutically effective amount of neuregulin is used for treating chronic heart failure patients who has a specific class of heart function classified by NYHA heart function classification.
• the specific class of heart function is NYHA class II.
• the specific class of heart function is NYHA class III.
• the invention features a method of selecting a heart failure patient for treatment by neuregulin.
• This method comprises measuring the plasma level of NT-proBNP in the patient.
• a level of no more than 4000 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• a level of between 1600 fmol/ml and 4000 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• a level of no more than 1600 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• the invention features a method of selecting a heart failure patient for treatment by neuregulin.
• This method comprises evaluating heart function class by NYHA heart function classification.
• NYHA class II is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• NYHA class III is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• the invention features a diagnostic kits for selecting a heart failure patient for treatment by neuregulin.
• the diagnostic kits comprises immunoassay reagents to measure plasma level of NT-proBNP in a heart failure patient wherein a level of no more than 4000 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• a level of between 1600 fmol/ml and 4000 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• a level of no more than 1600 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• the use of neuregulin protein for preparation of a medication was provided.
• the medication can be provided to chronic heart failure patients for long-term benefits.
• the long-term benefit is the improvement of survival.
• the long-term benefit is the reduction of re-hospitalization.
• the long-term benefit is the improvement of biomarkers which indicate the long-term prognosis of chronic heart failure.
• the medication is administered to the patients for an introduction regimen.
• the introduction regimen includes administration of medication for at least consecutive 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
• the medication is administered to the patients for a maintenance regimen for at least 3, 6 or 12 months after the introduction regimen.
• the maintenance regimen includes an administration of the medication every 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
• a companion diagnostic test was provided for the treatment of chronic heart failure by neuregulin protein.
• N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is used as a biomarker for the companion diagnostic test.
• NT-proBNP N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide
• a level of no more than 4000 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• a level of between 1600 fmol/ml and 4000 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• a level of no more than 1600 fmol/ml is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• a method of treating chronic heart failure using neuregulin comprises an evaluation procedure before treatment and decides whether each patient is suitable to receive neuregulin treatment according to the result of the evaluation.
• the evaluation procedure includes NYHA heart function classification of a chronic heart failure patient.
• the evaluation procedure includes test of plasma NT-proBNP or BNP for each chronic heart failure patient.
• a companion diagnostic kit for deciding whether a chronic heart failure patient is suitable for receiving neuregulin protein treatment comprises a test kit for plasma NT-proBNP or BNP and an instruction of how to use the kit and how to judge whether the subject is suitable for neuregulin protein treatment according to the test result.
• Neuregulin or “NRG” used in the present invention refers to proteins or peptides that can bind and activate ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4 or combinations thereof, including but not limited to all neuregulin isoforms, neuregulin EGF-like domain alone, polypeptides comprising neuregulin EGF-like domain, neuregulin mutants or derivatives, and any kind of neuregulin-like gene products that also activate the above receptors as described in detail below.
• Neuregulin also includes NRG-1, NRG-2, NRG-3 and NRG-4 proteins, peptides, fragments and compounds that mimic the activities of neuregulin.
• Neuregulin used in the present invention can activate the above ErbB receptors and modulate their biological reactions, e.g., stimulate acetylcholine receptor synthesis in skeletal muscle cell; and/or improve cardiocyte differentiation, survival and DNA synthesis.
• Neuregulin also includes those variants with conservative amino acid substitutions that do not substantially alter their biological activity. Suitable conservative substitutions of amino acids are known to those of skill in this art and may be made generally without altering the biological activity of the resulting molecule.
• neuregulin used in the present invention binds to and activates ErbB2/ErbB4 or ErbB2/ErbB3 heterodimers, for example, but not for the purpose of restriction, peptides including the 177-237 residues of NRG-1 ⁇ 2 isoform containing the amino acid sequence: SHLVKCAEKEKTFCVNGGECF MVKDLSNPSRYLCKCPNEFTGDRCQNYVMASFYKAEELYQ (SEQ ID NO:1).
• the peptides including the 177-237 residues of NRG-1 ⁇ 2 isoform comprises the EGF-like domain, which has been proved to be sufficient to bind to and activate the receptors.
• EGF-like domain refers to a polypeptide motif encoded by the neuregulin gene that binds to and activates ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, or combinations thereof, and bears a structural similarity to the EGF receptor-binding domain as disclosed in WO 00/64400, Holmes et al., Science, 256:1205-1210 (1992); U.S. Pat. Nos.5,530,109 and 5,716,930; Hijazi et al., Int. J.
• EGF-like domain binds to and activates ErbB2/ErbB4 or ErbB2/ErbB3 heterodimers.
• EGF-like domain comprises the amino acid sequence of the receptor binding domain of NRG-1.
• EGF-like domain comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acid residues 177-226, 177-237, or 177-240 of NRG-1. In certain embodiments, EGF-like domain comprises the amino acid sequence of the receptor binding domain of NRG-2. In certain embodiments, EGF-like domain comprises the amino acid sequence of the receptor binding domain of NRG-3. In certain embodiments, EGF-like domain comprises the amino acid sequence of the receptor binding domain of NRG-4. In certain embodiments, EGF-like domain comprises the amino acid sequence of Ala Glu Lys Glu Lys Thr Phe Cys Val Asn Gly Gly Glu Cys Phe Met Val Lys Asp Leu Ser Asn Pro, as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,834,229.
• the formulation, dosage and route of administration of a neuregulin protein can be determined according to the methods known in the art (see e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Alfonso R. Gennaro (Editor) Mack Publishing Company, April 1997; Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins: Formulation, Processing, and Delivery Systems, Banga, 1999; and Pharmaceutical Formulation Development of Peptides and Proteins, Hovgaard and Frkjr (Ed.), Taylor & Francis, Inc., 2000; Medical Applications of Liposomes, Lasic and Papahadjopoulos (Ed.), Elsevier Science, 1998; Textbook of Gene Therapy, Jain, Hogrefe & Huber Publishers, 1998; Adenoviruses: Basic Biology to Gene Therapy, Vol.
• the neuregulin protein can be formulated for oral, rectal, topical, inhalational, buccal (e.g., sublingual), parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, or intravenous), transdermal administration or any other suitable route of administration.
• the most suitable route in any given case will depend on the nature and severity of the condition being treated and on the nature of the particular neuregulin protein, which is being used.
• the neuregulin protein can be administered alone. Alternatively and preferably, the neuregulin protein is co-administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Any suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient can be used in the present method (See e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Alfonso R. Gennaro (Editor) Mack Publishing Company, April 1997).
• the neuregulin protein may be formulated for any suitable administration route, such as intracavernous injection, subcutaneous injection, intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, intradermal injection, oral or topical administration.
• the method may employ formulations for injectable administration in unit dosage form, in ampoules or in multidose containers, with an added preservative.
• the formulations may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.
• the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, sterile pyrogen-free water or other solvents, before use.
• Topical administration in the present invention may employ the use of a foam, gel, cream, ointment, transdermal patch, or paste.
• compositions and methods for their administration that may be employed for use in this invention include, but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,736,154; 6,197,801 B1; 5,741,511; 5,886,039; 5,941,868; 6,258,374 B1; and 5,686,102.
• the magnitude of a therapeutic dose in the treatment or prevention will vary with the severity of the condition to be treated and the route of administration.
• the dose, and perhaps dose frequency will also vary according to age, body weight, condition and response of the individual patient.
• the attending physician would know how to and when to terminate, interrupt or adjust therapy to lower dosage due to toxicity, or adverse effects. Conversely, the physician would also know how to and when to adjust treatment to higher levels if the clinical response is not adequate (precluding toxic side effects).
• Dosage forms include tablets, troches, cachet, dispersions, suspensions, solutions, capsules, patches, and the like. See, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• the neuregulin protein alone or in combination with other agents, may be combined as the active in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier or excipient, such as beta-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxy-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin, according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques.
• the carrier may take a wide form of preparation desired for administration, topical or parenteral.
• compositions for parenteral dosage form such as intravenous injection or infusion
• similar pharmaceutical media may be employed, water, glycols, oils, buffers, sugar, preservatives, liposomes, and the like known to those of skill in the art.
• parenteral compositions include, but are not limited to dextrose 5% wlv, normal saline or other solutions.
• the total dose of the neuregulin protein, alone or in combination with other agents to be administered may be administered in a vial of intravenous fluid, ranging from about 1 ml to 2000 ml. The volume of dilution fluid will vary according to the total dose administered.
• kits for carrying out the therapeutic regimens of the invention comprise in one or more containers therapeutically effective amounts of the neuregulin protein, alone or in combination with other agents, in pharmaceutically acceptable form.
• Preferred pharmaceutical forms would be in combination with sterile saline, dextrose solution, or buffered solution, or other pharmaceutically acceptable sterile fluid.
• the composition may be lyophilized or desiccated; in this instance, the kit optionally further comprises in a container a pharmaceutically acceptable solution, preferably sterile, to reconstitute the complex to form a solution for injection purposes.
• Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable solutions are saline and dextrose solution.
• kits of the invention further comprises a needle or syringe, preferably packaged in sterile form, for injecting the composition, and/or a packaged alcohol pad. Instructions are optionally included for administration of composition by a physician or by the patient.
• treat refers to any manner in which the symptoms of a condition, disorder or disease are ameliorated or otherwise beneficially altered.
• the effect may be prophylactic in terms of completely or partially preventing a disease or symptom thereof and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure for a disease and/or adverse effect attributable to the disease.
• Treatment also encompasses any pharmaceutical use of the compositions herein.
• heart failure means an abnormality of cardiac function where the heart does not pump blood at the rate needed for the requirements of metabolizing tissues.
• Heart failure includes a wide range of disease states such as congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, tachyarrhythmia, familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and the like.
• the heart failure can be caused by any number of factors, including, without limitation, ischemic, congenital, rheumatic, viral, toxic or idiopathic forms.
• Chronic cardiac hypertrophy is a significantly diseased state which is a precursor to congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest.
• protein is synonymous with “polypeptide” or “peptide” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
• plasma is synonymous with “serum” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
• long-term benefit means benefit caused by a treatment or interference which may not be observed in a short period after the treatment or interference.
• long-term benefit may be improvement of survival, reduction of re-hospitalization or improvement of biomarkers which indicate the long-term prognosis.
• the time period for observation of the benefit is about 6 months. In some embodiments, the time period for observation of the benefit is about 1 year. In some embodiments, the time period for observation of the benefit is about 2 years. And in other embodiments, the time period for observation of the benefit is about 3 years, 5 years, 10 years or longer.
• survival means the time or probability one subject may remain alive or living. It could be expressed by survival time or survival rate. Survival time is the time period start from the diagnosis or treatment to the end of the life. Survival rate means the percentage of people who are alive for a given period of time after diagnosis or treatment. For each subject, prolonged survival time caused by a treatment or interference could be regarded as a benefit. For a group of subjects or large populations, prolonged mean survival time or increased survival rate could be regarded as a benefit.
• re-hospitalization means the times or frequency of the patient admitted to the hospital in a given period of time.
• the admission to the hospital may be caused by all conditions, or only caused by the same condition which is being treated.
• a reduction of times of re-hospitalizations in a given period of time could be regarded as a benefit.
• a reduction of total times or mean times of re-hospitalizations could be regarded as a benefit.
• N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide or “NT-proBNP” means the inactive remnant N-terminal proBNP, the latter is the pro hormone of BNP which is a hormonally active natriuretic peptide that is mainly released from the cardiomyocytes in the left ventricular wall. In reaction to stretch and tension of the myocardial wall the pro hormone proBNP splits into BNP and the hormonally inactive remnant NT-proBNP by proteolytic cleavage.
• BNP and NT-proBNP plasma levels are promising tools in the daily management of suspected or established heart failure.
• NT-proBNP has about 6 times longer of half-life in the blood than BNP, it is more widely used as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for heart failure.
• the plasma NT-proBNP level can be analyzed by commercial kits. For the purpose of example, but not limitation, the commercial kits from Roche or Biomedica. In the examples of the present invention, the NT-proBNP level was detected by kit from Biomedica (Austria).
• Both BNP and NT-proBNP levels in the blood are used for screening, diagnosis of heart failure and are useful to establish prognosis in heart failure, as both markers are typically higher in patients with worse outcome.
• plasma level of BNP or NT-proBNP is indicative of the patient being suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• any diagnostic or prognostic markers for heart failure can be used to determine whether a patient is suitable for heart failure treatment by neuregulin.
• the plasma level of NT-proBNP identified in this invention shall be used as guidance rather than a limitation for selection of heart failure patients who will receive significant treatment benefits from neuregulin. For example, using a plasma level of 5000 fmol/ml is still able to select heart failure patients who will receive treatment benefits from neuregulin, but some of these patients will receive treatment benefits in a lesser degree.
• “New York Heart Association” or “NYHA” heart function classification is a simple way of classifying the extent of heart failure. It places patients in one of four categories based on how much they are limited during physical activity; the limitations/symptoms are in regards to normal breathing and varying degrees in shortness of breath and/or angina pain: I, no symptoms and no limitation in ordinary physical activity, e.g. shortness of breath when walking, climbing stairs etc.; II, mild symptoms (mild shortness of breath and/or angina) and slight limitation during ordinary activity; III, marked limitation in activity due to symptoms, even during less-than-ordinary activity, e.g. walking short distances (20-100 m), comfortable only at rest; and IV, severe limitations, experiences symptoms even while at rest, mostly bedbound patients.
• I no symptoms and no limitation in ordinary physical activity, e.g. shortness of breath when walking, climbing stairs etc.
• II mild symptoms (mild shortness of breath and/or angina) and slight limitation during ordinary activity
• III marked limitation in activity due to symptoms, even during less
• activity unit or “EU” or “U” means the quantity of standard product that can induce 50% maximal reaction.
• the EC50 must be measured. For example, if the EC50 for a batch of product was 0.1 ⁇ g, which would be one unit. Further, if 1 ⁇ g of that product is being used, then 10 EU (1/0.1) is being used.
• the EC50 can be determined by any method known in the art, including the method employed by the inventors. This determination of the activity unit is important for quality control of genetically engineered products and clinically used drugs, permits product from different pharmaceuticals and/or different batch numbers to be quantified with uniform criteria.
• the following is an exemplary, rapid, sensitive, high flux and quantitative method for determination of biological activity of NRG-1 through combining NRG with cell surface ErbB3/ErbB4 molecule and indirect mediation of ErbB2 phosphorylation (See e.g., Michael D. Sadick et al., 1996, Analytical Biochemistry, 235:207-214 and WO03/099300).
• the assay termed a kinase receptor activation enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (KIRA-ELISA)
• KIRA-ELISA kinase receptor activation enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay
• the assay was developed for analysis of NRG-induced ErbB2 activation and utilizes the stimulation of intact receptor on the adherent breast carcinoma cell line, MCF-7.
• Membrane proteins are solubilized via Triton X-100 lysis and the receptor is captured in ELISA wells coated with ErbB2-specific antibodies with no cross-reaction to ErbB3 or ErbB4.
• the degree of receptor phosphorylation is then quantified by antiphosphotyrosine ELISA.
• a reproducible standard curve is generated with a EC50 of approximately 360 pM for heregulin beta I (177-244).
• HRG beta 1 177-244
• quantitative antiphosphotyrosine Western Blot analysis the results correlate very closely with one another.
• the assay described in this report is able to specifically quantify tyrosine phosphorylation of ErbB2 that results from the interaction of HRG with ErbB3 and/or ErbB4.
• Composition Human serum albumin, mannitol, phosphate, NaCl
• the LAD of the rats was ligated. Briefly, the rats were anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride (100 mg/kg, IP) and their chest was shaved and sterilized. The rats were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated with room air (respiratory rate 60 breaths/min, tidal volume 20 ml). A left thoracotomy was then performed at the 4th and 5th intercostal space and then the skin was incised along the left sternal border. The fourth rib was then cut proximal to the sternum. The pericardial sac was perforated and the heart was exposed. The LAD was ligated approximately 2 mm from its origin using a 6-0 silk suture.
• the method of IV drip of vehicle or NeucardinTM was through the tail vein.
• an appropriate rat restrainer was used according to the weight of the animal. The rat was placed near the restrainer and was gently placed into the apparatus. Normally the rats entered the restrainer without aid. Subsequently the tail of the rat was swabbed with a gauze dampened with alcohol to increase blood flow to the tail vein and to the intenerate skin corneum. The two lateral (on the side) tail veins were located and with the bevel of the needle facing upward with the needle almost parallel to the vein, the needle was inserted 2 mm into the tail vein 2-3 cm from the end of the tail.
• the SC bolus of vehicle or NeucardinTM was from the back of the rat.
• an appropriate rat restrainer was used according to the weight of the animal.
• the back of the rat was swabbed with gauze dampened with alcohol to sterilize the skin.
• the needle With the bevel of the needle facing upward with the needle almost parallel to the skin, the needle was subcutaneously inserted 3-4 cm into the back of the rat.
• the needle was fixed onto the back using medical tape and connected to the perfusion tube.
• the rat was placed near the restrainer and was gently placed into the apparatus. Normally the rats entered the restrainer with no aid. After fasten the restrainer, the bolus injection was initiated.
• MI rats were randomized by EF % value into four Groups as follows:
• n 58 rats: IV drip of vehicle for 10-days by micro-injection pump at a speed of 0.2 ml/h for 8 h each day for the first 10 days, SC bolus of vehicle (same volume as NeucardinTM), every 5days until Day 120;
• SC bolus NeucardinTM IV drip of vehicle by micro-injection pump at a speed of 0.2 ml/h for 8 h each day in the first 10 days, SC bolus NeucardinTM (10 ⁇ g/day), every 5 days until Day 120;
• IV drip NeucardinTM IV drip of NeucardinTM 0.625 m/kg/h) by micro-injection pump at a speed of 0.2 ml/h for 8 h each day for the first 10 days, SC bolus of vehicle (same volume as NeucardinTM), every 5 days until Day 120.
• IV drip and SC bolus NeucardinTM IV drip and SC bolus NeucardinTM
• Table 1 illustrates the survival rates between each Group.
• the survival rates were 48.3%, 62.1%, 64.9% and 82.5% in the IV drip & SC bolus of vehicle Group A, SC bolus of NeucardinTM Group B, IV drip of NeucardinTM Group C and IV drip & SC bolus of NeucardinTM Group D, respectively. All the survival rate or mean survival time of mortalities in Group B, C and D were improved or prolonged compared to Group A with Group D had best efficacy.
• Echocardiography parameters were shown in Table 2.
• the CHF rats were randomized into four Groups according to their EF% values.
• Table 2 there were no significant differences between the four Groups before treatment (BT). 120 days after the start of administration, the EF% values were 30.7 ⁇ 3.1, 32.9 ⁇ 4.1, 33.5 ⁇ 3.4, 36.2 ⁇ 4.8% in the vehicle, NeucardinTM via SC bolus, NeucardinTM via IV drip and NeucardinTM via IV drip plus SC bolus Groups, respectively.
• EF % and FS % of Group B, C and D were all higher than that of Group A.
• Table 3 shows the MAP, HR, ⁇ dp/dt, LVEDP and LVSP values as measured in the four Groups of anesthetized animals on day 121.
• NeucardinTM was administered by SC bolus or by IV drip alone (Group B and C)
• NeucardinTM significantly increased dp/dt and ⁇ dp/dt by 19.6% and 27.1%, 22.5% and 29.8% compared to Group A.
• Criteria for participation in the trial included patients with CHF (NYHA class II or III) between the ages of 18 and 65 years old, LVEF ⁇ 40%, in relatively stable clinical condition (including clinical signs, symptoms and accepted standard treatment for CHF at the target dose or maximum tolerance dose for over 1 month).
• Major exclusion criteria included acute myocardial infarction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, significant valve disease or congenital heart disease, severe pulmonary hypertension, systolic blood pressure ⁇ 90 mmHg or >160 mmHg, severe ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac surgery or a cerebrovascular event within the previous six months, claustrophobia or pregnant female subjects. All patients provided witnessed written consent.
• NT-proBNP Plasma NT-proBNP was tested in the core lab with NT-proBNP assays (kit from Biomedica). One year after the last patient enrolled, the telephone interview was made for collecting the information of re-hospitalizations, all telephone interviews were recorded in a special form with investigators signature.
• the NT-proBNP were almost the same during the study while compare to the baseline.
• the NT-proBNP was significantly increased in rhNRG-1 treated groups (from 1853 ⁇ 1512 to 2399 ⁇ 1841 fmol/ml in 0.6 ⁇ g/kg group, P ⁇ 0.01; from 1562 ⁇ 1275 to 2774 ⁇ 1926 fmol/ml in 1.2 ⁇ g/kg group, P ⁇ 0.01).
• his increase was transient and was not caused by a worsening heart function as the cardiac function shown to be increased, the NT-proBNP decreased to the baseline level at Day 30 and Day 90 in the 1.2 ⁇ g/kg group.
• Mode of administration Intravenously drip or infusion.
• Excipient for NeucardinTM 250 ⁇ g/vial and without active recombinant human neuregulin-1 protein.
• Criteria for participation in the trial included patients with CHF (NYHA class III or IV) between the ages of 18 and 80 years old, LVEF ⁇ 40%, in relatively stable clinical condition (including clinical signs, symptoms and accepted standard treatment for CHF at the target dose or maximum tolerance dose for over 1 month).
• Major exclusion criteria included acute myocardial infarction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, significant valve disease or congenital heart disease, severe pulmonary hypertension, systolic blood pressure ⁇ 90 mmHg or >160 mmHg, severe ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac surgery or a cerebrovascular event within the previous six months, claustrophobia or pregnant female subjects. All patients provided witnessed written consent.
• the number of the placebo group at 52 week is 14.77%, with 26 death in 176 patients, and 9.71% in the rhNRG-1 group. So from the results we can find around 40% decrease of the mortality of rhNRG-1 administration compared with placebo group, even the placebo group were still maintain their previous standard treatment for chronic heart failure.
• NT-proBNP level is stratified into 3 stratums as ⁇ 1600 fmol/ml, >1600 fmol/ml and ⁇ 4000 fmol/ml, or >4000fmol/ml
• the mortality of rhNRG-1 group vs placebo group are 1.49% vs 8.49%, 8.96% vs 23.33%, and 26.67% vs 28.00%, respectively.

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