Treatment of Pulmonary Disorders with Retinoic Acid or Other Retinoids by Inducing Formation of Gas-Exchange Units (Alveoli)

Categories: “Respiratory Diseases“

Reference #: 1996-038

OTC Contact: Sharon E. Pula, Esq. (Directory Information | Send a Message)

Description

The present invention relates to the treatment of Emphysema by using Retinoic acid, its esters and the analogues. These compounds, when administered, either bucally, sublingually or by nebulizer, result in enhancing alveolar function or development; and thus offer great therapeutic and commercial potential in treating pulmonary diseases involving alveolar dysfunction, such as emphysema.

Applications

The present technology offers first non-surgical means to treat emphysema.

Stage of Development

Proof-of-concept demonstrated in mice.

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).

Inventors

Gloria De Carlo Massaro, and Donald Massaro

Patent Status

U.S. patents 5,998,486 and 6,277,890 “Treatment of Pulmonary Disorders with Retinoic Acid or Other Retinoids by Inducing Formation of Gas-Exchange Units (Alveoli)” Issued on December 9, 1999 and August 21, 2001.