Method for treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an inhibitor of chloride-ion transport in an amount sufficient to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS). Treatment of d-IBS includes the treatment of the diarrhea component of d-IBS as well as the pain, abdominal discomfort and other symptoms associated with d-IBS. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of chloride-ion transport is crofelemer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional disorder of the bowel that has a pronounced effect on quality of life. A defining characteristic of IBS is abdominal discomfort or pain. The Rome II Diagnostic Criteria (a system for diagnosing functional gastrointestinal disorders based on symptoms) for IBS is as follows: at least 12 weeks or more, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding 12 months of abdominal discomfort or pain that is accompanied by at least two of the following features: (1) it is relieved with defecation, and / or (2) onset is associated with a change in frequency of stool, and / or (3) onset is associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.[0002]Other symptoms that support the diagnosis of IBS include pain; abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete evacuation); passage of mucus; and bloating or feeling of abdominal distension. Patients can be sub-divided by their underlying bowel habit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention relates to methods for treating at least one symptom of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS) by administering a molecule that inhibits secretion of chloride ions from a cell (inhibitor molecule). Exemplary inhibitor molecules are those that inhibit secretion of chloride ions through the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride-ion channel (CFTR). Other exemplary inhibitor molecules include potassium ion channel openers. Exemplary symptoms of d-IBS include pain, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, abnormal stool frequency, abnormal stool consistency and the presence of urgency. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method for the treatment of one or more symptoms of d-IBS comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment, an amount of a molecule that inhibits secretion of chloride ions from a cell (inhibitor molecule) effective to treat the one or more symptoms of d-IBS. In

Problems solved by technology

In addition, patients diagnosed with IBS are at increased risk for other, non-gastrointestinal functional disorders such as fibromyalgia and interstitial cystitis.

Thus, IBS accounts for a large proportion of annual healthcare costs in the U.S.

Since abdominal pain is one of the defining characteristic of IBS, anti-diarrheal drugs do not adequately treat IBS (Jailwala et al., 2000, Ann Intern Med.

Although there are other drugs for the treatment of diarrhea (e.g. loperamide, diphenoxylate), such drugs do not address the multiple symptoms of d-IBS including pain and abdominal discomfort and, thus, are not long-term options.

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