Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – Carbohydrate doai
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-19
2004-02-10
Wilson, James O. (Department: 1623)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
Carbohydrate doai
C514S042000, C514S043000, C514S045000, C514S046000, C514S047000, C514S048000, C514S049000, C514S050000, C514S051000, C514S089000, C514S277000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06689759
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating hepatitis virus infections, especially hepatitis B virus infections, in mammals, especially humans. The methods comprise (1) administering N-substituted-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol compounds in combination with nucleoside antiviral agents, nucleotide antiviral agents, mixtures thereof, or immunomodulating/-immunostimulating agents, or (2) administering N-substituted-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol compounds in combination with nucleoside antiviral agents, nucleotide antiviral agents, or mixtures thereof, and immunomodulating/immunostimulating agents. Such combinations of anti-hepatitis viral agents show unexpected efficacy in inhibiting replication and secretion of hepatitis viruses in cells of mammals infected with these viruses.
2. Description of Related Art
Hepatitis Viruses
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV, HepB) is a causative agent of acute and chronic liver disease including liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, inflammatory liver disease, and hepatic cancer that can lead to death in some patients (Joklik, Wolfgang K.,
Virology,
Third Edition, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn., 1988 (ISBN 0-8385-9462-X)). Although effective vaccines are available, there are still more than 300 million people worldwide, i.e., 5% of the world's population, chronically infected with the virus (Locarnini, S. A., et. al.,
Antiviral Chemistry & Chemotherapy
(1996) 7(2):53-64). Such vaccines have no therapeutic value for those already infected with the virus. In Europe and North America, between 0.1% to 1% of the population is infected. Estimates are that 15% to 20% of individuals who acquire the infection develop cirrhosis or another chronic disability from HBV infection. Once liver cirrhosis is established, morbidity and mortality are substantial, with about a 5-year patient survival period (Blume, H., E., et.al.,
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
(1995) 17:321-331). It is therefore necessary and of high priority to find improved and effective anti-HBV anti-hepatitis therapies (Locarnini, S. A., et. al.,
Antiviral Chemistry & Chemotherapy
(1996) 7(2): 53-64).
Other hepatitis viruses significant as agents of human disease include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis Delta, Hepatitis E, Hepatitis F, and Hepatitis G (Coates, J. A. V., et.al.,
Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents
(1995) 5(8):747-756). In addition, there are animal hepatitis viruses that are species-specific. These include, for example, those infecting ducks, woodchucks, and mice.
1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol Compounds
1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol (also known as 1-deoxynojirimycin, DNJ) and its N-alkyl derivatives are known inhibitors of the N-linked oligosaccharide processing enzymes alpha glucosidase I and II (Saunier et al.,
J. Biol. Chem.
(1982) 257:14155-14161 (1982); Elbein,
Ann. Rev. Biochem.
(1987) 56:497-534). As glucose analogs, they also have potential to inhibit glucose transport, glucosyl-transferases, and/or glycolipid synthesis (Newbrun et al.,
Arch. Oral Biol.
(1983) 28: 516-536; Wang et al.,
Tetrahedron Lett.
(1993) 34:403-406). Their inhibitory activity against glucosidases has led to the development of these compounds as anti-hyperglycemic agents and antiviral agents. See, for example, PCT International Publication WO 87/03903 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,065,562; 4,182,767; 4,533,668; 4,639,436; 4,849,430; 4,957,926; 5,011,829; and 5,030,638.
Glucosidase inhibitors such as N-alkyl-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol compounds wherein the alkyl group contains between three and six carbon atoms have been shown to be effective in the treatment of Hepatitis B infection (PCT International Publication WO 95/19172). For example, n-butyl-deoxynojirimycin (n-butyl-DNJ; N-butyl-1-5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol) is effective for this purpose (Block, T. M.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
(1994) 91:2235-2239; Ganem, B. Chemtracts:
Organic Chemistry
(1994) 7(2), 106-107). N-butyl-DNJ has also been tested as an anti-HIV-1 agent in HIV infected patients, and is known to be well tolerated. Another alpha glucosidase inhibitor, deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), has been suggested as an antiviral agent for use in combination with N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-aspartic acid (PALA) (WO 93/18763). However, combinations of N-substituted-imino-D-glucitol derivatives and other antiviral agents for the treatment of hepatitis virus infections have not been previously disclosed or suggested.
Nucleoside and Nucleotide Antiviral Agents
Reverse transcriptase inhibitors, including the class of nucleoside and nucleotide analogs, were first developed as drugs for the treatment of retroviruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS. Increasingly, these compounds have found use against other viruses, including both RNA and DNA viruses, via viral screening and chemical modification strategies. Nucleoside and nucleotide analogs exert their antiviral activities by inhibiting the corresponding DNA and RNA polymerases responsible for synthesis of viral DNA and RNA, respectively. Because viruses contain different forms of polymerases, the same nucleoside
ucleotide compound can have a dramatically different effect against different viruses. For example, lamivudine (3TC™) appears to be useful against HBV infection, whereas zidovudine (AZT™) appears to have little use against the same virus (Gish, R. G., et al., Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs (1995) 4(2) :95-115)
Toxicity has been significant with some nucleoside analog antivirals. For example, clinical tests on the use of the nucleoside analog fialuridine (FIAU) for treatment of chronic hepatitis B were suspended recently due to drug-related liver failure leading to death in some patients. Consequently, there is still a need for safer drug regimens for the treatment of hepatitis B infections and hepatitis (Mutchnick, M. G., et. al.,
Antiviral Research
(1994) 24:245-257).
Immunomodulators and Immunostimulants
Immunomodulators/immunostimulators such as interferon alfa and other cytokines have been used for the treatment of HBV infection with promising results. Unfortunately, the response rates are lower than desired. Interferon treatment is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of Hepatitis B. Other immune system-affecting drug candidates are presently being investigated. These include thymic pepides for use in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), isoprinosine, steroids, Shiff base-forming salicylaldehyde derivatives such as Tucaresol, levamisol, and the like (Gish, R. G., et.al.,
Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs
(1995) 4(2):95-115; Coates, J. A. V., et.al.,
Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents
(1995) 5(8) :747-765).
The use of N-substituted-imino-D-glucitol compounds in combination with immunomodulating/immunostimulating agents is novel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As noted above, the combination of N-substituted-imino-D-glucitol compounds and derivatives thereof with other anti-hepatitis virus compounds has, to the present inventor's knowledge, neither been suggested nor disclosed. The use of two or more anti-viral agents to provide improved therapy for the treatment of hepatitis B virus infections is desirable due to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Combination therapy is also desirable since it should reduce toxicity in patients as it enables the physician to administer lower doses of one or more of the drugs being given to a patient. Combination therapy can also help to prevent the development of drug resistance in patients (Wiltink, E. H. H.,
Pharmaceutish Weekblads Scientific Edition
(1992) 14(4A):268-274). The result of an improved efficacy configuration combined with a relative lack of toxicity and development of resistance would provide a much improved drug treatment profile.
The present inventor has surprisingly discovered that the combined use of N-substituted-l,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol compounds and nucleoside or nucleotide antiviral compounds, or combinations thereof, and/or immunomodulators/immunostimulants, results in unexpectedly g
Block Timothy M.
Dwek Raymond A.
Jacob Gary S.
G. D. Searle & Co.
Keane J. Timothy
Meyer Scott J.
Senniger Powers Leavitt & Roedel
Wilson James O.
LandOfFree
Methods of Treating hepatitis virus infections with... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Methods of Treating hepatitis virus infections with..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Methods of Treating hepatitis virus infections with... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3311126