Pharmaceutical compositions containing polyunsaturated fatty acid and at least one of an immunosuppressive agent or an antineoplastic agent

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acid ('PUFA') or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or derivative thereof (such as EPA and/or DHA) is used in combination with at least one of an immunosuppressive agent or an antineoplastic agent or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or derivative thereof in the treatment of conditions involving acutely or chronically inadequate immune response by topical application of said active agents to at least a portion of the intestinal mucosa. Specific conditions that may be treated include chronic inflammatory disease (e.g. Chrohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and tumour disease (e.g. bowel cancer and prostate cancer). One advantage of preferred embodiments of the invention is that bioavailability of immunosuppressive or antineoplastic agents is increased.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid ("PUFA") or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof in combination with at least one immunosuppressant and antineoplastic agent or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof Use in the topical treatment of conditions involving acute or chronic inadequate immune responses, such as inflammatory bowel disease ("IBD"), rheumatoid arthritis, Behcets syndrome, psoriasis, prostate cancer or bowel cancer. Background technique [0002] According to Martindale ("The Complete Drug Reference"; 32nd Ed.; 1999), IBD includes chronic nonspecific inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract ("GI"). The two main forms of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. [0003] Crohn's disease is characterized by thickening of the GI wall region with inflammation throughout all layers, deep ulceration and mucosal fissures, and the formation of granulomas. ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the benefits for Crohn's disease are less clear

Although intravenous therapy has been reported to be useful in healing refractory fistulas, lower oral doses have produced disappointing results in adults and children with active Crohn's disease (see, for example, Feagan et al; N. Engl. J. Med. 1994; 330; 1846-51)