Summary of Invention
There is no cure for emphysema, a disease from which more than 3 million Americans currently suffer. In some animal studies treatment with retinoids reversed the disease. Because use of standard routes of administration of the drug can be toxic MSKCC has developed an aerosolized version of retinoids that can be inhaled with a standard applicator, allowing for delivery of high doses to the lungs, while lowering the risk of systemic toxicity.
In addition to emphysema, inhaled retinoids could be used to help prevent lung cancer, an application that has shown some promise in preclinical studies.
Advantages
- MSKCC Patents have broad claims, covering any retinoid inhalation system for lung disease, including dry inhalation systems.
- Patented formulation of aerosolized retinoids is stable at room temperature.
- Inhalation device would increase drug's portability and patient compliance.
Areas of Application
Therapeutic drug.
Stage of Development
(Non inhaled administration as done by other institutions)
- Multicenter Phase II feasibility trial for emphysema completed by NIH. (Chest, in press).
- Phase II trial for emphysema by Roche, results unpublished (See drug R667 at Roche website)
- Phase I trial demonstrated overall safety of retinoids at prescribed doses (ref 3).
- Several preclinical studies (e.g., ref 1, 2 and 4).
- Selective delivery to lungs using device and patented formulation demonstrated in rats at MSKCC (see patents).
Lead Inventor
Dr. Raymond P. Warrell
Patent Information
US patents 6,251,941 and 6,515,022.
References
Contact Information
Jeffrey Horenstein, PhD
Tel: 212-639-6181; Fax: 212-717-3439
E-mail: horenstj@mskcc.org
