Patent Application
20120315303
Cardiovascular diseases (also referred to herein as arterial or vascular diseases), such as peripheral artery (i.e., arterial) disease (PAD), coronary artery (i.e., arterial) disease (CAD), and carotid artery (i.e., arterial) disease, are caused by narrowed or blocked arteries or veins in various regions of the body. They restrict the flow of blood due to, for example, atherosclerosis or inflammatory processes leading to stenosis, an embolism, or thrombus formation, which can result in either acute or chronic ischemia (lack of blood supply). Atherosclerosis is a progressive, dynamic inflammatory disorder characterized by the accumulation of lipids, cells, and extracellular matrix in the vessel walls, i.e., in the inner linings of the walls of the arteries or veins, which limit or obstruct coronary blood flow. Such atherosclerotic lesions (or plaque) are the major cause of ischemic heart disease.
PAD refers to narrowing of peripheral arteries, i.e., those arteries in the outer regions of the arterial system away from the heart and brain, particularly arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, legs, arms, and feet, due to the build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. CAD typically refers to arteries that directly feed the heart muscle. Carotid artery disease refers arteries that supply blood to the brain.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure whose purpose is to increase blood flow through an artery. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is the predominant treatment for coronary vessel stenosis. The increasing use of this procedure is attributable to its relatively high success rate and its minimal invasiveness compared with coronary bypass surgery. Also, the implantation of stents has gained widespread use to maintain increased blood flow. In both cases, however, in many instances re-occlusion due to restenosis occurs. Therapeutic agent (or drug) eluting balloons (DEB) and stents (DES) are known and have been on the market for several years now with excellent clinical success. Therapeutic agent eluting balloons and stents have revolutionized the vascular and cardiologic medicine, aiding in such complications as vulnerable plaque rupture, stenosis, restenosis, ischemic myocardial infarct, and atherosclerosis. However, as with any evolving technology, there is still a need for addressing problems of atherosclerosis.
The present disclosure provides methods and intravascular treatment devices for treating atherosclerosis associated with, e.g., cardiovascular diseases. Such atherosclerosis can be in peripheral, coronary, or carotid arteries or veins. In certain embodiments, the methods and devices are particularly suited for treating peripheral arterial disease.
The progress achieved in reducing the rate of restenosis for peripheral arterial disease is not as great as that for coronary arterial disease. That is, in sharp contrast to the remarkable advancement obtained with interventional treatment of CAD, the treatment of PAD has not yielded comparable success. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to treating PAD.
Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide localized application of one or more therapeutic agents useful, e.g., to reduce the severity and the progression of atherosclerosis at a site of build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. Certain embodiments include the administration of one or more therapeutic agents as described herein using local delivery. The agent(s) preferably are localized to (adjacent or within) the site of atherosclerotic build-up of plaque (i.e., lesions) by the placement of an intravascular treatment device that is comprised of, or within which is provided, the therapeutic agent(s).
In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treating atherosclerosis (preferably, peripheral arterial disease) in a subject, the method comprising: providing an intravascular treatment device comprising Paclitaxel and one or more (preferably, two or more) therapeutic agents, wherein the one or more therapeutic agents comprise: a compound that inhibits one or more inflammatory genes and/or molecules up regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); a compound that inhibits the formation of one or more extracellular matrix genes and/or molecules up regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); a compound that enhances the formation of one or more extracellular matrix genes and/or molecules down regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); a compound that inhibits oxidative stress genes and/or molecules up regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); and combinations thereof; and positioning the intravascular treatment device at a site of build-up of atherosclerotic plaque in a blood vessel, wherein the intravascular treatment device contacts the atherosclerotic site under conditions effective to transfer at least a portion of the Paclitaxel and the one or more therapeutic agents to the subject.
In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides an intravascular treatment device locatable at an atherosclerotic site in a blood vessel; wherein the device comprises Paclitaxel and one or more therapeutic agents (and supports the atherosclerotic site upon deployment at least temporarily), wherein the one or more (preferably, two or more) therapeutic agents comprise: a compound that inhibits one or more inflammatory genes and/or molecules up regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); a compound that inhibits the formation of one or more extracellular matrix genes and/or molecules up regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); a compound that enhances the formation of one or more extracellular matrix genes and/or molecules down regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); a compound that inhibits oxidative stress genes and/or molecules up regulated in the formation of atherosclerosis (preferably PAD); and combinations thereof.
In certain embodiments, the one or more therapeutic agents include: a compound that inhibits one or more inflammatory genes and/or molecules selected from the group consisting of Endothelin 1, TNF-alpha, CXCR4, VCAM1, Rantes, IL-1-beta, IL-6, OPN, LOX1, IL-8, LY 96, CD11b, HMOX1, a Cathepsin, a Toll-like Receptor, and combinations thereof; a compound that inhibits the formation of Collagen; a compound that enhances the formation of Versican; a compound that inhibits CYBB; and combinations thereof.
In certain embodiments, the intravascular treatment device further includes a carrier for the one or more therapeutic agents. In certain embodiments described herein, the therapeutic agent/carrier formulation includes a material to ensure the controlled release of the therapeutic agent(s). In certain embodiments, the intravascular treatment device further includes an excipient.
The term “treating” in the context of “treating atherosclerosis” means improving the condition of, reducing the progression of, or reducing the severity of, vascular occlusions. This includes the inhibition or prevention of the initial (i.e., de novo) development of, or further development of, atherosclerosis, including post-interventional restenosis.
As used herein, “subject” and “patient” are used interchangeably, and include mammals, fish, reptiles and birds. Mammals include, but are not limited to, primates, including humans, dogs, cats, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, horses and cows.
As used herein, “biocompatible” shall mean any material that does not cause injury or death to the subject or induce an adverse reaction in a subject when placed in intimate contact with the subject's tissues. Adverse reactions include inflammation, infection, fibrotic tissue formation, cell death, or thrombosis.
As used herein, “controlled release” refers to the release of a therapeutic agent from a intravascular treatment device at a predetermined rate. Controlled release implies that the therapeutic agent does not come off the intravascular treatment device sporadically in an unpredictable fashion and does not “burst” off of the device upon contact with a biological environment (also referred to herein a first order kinetics) unless specifically intended to do so. However, the term “controlled release” as used herein does not preclude a “burst phenomenon” associated with deployment. In some embodiments of the present disclosure an initial burst of therapeutic agent may be desirable followed by a more gradual release thereafter, or an initial gradual release followed by a subsequent burst. The release rate may be steady state (commonly referred to as “timed release” or zero order kinetics), that is the therapeutic agent is released in even amounts over a predetermined time (with or without an initial burst phase) or may be a gradient release. A gradient release implies that the concentration of therapeutic agent released from the device surface changes over time.
The term “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and claims.
The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the disclosure that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure.
As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably. Thus, for example, a device that comprises “a” polymer can be interpreted to mean that the device includes “one or more” polymers.
As used herein, the term “or” is generally employed in its usual sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any one or more of the listed elements:
Also herein, all numbers are assumed to be modified by the term “about” and preferably by the term “exactly.” As used herein in connection with a measured quantity, the term “about” refers to that variation in the measured quantity as would be expected by the skilled artisan making the measurement and exercising a level of care commensurate with the objective of the measurement and the precision of the measuring equipment used.
Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.) including the endpoints.
The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The description that follows more particularly exemplifies illustrative embodiments. In several places throughout the application, guidance is provided through lists of examples, which examples can be used in various combinations. In each instance, the recited list serves only as a representative group and should not be interpreted as an exclusive list.
The present disclosure provides methods and devices for treating atherosclerosis. Such methods and devices support or bolster the atherosclerotic site and supply Paclitaxel and one or more (in some embodiments, a combination of two or more) therapeutic agents to treat the surrounding atherosclerotic plaque.
Applicants have discovered that the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (particularly peripheral arterial disease) suggests the following mechanisms play a concurrent role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque: 1) down regulation in inhibitors of cell cycle regulators (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (p21 & p27) and PEDF); 2) up regulation of anti apoptotic molecules (p16 and versican); 3) over expression of the CTGF and thrombospondins; 4) over expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and proteases; and 5) increased extracellular matrix deposition.
In particular, Applicants have discovered that the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (particularly peripheral arterial disease) suggests the following mechanisms play a concurrent role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque: 1) activity of inflammatory genes/molecules (e.g., Endothelin 1, TNF, CXCR4, VCAM1, Rantes, IL-1β, IL-6, OPN, LOX1, IL-8, LY 96, CD11b, HMOX1, Cathepsins, Toll-like Receptors); 2) formation of extracellular matrix due to down regulation of Versican genes and/or up regulation of Collagen genes or other molecules that enhance the formation of extracellular matrix; and 3) activity of oxidative stress genes/molecules. Pharmacologically targeting one or more of these mechanisms offers a convenient alternative to surgical intervention alone. Pharmacologically targeting one or more of these mechanisms offers a convenient alternative to surgical intervention alone.
Thus, the present disclosure is directed to the use of Paclitaxel and one or more therapeutic agents that target one or more of these mechanisms. Preferably, two or more therapeutic agents are used in combination in a treatment protocol. More preferably, three or more therapeutic agents are used in combination in a treatment protocol. These may be used in admixture, e.g., in a mixture of therapeutic agents in a polymer coating on an intravascular treatment device. Alternatively, they may be used in combination, but not in an admixture. For example, they may be applied to different portions of an intravascular treatment device.
The therapeutic agents for use in the present disclosure include Paclitaxel and those described herein below. They may be in the form or a salt, a free base, a solvate, a protherapeutic agent, or a physiologically active metabolite. They may be in the form of physiologically active compounds and compositions containing such compounds; and their protherapeutic agents, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates of such compounds and their protherapeutic agents, as well as novel compounds within the scope of formula of these compounds.
In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treating atherosclerosis (preferably, peripheral arterial disease) in a subject, the method comprising: providing an intravascular treatment device comprising Paclitaxel and one or more (preferably, two or more) therapeutic agents, wherein the one or more therapeutic agents described herein; and positioning the intravascular treatment device at a site of build-up of atherosclerotic plaque in a blood vessel, wherein the intravascular treatment device contacts the atherosclerotic site under conditions effective to transfer at least a portion of the Paclitaxel and the one or more therapeutic agents to the subject
In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides an intravascular treatment device locatable at an atherosclerotic site in a blood vessel; wherein the device comprises Paclitaxel and one or more therapeutic agents (and supports the atherosclerotic site upon deployment at least temporarily), wherein the one or more (preferably, two or more) therapeutic agents are described herein.
Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide localized application of Paclitaxel and one or more other therapeutic agents useful to, e.g., reduce the severity and the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. Certain embodiments include the administration of Paclitaxel and two or more other therapeutic agents as described herein using local delivery. The agents are localized to (e.g., adjacent or within) the atherosclerotic site by the placement of an intravascular treatment device that is comprised of, or within which is provided, the therapeutic agent(s).
Paclitaxel and the one or more other therapeutic agents (typically, two or more, and preferably, three or more therapeutic agents) can be incorporated directly into an intravascular treatment device (e.g., incorporated into a polymer for forming a stent or graft, placed inside a double-walled stent graft), into a carrier associated with an intravascular treatment device (e.g., as a coating on a stent or angioplasty balloon), disposed directly on an intravascular treatment device without a carrier (e.g., a polymeric carrier), or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, Paclitaxel and the one or more other therapeutic agents can be delivered by the intravascular treatment device over time to the local tissue.
In an embodiment in which a carrier is used, the materials to be used for such a carrier can be synthetic organic polymers, natural organic polymers, inorganics, or combinations of these. The physical form of the therapeutic agent with or without a carrier can be a film, sheet, coating, slab, gel, capsule, microparticle, nanoparticle, or combinations of these.
In certain embodiments of the invention, one or more low molecular weight excipients or “enhancers” can be intermixed with the one or more therapeutic agents. The one or more therapeutic agents can be mixed with low (less than 10,000 g/mole) to medium (10,000 to 25,000 g/mole) weight average molecular weight excipients that include a fatty acid ester of polyethylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polyester block copolymer, a fatty acid mono- or di-ester of glycerol, a fatty acid mono-, di-, or poly-ester of trimethylol ethane or trimethylol propane or pentaerythritol, a sugar, a water-soluble polyol, Also included within the term “excipient” are cyclodextrins, clathrates (cage compounds), sometimes referred to as spacer molecules like urea, crown ethers, deoxycholic acid, and cryptands. Various combinations of these can be used if desired. In certain embodiments, the at least one therapeutic agent is mixed with at least one excipient to form a mixture that is disposed on an intravascular treatment device.
Biological modes of delivery, such as gene therapy, viral delivery, RNAi, anti sense, can be used if desired. These modes of delivery have an advantage of providing selected delivery of genetic material (e.g., DNA or RNA) of interest to the cells in vivo.
Paclitaxel (i.e., Paclitaxol) is a mitotic inhibitor used in cancer chemotherapy. It was isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree, Taxus brevifolia and originally named taxol. When it was developed commercially by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) the generic name was changed to paclitaxel and sold under the trademark TAXOL. In this formulation, paclitaxel is dissolved in Cremophor EL and ethanol, as a delivery agent.
Paclitaxel is now used to treat patients with various types of cancers (e.g., lung, ovarian, breast cancer). Paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules and as a result, interferes with the normal breakdown of microtubules during cell division. It is generically, a taxane.
The nomenclature for paclitaxel is based on a tetracyclic 17-carbon (heptadecane) skeleton. The active stereoisomer is (−)-paclitaxel:
(1S,2S,3R,4S,7R,9S,10S,12R,15S)-4,12-Diacetoxy-15-{[(2R,3S)-3-(benzoylamino)-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoyl]oxy}-1,9-dihydroxy-10,14,17,17-tetramethyl-11-oxo-6-oxatetracyclo[11.3.1.0˜3, 10˜.0˜4,7˜]heptadec-13-en-2-yl rel-benzoate.
Paclitaxel is also used as an antiproliferative agent for the prevention of restenosis by locally delivering it to the wall of the coronary artery. It is believed that a paclitaxel coating limits the growth of neointima (scar tissue) within stents.
One or more other therapeutic agents that target one or more of the mechanisms identified above by Applicants can be used in the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel. Such therapeutic agents include compounds that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules up regulated in the formation of artherosclerosis (particularly PAD) (e.g., Endothelin 1, TNF-alpha, CXCR4, VCAM1, Rantes, IL-1-beta, IL-6, OPN, LOX1, IL-8, LY 96, CD11b, HMOX1, Cathepsins, Toll-like Receptors); compounds that inhibit the formation of extracellular matrix genes/molecules up regulated in the formation of artherosclerosis (particularly PAD), such as Collagen; compounds that enhance the formation of extracellular matrix genes/molecules down regulated in the formation of artherosclerosis (particularly PAD), such as Versican; and compounds that inhibit oxidative stress genes/molecules up regulated in the formation of artherosclerosis (particularly PAD), such as CYBB.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as Endothelin 1. Secretion of Endothelin-1 (ET-1)1 from the endothelium signals vasoconstriction and influences local cellular growth and survival. Compounds that inhibit ET-1 include Endothelin ETA Receptor Antagonists (e.g., Ambrisentan, Sitaxentan sodium, BQ-123 (a cyclic peptide, the amino acid sequence is D-tryptamine-D-aspartic acid-L-proline-D-valine-L-leucine), and Bosentan), Endothelin ETB Receptor Antagonists (e.g., Bosentan), and compounds that demonstrate anti-proliferative and/or anti-inflammatory activity by down regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and TGF-beta, down regulating SMC proliferation and fibroblast growth, and/or up regulating vasodilation (e.g., Prostacyclin Analogs such as Iloprost and Ecraprost). One or more of these compounds, structures of which are shown below, would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as TNF-alpha and CXCR4. Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) (also known as cachectin or TNF-alpha) is a cytokine which has a wide variety of functions. It can cause cytolysis of certain tumor cell lines; it is involved in the induction of cachexia; it is a potent pyrogen, causing fever by direct action or by stimulation of interleukin-1 secretion; finally, it can stimulate cell proliferation and induce cell differentiation under certain conditions. C—X—C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR-4) also known as fusin or CD184 (cluster of differentiation 184) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CXCR4 gene. CXCR-4 is an alpha-chemokine receptor specific for stromal-derived-factor-1 (SDF-1 also called CXCL12), a molecule endowed with potent chemotactic activity for lymphocytes. Compounds that inhibit TNF include TNF-alpha production inhibitors (e.g., Tranilast). Compounds that inhibit CXCR4 include the chemokine CXCR4 (SDR-1 Receptor) antagonists (e.g., Plerixafor hydrochloride). One or both of these compounds, structures of which are shown below, would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as VCAM1. Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 also known as Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1 or VCAM1) or cluster of differentiation 106 (CD106) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VCAM1 gene. VCAM1 functions as a cell adhesion molecule. Compounds that inhibit VCAM1 include a combination of Statins, Ruplizumab, and Lucatumumab. Statins, such as fluvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, and atorvastatin, act as HMG-CoA reducase inhibitors (Astra Zeneca/Merck/Sankyo/Pfizer) and to decrease CD40 expression and signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells. Ruplizumab (Biogen Idec and Int. Pub. No. WO 98/52606) and Lucatumumab (for methods of treating a human patients for an inflammatory disease that is associated with CD4+ expressing cells using this compound, see Int. Pub. No. WO 2007/053661 A3), are humanized anti-CD40 ligand monoclonal antibodies. This combination of a statin, and Ruplizumab, and Lucatumumab function by activating CD40 LG/TRAP/CD154, which leads to decreased ROS production, inflammatory signaling and expression of adhesion molecules (E Selectin/ICAM11/VCAM1) that are implicated in atherogenesis. This combination of compounds would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as TNF-alpha and Rantes. These are pro-inflammatory cytokines. Compounds that inhibit TNF-alpha and Rantes include human monoclonal antibodies Etanercept (tradename Enbrel, for methods of treating TNF-dependent inflammation using this TNF antagonist see Int. Pub. No. WO 1994/006476), Adalimumab (a human antibody that binds human TNF-alpha, Int. Pub. No. WO 1997/029131), Certolizumab pegol (an antibodies having specificity for TNF-alpha, U.S. Pub. No. 2006/023800 and Int. Pub. No. WO 01/94585), Nerelimomab, and mAb478. Etanercept is a human TNF-alpha antagonist that is a fusion protein comprising a TNF receptor linked to human IgG1. It binds TNF-alpha, thereby blocking its activity. Monoclonal antibody mAb478 is an mAb against CCL5. One or more of these antibodies would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as IL-1-beta. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) also known as catabolin, is a cytokine protein that in humans is encoded by the IL1B gene. IL-1β is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This cytokine is produced by activated macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed to its active form by caspase 1 (CASP1/ICE). This cytokine is an important mediator of the inflammatory response. Compounds that inhibit IL-1-beta include those that block IL1R downstream signaling. These include IL-1 Cytokine Trap (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.), which is a fusion protein containing ligand-binding domains of the extracellular portions of the human IL-1R1, and Canakinumab (an antibody to human IL-1beta, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0081732). One or both of these molecules would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as IL6. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL6 gene. IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory interleukin. It is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response to trauma, especially burns or other tissue damage leading to inflammation. Compounds that inhibit human monoclonal antibodies specific for IL-6 such as Tocilizumab (a humanized IgG IL-6 receptor mAb, see U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0297070 or U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/251653), ALD518 (a humanized anti-IL-6 mAb, see U.S. Pat. Pub. 2009/0104187), Elsilimomab (a murine anti-IL-6 mAb, Clin. Exp. Immunol. 1994 November; 98(2):323-9), and Siltuximab (a chimeric anti-IL-6 mAb, J. Clin. Oncol. 2010 Aug. 10; 28(23):3701-8; Clin. Cancer Res. 2010 Dec. 1; 16(23):5759-69). One or more of these antibodies would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as OPN (ostepontin), LOX1, IL-8, LY 96, CD11b, and HMOX1. Thiazolidonediones are antagonists for these molecules, and have been shown to (indirectly) block the expression of CTGF. Exemplary such compounds include the PPAR gamma activators Netoglitazone, Rosiglitazone, Farglitazar, Balaglitazone, Rivoglitazone hydrochloride, and Pioglitazone. One or more of these compounds, structures of which are shown below, would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as Cathepsins, particularly Cathepsin S. Cathepsins are lysosomal cysteine proteases that degrade elastin and collagen. In vitro data shows that Paclitaxel induces Cathepsin S expression. Thus, combining a Cathepsin S inhibitor with Paclitaxel can allow, Paclitaxel to have an effect. Compounds that inhibit Cathepsin S include VBY-129 (J. Invest. Dermatol. 2009, 129(Suppl. 1): Abst 344), SAR-114137 (Sanofi-aventis), CRA-028129 (a Cathepsin S inhibitor by Bayer Schering Pharma), and RWJ-445380 (for prevention and treatment of itch with cysteine protease inhibition using this compound see Int. Pub. No. WO 2010/025314 A2). One or more of these compounds, structures of two of which are shown below, would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit inflammatory genes/molecules such as Toll-like Receptors, particularly TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a class of proteins that play a key role in the innate immune system through a pro-inflammatory mode of action. Compounds that inhibit these proteins include the Toll-like receptor antagonists Eritoran tetrasodium (a TLR4 antagonist, for a method of inhibiting CD8+ T cell deletion by the liver via the use of this Toll-like receptor-4 inhibitor see Int. Pub. No. WO 2006/138681), M-62812 (a TLR4 antagonist, therapeutic agent for endothelial disorder; Int. Pub. No. WO 2003/087072), Ibudilast (a TLR4 antagonist, Kyorin) and CPG-52364 (a TLR7/8/9 antagonist, Int. Pub. No. WO 2008/152471). One or more of these compounds, structures of which are shown below, would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit the formation of extracellular matrix genes/molecules such as Collagen. Compounds that inhibit the formation of collagen include Xiaflex (code name AA-4500, an enzyme that degrades collagen, known as collagenase clostridium histolyticum, U.S. Pat. Pub. 7,811,560, U.S. Pat. Pub. 2007/0224183), and GC-1008 (a Pan-specific human anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibody and direct inhibitor of TGF-beta, U.S. Pat. Pub. 2008/0267964). One or more of these compounds would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that enhance the formation of extracellular matrix genes/molecules such as Versican. Versican, also known as VCAN, is a large extracellular matrix proteoglycan that is present in a variety of human tissues. It is encoded by the VCAN gene. Compounds that enhance the formation of Versican include an inhibitor of P13 Kinase referred to as LY294002, the structure of which is shown below. LY294002 (2-(4-Morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a morpholine derivative of quercetin. It is a potent inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks). Originally discovered by Lily Pharmaceuticals, currently being distributed by Sigma Aldrich. This compound would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
Useful compounds include those that inhibit oxidative stress genes/molecules such as CYBB. Compounds that inhibit CYBB include NADPH oxidase inhibitors such as VAS-2870 (from Vasopharm), VAS-3947 (Int. Pat. Pub. No. WO 2005/111041 A1), S-17834, Apocynin (the use of NADPH Oxigenase inhibitors in compositions and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a subject. WIO 2006/033965), and Valsartan (Novartis). One or more of these compounds, the structures of which are shown below, would be useful in methods of the present disclosure in combination with Paclitaxel.
The dosage of the one or more therapeutic agents described herein will vary depending on the manner in which they are locally delivered. For example, this can depend on the properties of the coating or structure they are incorporated into, including its time-release properties, whether the coating is itself biodegradable, and other properties. Also, the dosage of the one or more therapeutic agents used will vary depending on the potency, pathways of metabolism, extent of absorption, half-life, and mechanisms of elimination of the therapeutic agent itself. In any event, the practitioner is guided by skill and knowledge in the field, and embodiments according to the present disclosure include without limitation dosages that are effective to achieve the described phenomena.
Intravascular treatment devices useful in the present disclosure for local delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of atherosclerosis as described herein include stents (e.g., vascular stents, coronary artery stents, peripheral vascular stents), stent grafts, angioplasty balloons (i.e., dilatation balloons), and the like. Various intravascular treatment devices can be modified using the one or more therapeutic agents described herein using the teachings of the present disclosure.
Various methods of incorporating the one or more therapeutic agents into an intravascular treatment device can be used. For example, the one or more therapeutic agents can be incorporated directly into an intravascular treatment device (e.g., incorporated into a polymer for forming a stent or stent graft), or into a carrier (e.g., a polymeric material) associated with such intravascular treatment device (e.g., as a coating on a stent or angioplasty balloon), or disposed directly on an intravascular treatment device without a carrier, or combinations thereof.
In certain embodiments, the one or more therapeutic agents are delivered by the intravascular treatment device over time to the local tissue. The materials to be used for such a carrier can be synthetic organic polymers, natural organic polymers, inorganics, or combinations of these. The physical form of the therapeutic agent/carrier formulation can be a film, sheet, coating, slab, gel, capsule, microparticle, nanoparticle, or combinations of these.
In one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the intravascular treatment device is a vascular stent. Therapeutic agent eluting stent (DES) designs, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,535 and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0233168 can be used according to the present disclosure. Stents are generally deployed using catheters having the stent attached to an inflatable balloon at the catheter's distal end. The catheter is inserted into an artery and guided to the deployment site. Once positioned at the treatment site the stent is deployed. The balloon expands the stent gently compressing it against the arterial lumen clearing the vascular occlusion or stabilizing the plaque. The catheter is then removed and the stent remains in place permanently. In many cases the catheter is inserted into the femoral artery or of the leg or carotid artery and the stent is deployed deep within the coronary vasculature at an occlusion site.
Stents, such as vascular stents, are flexible, expandable, and physically stable. Many different materials can be used to fabricate a stent used to deliver the one or more therapeutic agents according to the present disclosure. These include stainless steel, nitinol, aluminum, chromium, titanium, ceramics, and a wide range of plastics, elastomers, and natural materials including collagen, fibrin, and plant fibers. Exemplary polymeric materials include polyvinylchlorides (PVC), polycarbonates (PC), polyurethanes (PU), polypropylenes (PP), polyethylenes (PE), silicones, polyesters, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), hydroxyethylmethacrylate, N-vinyl pyrrolidones, fluorinated polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamides, polystyrenes, copolymers or mixtures of these polymers.
A carrier for the one or more therapeutic agents can be associated with an intravascular treatment device (e.g., as a coating on a stent or an angioplasty balloon). The carrier can be made of one or more synthetic organic polymers, natural organic polymers, inorganics, or combinations (e.g., copolymers, mixtures, blends, layers, complexes, etc.) of these. The polymers may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable, or combinations thereof.
In certain embodiments, polymers used in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure provide biocompatible coatings for intravascular treatment devices intended for use in hemodynamic environments. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, vascular stents can be coated using a polymer composition as described herein below. Vascular stents are chosen for exemplary purposes only. Those skilled in the art of material science and intravascular treatment devices will realize that the one or more therapeutic agents described herein are useful in coating a large range of intravascular treatment devices. Therefore, the use of the vascular stent as an exemplary embodiment is not intended as a limitation.
One embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted in
a-d are cross-sections of stent 400 showing various coating configurations. In
The dilatation balloon of balloon catheter 601 shown in
Balloon catheters traditionally comprise a dilatation balloon at their distal end. Angioplasty balloons are currently produced by a combination of extrusion and stretch blow molding. The extrusion process is used to produce the balloon tubing, which essentially serves as a pre-form. This tubing is subsequently transferred to a stretch blow-molding machine capable of axially elongating the extruded tubing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,710 discloses such a process, in which tubing pre-form is extruded and blown to form a balloon. U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,364, U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,939, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,180 disclose a process of blow-molding a balloon, in which a polymeric extrudate is simultaneously stretched in both radial and axial directions. Dilatation balloons are subsequently attached to a catheter shaft and wrapped down tightly on this shaft in order to achieve a low profile at the distal end of the catheter. The low profile serves to enhance the ability of a dilatation catheter to navigate narrow lesions.
The basic design of dilatation balloons has remained, essentially, unchanged since conception. The materials used in balloons for dilatation are primarily thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers such as polyesters and their block co-polymers, polyamides and their block co-polymers and polyurethane block co-polymers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,306 discloses balloons made from polyesterether and polyetheresteramide copolymers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,278 discloses balloons made from polyether-polyamide copolymers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,364, U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,939, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,180 disclose balloons made from polyurethane block copolymers. Other angioplasty balloons are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,879,270, for example. An exemplary catheter (11) with a dilatation balloon is shown in
Elution over a prolonged time frame to inhibit the restenosis phenomenon can be used in certain embodiments; however, in certain embodiments this is neither necessary nor desirable. In certain embodiments, it is sufficient to have a time limited contact between therapeutic agent and vessel surface, for example, from a few seconds to one minute. These are typically the contact times of a catheter balloon. For example, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. WO 02/076509 discloses one or more therapeutic agent-coated catheter balloons releasing such one or more therapeutic agent in an immediately bioavailable form during the short contact time of the balloon with the vessel wall.
Prolonged therapeutic agent elution can be obtained by various solutions, such as, for example, incorporation of the one or more therapeutic agents in a polymeric matrix or microcapsules. Immediate release can also be accomplished and typically depends on several factors, of which the main ones are: the nature of the one or more therapeutic agents, in particular the hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity thereof; the form in which the one or more therapeutic agents is administered, in particular, the crystalline or amorphous form thereof; the presence of possible excipients or “enhancers” (e.g., urea); and the nature of the balloon surface on which the one or more therapeutic agents is deposited.
It should be understood that the one or more therapeutic agents typically has to be, first of all, released from the balloon to the vessel wall in the very short contact time available during an angioplasty procedure. Once the one or more therapeutic agents have been released, it is absorbed by the cell wall, before the blood flow washes it off. Ideally, it is therefore desirable that the one or more therapeutic agents absorption occurs concomitantly to the release thereof from the balloon. However, it is just as necessary that the one or more therapeutic agents are retained by the balloon surface in a manner sufficient to resist to all the handling operations to which it is subjected, both during the production step and during the preparation and carrying out of the angioplasty procedure, in any case, before the balloon reaches the site of intervention.
A coating method can include a balloon wetting step that includes, for example, dipping the balloon into a solution of one or more therapeutic agents (optionally including one or more carrier materials and/or one or more excipients or enhancers), spraying such solution onto a balloon, or depositing such solution on the balloon by means of a syringe, a micropipette, or other similar dispensing device. The balloon can be wetted with such solution in a deployed and inflated condition, or in a folded condition (e.g., with 3-6 folds). Such solution penetrates by capillarity under the folds, so as to form a depot which remains protected during the introduction step of the folded balloon into the blood vessel by means of the catheter, until reaching the site of intervention and the inflation thereof. Methods are also known to selectively coat the area under the balloon folds, leaving the outer surface substantially free from a therapeutic agent. Such methods can comprise, for example, the introduction into the balloon folds of a cannula bearing a series of micro-nozzles, through which a solution of one or more therapeutic agents is deposited on the inner surface of the folds. Such a method is described, for example, in US Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0233228. In general, independently from the method used, it is possible to repeat several times the balloon wetting step with the solution, as a function of the therapeutic agent amount which is intended to be deposited.
One or more therapeutic agents are localized to (adjacent or within) the site of build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. Preferably, this occurs by the placement of an intravascular treatment device that is comprised of, or within which is provided, the one or more therapeutic agents. The one or more therapeutic agents can be delivered by an intravascular treatment device as described herein in any of a variety of ways, several of which are described above. The one or more therapeutic agents can be incorporated directly into an intravascular treatment device (e.g., incorporated into a polymer for forming a graft of a stent graft), or into a carrier associated with an intravascular treatment device (e.g., as a coating on a stent or an angioplasty balloon), or coated or otherwise disposed on an intravascular treatment device without a carrier, or combinations thereof.
The one or more therapeutic agents can be mixed with, incorporated within, encased or enclosed within, a therapeutic agent carrier that can be made of one or more synthetic organic polymers, natural organic polymers, inorganics, or combinations (e.g., copolymers, mixtures, blends, layers, complexes, etc.) of these. The polymers may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. The therapeutic agent/carrier formulation can be in the form of a film, sheet, threads, fibers (e.g., such as those used in making a graft material of a stent graft), coating (e.g., such as could be applied to a stent or angioplasty balloon), slab, gel, paste, capsule, microparticles, nanoparticles, or combinations of these. In certain embodiments, the one or more therapeutic agents are delivered by the intravascular treatment device over time to the local tissue. The carrier can be in a time-release formulation.
Protection of the therapeutic agents can also occur through the use of an inert molecule (e.g., in a cap- or over-coating over the therapeutic agents) that prevents access to the one or more therapeutic agents. For example, a coating of the one or more therapeutic agents can be over-coated readily with an enzyme, which causes either release of the therapeutic agents or activates the therapeutic agents. Alternating layers of a therapeutic coating with a protective coating may enhance the time-release properties of the coating overall. Thus, in certain embodiments, the treatment device can include least two therapeutic coatings, wherein each therapeutic coating is separated by a second coating.
The therapeutic agent/carrier formulation is preferably adapted to exhibit a combination of physical characteristics such as biocompatibility, and, in some embodiments, biodegradability and bio-absorbability, while providing a delivery vehicle for release of the one or more therapeutic agents that aid in the treatment of atherosclerotic tissue. For example, the formulation is preferably biocompatible such that it results in no induction of inflammation or irritation when implanted, degraded or absorbed.
Biodegradable materials include synthetic polymers such as polyesters, polyanhydrides, poly(ortho)esters, poly(butyric acid), tyrosine-based polycarbonates, poly(ester amide)s such as based on 1,4-butanediol, adipic acid, and 1,6-aminohexanoic acid, poly(ester urethane)s, poly(ester anhydride)s, poly(ester carbonate)s such as tyrosine-poly(alkylene oxide)-derived poly(ether carbonate)s, polyphosphazenes, polyarylates such as tyrosine-derived polyarylates, poly(ether ester)s such as, poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)) block copolymers, and poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(hydroxy butyrate) block copolymers.
Biodegradable polyesters, include, for example, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic-co-lactic acid) (PGLA), poly(1,4dioxanone), poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV), poly(hydroxy butyrate-co-hydroxy valerate), poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL), poly(valerolactone) (PVL), poly(tartronic acid), poly(beta-malonic acid), poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) (preferably photo cross-linkable), poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(lactic acid) (PELA) block copolymer, poly(L-lactic acid-epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer, poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(butylene succinate), and poly(butylene adipate).
Biodegradable polyanhydrides include, for example, poly[1,6-bis(carboxyphenoxy)hexane], poly(fumaric-co-sebacic)acid or P(FA:SA), and such polyanhydrides used in the form of copolymers with polyimides or poly(anhydrides-co-imides) such as poly-[trimellitylimidoglycine-co-bis(carboxyphenoxy)hexane], poly[pyromellitylimidoalanine-co-1,6-bis(carboph-enoxy)-hexane], poly[sebacic acid-co-1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane] or P(SA:CPH), poly[sebacic acids co-1,3-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane] or P(SA:CPP), and poly(adipic anhydride).
Biodegradable materials include natural polymers and polymers derived therefrom, such as albumin, alginate, casein, chitin, chitosan, collagen, dextran, elastin, proteoglycans, gelatin and other hydrophilic proteins, glutin, zein and other prolamines and hydrophobic proteins, starch and other polysaccharides including cellulose and derivatives thereof (such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxy-propyl methyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate succinate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose sulphate), poly-1-lysine, polyethylenimine, poly(allyl amine), polyhyaluronic acids, alginic acid, chitin, chitosan, chondroitin, dextrin or dextran), and proteins (such as albumin, casein, collagen, gelatin, fibrin, fibrinogen, hemoglobin).
Non-degradable (i.e., biostable) polymers include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethanes, fluorinated polyolefins, such as polytetrafluorethylene, chlorinated polyolefins such as poly(vinyl chloride), polyamides, acrylate polymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylamides such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), vinyl polymers such as poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl acetate), and poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate), polyacetals, polycarbonates, polyethers such as based on polyoxyethylene) and poly(oxypropylene) units, aromatic polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate) and poly(propylene terephthalate), poly(ether ether ketone)s, polysulfones, silicone rubbers, epoxies, and polyester imide)s.
Representative examples of inorganics include hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, silicates, montmorillonite, and mica.
Preferred biodegradable polymers include polymers of lactide, caprolactone, glycolide, trimethylene carbonate, p-dioxanone, gamma-butyrolactone, or combinations thereof in the form of random or block copolymers. Preferred non-biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyethers, vinyl polymers, and combinations thereof.
Particularly preferred polymers include the following: a polymer with phosphoryl choline functionality to encourage ionic interactions, including but not limited to methacrylate copolymer with MPC comonomer (Formula I); a polymer with multiple hydroxyl groups encouraging hydrogen bonding interaction with the therapeutic agents, including but not limited to that shown in Formula II; a polymer with acidic or basic groups encouraging acid-base interaction with the therapeutic agents, including but not limited to those shown in Formulas III and IV.
In the above formulas (I through IV), the R groups are independently C1 to C20 straight chain alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, C2 to C20 alkenyl, C2 to C20 alkynyl, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted alkyl, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted cycloalkyl, C4 to C10 substituted aryl, or C4 to C10 substituted heteroatom substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, m and n are individually integers from 1 to 20,000. In certain embodiments, m is an integer ranging from 10 to 20,000; from 50 to 15,000; from 100 to 10,000; from 200 to 5,000; from 500 to 4,000; from 700 to 3,000; or from 1000 to 2000. In certain embodiments, m is an integer ranging from 10 to 20,000; from 50 to 15,000; from 100 to 10,000; from 200 to 5,000; from 500 to 4,000; from 700 to 3,000; or from 1000 to 2000.
Particularly preferred polymers are shown below in Formulas V and VI:
In the above formulas V, the R1 groups are independently C1 to C20 straight chain alkylene, C3 to C8 cycloalkylene, C2 to C20 alkenylene, C2 to C20 alkynylene, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted alkylene, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted cycloalkylene, C4 to C10 substituted arylene, or C4 to C10 substituted heteroatom substituted heteroarylene. In the above formulas V, the R2 groups are independently C1 to C20 straight chain alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, C2 to C20 alkenyl, C2 to C20 alkynyl, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted alkyl, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted cycloalkyl, C4 to C10 substituted aryl, or C4 to C10 substituted heteroatom substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, a is an integer ranging from 10 to 20,000; from 50 to 15,000; from 100 to 10,000; from 200 to 5,000; from 500 to 4,000; from 700 to 3,000; or from 1000 to 2000. In certain embodiments, b is an integer ranging from 10 to 20,000; from 50 to 15,000; from 100 to 10,000; from 200 to 5,000; from 500 to 4,000; from 700 to 3,000; or from 1000 to 2000.
In the above formula VI, the R1 and R2 groups are independently C1 to C20 straight chain alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, C2 to C20 alkenyl, C2 to C20 alkynyl, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted alkyl, C2 to C14 heteroatom substituted cycloalkyl, C4 to C10 substituted aryl, or C4 to C10 substituted heteroatom substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, a is an integer ranging from 10 to 20,000; from 50 to 15,000; from 100 to 10,000; from 200 to 5,000; from 500 to 4,000; from 700 to 3,000; or from 1000 to 2000. In certain embodiments, b is an integer ranging from 10 to 20,000; from 50 to 15,000; from 100 to 10,000; from 200 to 5,000; from 500 to 4,000; from 700 to 3,000; or from 1000 to 2000. In certain embodiments, c is an integer ranging from 10 to 20,000; from 50 to 15,000; from 100 to 10,000; from 200 to 5,000; from 500 to 4,000; from 700 to 3,000; or from 1000 to 2000.
There are many polymer systems that can be used in delivering the one or more therapeutic agents described herein. Suitable examples are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2006/0275340 (Udipi et al.) and 2005/0084515 (Udipi et al.). Other examples of polymer systems include phosphorylcholine materials as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,442 (Bowers et al.). U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2006/0275340 (Udipi et al.) and 2005/0084515 (Udipi et al.) describe miscible polymer blends. Swellabilities of the miscible polymer blends are used as a factor in determining the combinations of polymers for a particular therapeutic agent.
The polymer(s) used may be obtained from various chemical companies known to those with skill in the art. However, because of the presence of unreacted monomers, low molecular weight oligomers, catalysts, and other impurities, it may be desirable (and, depending upon the materials used, may be necessary) to increase the purity of the polymer used. The purification process yields polymers of better-known, purer composition, and therefore increases both the predictability and performance of the mechanical characteristics of the coatings. The purification process will depend on the polymer or polymers chosen. Generally, in the purification process, the polymer is dissolved in a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include (but are not limited to) methylene chloride, ethyl acetate; chloroform, and tetrahydrofuran. The polymer solution usually is then mixed with a second material that is miscible with the solvent, but in which the polymer is not soluble, so that the polymer (but not appreciable quantities of impurities or unreacted monomer) precipitates out of solution. For example, a methylene chloride solution of the polymer may be mixed with heptane, causing the polymer to fall out of solution. The solvent mixture then is removed from the copolymer precipitate using conventional techniques.
In certain embodiments described herein, the therapeutic agent/carrier formulation comprises a material to ensure the controlled release of the therapeutic agent(s). The materials to be used for such a formulation—as well as the delivery vehicle itself, in some embodiments—are preferably comprised of a biocompatible polymer, in which the one or more therapeutic agents are present. A dispersion of a therapeutic agent in a carrier, for example, allows the therapeutic reaction to be substantially localized so that overall dosages to the individual can be reduced, and undesirable side effects caused by the action of the agent in other parts of the body are minimized. The carrier can be in the form of a polymer coating, for example.
The therapeutic agents may be linked by occlusion in the matrices of the polymer coating, bound by covalent linkages to the coating or to a biodegradable stent, or encapsulated in microcapsules that are associated with the stent and are themselves biodegradable.
In certain embodiments, the therapeutic agent/carrier formulation is formulated to deliver the therapeutic agents over a period of several hours, days, or, months. For example, “quick release” or “burst” coatings are provided that release greater than 10%, 20%, or 25% (w/v) of the therapeutic agents over a period of 7 to 10 days. Within other embodiments, “slow release” therapeutic agents are provided that release less than 10% (w/v) of a therapeutic agent over a period of 7 to 10 days. Further, the therapeutic agents of the present disclosure preferably should be stable for several months and capable of being produced and maintained under sterile conditions.
In certain embodiments, therapeutic coatings may be fashioned in any thickness ranging from about 50 nm to about 3 mm, depending upon the particular use. Alternatively, such compositions may also be readily applied as a “spray”, which solidifies into a film or coating. Such sprays may be prepared from microspheres of a wide array of sizes, including for example, from 0.1 micron to 3 microns, from 10 microns to 30 microns, and from 30 microns to 100 microns.
The therapeutic agents of the present disclosure also may be prepared in a variety of “paste” or gel forms. For example, within one embodiment of the disclosure, therapeutic coatings are provided which are liquid at one temperature (e.g., temperature greater than 37° C., such as 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C. or 60° C.), and solid or semi-solid at another temperature (e.g., ambient body temperature, or any temperature lower than 37° C.). Such “thermopastes” readily may be made utilizing a variety of techniques. Other pastes may be applied as a liquid, which solidify in vivo due to dissolution of a water-soluble component of the paste.
In other embodiments, the therapeutic compositions of the present disclosure may be formed as a film. Preferably, such films are generally less than 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 mm thick, more preferably less than 0.75 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, or, 0.10 mm thick. Films can also be generated of thicknesses less than 50 microns, 25 microns or 10 microns. Such films are preferably flexible with a good tensile strength (e.g., greater than 50, preferably greater than 100, and more preferably greater than 150 or 200 N/cm2), have good adhesive properties (i.e., adhere to moist or wet surfaces), and have controlled permeability.
Objects and advantages of this disclosure are further illustrated by the following examples, but the particular materials and amounts thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this disclosure.
The aim of MAPA study was to better understand atherosclerosis and post-interventional restenosis in peripheral vascular disease. Of a particular interest was the superficial femoral artery (SFA) given that it is the most prominent location for intervention with a high rate of unresolved complications and recurring stenosis. Moreover drug-eluting stents (DES) which reduced the rate of restenosis in coronary arteries down to nominal single digits have not demonstrated comparable success in the treatment of SFA.
In order to gain an understanding for the development of restenosis in SFA lesions we obtained pertinent disease specimens that were collected during atherectomy procedures. The collected samples were studied through comparison between various disease states, e.g. de novo vs. restenosis vs. non-diseased SFA. The performed analysis focus on the relative expression of genes that mark inflammation, proliferation, and production of extracellular matrix which were previously identified to play important role in the progress of atherosclerosis and the development of restenosis in coronary arteries. In addition, we performed comparative analysis of specimens obtained from the same patient at different time points due to re-occlusion of the lesion post revascularization or due to the presence of occlusive SFA disease in the other leg. Analyzing samples that originated in the same individual patient gave us the opportunity to follow progression of the disease, from de novo lesion to a lesion that has re-occluded due to restenosis (sometimes more than once).
The results from this study delineate selected genes that are being most persistently up regulated trough the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis in SEA, as well as identifying the unique genes that show unique expression pattern and are modulated with the development of restenosis.
In addition, obtaining samples from SFA arteries allowed us to generate SFA derived-smooth muscle cells and to study their response to anti-proliferative drugs that are currently in use with combination devices treating coronary and peripheral disease. These data might help in selecting the best therapeutic approach to treat atherosclerosis in SFA.
We analyzed 57 samples from 21 patients with SFA restenosis, 69 samples from 25 patients with de novo SFA disease, and 11 non-diseased SFA arteries. Patient characteristics are detailed in Table 1.
Generally samples from de novo and restenotic patients were of a matching age range (60-80y). The prevalence of known diabetes was high in both cohorts and not different between the groups (9 of 25 versus 10 of 21), which are consistent with the general demographics of PAD patients. The use of statins was also prevalent in both groups (19 of 25 versus 18 of 21). The revascularized patients included patients with claudication (14 of 25 versus 11 of 21) and ischemia (9 of 25 versus 7 of 21). The samples from no PAD control patients (Table 1) were from younger donors (Table 1), age range 20-45
In order to gain an understanding for the development of restenosis in SFA lesions we analyzed the relative expression of the selected genes (see materials and methods for full genes list and their respective known functions) in the de novo and restenosis specimens compared to the non-diseased control samples. The comparison of the gene expression analysis is summarized as a ‘heat map’ in
In general, these findings suggest an enhanced proliferative state of the neointimal SMCs in both de novo and restenotic disease states and delineate PEDF for the differential expression in the restenotic samples.
The transcriptional expression of genes that are associated with vascular inflammation is shown in
The modulation of gene expression associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is shown in
It is an accepted hypothesis that the development of restenosis post revascularization is due to activation of vascular smooth muscle cells which triggers their proliferation and subsequent production of extracellular matrix. While there is a significant amount of experimental data with reference to this process for coronary restenosis, it is less established in the context of SFA restenosis. To better understand the characteristics of proliferative activation in SFA lesions we used the samples collected from the SFA lesions and studied the expression of the most prominent known cell cycle inhibitors in the de novo and the restenotic samples. The results presented in
These data suggests a coordinated regulation of the cell cycle in smooth muscle cells of the SFA atherosclerotic lesions, which renders them to a higher level of proliferative state. These data also delineates PEDF having a potential role in the development of restenotic lesions in SFA. In addition we performed comparative analysis of specimens obtained from the same patient at different time points due to re-occlusion of the lesions. Such analysis eliminates the variants that affect gene expression, like genetic background, drugs regiments, severity of PAD disease, co-morbidities, age, etc. Thus, investigating de novo and restenotic samples originated from individual patients allowed us to examine the consistency in the modulation of identified genes.
Interestingly, BTG2 and KLF4 were the most pronounced genes down regulated in both de novo and restenotic individual patients, across most of the matching samples (14 out 15 specimens for BTG2,
As shown in
As shown in
In contrast, the up-regulation of ECM genes detected in the atherectomy samples is driven by their expression in the luminal surface, encompassing the stenotic disease. Therefore the up regulation of these genes is indicative of the inflammatory activation of vascular cells and of the disease state. In addition, the down regulation of secreted extracellular matrix proteins that have explicit function in healing or inflammation and is most likely indicative of changes related to disease state. For example, perlican (HSPG2) are down regulated.
An example for modulation of such gens is shown in
An interesting finding, shown in
Taken together, the modulated expression of ECM in de novo and restenosis atherosclerotic disease states indicates a phenotypic shift from the normal mille of extracellular matrix (produced by healthy SMC) to an aberrant and unbalanced composition that indicate and fosters inflammatory and proliferative activation of SMC.
Obtaining samples from SFA arteries allowed us to generate SFA derived-smooth muscle cells and to examine the expression of genes of interest as ide12tified in the disease atherectomy samples. In particularly we investigated the transcriptional response to anti-proliferative drugs, e.g. paclitaxel and drugs from the limus family such as sirolimus, everolimus or zotarolimus. These drugs are currently employed in combination devices indicated for the treatment of coronary and peripheral disease, including drug eluting stents and drug eluting balloons. The differential mechanism of action of the anti-proliferative drugs is illustrated in
Since the limus drugs have been known to affect the signaling via their effect on cell cycle inhibitors (CDKN1A and CDKN1B), we next studied their effects on the pertinent proliferative disease targets identified in this study. Specifically, we looked at BTG2, KLF4 and PEDF (
The aim of MAPA study was to the advance our understanding of SFA atherosclerosis and restenosis by investigating the transcriptional profile of clinical sample collected during atherectomy procedures. Foremost, the MAPA study results have demonstrated the strong inflammatory makeup of the atherosclerotic disease in SFA, revealing that the vascular inflammation underlying the de novo stenotic disease is still prevalent in the post intervention restenotic lesions; the vast up regulation of genes associated with vascular inflammation in the de novo patient specimens is sustained at large in the restenotic patient specimens. Interestingly, the data outlines the enhanced up regulation of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in the restenotic vs. de novo patient specimens. Moreover, the remarkable consistency in the increase of IL6 gene expression in the paired de novo and restenotic lesions from same patients might indicate that IL-6 is a prominent inflammatory component that drives the development of restenosis in SFA. Also notable is the comprehensive up regulation of molecules from the Toll receptor pathway and the up regulation of specific integrins that mediate inflammatory cell-cell interactions.
It is an accepted hypothesis that the activation of vascular smooth muscle cells post revascularization, due to the injury and inflammation, triggers their proliferation. SMC proliferation, migration and the subsequent production of extracellular matrix encompass neointimal growth leading to restenosis. While there is an ample support for the various steps of this process for coronary artery restenosis, it is less established in the context of SFA restenosis.
Our analysis of the cell cycle and proliferation profile of SFA specimens reveals an enhanced proliferative state in both de novo and restenotic disease states via substantial down regulation of the cell cycle inhibitors BTG2, KLF4 and CDKN1B compared to the non-disease controls. Comparative analysis of specimens obtained from the same patient at different time points due allowed us to examine the consistency in the modulation of identified genes. Interestingly, KLF4 and BTG2 were the most pronounced genes down regulated in both de novo and restenotic individual patients, across most of the matching samples suggesting prominent causal association with activation of proliferative response in both de novo and restenotic disease states. In contrast, the down regulation of CDKN1B was apparent only in few of the paired patient samples suggesting heterogeneity between various patients and thus possible heterogeneity in its causal association with SFA atherosclerosis and restenosis In addition, the up regulation CDKN2A was apparent in most of the paired individual disease samples, confirming its potential involvement in the proliferative response. Notably, the expression of proliferation inhibitor, PEDF, was noticeably selective for restenotic more than to de novo samples. This result was confirmed within the analysis of individual repeat patient specimens; where the selective down regulation of PEDF expression was observed in most of the paired restenotic samples, strongly suggesting a causal association between PEDF and the activation of proliferative response during the development of restenosis.
We also studied the effects of the anti-proliferative drugs, paclitaxel and drugs from the limus family on the expression of these proliferative targets in SFA derived-smooth muscle cells. Interestingly, the limus drugs induced the expression of BTG2, KLF4 cell cycle inhibitors, but not of PEDF, while pacitaxel up regulated the expression of all, BTG2, KLF4 and PEDF, suggesting a novel mode of action by which paclitaxel inhibits cell division.
The modulation of gene expression associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) is vastly pronounced in both, the restenotic and the de novo samples, being either up or down regulated, relative to the non-disease baseline.
Given that the atherectomy samples lack the inner layers of the artery and the control samples include it, the down regulation of some ECM genes that constitute the internal layers and the basal lamina in the atherectomy samples could be attributed to this variance. In contrast, the up-regulation of ECM genes detected in the atherectomy samples is driven by their expression in the luminal surface, encompassing the stenotic disease. Therefore the up regulation of these genes is indicative of the inflammatory activation of vascular cells and of the respective disease state. In addition, the down regulation of secreted extracellular matrix proteins that have explicit function in healing or inflammation and is most likely indicative of changes related to disease state, e.g. the combined down regulation of perlican, a secreted ECM protein that possess anti-inflammatory and anti proliferative functions, combined with the up regulation of versican, an anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative ECM protein, suggests coordinated phenotypic shift indicative of increased inflammation and proliferation that is driven and supported by the altered expression of ECM milieu. In agreement with these results was the up regulation of Thrombosponin-1, Thrombosponin-2 and Thrombosponin-3 genes expression. These secreted multi-functional glycoproteins have been postulated to modulate cell adhesion, SMC proliferation as well as regulating angiogenesis and inflammation. In addition, the up regulation of CTGF expression and subsequent upregulation of collagen production is in agreement with supporting the concept with regards to the central role that modulation of ECM expression plays in both de novo and restenotic SFA disease. Notably, the expression of CTGF in SFA derived-smooth muscle cells is substantially down regulated by paclitexel, along with the expression of Endothelin-1, Thrombospondin-1 and Thrombospondin-3. Thus, the differential effects of drugs that are utilized in combination device that treat atherosclerosis and restenosis in SFA should be taken in account when new device are evaluated for their therapeutic benefits or new combination device are designed.
The complete disclosures of all patents, patent applications, publications, and nucleic acid and protein database entries, including for example GenBank accession numbers and EMBL accession numbers that are cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference as if individually incorporated. Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/482,768 filed May 5, 2011, entitled “Methods and Intravascular Treatment Devices Using Paclitaxel for Treatment of Atherosclerosis” and is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61482768 | May 2011 | US |
