U.S. patent application number 10/994147 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for methods for treating sinus headache.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALLERGAN, INC.. Invention is credited to Voet, Martin A..
Application Number | 20050152924 10/994147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33310536 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050152924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Voet, Martin A. |
July 14, 2005 |
Methods for treating sinus headache
Abstract
A sinus headache can be treated by administration of a botulinum
toxin to a patient. The botulinum toxin can be botulinum toxin type
A and the botulinum toxin can be administered to or to the vicinity
of a sinus membrane of a patient with a sinus headache.
Inventors: |
Voet, Martin A.; (San Juan
Capistrano, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen Donovan
Allergan, Inc.
2525 Dupont Drive
Irvine
CA
92612
US
|
Assignee: |
ALLERGAN, INC.
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
33310536 |
Appl. No.: |
10/994147 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10994147 |
Nov 19, 2004 |
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10429069 |
May 2, 2003 |
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6838434 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/239.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 29/00 20180101;
A61P 25/06 20180101; A61P 25/02 20180101; A61K 38/4893
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/239.1 |
International
Class: |
A61K 039/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method for treating a sinus headache, the method comprising a
step of local administration of a botulinum toxin to a patient with
a sinus headache, thereby treating a sinus headache.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the botulinum toxin is selected
from the group consisting of botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F
and G.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the botulinum toxin is a
botulinum toxin type A.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the botulinum toxin is
administered in an amount of between about 1 unit and about 3,000
units.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the local administration is by
intramuscular or subcutaneous administration to a location on or
within a head of a patient.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the local administration of the
botulinum toxin is to a facial muscle of the patient.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the local administration is to a
paranasal sinus cavity membrane of the patient.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the local administration to a
forehead of the patient
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the local administration of the
botulinum toxin is to a subdermal location or to a muscle location
from which the patient perceives a sinus headache pain to
arise.
10. A method for treating a sinus headache, the method comprising a
step of local administration of between about 1 unit and about
3,000 units of a botulinum toxin type A, thereby alleviating a
sinus headache.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to methods for treating sinus
headache. In particular, the present invention relates to methods
for treating a sinus headache with a botulinum toxin.
[0002] Headache
[0003] A headache is a pain in the head, such as in the scalp,
face, forehead or neck. A headache can be a primary headache or a
secondary headache. A primary headache is a headache which is not
caused by another condition. Contrarily, a secondary headache is
due to a disease or medical condition, such as an illness,
infection, injury, stroke or other abnormality. Thus, with a
secondary headache there is an underlying disorder that produces
the headache as a symptom of that underlying disorder. Tension
headache is the most common type of primary headache and tension
headaches account for about 90% of all headaches. A tension
headache is often experienced in the forehead, in the back of the
head and neck, or in both regions. It has been described as a tight
feeling, as if the head were in a vise. Soreness in the shoulders
or neck is common. Nausea is uncommon with a tension headache.
[0004] About 2% of all headaches are secondary headaches. For
example, a cervicogenic headache is a headache which is due to a
neck problem, such as an abnormality of neck muscles, which can
result from prolonged poor posture, arthritis, injuries of the
upper spine, or from a cervical spine disorder.
[0005] Sinus headache is another type of secondary headache. A
sinus headache can be caused by inflammation and/or infection in
the paranasal sinuses. The paranasal sinuses are four pairs of
hollow spaces or cavities (normally air filled) located within the
skull or bones of the head surrounding the nose. The paranasal
sinuses are the frontal sinuses over the eyes in the brow area, the
maxillary sinuses inside each cheekbone, the ethmoid sinuses just
behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes and the sphenoid
sinuses behind the ethmoid sinuses in the upper region of the nose
and behind the eyes. Each of the paranasal sinuses has an opening
into the nose for the free exchange of air and mucus, and each is
joined with the nasal passages by a continuous mucous membrane
lining. Therefore, anything that causes a swelling in the nose,
such as an infection, an allergic reaction, or an immune reaction
can also affect the sinuses. Air trapped within a blocked sinus,
along with pus or other secretions, can cause pressure on the sinus
wall. The result can be the pain of a sinus headache. Similarly,
when air is prevented from entering a paranasal sinus by a swollen
membrane at the opening, a partial vacuum can be created that can
also result in sinus headache. Thus, a sinus headache can occur in
the front of the face, usually around the eyes, across the cheeks,
or over the forehead. The pain of a sinus headache is usually mild
in the morning and increases in intensity during the day.
[0006] The pain of a sinus headache can be due to pressure within
the sinuses cavities and the pain is typically localized over the
involved sinus area, and is typically a constant, even,
nonthrobbing pain. Usually a sinus headache is not associated with
nausea, light, or noise sensitivity. If a sinus headache is
accompanied by fever and/o a nasal discharge, then sinusitis is
also indicated. Thus, a sinus headache can be secondary to
sinusitis which is an inflammation of the sinus membranes that can
be infectious (caused by a virus or bacteria) or non-infectious
(often caused by allergies).
[0007] It is important to note that the sinuses are anatomically
distinct from the nasal passages (i.e. the nasal vestibule,
turbinate, or nasal meatus passages), due for example to the small,
narrow and often occluded opening of the sinus cavities into the
respective nasal passage, as shown by FIGS. 1-3.
[0008] Botulinum Toxin
[0009] The genus Clostridium has more than one hundred and twenty
seven species, grouped according to their morphology and functions.
The anaerobic, gram positive bacterium Clostridium botulinum
produces a potent polypeptide neurotoxin, botulinum toxin, which
causes a neuroparalytic illness in humans and animals referred to
as botulism. The spores of Clostridium botulinum are found in soil
and can grow in improperly sterilized and sealed food containers of
home based canneries, which are the cause of many of the cases of
botulism. The effects of botulism typically appear 18 to 36 hours
after eating the foodstuffs infected with a Clostridium botulinum
culture or spores. The botulinum toxin can apparently pass
unattenuated through the lining of the gut and attack peripheral
motor neurons. Symptoms of botulinum toxin intoxication can
progress from difficulty walking, swallowing, and speaking to
paralysis of the respiratory muscles and death.
[0010] Botulinum toxin type A is the most lethal natural biological
agent known to man. About 50 picograms of a commercially available
botulinum toxin type A (purified neurotoxin complex).sup.1 is a
LD.sub.50 in mice (i.e. 1 unit). One unit of BOTOX.RTM. contains
about 50 picograms (about 56 attomoles) of botulinum toxin type A
complex. Interestingly, on a molar basis, botulinum toxin type A is
about 1.8 billion times more lethal than diphtheria, about 600
million times more lethal than sodium cyanide, about 30 million
times more lethal than cobra toxin and about 12 million times more
lethal than cholera. Singh, Critical Aspects of Bacterial Protein
Toxins, pages 63-84 (chapter 4) of Natural Toxins II, edited by B.
R. Singh et al., Plenum Press, New York (1976) (where the stated
LD.sub.50 of botulinum toxin type A of 0.3 ng equals 1 U is
corrected for the fact that about 0.05 ng of BOTOX.RTM. equals 1
unit). One unit (U) of botulinum toxin is defined as the LD.sub.50
upon intraperitoneal injection into female Swiss Webster mice
weighing 18 to 20 grams each. .sup.1 Available from Allergan, Inc.,
of Irvine, Calif. under the tradename BOTOX.RTM. in 100 unit
vials)
[0011] Seven generally immunologically distinct botulinum
neurotoxins have been characterized, these being respectively
botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B, C.sub.1, D, E, F and G each of
which is distinguished by neutralization with type-specific
antibodies. The different serotypes of botulinum toxin vary in the
animal species that they affect and in the severity and duration of
the paralysis they evoke. For example, it has been determined that
botulinum toxin type A is 500 times more potent, as measured by the
rate of paralysis produced in the rat, than is botulinum toxin type
B. Additionally, botulinum toxin type B has been determined to be
non-toxic in primates at a dose of 480 U/kg which is about 12 times
the primate LD.sub.50 for botulinum toxin type A. Moyer E et al.,
Botulinum Toxin Type B: Experimental and Clinical Experience, being
chapter 6, pages 71-85 of "Therapy With Botulinum Toxin", edited by
Jankovic, J. et al. (1994), Marcel Dekker, Inc. Botulinum toxin
apparently binds with high affinity to cholinergic motor neurons,
is translocated into the neuron and blocks the release of
acetylcholine. Additional uptake can take place through low
affinity receptors, as well as by phagocytosis and pinocytosis.
[0012] Regardless of serotype, the molecular mechanism of toxin
intoxication appears to be similar and to involve at least three
steps or stages. In the first step of the process, the toxin binds
to the presynaptic membrane of the target neuron through a specific
interaction between the heavy chain, H chain, and a cell surface
receptor; the receptor is thought to be different for each type of
botulinum toxin and for tetanus toxin. The carboxyl end segment of
the H chain, H.sub.C, appears to be important for targeting of the
toxin to the cell surface.
[0013] In the second step, the toxin crosses the plasma membrane of
the poisoned cell. The toxin is first engulfed by the cell through
receptor-mediated endocytosis, and an endosome containing the toxin
is formed. The toxin then escapes the endosome into the cytoplasm
of the cell. This step is thought to be mediated by the amino end
segment of the H chain, H.sub.N, which triggers a conformational
change of the toxin in response to a pH of about 5.5 or lower.
Endosomes are known to possess a proton pump which decreases
intra-endosomal pH. The conformational shift exposes hydrophobic
residues in the toxin, which permits the toxin to embed itself in
the endosomal membrane. The toxin (or at a minimum the light chain)
then translocates through the endosomal membrane into the
cytoplasm.
[0014] The last step of the mechanism of botulinum toxin activity
appears to involve reduction of the disulfide bond joining the
heavy chain, H chain, and the light chain, L chain. The entire
toxic activity of botulinum and tetanus toxins is contained in the
L chain of the holotoxin; the L chain is a zinc (Zn++)
endopeptidase which selectively cleaves proteins essential for
recognition and docking of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles
with the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane, and fusion of
the vesicles with the plasma membrane. Tetanus neurotoxin,
botulinum toxin types B, D, F, and G cause degradation of
synaptobrevin (also called vesicle-associated membrane protein
(VAMP)), a synaptosomal membrane protein. Most of the VAMP present
at the cytoplasmic surface of the synaptic vesicle is removed as a
result of any one of these cleavage events. Botulinum toxin
serotype A and E cleave SNAP-25. Botulinum toxin serotype C.sub.1
was originally thought to cleave syntaxin, but was found to cleave
syntaxin and SNAP-25. Each of the botulinum toxins specifically
cleaves a different bond, except botulinum toxin type B (and
tetanus toxin) which cleave the same bond. Each of these cleavages
block the process of vesicle-membrane docking, thereby preventing
exocytosis of vesicle content.
[0015] Botulinum toxins have been used in clinical settings for the
treatment of neuromuscular disorders characterized by hyperactive
skeletal muscles (i.e. motor disorders). In 1989 a botulinum toxin
type A complex has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for the treatment of blepharospasm, strabismus and
hemifacial spasm. Subsequently, a botulinum toxin type A was also
approved by the FDA for the treatment of cervical dystonia and for
the treatment of glabellar lines, and a botulinum toxin type B was
approved for the treatment of cervical dystonia. Non-type A
botulinum toxin serotypes apparently have a lower potency and/or a
shorter duration of activity as compared to botulinum toxin type A.
Clinical effects of peripheral intramuscular botulinum toxin type A
are usually seen within one week of injection. The typical duration
of symptomatic relief from a single intramuscular injection of
botulinum toxin type A averages about three months, although
significantly longer periods of therapeutic activity have been
reported.
[0016] Although all the botulinum toxins serotypes apparently
inhibit release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the
neuromuscular junction, they do so by affecting different
neurosecretory proteins and/or cleaving these proteins at different
sites. For example, botulinum types A and E both cleave the 25
kiloDalton (kD) synaptosomal associated protein (SNAP-25), but they
target different amino acid sequences within this protein.
Botulinum toxin types B, D, F and G act on vesicle-associated
protein (VAMP, also called synaptobrevin), with each serotype
cleaving the protein at a different site. Finally, botulinum toxin
type C.sub.1 has been shown to cleave both syntaxin and SNAP-25.
These differences in mechanism of action may affect the relative
potency and/or duration of action of the various botulinum toxin
serotypes. Apparently, a substrate for a botulinum toxin can be
found in a variety of different cell types. See e.g. Biochem J 1;
339 (pt 1): 59-65: 1999, and Mov Disord, 10(3): 376: 1995
(pancreatic islet B cells contains at least SNAP-25 and
synaptobrevin).
[0017] The molecular weight of the botulinum toxin protein
molecule, for all seven of the known botulinum toxin serotypes, is
about 150 kD. Interestingly, the botulinum toxins are released by
Clostridial bacterium as complexes comprising the 150 kD botulinum
toxin protein molecule along with associated non-toxin proteins.
Thus, the botulinum toxin type A complex can be produced by
Clostridial bacterium as 900 kD, 500 kD and 300 kD forms. Botulinum
toxin types B and C.sub.1 is apparently produced as only a 700 kD
or 500 kD complex. Botulinum toxin type D is produced as both 300
kD and 500 kD complexes. Finally, botulinum toxin types E and F are
produced as only approximately 300 kD complexes. The complexes
(i.e. molecular weight greater than about 150 kD) are believed to
contain a non-toxin hemaglutinin protein and a non-toxin and
non-toxic nonhemaglutinin protein. These two non-toxin proteins
(which along with the botulinum toxin molecule comprise the
relevant neurotoxin complex) may act to provide stability against
denaturation to the botulinum toxin molecule and protection against
digestive acids when toxin is ingested. Additionally, it is
possible that the larger (greater than about 150 kD molecular
weight) botulinum toxin complexes may result in a slower rate of
diffusion of the botulinum toxin away from a site of intramuscular
injection of a botulinum toxin complex.
[0018] In vitro studies have indicated that botulinum toxin
inhibits potassium cation induced release of both acetylcholine and
norepinephrine from primary cell cultures of brainstem tissue.
Additionally, it has been reported that botulinum toxin inhibits
the evoked release of both glycine and glutamate in primary
cultures of spinal cord neurons and that in brain synaptosome
preparations botulinum toxin inhibits the release of each of the
neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine
(Habermann E., et al., Tetanus Toxin and Botulinum A and C
Neurotoxins Inhibit Noradrenaline Release From Cultured Mouse
Brain, J Neurochem 51(2); 522-527: 1988) CGRP, substance P and
glutamate (Sanchez-Prieto, J., et al., Botulinum Toxin A Blocks
Glutamate Exocytosis From Guinea Pig Cerebral Cortical
Synaptosomes, Eur J. Biochem 165; 675-681: 1897. Thus, when
adequate concentrations are used, stimulus-evoked release of most
neurotransmitters is blocked by botulinum toxin. See e.g. Pearce,
L. B., Pharmacologic Characterization of Botulinum Toxin For Basic
Science and Medicine, Toxicon 35(9); 1373-1412 at 1393; Bigalke H.,
et al., Botulinum A Neurotoxin Inhibits Non-Cholinergic Synaptic
Transmission in Mouse Spinal Cord Neurons in Culture, Brain
Research 360; 318-324: 1985; Habermann E., Inhibition by Tetanus
and Botulinum A Toxin of the release of [.sup.3H]Noradrenaline and
[.sup.3H]GABA From Rat Brain Homogenate, Experientia 44; 224-226:
1988, Bigalke H., et al., Tetanus Toxin and Botulinum A Toxin
Inhibit Release and Uptake of Various Transmitters, as Studied with
Particulate Preparations From Rat Brain and Spinal Cord,
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 316; 244-251: 1981, and;
Jankovic J. et al., Therapy With Botulinum Toxin, Marcel Dekker,
Inc., (1994), page 5.
[0019] Botulinum toxin type A can be obtained by establishing and
growing cultures of Clostridium botulinum in a fermenter and then
harvesting and purifying the fermented mixture in accordance with
known procedures. All the botulinum toxin serotypes are initially
synthesized as inactive single chain proteins which must be cleaved
or nicked by proteases to become neuroactive. The bacterial strains
that make botulinum toxin serotypes A and G possess endogenous
proteases and serotypes A and G can therefore be recovered from
bacterial cultures in predominantly their active form. In contrast,
botulinum toxin serotypes C.sub.1, D and E are synthesized by
nonproteolytic strains and are therefore typically unactivated when
recovered from culture. Serotypes B and F are produced by both
proteolytic and nonproteolytic strains and therefore can be
recovered in either the active or inactive form. However, even the
proteolytic strains that produce, for example, the botulinum toxin
type B serotype only cleave a portion of the toxin produced. The
exact proportion of nicked to unnicked molecules depends on the
length of incubation and the temperature of the culture. Therefore,
a certain percentage of any preparation of, for example, the
botulinum toxin type B toxin is likely to be inactive, possibly
accounting for the known significantly lower potency of botulinum
toxin type B as compared to botulinum toxin type A. The presence of
inactive botulinum toxin molecules in a clinical preparation will
contribute to the overall protein load of the preparation, which
has been linked to increased antigenicity, without contributing to
its clinical efficacy. Additionally, it is known that botulinum
toxin type B has, upon intramuscular injection, a shorter duration
of activity and is also less potent than botulinum toxin type A at
the same dose level.
[0020] High quality crystalline botulinum toxin type A can be
produced from the Hall A strain of Clostridium botulinum with
characteristics of >3.times.10.sup.7 U/mg, an
A.sub.260/A.sub.278 of less than 0.60 and a distinct pattern of
banding on gel electrophoresis. The known Shantz process can be
used to obtain crystalline botulinum toxin type A, as set forth in
Shantz, E. J., et al, Properties and use of Botulinum toxin and
Other Microbial Neurotoxins in Medicine, Microbiol Rev. 56; 80-99:
1992. Generally, the botulinum toxin type A complex can be isolated
and purified from an anaerobic fermentation by cultivating
Clostridium botulinum type A in a suitable medium. The known
process can also be used, upon separation out of the non-toxin
proteins, to obtain pure botulinum toxins, such as for example:
purified botulinum toxin type A with an approximately 150 kD
molecular weight with a specific potency of 1-2.times.10.sup.8.
LD.sub.50 U/mg or greater; purified botulinum toxin type B with an
approximately 156 kD molecular weight with a specific potency of
1-2.times.10.sup.8 LD.sub.50 U/mg or greater, and; purified
botulinum toxin type F with an approximately 155 kD molecular
weight with a specific potency of 1-2.times.10.sup.7 LD.sub.50 U/mg
or greater.
[0021] Botulinum toxins and/or botulinum toxin complexes can be
obtained from List-Biological Laboratories, Inc., Campbell, Calif.;
the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, U.
K.; Wako (Osaka, Japan), Metabiologics (Madison, Wis.) as well as
from Sigma Chemicals of St Louis, Mo. Pure botulinum toxin can also
be used to prepare a pharmaceutical composition.
[0022] As with enzymes generally, the biological activities of the
botulinum toxins (which are intracellular peptidases) is dependant,
at least in part, upon their three dimensional conformation. Thus,
botulinum toxin type A is detoxified by heat, various chemicals
surface stretching and surface drying. Additionally, it is known
that dilution of the toxin complex obtained by the known culturing,
fermentation and purification to the much, much lower toxin
concentrations used for pharmaceutical composition formulation
results in rapid detoxification of the toxin unless a suitable
stabilizing agent is present. Dilution of the toxin from milligram
quantities to a solution containing nanograms per milliliter
presents significant difficulties because of the rapid loss of
specific toxicity upon such great dilution. Since the toxin may be
used months or years after the toxin containing pharmaceutical
composition is formulated, the toxin can stabilized with a
stabilizing agent such as albumin and gelatin.
[0023] A commercially available botulinum toxin containing
pharmaceutical composition is sold under the trademark BOTOX.RTM.
(available from Allergan, Inc., of Irvine, Calif.). BOTOX.RTM.
consists of a purified botulinum toxin type A complex, albumin and
sodium chloride packaged in sterile, vacuum-dried form. The
botulinum toxin type A is made from a culture of the Hall strain of
Clostridium botulinum grown in a medium containing N-Z amine and
yeast extract. The botulinum toxin type A complex is purified from
the culture solution by a series of acid precipitations to a
crystalline complex consisting of the active high molecular weight
toxin protein and an associated hemagglutinin protein. The
crystalline complex is re-dissolved in a solution containing saline
and albumin and sterile filtered (0.2 microns) prior to
vacuum-drying. The vacuum-dried product is stored in a freezer at
or below -5.degree. C. BOTOX.RTM. can be reconstituted with
sterile, non-preserved saline prior to intramuscular injection.
Each vial of BOTOX.RTM. contains about 100 units (U) of Clostridium
botulinum toxin type A purified neurotoxin complex, 0.5 milligrams
of human serum albumin and 0.9 milligrams of sodium chloride in a
sterile, vacuum-dried form without a preservative.
[0024] To reconstitute vacuum-dried BOTOX.RTM., sterile normal
saline without a preservative; (0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection) is
used by drawing up the proper amount of diluent in the appropriate
size syringe. Since BOTOX.RTM. may be denatured by bubbling or
similar violent agitation, the diluent is gently injected into the
vial. For sterility reasons BOTOX.RTM. is preferably administered
within four hours after the vial is removed from the freezer and
reconstituted. During these four hours, reconstituted BOTOX.RTM.
can be stored in a refrigerator at about 2.degree. C. to about
8.degree. C. Reconstituted, refrigerated BOTOX.RTM. has been
reported to retain its potency for at least about two weeks.
Neurology, 48: 249-53: 1997.
[0025] It has been reported that botulinum toxin type A has been
used in clinical settings as follows:
[0026] (1) about 75-125 units of BOTOX.RTM. per intramuscular
injection (multiple muscles) to treat cervical dystonia;
[0027] (2) 5-10 units of BOTOX.RTM. per intramuscular injection to
treat glabellar lines (brow furrows) (5 units injected
intramuscularly into the procerus muscle and 10 units injected
intramuscularly into each corrugator supercilii muscle);
[0028] (3) about 30-80 units of BOTOX.RTM. to treat constipation by
intrasphincter injection of the puborectalis muscle;
[0029] (4) about 1-5 units per muscle of intramuscularly injected
BOTOX.RTM. to treat blepharospasm by injecting the lateral
pre-tarsal orbicularis oculi muscle of the upper lid and the
lateral pre-tarsal orbicularis oculi of the lower lid.
[0030] (5) to treat strabismus, extraocular muscles have been
injected intramuscularly with between about 1-5 units of
BOTOX.RTM., the amount injected varying based upon both the size of
the muscle to be injected and the extent of muscle paralysis
desired (i.e. amount of diopter correction desired).
[0031] (6) to treat upper limb spasticity following stroke by
intramuscular injections of BOTOX.RTM. into five different upper
limb flexor muscles, as follows:
[0032] (a) flexor digitorum profundus: 7.5 U to 30 U
[0033] (b) flexor digitorum sublimus: 7.5 U to 30 U
[0034] (c) flexor carpi ulnaris: 10 U to 40 U
[0035] (d) flexor carpi radialis: 15 U to 60 U
[0036] (e) biceps brachii: 50 U to 200 U. Each of the five
indicated muscles has been injected at the same treatment session,
so that the patient receives from 90 U to 360 U of upper limb
flexor muscle BOTOX.RTM. by intramuscular injection at each
treatment session.
[0037] (7) to treat migraine, pericranial injected (injected
symmetrically into glabellar, frontalis and temporalis muscles)
injection of 25 U of BOTOX.RTM. has showed significant benefit as a
prophylactic treatment of migraine compared to vehicle as measured
by decreased measures of migraine frequency, maximal severity,
associated vomiting and acute medication use over the three month
period following the 25 U injection.
[0038] Additionally, intramuscular botulinum toxin has been used in
the treatment of tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease,
although it has been reported that results have not been
impressive. Marjama-Jyons, J., et al., Tremor-Predominant
Parkinson's Disease, Drugs & Aging 16(4); 273-278: 2000.
[0039] It is known that botulinum toxin type A can have an efficacy
for up to 12 months (European J. Neurology 6 (Supp 4): S111-S1150:
1999), and in some circumstances for as long as 27 months, when
used to treat glands, such as in the treatment of hyperhydrosis.
See e.g. Bushara K., Botulinum toxin and rhinorrhea, Otolaryngol
Head Neck Surg 1996; 114(3): 507, and The Laiyngoscope 109:
1344-1346: 1999. However, the usual duration of an intramuscular
injection of Botox.RTM. is typically about 3 to 4 months.
[0040] The success of botulinum toxin type A to treat a variety of
clinical conditions has led to interest in other botulinum toxin
serotypes. Two commercially available botulinum type A preparations
for use in humans are BOTOX.RTM. available from Allergan, Inc., of
Irvine, Calif., and Dysport.RTM. available from Beaufour Ipsen,
Porton Down, England. A Botulinum toxin type B preparation
(MyoBloc.RTM.) is available from Elan Pharmaceuticals of San
Francisco, Calif.
[0041] In addition to having pharmacologic actions at the
peripheral location, botulinum toxins may also have inhibitory
effects in the central nervous system. Work by Weigand et al,
Nauny-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 1976; 292, 161-165, and
Habermann, Nauny-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 1974; 281, 47-56
showed that botulinum toxin is able to ascend to the spinal area by
retrograde transport. As such, a botulinum toxin injected at a
peripheral location, for example intramuscularly, may be retrograde
transported to the spinal cord.
[0042] U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,545 discloses that a modified
clostridial neurotoxin or fragment thereof, preferably a botulinum
toxin, chemically conjugated or recombinantly fused to a particular
targeting moiety can be used to treat pain by administration of the
agent to the spinal cord.
[0043] A botulinum toxin has also been proposed for the treatment
of rhinorrhea (chronic discharge from the nasal mucous membranes,
i.e. runny nose), rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous
membranes), hyperhydrosis and other disorders mediated by the
autonomic nervous system (U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,605), tension
headache, (U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,365), migraine headache (U.S. Pat.
No. 5,714,468), post-operative pain and visceral pain (U.S. Pat.
No. 6,464,986), pain treatment by intraspinal toxin administration
(U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,915), Parkinson's disease and other diseases
with a motor disorder component, by intracranial toxin
administration (U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,403), hair growth and hair
retention (U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,893), psoriasis and dermatitis (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,670,484), injured muscles (U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,319,
various cancers (U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,845), pancreatic disorders
(U.S. Pat. No. 6,143,306), smooth muscle disorders (U.S. Pat. No.
5,437,291, including injection of a botulinum toxin into the upper
and lower esophageal, pyloric and anal sphincters)), prostate
disorders (U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,164), inflammation, arthritis and
gout (U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,768), juvenile cerebral palsy (U.S. Pat.
No. 6,395,277), inner ear disorders (U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,379),
thyroid disorders (U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,513), parathyroid disorders
(U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,977) and neurogenic inflammation (U.S. Pat.
No. 6,063,768). Additionally, controlled release toxin implants are
known (see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,306,423 and 6,312,708).
[0044] Tetanus toxin, as wells as derivatives (i.e. with a
non-native targeting moiety), fragments, hybrids and chimeras
thereof can also have therapeutic utility. The tetanus toxin bears
many similarities to the botulinum toxins. Thus, both the tetanus
toxin and the botulinum toxins are polypeptides made by closely
related species of Clostridium (Clostridium tetani and Clostridium
botulinum, respectively). Additionally, both the tetanus toxin and
the botulinum toxins are dichain proteins composed of a light chain
(molecular weight about 50 kD) covalently bound by a single
disulfide bond to a heavy chain (molecular weight about 100 kD).
Hence, the molecular weight of tetanus toxin and of each of the
seven botulinum toxins (non-complexed) is about 150 kD.
Furthermore, for both the tetanus toxin and the botulinum toxins,
the light chain bears the domain which exhibits intracellular
biological (protease) activity, while the heavy chain comprises the
receptor binding (immunogenic) and cell membrane translocational
domains.
[0045] Further, both the tetanus toxin and the botulinum toxins
exhibit a high, specific affinity for gangliocide receptors on the
surface of presynaptic cholinergic neurons. Receptor mediated
endocytosis of tetanus toxin by peripheral cholinergic neurons
results in retrograde axonal transport, blocking of the release of
inhibitory neurotransmitters from central synapses and a spastic
paralysis. Contrarily, receptor mediated endocytosis of botulinum
toxin by peripheral cholinergic neurons results in little if any
retrograde transport, inhibition of acetylcholine exocytosis from
the intoxicated peripheral motor neurons and a flaccid
paralysis.
[0046] Finally, the tetanus toxin and the botulinum toxins resemble
each other in both biosynthesis and molecular architecture. Thus,
there is an overall 34% identity between the protein sequences of
tetanus toxin and botulinum toxin type A, and a sequence identity
as high as 62% for some functional domains. Binz T. et al., The
Complete Sequence of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A and Comparison
with Other Clostridial Neurotoxins, J Biological Chemistry 265(16);
9153-9158: 1990.
[0047] Acetylcholine
[0048] Typically only a single type of small molecule
neurotransmitter is released by each type of neuron in the
mammalian nervous system, although there is evidence which suggests
that several neuromodulators can be released by the same neuron.
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is secreted by neurons in many
areas of the brain, but specifically by the large pyramidal cells
of the motor cortex, by several different neurons in the basal
ganglia, by the motor neurons that innervate the skeletal muscles,
by the preganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system (both
sympathetic and parasympathetic), by the bag 1 fibers of the muscle
spindle fiber, by the postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic
nervous system, and by some of the postganglionic neurons of the
sympathetic nervous system. Essentially, only the postganglionic
sympathetic nerve fibers to the sweat glands, the piloerector
muscles and a few blood vessels are cholinergic as most of the
postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system secret the
neurotransmitter norepinephine. In most instances acetylcholine has
an excitatory effect. However, acetylcholine is known to have
inhibitory effects at some of the peripheral parasympathetic nerve
endings, such as inhibition of heart rate by the vagal nerve.
[0049] The efferent signals of the autonomic nervous system are
transmitted to the body through either the sympathetic nervous
system or the parasympathetic nervous system. The preganglionic
neurons of the sympathetic nervous system extend from preganglionic
sympathetic neuron cell bodies located in the intermediolateral
horn of the spinal cord. The preganglionic sympathetic nerve
fibers, extending from the cell body, synapse with postganglionic
neurons located in either a paravertebral sympathetic ganglion or
in a prevertebral ganglion. Since, the preganglionic neurons of
both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system are
cholinergic, application of acetylcholine to the ganglia will
excite both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic
neurons.
[0050] Acetylcholine activates two types of receptors, muscarinic
and nicotinic receptors. The muscarinic receptors are found in all
effector cells stimulated by the postganglionic, neurons of the
parasympathetic nervous system as well as in those stimulated by
the postganglionic cholinergic neurons of the sympathetic nervous
system. The nicotinic receptors are found in the adrenal medulla,
as well as within the autonomic ganglia, that is on the cell
surface of the postganglionic neuron at the synapse between the
preganglionic and postganglionic neurons of both the sympathetic
and parasympathetic systems. Nicotinic receptors are also found in
many nonautonomic nerve endings, for example in the membranes of
skeletal muscle fibers at the neuromuscular junction.
[0051] Acetylcholine is released from cholinergic neurons when
small, clear, intracellular vesicles fuse with the presynaptic
neuronal cell membrane. A wide variety of non-neuronal secretory
cells, such as, adrenal medulla (as well as the PC12 cell line) and
pancreatic islet cells release catecholamines and parathyroid
hormone, respectively, from large dense-core vesicles. The PC12
cell line is a clone of rat pheochromocytoma cells extensively used
as a tissue culture model for studies of sympathoadrenal
development. Botulinum toxin inhibits the release of both types of
compounds from both types of cells in vitro, permeabilized (as by
electroporation) or by direct injection of the toxin into the
denervated cell. Botulinum toxin is also known to block release of
the neurotransmitter glutamate from cortical synaptosomes cell
cultures.
[0052] A neuromuscular junction is formed in skeletal muscle by the
proximity of axons to muscle cells. A signal transmitted through
the nervous system results in an action potential at the terminal
axon, with activation of ion channels and resulting release of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine from intraneuronal synaptic
vesicles, for example at the motor endplate of the neuromuscular
junction. The acetylcholine crosses the extracellular space to bind
with acetylcholine receptor proteins on the surface of the muscle
end plate. Once sufficient binding has occurred, an action
potential of the muscle cell causes specific membrane ion channel
changes, resulting in muscle cell contraction. The acetylcholine is
then released from the muscle cells and metabolized by
cholinesterases in the extracellular space. The metabolites are
recycled back into the terminal axon for reprocessing into further
acetylcholine.
[0053] What is needed therefore is an effective method for treating
sinus headache.
SUMMARY
[0054] The present invention meets this need and provides methods
for effectively treating a sinus headache by local administration
of a Clostridial toxin.
[0055] A method according to my invention can be carried out by
administration of a Clostridial toxin to a patient with a sinus
headache. The Clostridial toxin used is preferably a botulinum
toxin (as either a complex or as a pure [i.e. about 150 kDa
molecule], such as a botulinum toxin A, B, C, D, E, F or G.
Administration of the Clostridial toxin can be by a transdermal
route (i.e. by application of a Clostridial toxin in a cream, patch
or lotion vehicle), subdermal route (i.e. subcutaneous or
intramuscular), intradermal, or into a sinus cavity route of
administration.
[0056] A hypothesized physiological reason for the efficacy of my
invention, as explained in greater detail below, is to reduce,
inhibit or eliminate sensory input (afferent) from the periphery
into the central nervous system (including to the brain) which is
perceived by the patient as pain. Such pain sensory input can be
attenuated or eliminated by targeting subdermal sensory neurons
with a low dose of a Clostridial toxin.
[0057] The dose of a Clostridial toxin used according to the
present invention is less than the amount of toxin that would be
used to paralyze a muscle, since the intent of a method according
to the present invention is not to paralyze a muscle but to reduce
a pain sensory output from sensory neurons located in or on a
muscle, or in or under the skin or in the vicinity of a sinus
cavity.
[0058] An alternate physiological basis for the efficacy of my
invention can be by reduction of inflammation of a sinus membrane
by the administered Clostridial toxin. Thus, my invention can be
practised by administering a Clostridial toxin to or to the
vicinity of a sinus cavity. Alternately my invention can be
practised by administering a Clostridial toxin to an intradermal,
subdermal, intramuscular or para sinus cavity sensory (pain)
neurons which generates the pain sensation.
[0059] The following definitions apply herein:
[0060] "About" means approximately or nearly and in the context of
a numerical value or range set forth herein means.+-.10% of the
numerical value or range recited or claimed.
[0061] "Alleviating" means a reduction in the occurrence of a sinus
headache pain. Thus, alleviating includes some reduction,
significant reduction, near total reduction, and total reduction of
the sinus headache pain. An alleviating effect may not appear
clinically for between 1 to 7 days after administration of a
Clostridial toxin to a patient.
[0062] "Botulinum toxin" means a botulinum neurotoxin as either
pure toxin or complex, and excludes botulinum toxins which are not
neurotoxins such as the cytotoxic botulinum toxins C.sub.2 and
C.sub.3.
[0063] "Local administration" means administration (i.e. by a
subcutaneous, intramuscular, subdermal or transdermal route) of a
pharmaceutical agent to or to the vicinity of a muscle or sinus
cavity or of a subdermal location or in the head of a patient by a
non-systemic route. Thus, local administration excludes systemic
(i.e. to the blood circulation system) routes of administration,
such as intravenous or oral administration. Peripheral
administration means administration to the periphery (i.e. to a
location on or within a limb, trunk or head of a patient) as
opposed to a visceral or gut (i.e. to the viscera)
administration.
[0064] "Treating" means to alleviate (or to eliminate) at least one
symptom of a sinus headache, either temporarily or permanently.
[0065] The Clostridial neurotoxin is administered in a
therapeutically effective amount to alleviate the pain of a sinus
headache. A suitable Clostridial neurotoxin may be a neurotoxin
made by a bacterium, for example, the neurotoxin may be made from a
Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium butyricum, or Clostridium
beratti. In certain embodiments of the invention, the sinus
headache can be treated by intramuscular (facial) administration a
botulinum toxin to the patient. The botulinum toxin may be a
botulinum toxin type A, type B, type C.sub.1, type D, type E, type
F, or type G. The pain alleviating effects of the botulinum toxin
may persist for between about 1 month and 5 years. The botulinum
neurotoxin can be a recombinantly made botulinum neurotoxins, such
as botulinum toxins produced by E. coli. In addition or
alternatively, the botulinum neurotoxin can be a modified
neurotoxin, that is a botulinum neurotoxin which has at least one
of its amino acids deleted, modified or replaced, as compared to a
native or the modified botulinum neurotoxin can be a recombinant
produced botulinum neurotoxin or a derivative or fragment
thereof.
[0066] A method for treating a sinus headache according to the
present invention can comprise the step of local administration of
a botulinum toxin to a patient with a sinus headache to thereby
alleviate the sinus headache. The botulinum toxin can be selected
from the group consisting of botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F
and G. Botulinum toxin type A is a preferred botulinum toxin. The
botulinum toxin can be administered in an amount of between about 1
unit and about 3,000 units and the alleviation of the sinus
headache can persist for between about 1 month and about 5 years.
The local administration of the botulinum toxin can be to or to a
vicinity of a sinus cavity. Alternately, the local administration
can be by intramuscular injection or to a subdermal location from
which the patient perceives the existence of a sinus headache pain
to arise, typically at the forehead.
[0067] A detailed embodiment of my invention can comprise a method
for treating a sinus headache, the method comprising a step of
local administration to a patient with a sinus headache of between
about 1 unit and about 3,000 units of a botulinum toxin (for
example between about 1-50 units of a botulinum toxin type A or
between about 50 to 3,000 units of a botulinum toxin type B),
thereby alleviating the sinus headache for between about 1 month
and about 5 years.
DRAWINGS
[0068] The following drawings are presented to assist understanding
of aspects and features of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 1 is a coronal (front) cross sectional view of a human
head illustrating the location of the paranasal sinuses.
[0070] FIG. 2 is a side cross section view of a partial human head
through the lateral wall of a nasal cavity.
[0071] FIG. 3 is a partial sagittal (side) cross section view of a
partial human head to illustrate the location of the paranasal
sinuses.
[0072] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a partial human face with
superimposed location of the sinuses and showing an infected left
maxillary sinus.
[0073] FIG. 5 is the FIG. 4 view showing in addition an inflamed
mucus lining of the left maxillary sinus.
DESCRIPTION
[0074] The present invention is based on the discovery that a sinus
headache can be treated by local administration of a
therapeutically effective amount of a botulinum toxin. Thus, a
botulinum toxin (such as a botulinum toxin serotype A, B, C.sub.1,
D, E, F or G) can be injected into or in the vicinity of a sinus
cavity of a patient with a sinus headache to thereby suppress pain
and/or treat the inflammation which can be a causative factor of
the sinus headache. Alternately, the botulinum toxin can be
administered to an intradermal or subdermal pain sensory neuron
thereby suppressing and treating such a sinus headache.
[0075] It is known that a botulinum toxin can inhibit an excessive
glandular secretion, as in the treatment of hyperhydrosis. It can
be hypothesized is that administration of a botulinum toxin (as by
injection to an intrasinus location) can act to reduce both the
inflammation of the sinus and the excess secretion by a sinus
gland, thereby alleviating the pain of a sinus headache.
[0076] My invention is preferably practised by administering a
botulinum toxin directly to one of the paranasal sinuses that is,
to one or more of the paired frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal and/or
maxillary sinuses. The paranasal sinuses are paired air-filled
cavities in the bones of the face lined with mucous membranes.
Excluded from the scope of the present invention is administration
of a botulinum toxin to a nasal cavity (including to the nasal
vestibule, turbinate, or nasal meatus), as can be carried out to
treat rhinorrhea or rhinitis, because it is highly desirable for
the efficacious practice of a method according to the present
invention to apply the botulinum toxin directly to a sinus cavity
tissue from which afferent pain signals are emanating and/or which
bear an inflamed sinus membrane. It is important to note that the
nasal passages (i.e. the nasal vestibule, turbinate, or nasal
meatus) are distinct from the sinus cavities so that application of
a botulinum toxin to a nasal passage or nasal cavity to treat
rhinitis or rhinorrhea does this cause that the botulinum toxin has
also be applied to a sinus cavity, and vice versa, due to the
anatomical location of the nasal cavities vs. the paranasal
sinuses. An alternate preferred method for practicing the present
invention is by pericranial administration of a botulinum toxin to
a patient with a sinus headache, as by intramuscular injection of
the botulinum toxin into the glabellar, frontalis and/or temporalis
muscles of a patient with a sinus headache.
[0077] Without wishing to be bound by theory a physiological
mechanism can be proposed for the efficacy of the present
invention. It is known that muscles have a complex system of
innervation and sensory output. Thus, anterior motor neurons
located in each segment of the anterior horns of the spinal cord
gray matter give rise to efferent alpha motor neurons and efferent
gamma motor neurons that leave the spinal cord by way of the
anterior roots to innervate skeletal (extrafusal) muscle fibers.
The alpha motor neurons cause contraction of extrafusal skeletal
muscle fibers while the gamma motor neurons innervate the
intrafusal fibers of skeletal muscle. As well as excitation by
these two type of efferent anterior motor neuron projections, there
are additional, afferent sensory neurons which project from muscle
spindle and golgi tendon organs and act to transmit information
regarding various muscle parameter status to the spinal cord,
cerebellum and cerebral cortex. These afferent motor neurons which
relay sensory information from the muscle spindle include type la
and type 11 sensory afferent neurons. See e.g. pages 686-688 of
Guyton A. C. et al., Textbook of Medical Physiology, W. B. Saunders
Company 1996, ninth edition.
[0078] Significantly, it has been determined that a botulinum toxin
can act to reduce transmission of sensory information from muscle
type Ia afferent neurons. Aoki, K., Physiology and pharmacology of
therapeutic botulinum neurotoxins, in Kreyden, O., editor,
Hyperhydrosis and botulinum toxin in dermatology, Basel, Karger;
2002; 30: pages 107-116, at 109-110. And it has been hypothesized
that botulinum toxin can have a direct effect upon muscle cell
sensory afferents and modify signals from these afferents to the
central nervous system. See e.g. Brin, M., et al., Botulinum toxin
type A: pharmacology, in Mayer N., editor, Spasticity: etiology,
evaluation, management and the role of botulinum toxin, 2002; pages
110-124, at 112-113; Cui, M., et al., Mechanisms of the
antinociceptive effect of subcutaneous BOTOX.RTM.: inhibition of
peripheral and central nociceptive processing, Naunyn Schmiedebergs
Arch Pharmacol 2002; 365 (supp 2): R17; Aoki, K., et al., Botulinum
toxin type A and other botulinum toxin serotypes: a comparative
review of biochemical and pharmacological actions, Eur J. Neurol
2001: (suppl 5); 21-29. Thus, it has been demonstrated that
botulinum toxin can cause an altered sensory output from muscle to
CNS and brain.
[0079] Importantly, the sensory neurons from which afferent output
is to be inhibited by a method according to the present invention
need not be located on or within a muscle, but can be in an
intradermal or subdermal location.
[0080] It can be postulated that the pain of a sinus headache is
due to sensory (pain) input from afferent facial area neurons.
Administration of a botulinum toxin to a facial muscles or skin to
reduce sensory output from the muscle can result in alleviation of
a sinus headache pain.
[0081] It is my hypothesis, as may be the case in the treatment of
a migraine headache with a botulinum toxin, that signals
transmitted by afferent pain nerves in or on muscle tissue (i.e.
muscle spindle fibers and muscle pain fibers) or as a part of
sensory structures in the skin or subdermally induce the pain
sensation of a sinus headache. That is, afferent signal from
muscles or skin structures provide sensory information to the brain
which then leads to the generation of pain. Thus, a local
administration of a botulinum toxin to muscle spindle fibers, pain
fibers or other sensors in or in the vicinity of a muscle can act
to alter the neural signal afferent output from these muscles to
the brain and thereby decrease the sensation of pain.
[0082] Important elements of my invention are firstly that is
practised by use of a local administration of low dose of a
botulinum toxin. The selected low dose does not cause a muscle
paralysis. Secondly, the invention is practised by local
administration of the low dose of the botulinum toxin to the muscle
or to the muscle group which initiates the pain sensation or to a
sinus membrane which is inflamed or from which a pain signal is
generated.
[0083] The amount of the Clostridial toxin administered according
to a method within the scope of the disclosed invention can vary
according to the particular characteristics of the sinus headache
being treated, including its severity and other various patient
variables including size, weight, age, and responsiveness to
therapy. To guide the practitioner, typically, no less than about 1
unit and no more than about 25 units of a botulinum toxin type A
(such as BOTOX.RTM. is administered per injection site (i.e. to
each muscle portion injected), per patent treatment session. For a
botulinum toxin type A such as DYSPORT.RTM., no less than about 2
units and no more about 125 units of the botulinum toxin type A are
administered per injection site, per patent treatment session. For
a botulinum toxin type B such as MYOBLOC.RTM., no less than about
40 units and no more about 1500 units of the botulinum toxin type B
are administered per injection site, per patent treatment session.
Less than about 1, 2 or 40 units (of BOTOX.RTM., DYSPORT.RTM. and
MYOBLOC.RTM. respectively) can fail to achieve a desired
therapeutic effect, while more than about 25, 125 or 1500 units (of
BOTOX.RTM., DYSPORT.RTM. and MYOBLOC.RTM. respectively) can result
in significant muscle hypotonicity, weakness and/or paralysis.
[0084] More preferably: for BOTOX.RTM. no less than about 2 units
and no more about 20 units of a botulinum toxin type A; for
DYSPORT.RTM. no less than about 4 units and no more than about 100
units, and; for MYOBLOC.RTM., no less than about 80 units and no
more than about 1000 units are, respectively, administered per
injection site, per patent treatment session.
[0085] Most preferably: for BOTOX.RTM. no less than about 5 units
and no more about 15 units of a botulinum toxin type A; for
DYSPORT.RTM. no less than about 20 units and no more than about 75
units, and; for MYOBLOC.RTM., no less than about 200 units and no
more than about 750 units are, respectively, administered per
injection site, per patent treatment session. It is important to
note that there can be multiple injection sites (i.e. a pattern of
injections) for each patient treatment session.
[0086] Although examples of routes of administration and dosages
are provided, the appropriate route of administration and dosage
are generally determined on a case by case basis by the attending
physician. Such determinations are routine to one of ordinary skill
in the art (see for example, Harrison's Principles of Internal
Medicine (1998), edited by Anthony Fauci et al., 14.sup.th edition,
published by McGraw Hill). For example, the route and dosage for
administration of a neurotoxin according to the present disclosed
invention can be selected based upon criteria such as the
solubility characteristics of the neurotoxin chosen as well as the
intensity of pain perceived.
[0087] The present invention is based on the discovery that local
administration of a Clostridial toxin can provide significant and
long lasting relief from a sinus headache. The Clostridial toxins
used in accordance with the invention disclosed herein can inhibit
transmission of chemical or electrical signals between select
neuronal groups that are involved in generation of a sinus headache
pain. The Clostridial toxins preferably are not cytotoxic to the
cells that are exposed to the Clostridial toxin. The Clostridial
toxin can inhibit neurotransmission by reducing or preventing
exocytosis of neurotransmitter from the neurons exposed to the
Clostridial toxin. Or the applied Clostridial toxin can reduce
neurotransmission by inhibiting the generation of action potentials
of the neurons exposed to the toxin. The sinus headache pain
alleviation effect provided by the Clostridial toxin can persist
for a relatively long period of time, for example, for more than
two months, and potentially for several years.
[0088] Examples of Clostridial toxins within the scope of the
present invention include neurotoxins made by Clostridium
botulinum, Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium beratti species.
In addition, the botulinum toxins used in the methods of the
invention may be a botulinum toxin selected from a group of
botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. In one embodiment of
the invention, the botulinum neurotoxin administered to the patient
is botulinum toxin type A. Botulinum toxin type A is desirable due
to its high potency in humans, ready availability, and known use
for the treatment of skeletal and smooth muscle disorders when
locally administered by intramuscular injection. The present
invention also includes the use of (a) Clostridial neurotoxins
obtained or processed by bacterial culturing, toxin extraction,
concentration, preservation, freeze drying, and/or reconstitution;
and/or (b) modified or recombinant neurotoxins, that is neurotoxins
that have had one or more amino acids or amino acid sequences
deliberately deleted, modified or replaced by known
chemical/biochemical amino acid modification procedures or by use
of known host cell/recombinant vector recombinant technologies, as
well as derivatives or fragments of neurotoxins so made. These
neurotoxin variants retain the ability to inhibit neurotransmission
between or among neurons, and some of these variants may provide
increased durations of inhibitory effects as compared to native
neurotoxins, or may provide enhanced binding specificity to the
neurons exposed to the neurotoxins. These neurotoxin variants may
be selected by screening the variants using conventional assays to
identify neurotoxins that have the desired physiological effects of
inhibiting neurotransmission.
[0089] Botulinum toxins for use according to the present invention
can be stored in lyophilized, vacuum dried form in containers under
vacuum pressure or as stable liquids. Prior to lyophilization the
botulinum toxin can be combined with pharmaceutically acceptable
excipients, stabilizers and/or carriers, such as albumin. The
lyophilized material can be reconstituted with saline or water to
create a solution or composition containing the botulinum toxin to
be administered to the patient.
[0090] Although the composition may only contain a single type of
neurotoxin, such as botulinum toxin type A, as the active
ingredient to suppress neurotransmission, other therapeutic
compositions may include two or more types of neurotoxins, which
may provide enhanced therapeutic treatment of a sinus headache. For
example, a composition administered to a patient may include
botulinum toxin type A and botulinum toxin type B. Administering a
single composition containing two different neurotoxins may permit
the effective concentration of each of the neurotoxins to be lower
than if a single neurotoxin is administered to the patient while
still achieving the desired therapeutic effects. The composition
administered to the patient may also contain other pharmaceutically
active ingredients, such as, protein receptor or ion channel
modulators, in combination with the neurotoxin or neurotoxins.
These modulators may contribute to the reduction in
neurotransmission between the various neurons. For example, a
composition may contain gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A
receptor modulators that enhance the inhibitory effects mediated by
the GABA.sub.A receptor. The GABA.sub.A receptor inhibits neuronal
activity by effectively shunting current flow across the cell
membrane. GABA.sub.A receptor modulators may enhance the inhibitory
effects of the GABA.sub.A receptor and reduce electrical or
chemical signal transmission from the neurons. Examples of
GABA.sub.A receptor modulators include benzodiazepines, such as
diazepam, oxaxepam, lorazepam, prazepam, alprazolam, halazeapam,
chordiazepoxide, and chlorazepate. Compositions may also contain
glutamate receptor modulators that decrease the excitatory effects
mediated by glutamate receptors. Examples of glutamate receptor
modulators include agents that inhibit current flux through AMPA,
NMDA, and/or kainate types of glutamate receptors. The compositions
may also include agents that modulate dopamine receptors, such as
antipsychotics, norepinephrine receptors, and/or serotonin
receptors. The compositions may also include agents that affect ion
flux through voltage gated calcium channels, potassium channels,
and/or sodium channels. Thus, the compositions used to treat a
sinus headache can include one or more neurotoxins, such as
botulinum toxins, in addition to ion channel receptor modulators
that may reduce neurotransmission.
[0091] The neurotoxin may be administered by any suitable method as
determined by the attending physician. The methods of
administration permit the neurotoxin to be administered locally to
a selected target tissue. Methods of administration include
injection of a solution or composition containing the neurotoxin,
as described above, and include implantation of a controlled
release system that controllably releases the neurotoxin to the
target tissue. Such controlled release systems reduce the need for
repeat injections. Diffusion of biological activity of a botulinum
toxin within a tissue appears to be a function of dose and can be
graduated. Jankovic J., et al Therapy With Botuinum Toxin, Marcel
Dekker, Inc., (1994), page 150. Thus, diffusion of botulinum toxin
can be controlled to reduce potentially undesirable side effects
that may affect the patient's cognitive abilities. For example, the
neurotoxin can be administered so that the neurotoxin primarily
effects neural systems believed to be involved in the generation of
pain and/or inflammation in or in the vicinity of the sinus
cavities, and does not have negatively adverse effects on other
neural systems.
[0092] A polyanhydride polymer, Gliadel.RTM. (Stolle R & D,
Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) a copolymer of poly-carboxyphenoxypropane
and sebacic acid in a ratio of 20:80 has been used to make
implants, and has been intracranially implanted to treat malignant
gliomas. Polymer and BCNU can be co-dissolved in methylene chloride
and spray-dried into microspheres. The microspheres can then be
pressed into discs 1.4 cm in diameter and 1.0 mm thick by
compression molding, packaged in aluminum foil pouches under
nitrogen atmosphere and sterilized by 2.2 megaRads of gamma
irradiation. The polymer permits release of carmustine over a 2-3
week period, although it can take more than a year for the polymer
to be largely degraded. Brem, H., et al, Placebo-Controlled Trial
of Safety and Efficacy of Intraoperative Controlled Delivery by
Biodegradable Polymers of Chemotherapy for Recurrent Gliomas,
Lancet 345; 1008-1012: 1995.
[0093] Implants useful in practicing the methods disclosed herein
may be prepared by mixing a desired amount of a stabilized
neurotoxin (such as non-reconstituted BOTOX.RTM.) into a solution
of a suitable polymer dissolved in methylene chloride. The solution
may be prepared at room temperature. The solution can then be
transferred to a Petri dish and the methylene chloride evaporated
in a vacuum desiccator. Depending upon the implant size desired and
hence the amount of incorporated neurotoxin, a suitable amount of
the dried neurotoxin incorporating implant is compressed at about
8000 p.s.i. for 5 seconds or at 3000 p.s.i. for 17 seconds in a
mold to form implant discs encapsulating the neurotoxin. See e.g.
Fung L. K. et al., Pharmacokinetics of Interstitial Delivery of
Carmustine 4-Hydroperoxycyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel From a
Biodegradable Polymer Implant in the Monkey Brain, Cancer Research
58; 672-684: 1998.
[0094] Local administration of a Clostridial toxin, such as a
botulinum toxin, can provide a high, local therapeutic level of the
toxin. A controlled release polymer capable of long term, local
delivery of a Clostridial toxin to a target muscle permits
effective dosing of a target tissue. A suitable implant, as set
forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,423 entitled "Neurotoxin Implant",
allows the direct introduction of a chemotherapeutic agent to a
target tissue via a controlled release polymer. The implant
polymers used are preferably hydrophobic so as to protect the
polymer incorporated neurotoxin from water induced decomposition
until the toxin is released into the target tissue environment.
[0095] Local administration of a botulinum toxin, according to the
present invention, by injection or implant to a target tissue
provides a superior alternative to systemic administration of
pharmaceuticals to patients to alleviate the pain of a sinus
headache.
[0096] The amount of a Clostridial toxin selected for local
administration to a target tissue according to the present
disclosed invention can be varied based upon criteria such as the
severity of the sinus headache being treated, the extent of muscle
tissue to be treated, solubility characteristics of the neurotoxin
toxin chosen as well as the age, sex, weight and health of the
patient. For example, the extent of the area of muscle tissue
influenced is believed to be proportional to the volume of
neurotoxin injected, while the quantity of the suppressant effect
is, for most dose ranges, believed to be proportional to the
concentration of a Clostridial toxin administered. Methods for
determining the appropriate route of administration and dosage are
generally determined on a case by case basis by the attending
physician. Such determinations are routine to one of ordinary skill
in the art (see for example, Harrison's Principles of Internal
Medicine (1998), edited by Anthony Fauci et al., 14.sup.th edition,
published by McGraw Hill).
[0097] Significantly, a method within the scope of the present
invention can provide improved patient function. "Improved patient
function" can be defined as an improvement measured by factors such
as a reduced pain, reduced time spent in bed, increased ambulation,
healthier attitude, more varied lifestyle and/or healing permitted
by normal muscle tone. Improved patient function is synonymous with
an improved quality of life (QOL). QOL can be assessed using, for
example, the known SF-12 or SF-36 health survey scoring procedures.
SF-36 assesses a patient's physical and mental health in the eight
domains of physical functioning, role limitations due to physical
problems, social functioning, bodily pain, general mental health,
role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, and general
health perceptions. Scores obtained can be compared to published
values available for various general and patient populations.
EXAMPLES
[0098] The following non-limiting examples provide those of
ordinary skill in the art with specific preferred methods to treat
conditions within the scope of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the following
examples various modes of non-systemic administration of a
Clostridial neurotoxin can be carried out. For example, by
intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection or by implantation
of a controlled release implant.
Example 1
Botulinum Toxin Type A Therapy for a Sinus Headache
[0099] A female patient, 32 years old, complains of pain in the
area of the paranasal sinuses. The pain is described as pain is
constant, even, and not throbbing. It is not associated with
nausea, light, or noise sensitivity. Sinus headache is diagnosed
and the patient is treated by injection of 10 units a botulinum
toxin type A (i.e. BOTOX.RTM.) into each of the glabellar,
frontalis and temporalis muscles (30 units total toxin).
Alternately, about 10 units of the botulinum toxin type A can be
injected directly into one or more of the sinuses (see FIGS. 1-3
for the disposition of the sinuses) at the location and on the side
where the pain is reported to be most intense. Within 1-7 days
after the botulinum toxin administration the patient reports
complete alleviation of her sinus headache pain and the alleviation
of her condition can persist for 4-6 months.
[0100] A botulinum toxin type B, C, D, E, F or G can be substituted
for the botulinum toxin type A used above, for example by use of
250 units of a botulinum toxin type B.
Example 2
Botulinum Toxin Type B Therapy for a Sinus Headache
[0101] A male patient 28 years of age presents with a dull, deep
pain in the front of his head and face. He reports exacerbation
upon bending over down. There is a greenish nasal discharge, red
and swollen nasal passages and a mild fever (101 degrees C.). The
patient is treated by injection of 10 units a botulinum toxin type
A (i.e. BOTOX.RTM.) into each of the sinus cavities. At least 10
units of the toxin can be injected into the infected left maxillary
sinus. FIG. 4 illustrates an infected left maxillary sinus. If
Inflammation is present an additional 5 units of the botulinum
toxin can be administered. FIG. 5 illustrates a left maxillary
sinus with an inflamed membrane. Within 1-7 days after toxin
administration the patient reports complete alleviation of his
sinus headache and the alleviation of his condition can persist for
4-6 months.
[0102] In both Examples 1 and 2, the botulinum toxin can be
administered by an endoscopic sinus procedure as set forth for
example in Anderson, T., et al., Surgical intervention for
sinusitis in adults, Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2001 May; 1 (3): 282-8
using the endoscopic injection instrument described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,437,291 and 5,674,205.
[0103] Although the present invention has been described in detail
with regard to certain preferred methods, other embodiments,
versions, and modifications within the scope of the present
invention are possible. For example, a wide variety of neurotoxins
can be effectively used in the methods of the present invention.
Additionally, the present invention includes local administration
methods to alleviate a sinus headache pain wherein two or more
neurotoxins, such as two or more botulinum toxins, are administered
concurrently or consecutively. For example, botulinum toxin type A
can be administered until a loss of clinical response or
neutralizing antibodies develop, followed by administration of
botulinum toxin type B. Alternately, a combination of any two or
more of the botulinum serotypes A-G can be locally administered to
control the onset and duration of the desired therapeutic result.
Furthermore, non-neurotoxin compounds can be administered prior to,
concurrently with or subsequent to administration of the neurotoxin
to proved adjunct effect such as enhanced or a more rapid onset of
denervation before the neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin,
begins to exert its therapeutic effect.
[0104] A method for treating a disorder according to the invention
disclosed herein has many benefits and advantages, including the
following:
[0105] 1. the symptoms of a sinus headache can be dramatically
reduced or eliminated.
[0106] 2. the symptoms of a sinus headache can be reduced or
eliminated for at least about two to about six months per injection
of neurotoxin and for from about one year to about five years upon
use of a controlled release neurotoxin implant.
[0107] 3. the injected or implanted Clostridial neurotoxin shows
little or no tendency to diffuse or to be transported away from the
intramuscular (or intradermal or subdermal) injection or
implantation site.
[0108] 4. few or no significant undesirable side effects occur from
intramuscular (or intradermal or subdermal) injection or
implantation of the Clostridial neurotoxin.
[0109] 5. the present methods can result in the desirable side
effects of greater patient mobility, a more positive attitude, and
an improved quality of life.
[0110] Although the present invention has been described in detail
with regard to certain preferred methods, other embodiments,
versions, and modifications within the scope of the present
invention are possible. For example, a wide variety of neurotoxins
can be effectively used in the methods of the present invention.
Additionally, the present invention includes local administration
methods wherein two or more Clostridial neurotoxins, such as two or
more botulinum toxins, are administered concurrently or
consecutively. For example, botulinum toxin type A can be locally
administered until a loss of clinical response or neutralizing
antibodies develop, followed by administration of botulinum toxin
type B. Furthermore, non-neurotoxin compounds can be locally
administered prior to, concurrently with or subsequent to
administration of the neurotoxin to provide adjunct effect such as
enhanced or a more rapid onset of pain suppression before the
neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, begins to exert its more
long lasting pain suppressant effect.
[0111] My invention also includes within its scope the use of a
neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, in the preparation of a
medicament for the treatment of an obsessive-compulsive disorder,
by local administration of the Clostridial neurotoxin.
[0112] All references, articles, patents, applications and
publications set forth above are incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties.
[0113] Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the following claims
should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred
embodiments set forth above.
* * * * *