Georgetown University Medical Center

Isotype-specific Retinoic Acid receptor (RARγ) agonists for the Treatment and Prevention of Lung Disease

Section: For Industry

Category(ies): Viruses, Chronic and Infectious Diseases

Reference #: MADO433804

OTC Contact: Ruchika Nijhara, Ph.D. (Directory Information | Send a Message)

Description

The present invention is directed to the treatment and prevention of lung diseases associated with alveolar deficiencies. The invention embodies methods and compositions for isotype-specific Retinoic Acid receptor (RAR) agonists, that modulates RARγ activity specifically to inhibit alveolar destruction and/or to promote the formation of alveoli.

Applications

  • Treatment and prevention of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and Emphysema
  • To increase the gas-exchange surface area of lung
  • Specific targeting of alveolar formation (using isotype-specific receptor agonist) can reduced the undesired side effects causing by non-specific signaling.
  • Use of RARγ agonists when used in combination with All-trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRAs) can reduce the effective doses of ATRAs as well may result in synergistic therapeutic effect.

Advantages

Stage of Development

Stage of Development: Proof-of-concept demonstrated in mice.

Inventors: Roshantha A Chandraratna, Donald Massaro, and Gloria Massaro

Relevant Publications

  • "Retinoic acid treatment abrogates elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in rats", Massaro et al, Nature Medicine, vol. 3, No. 6,675-677 (1997).
  • "Postnatal treatment with retinoic acid increases the number of pulmonary alveoli in rats", Massaro et al, Am. J. Physiol., 270, L305-L310 (1996).

Patent Status

U.S. patent 6,492,414 “Composition and Methods for the Treatment and Prevention of Lung Disease” Issued on December 12, 2002. US Patent Applications # 11/180,169 and 11/897,026 pending.