U.S. patent application number 12/341154 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for methods and compositions for use in treating cancer.
Invention is credited to Bruce A. Littlefield, Murray J. Towle.
Application Number | 20090104285 12/341154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32106428 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090104285 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Littlefield; Bruce A. ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
Methods and Compositions for Use in Treating Cancer
Abstract
The invention provides methods and compositions for use in
treating diseases associated with excessive cellular proliferation,
such as cancer.
Inventors: |
Littlefield; Bruce A.;
(Andover, MA) ; Towle; Murray J.; (Auburn,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CLARK & ELBING LLP
101 FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON
MA
02110
US
|
Family ID: |
32106428 |
Appl. No.: |
12/341154 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10687526 |
Oct 16, 2003 |
7470720 |
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12341154 |
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10272167 |
Oct 16, 2002 |
6653341 |
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10687526 |
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09843617 |
Apr 26, 2001 |
6469182 |
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10272167 |
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09677485 |
Oct 2, 2000 |
6365759 |
|
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09843617 |
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09334488 |
Jun 16, 1999 |
6214865 |
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09677485 |
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60089682 |
Jun 17, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/649 ;
514/283; 514/34; 514/450; 514/49; 514/56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/35 20130101;
C07D 493/22 20130101; A61K 45/06 20130101; A61K 31/35 20130101;
A61K 2300/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/649 ;
514/450; 514/49; 514/34; 514/283; 514/56 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/357 20060101
A61K031/357; A61K 31/7068 20060101 A61K031/7068; A61K 31/704
20060101 A61K031/704; A61K 33/24 20060101 A61K033/24; A61K 31/4545
20060101 A61K031/4545; A61K 31/727 20060101 A61K031/727 |
Claims
1. A method of treating cancer in a patient, said method comprising
administering to said patient a compound having the formula:
##STR00004## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in
combination with a second approach to treatment.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second approach to treatment
comprises administration of a chemotherapeutic drug to said
patient.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug is
selected from the group consisting of antimetabolites, antibiotics,
alkylating agents, plant alkaloids, and hormonal agents.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug is an
antimetabolite.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said antimetabolite is
gemcitabine.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said cancer is non-small cell
lung carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic breast cancer.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein said antimetabolite is
capecitabine.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said cancer is breast cancer or
colorectal cancer.
9. The method of claim 3, wherein said antibiotic is an
anthracycline.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said anthracycline is
doxorubicin.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said cancer is breast
cancer.
12. The method of claim 3, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug is an
alkylating agent.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said alkylating agent is
carboplatinum or cisplatinum.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said cancer is non-small cell
lung cancer or ovarian cancer.
15. The method of claim 3, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug is a
plant alkaloid.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said plant alkaloid is
irinotecan.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said cancer is colorectal
cancer.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein said plant alkaloid is
topotecan.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said cancer is ovarian cancer
or non-small cell lung cancer.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein said second approach to
treatment comprises administration of an anticoagulant to said
patient.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said anticoagulant is
heparin.
22. A composition comprising a compound having the formula:
##STR00005## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in
combination with a second chemotherapeutic drug.
23. The composition of claim 22, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug
is selected from the group consisting of antimetabolites,
antibiotics, alkylating agents, plant alkaloids, and hormonal
agents.
24. The composition of claim 23, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug
is an antimetabolite.
25. The composition of claim 24, wherein said antimetabolite is
gemcitabine.
26. The composition of claim 24, wherein said antimetabolite is
capecitabine.
27. The composition of claim 23, wherein said antibiotic is an
anthracycline.
28. The composition of claim 27, wherein said anthracycline is
doxorubicin.
29. The composition of claim 23, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug
is an alkylating agent.
30. The composition of claim 29, wherein said alkylating agent is
carboplatinum or cisplatinum.
31. The composition of claim 23, wherein said chemotherapeutic drug
is a plant alkaloid.
32. The composition of claim 31, wherein said plant alkaloid is
irinotecan.
33. The composition of claim 31, wherein said plant alkaloid is
topotecan.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority
from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,526, filed Oct. 16,
2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/272,167, filed Oct. 16, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,341),
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/843,617, filed Apr. 26, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,469,182),
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/677,485, filed Oct. 2, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,759), which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/334,488,
filed Jun. 16, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,865), which claims
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/089,682,
filed Jun. 17, 1998 (now abandoned). The contents of the earlier
filed applications are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to methods and compositions for use
in treating cancer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cancer is a term used to describe a wide variety of diseases
that are each characterized by the uncontrolled growth of a
particular type of cell. It begins in a tissue containing such a
cell and, if the cancer has not spread to any additional tissues at
the time of diagnosis, may be treated by, for example, surgery,
radiation, or another type of localized therapy. However, when
there is evidence that cancer has metastasized from its tissue of
origin, different approaches to treatment are typically used.
Indeed, because it is not possible to determine the extent of
metastasis, systemic approaches to therapy are usually undertaken
when any evidence of spread is detected. These approaches involve
the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs that interfere with
the growth of rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells.
[0004] Halichondrin B is a structurally complex, macrocyclic
compound that was originally isolated from the marine sponge
Halichondria okadai, and subsequently was found in Axinella sp.,
Phakellia carteri, and Lissondendryx sp. A total synthesis of
halichondrin B was published in 1992 (Aicher et al., J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 114:3162-3164, 1992). Halichondrin B has been shown to inhibit
tubulin polymerization, microtubule assembly, betas-tubulin
crosslinking, GTP and vinblastine binding to tubulin, and
tubulin-dependent GTP hydrolysis in vitro. This molecule has also
been shown to have anti-cancer properties in vitro and in vivo.
Halichondrin B analogs having anti-cancer activities are described
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,865 B1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides methods of treating cancer in a
patient, involving administration of a compound having the
formula:
##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is carried out
in combination with a second approach to treatment.
[0006] The second approach to treatment can involve administration
of a chemotherapeutic drug to the patient. Examples of types of
such drugs include antimetabolites, antibiotics, alkylating agents,
plant alkaloids, and hormonal agents.
[0007] An antimetabolite, such as gemcitabine, can be used in the
invention in the treatment of, for example, non-small cell lung
carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic breast cancer. An
antimetabolite, such as capecitabine, can also be used in the
invention in the treatment of, for example, breast cancer or
colorectal cancer.
[0008] An example of a type of antibiotic that can be used in the
invention is anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin), which can be used
in the invention, for example, in the treatment of breast
cancer.
[0009] Alkylating agents, such as, for example, carboplatinum or
cisplatinum, can be used in the invention to treat, for example,
non-small cell lung cancer or ovarian cancer.
[0010] Plant alkaloids, such as irinotecan and topotecan, can be
used in the invention to treat, for example, colorectal cancer,
ovarian cancer, or non-small cell lung carcinoma.
[0011] The second approach to treatment can also involve
administration of an anticoagulant or antithrombotic agent (e.g.,
heparin) to the patient.
[0012] The invention also provides compositions that include a
compound having the formula:
##STR00002##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with
a second anti-cancer drug. These drugs include, for example, any of
the chemotherapeutic agents mentioned elsewhere herein, as well as
others.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description and the
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention provides methods for treating cancer,
involving administration of a halichondrin B analog, such as an
analog having the following structure:
##STR00003##
which is carried out in combination with a second approach to
treatment.
[0015] There are numerous types of anti-cancer approaches that can
be used in conjunction with halichondrin B analog treatment,
according to the invention. These include, for example, treatment
with chemotherapeutic agents (see below), biological agents (e.g.,
hormonal agents, cytokines (e.g., interleukins, interferons,
granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage colony
stimulating factor (M-CSF), and granulocyte macrophage colony
stimulating factor (GM-CSF)), chemokines, vaccine antigens, and
antibodies), anti-angiogenic agents (e.g., angiostatin and
endostatin), radiation, and surgery.
[0016] The methods of the invention can employ these approaches to
treat the same types of cancers as those for which they are known
in the art to be used, as well as others, as can be determined by
those of skill in this art. Also, these approaches can be carried
out according to parameters (e.g., regimens and doses) that are
similar to those that are known in the art for their use. However,
as is understood in the art, it may be desirable to adjust some of
these parameters, due to the additional use of a halichondrin B
analog with these approaches. For example, if a drug is normally
administered as a sole therapeutic agent, when combined with a
halichondrin B analog, according to the invention, it may be
desirable to decrease the dosage of the drug, as can be determined
by those of skill in this art. Examples of the methods of the
invention, as well as compositions that can be used in these
methods, are provided below.
[0017] Chemotherapeutic drugs of several different types including,
for example, antimetabolites, antibiotics, alkylating agents, plant
alkaloids, hormonal agents, anticoagulants, antithrombotics, and
other natural products, among others, can be used in conjunction
with halichondrin B treatment, according to the invention.
Specific, non-limiting examples of these classes of drugs, as well
as cancers that can be treated by their use, are as follows.
[0018] Antimetabolite drugs that halichondrin B analogs can be used
with include, e.g., methotrexate, purine antagonists (e.g.,
mercaptopurine, thioguanine, fludarabine phosphate, cladribine, and
pentostatin), and pyrimidine antagonists (e.g., gemcitabine,
capecitabine, fluorouracil (e.g., 5-FU), cytarabine, and
azacitidine). Use of these agents to treat particular types of
cancers is well known in the art, and these agents can be used in
combination with halichondrin B analogs to treat these and other
types of cancers. As specific, non-limiting examples, a
halichondrin B analog can be used with gemcitabine in the treatment
of non-small cell lung carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic
breast cancer. In an additional example, a halichondrin B analog
can be used in conjunction with capecitabine in the treatment of
breast or colorectal cancers.
[0019] As is noted above, another class of chemotherapeutic drugs
with which halichondrin B analogs can be used includes anticancer
antibiotics. These include, for example, anthracyclines (e.g.,
doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin, and idarubicin), adriamycin,
dactinomycin, idarubincin, plicamycin, mitomycin, and bleomycin. As
with the drugs mentioned above, use of these agents to treat
particular types of cancers is well known in the art, and they can
be used in combination with halichondrin B analog treatment to
treat these and other types of cancers. As a specific, non-limiting
example, an anthracycline, such as doxorubicin, can be administered
in conjunction with halichondrin B therapy for the treatment of
breast or pancreatic cancers. Alternatively, a third agent,
cyclophosphamide, can be used in this method.
[0020] Alkylating agents comprise another class of chemotherapeutic
drugs that can be administered in conjunction with a halichondrin B
analog, according to the invention. Examples of such drugs include
procarbazine, dacarbazine, altretamine, cisplatin, carboplatin, and
nitrosoureas. Halichondrin B analogs can be used with these agents
in the treatment of cancers that these agents are known in the art
to be used to treat, as well as in the treatment of other cancers.
For example, a halichondrin B analog can be used in conjunction
with carboplatinum in the treatment of non-small cell lung
carcinoma or ovarian cancer.
[0021] An additional type of chemotherapeutic drug with which
halichondrin B analogs can be administered, according to the
invention, is plant alkaloids, such as vinblastine, vincristine,
etoposide, teniposide, topotecan, irinotecan, paclitaxel, and
docetaxel. As specific, non-limiting examples, a halichondrin B
analog can be used in conjunction with irinotecan for the treatment
of colorectal cancer, or with topotecan in the treatment of ovarian
or non-small cell lung cancers.
[0022] Further types of anti-cancer agents that can be used in
conjunction with halichondrin B analog treatment, according to the
invention, are anticoagulants and antithrombotic agents. For
example, heparin (e.g., low molecular weight heparin or heparin
sulfate) or warfarin can be used. Use of these agents in treating
patients by, for example, injection or oral administration, is well
known in the art, and thus they can readily be adapted by those of
skill in the art for use in the present invention.
[0023] Numerous approaches for administering anti-cancer drugs are
known in the art, and can readily be adapted for use in the present
invention. In the case of one or more drugs that are to be
administered in conjunction with a halichondrin B analog, for
example, the drugs can be administered together, in a single
composition, or separately, as part of a comprehensive treatment
regimen. For systemic administration, the drugs can be administered
by, for example, intravenous infusion (continuous or bolus).
Appropriate scheduling and dosing of such administration can
readily be determined by those of skill in this art based on, for
example, preclinical studies in animals and clinical studies (e.g.,
phase I studies) in humans. In addition, analysis of treatment
using similar drugs, as well as monitoring factors such as blood
counts (e.g., neutrophil and platelet counts) and vital signs in
patients can be used, as is well understood in the art.
[0024] Many regimens used to administer chemotherapeutic drugs
involve, for example, intravenous administration of a drug (or
drugs) followed by repetition of this treatment after a period
(e.g., 1-4 weeks) during which the patient recovers from any
adverse side effects of the treatment. It may be desirable to use
both drugs at each administration or, alternatively, to have some
(or all) of the treatments include only one drug (or a subset of
drugs).
[0025] As a specific, non-limiting example of a treatment regimen
included in the invention, a halichondrin B analog (e.g., 0.01-5
mg/m.sup.2) can be administered to a patient by intravenous
infusion for 0.5-3 hours, followed by intravenous infusion of
another drug (e.g., gemcitabine, e.g., 500-900 mg/m.sup.2) for
0.5-3 hours. This course of treatment can be repeated every 2-3
weeks, as determined to be tolerable and effective by those of
skill in the art. In a variation of this method, the treatment is
carried out with both drugs on the first day, as is noted above,
but then is followed up with treatment using only the secondary
drug (e.g., gemcitabine) in ensuing weeks.
[0026] Further, as is well known in the art, treatment using the
methods of the invention can be carried out in conjunction with the
administration of antiemetics, which are drugs that are used to
reduce the nausea and vomiting that are common side effects of
cancer chemotherapy. Examples of such drugs include major
tranquilizers (e.g., phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine and
prochlorperazine), dopamine antagonists (e.g., metoclopramide),
serotonin antagonists (e.g., ondansetron and granisetron),
cannabinoids (e.g., dronabinol), and benzodiazepine sedatives.
[0027] In addition to the cancers mentioned above, the methods and
compositions of the invention can be used to treat the following
types of cancers, as well as others: skin (e.g., squamous cell
carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma), prostate, brain and
nervous system, head and neck, testicular, lung, liver (e.g.,
hepatoma), kidney, bladder, gastrointestinal, bone, endocrine
system (e.g., thyroid and pituitary tumors), and lymphatic system
(e.g., Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas) cancers. Other types
of cancers that can be treated using the methods of the invention
include fibrosarcoma, neurectodermal tumor, mesothelioma,
epidermoid carcinoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma.
[0028] The invention also includes compositions that include a
halichondrin B analog in combination with an additional therapeutic
agent(s), such as any of those agents listed above. The drugs in
these compositions preferably are formulated for administration to
patients (e.g., in physiological saline) or, alternatively, can be
in a form requiring further processing prior to administration. For
example, the compositions can include the drugs in a lyophilized
form or in a concentrated form requiring dilution. Formulation of
drugs for use in chemotherapeutic methods can be carried out using
standard methods in the art (see, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical
Sciences (18.sup.th edition), ed. A. Gennaro, 1990, Mack Publishing
Co., Easton, Pa.).
* * * * *