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

Section: For Industry

Category(ies): Viruses, Chronic and Infectious Diseases

Reference #: MADO433805

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

Description

The present invention is directed to methods of treating an age-related loss of lung function. The invention describes use of an estrogen and/or retinoid that specifically binds to Retinoid-Acid- Receptor (RAR).

Applications

  • Treating pulmonary diseases such as COPD, asthma etc
  • Treating the age-related loss of alveoli or gas-exchange.
  • Diagnostic tool to identify genetic or acquired defect involving RAR function.
  •  Specific targeting of alveolar formation (using isotype-specific receptor agonist) can reduced the undesired side effects causing by non-specific signaling.
  • Use of RARβ 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: Studies in mice demonstrate that alveolus formation is promoted in vivo by inhibition of RARβ receptor.

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

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. patents 6,303,648 “Composition and Methods for the Treatment and Prevention of Lung Disease” Issued on October 19, 2001. US Patent Application # 11/978,166 pending.