Methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of medical conditions

Abstract

The invention features methods, compositions, and kits for treating an immunoinflammatory disorder, an ophthalmic disorder, a musculoskeletal disorder or pain associated therewith, a periodontal disease, or a disease or condition associated with an increased serum CRP level.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 735,989, filed Nov. 9, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the treatment of immunoinflammatory disorders and ophthalmic disorders. [0003] Immunoinflammatory disorders are characterized by the inappropriate activation of the body's immune defenses. Rather than targeting infectious invaders, the immune response targets and damages the body's own tissues or transplanted tissues. The tissue targeted by the immune system varies with the disorder. For example, in multiple sclerosis, the immune response is directed against the neuronal tissue, while in Crohn's disease the digestive tract is targeted. Immunoinflammatory disorders affect millions of individuals and include conditions such as asthma, allergic intraocular inflammatory diseases, arthritis, atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema, diabetes, hemolyti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0036] In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating an ophthalmic disorder in a patient by administering to the patient a corticosteroid and a non-steroidal immunophilin-dependent immunosuppressant (NsIDI). In this aspect of the invention, the corticosteroid and / or the NsIDI can be administered at a low concentration. Desirably, the concentration of the NsIDI does not cause eye irritation, such as burning, and the compositions of the invention are administered in an amount sufficient to alleviate the symptoms of the ophthalmic disorder. Also desirably, the concentration of the corticosteroid does not cause steroid toxicity.

[0085] By “more effective” is meant that a method, composition, or kit exhibits greater efficacy, is less toxic, safer, more convenient, better tolerated, or less expensive, or provides more treatment satisfaction than another method, composition, or kit with which it is being compared. Efficacy may be measured by a skilled practitioner using any standard method that is appropriate for a given indication.

Problems solved by technology

The effectiveness of these agents can vary and their use is often accompanied by adverse side effects.

In some cases, all of the cartilage may wear away, leaving bones that rub against each other.

Symptoms of OA range from stiffness and intermittent mild pain to severe joint pain and impaired biomechanical function.

However, long-term NSAID use is compromised by significant gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity.

This makes it difficult for clinicians to identify patients at risk for GI side-effects.

However, chronic administration of anti-inflammatory doses of steroids is also limited by well-known toxicities.

For example, prolonged use of steroids has been associated with osteoporosis, high blood pressure, neurological complications, suboptimal immune response, and ocular disturbances, limiting their utility in therapeutic situations.

The loss of supporting bone in periodontitis is the latest stage of this progressive disorder and is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

However, there have been no reports on the use of corticosteroids to treat periodontitis, perhaps because chronic administration of antiinflammatory doses of steroids is limited by well known toxicities.

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