WO1992010207A1

WO1992010207A1 - Oral administration of alpha interferon to treat lung malignancies

Info

Publication number: WO1992010207A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/009084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert J. Spiegel; Francis M. Cuss
Original assignee: Schering Corporation
Priority date: 1990-12-14
Filing date: 1991-12-11
Publication date: 1992-06-25
Also published as: EE9400337A; JPH06503570A; PT99784A; MX9102512A; ZA919769B; CA2098393A1; AU9139091A; IE914326A1; IL100332A0; EP0563177A1

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing lung malignancy in mammal comprising recombinant DNA human alpha interferon (rhIFN-α), a use of rhIFN-α for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a lung malignancy in mammals as well as a method of treating or preventing a lung malignancy in a mammal by administering by oral inhalation to such a mammal afflicted with a lung malignancy an effective amount of rhIFN-α via a nebulizer or metered dose inhaler are disclosed.

Description

ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF ALPHA INTERFERON TO TREAT LUNG MALIGNANCIES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising human alpha interferon (hIFN-α) as an active ingredient to treat lung malignancies in mammals. The invention also relates to the use of hIFN-α for making medicaments for treating lung malignancies in mammals as well as to methods of treating lung malignancies, generally referred to as lung cancer, by administering by oral inhalation to a mammal in need of such treating an amount of human alpha in recombinant DNA human alpha interferon (rhIFN-α) effective for such treating.

Human alpha interferon (hlFN-α) is a naturally occurring mixture of at least eleven compounds including those designated alpha-1 interferon and alpha-2 interferon.

A number of alpha interferon species or components are known and are usually designated by a numeral and letter after the Greek letter alpha. Human alpha-1 interferon is one species contemplated for use in this invention as are the species designated human alpha- '2 interferons. Under USAN, recombinant DNA human alpha-2 interferons are designated Interferon Alpha-2a, which can be made as disclosed in Rubenstein, Biochem. Biophys. Acta (1982), 695, 5-16, and Interferon Alfa-2b. Interferon Alfa-2b is the preferred species for use in this invention and is a recombinant DNA human alpha interferon (hereinafter ThlFN-σ*) . Another suitable rhIFN-α included in the acope of this invention is recombinant DNA human interferon alpha-2a.

Human interferon alfa-2b can be produced in bacteria and other microorganisms using recombinant DNA techniques including those disclosed in Nagata et al. Nature, (1980) 284, 316-329; European Patent 32,134 and U.S. Patent No. 4,289,690. Various alpha interferon species are disclosed in U.S. patent 4,503,035.

It is known to administer rhIFN-α parenterally to treat hairy cell leukemia, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, and hepatitis as well as intralesionally to treat condylomate acuminata. Several groups of investigators have documented that parenterally administered IFN-α does not accumulate in the nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, or airway mucosa or in the lung parenchyma in sufficient concentrations or for long enough time periods to be effective against respiratory virus infections.

Recently, it has been shown that non- recombinant human leukocyte alpha-interferon (hereinafter "hlFN-α*} can be given to mammals by inhalation to provide high local concentrations in lung and airway uσosal tissue. Nebulized hlFN-α inhibits viral replication in mice (Please give Reference) . The instillation of hlFN-α into the bronchi of perfused rabbit lungs has resulted in measurable serum concentrations [V. Bocci et al., Antiviral Res. (1984) Vol. 4, 211-220].

Intranasally administered rhIFN-α at a dose of 5 million units/day prevented rhinovirus transmission within families (Douglas, et al, NEJM (1986), Vol. 314, pp65-70. In one Chinese study, interferon-α (hlFN-α) given both intranasally and intraorally at a dose of 700- 1600 units/day was effective in the treatment of influenza, respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis, and asthmatic bronchitis (Jia-xiong, et al, Chin Med J. 100:162-166, 1987).

In man, hlFN-α has been inhaled by patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer at doses up to 120 million International Units ("IU") . Kinnula et al. discloses in the J. Interferon Res. (1989), Vol 9, 419-23 that inhaled hlFN-α resulted in serum concentration and side effects (e.g. fever, headache, influenza-like symptoms and nausea) similar to those disclosed after systemic hlFN-α administration as well as reversible airflow obstruction but no activity against the lung cancer was observed. Inhaled hlFN-α has also been administered to patients suffering from bronchoalveolar carcinoma but no activity on the bronchoalveolar carcinoma has been demonstrated [V. Kinnula et al. J. Interferon Res, (1988) Vol 8, Suppl. 1 pll5]

In-vitro activity of rhINF-α A (Roferon) and rhIFN-αD in various human tumor cell assays including lung cancer is known [S.E. Salmon et al., J. Clin. Oncology (1983) Vol. I. p217-225] . Human leukocyte interferon (hlFN-α) exhibited inhibition of colony formation of greater than 70% against only five including 2 lung tumors of the sixty-two tumor types in an in vitro assay (D.D. Von Hoff et al. Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. (1982), Vol. 8, 99-103.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a lung malignancy in a mammal which composition comprises an effective amount of recombinant DNA human alpha interferon. The present invention also provides a use of recombinant DNA human alpha interferon for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a lung malignancy in a mammal.

This invention also provides a method of treating a lung malignancy in a mammal afflicted with such malignancy which comprises administering via oral inhalation to such a mammal an amount of recombinant human DNA alpha interferon effective for such treating. This invention also provides a method of preventing a lung malignancy in a mammal susceptible to lung malignany - e.g. heavy smokers of any tobacco products especially cigars and cigarettes, which comprises administering via oral inhalation to such a mammal^' an amount of recombinant DNA human alpha interferon effective for such preventing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The term '"lung malignancy" as used herein means at least one of squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, alveolar cell carcinoma, bronchoalveolar carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma-in-situ, metastatic carcinoma, or sarcoma from primary tumors outside the lung or airways.

The effectiveness of the interferon therapy of this invention can be shown clinically in mammals, e.g. human beings afflicted with a lung malignancy or suspectible to a lung malignancy due to the smoking tobacco products, especially cigarettes and/or cigars using patients with the following entry criteria:

(1) a Karnofsky performance status of 60%,* (2) adequate pulmonary function for undergoing the required inhalation treatment satisfactorily as evidenced by (a) forced expiration volume in one second (FEV₁) of greater than or equal to 40% and (b) a forced vital capacity (FVC) of greater than or equal to 50% of the predicted value and; (3) no serious systemic infections and/or fever.

The recombinant DNA human alpha interferon (rhIFN-α) administered via oral inhalation in accordance with this invention may be used as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy with other treatments e.g., chemotherapy or immunotherapy to treat lung malignancy and prevent, inhibit and/or cure the pulmonary metastatic spread of one or more of the types of lung malignancies listed hereinabove. The list of conventional chemotherapeutic agents useful in combination with alpha interferon is disclosed by S. Wadler et al in Cancer Research (1990), Vol 50 pp 5472-3486.

The recombinant DNA human alpha interferon ("rhlFN-α*) is administered by oral inhalation in accordance with this invention as a pharmaceutical composition containing rhIFN-α which may be dissolved or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for use in a nebulizer and/or a metered dose inhaler. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, for example, water, saline, ethanol and the like which form a rhIFN-o solution or suspension suitable for administration via oral inhalation in accordance with this invention. If desired, the rhIFN-α pharmaceutical composition useful in this invention may also contain minor amounts of non-toxic auxiliary substances such as melting agents, emulsifying agents, preservatives, stabilizers, and pH buffering agents. The preparation of these pharmaceutical compositions is well known to those skilled in the art; see for example Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences Mack Publishing Co., Easton PA 15th Edition (1975) .

A preferred rhIFN-α pharmaceutical composition for use in accordance with this invention is the Intron® A brand of interferon available as a solution from Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, New.Jersey. This commercially available Intron A rhIFN-α composition contains glycine, di- and mono- basic sodium phosphate as a buffer and serum albumin. Other preferred rhIFN-α pharmaceutical compositions include any sterile isotonic aqueous solution, e.g. physicological phosphate-buffered saline at pH 7.3 which may also contain pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic auxiliary agents such as stabilizers and/or a surfactants and the desired amount of rhIFN-α. The concentration of rhIFN-α in the pharmaceutical composition may be adjusted by dilution with 0.9% saline solution before administration via oral inhalation. The oral inhalation of drugs by use of nebulizers and metered dose inhalers is well known. See for example Remington, ibid, at chapter 99, pages 1910-1912. Useful nebulizers include the Spira Electro 4 nebulizer, manufactured by Hameenlinman Tyδleskus, Hameenlinna, Finland, whose use is disclosed by Kinnula et al. in the J. of Interferon Research (1989) Vol. 9 at p420. Useful metered dose inhalers as well as drug delivery systems that help deliver oral aerosolized medications from metered dose inhalers to the lungs include INHAL-AID and INSPIREASE drug delivery systems available from Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, New Jersey, U.S.A, for as well as those disclosed in the Physicians Desk Reference, 1990 Edition, for use with bronchodilators. The output of the nebulizer or metered dose inhaler for use in this invention should consistently and reliably produce particles and/or droplets having a mass median aerodynamic diameter (M.M.A.D.) above about 0.5 microns, preferably having a M.M.A.D. above about 0.5 and less than about 8 microns and more preferably having a M.M.A.D above about 0.5 to about 5.0 microns. Orally inhaled particles and/or droplets containing rhIFN-α having a M.M.A.D in the range of above about 0.5 to less than about 8 microns are suitable for deposition on the peripheral airways and lungs and thus maximize the beneficial effects of inhaled rhIFN-α. Droplets and particles having a M.M.A.D. greater than 8 microns become impacted in the upper airways; and those having a M.M.A.D. less than about 0.5 microns tend to behave like a gas and are exhaled. However, droplets and/or particles of rhIFN-α having the preferred M.M.A.D. have a high surface energy and tend to agglomerate. The addition of a surfactant preferably a non-volatile liquid soluble in the propellant used in nebulizers or metered dose inhalers is desirable to lessen such agglomeration.

The effective amount of rhIFN-α for treating and/or preventing a lung malignancy in accordance with this invention is a dosage range of rhIFN-α of about l x 10⁶ international units (IU) to about 1 x 10¹¹ IU, preferably about 1 x 10⁶ IU to about 5 x 10¹⁰ IU, and more preferably about 1 x 10⁶ IU to about 2 x 10¹⁰ IU. The rhINF-α maybe administered daily in single or divided doses.

Based on the judgment of the attending clinician, the amount of rhIFN-α administered and the treatment regimen used will, of course, be dependent on the age, sex and medical history of the patent being treated, the severity of the specific lung malignancy and the tolerance of patient to the treatment regimen as evidenced by local toxicity (e.g. nasal irritation and/or bleeding) and by systemic side effects (e.g. fever, malaire panσytopenia, CNS depression, gastrointestinal irritation and elevated liver enzymes) .

The following is a description of the clinical protocol to be utilized for treating and preventing lung malignancies. Study Design Prior to^' enrollment, all patients are throughly examined and their disease clinically staged using chest x-rays, computerized tomography, EKG, hematologic and blood chemistries. Clotting studies including total fibrinogen determination, PTT, PT, TT, and fibrin degradation products are conducted. Karnofsky performance status, pulmonary function including peak expiratory flow (PEF) , forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV^) , and forced vital capacity (FVC) are measured. Subjective and objective symptoms including the number and severity of coughing bouts, shortness of breath, pain and coughing-up of blood as well as body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate are measured.

Serum rhIFN-α Concentrations

Serum rhIFN-α concentrations are determined by use of commercially available immunoradiometric assays (Abbott Diagnotic^'s and Centocor, respectively) or by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) plaque reduction in HEp2 cultures. Measurement are performed before inhalation and 2hr, 5hr, lOhr, 15hr and 24 hr after inhalation.

Toxicity Evaluation and Response Criteria

Each patient is vigorously monitored for early signs of toxicity as well as radiographic evidence of clinical effectiveness throughout the treatment course _.and on a regular basis thereafter. Methods of evaluation include frequent physician examination, a regular schedule for performance of laboratory procedures including hematologic and serum chemistries pulmonary function and clotting studies. Radiographic studies include chest x-rays and CT scans as appropriate. •Toxicity is graded in accordance with the Work Health Organization's recommendations for grading of acute and subacute toxicity. Performance status is graded from zero to four with complete disability being defined as four. Tumor response is determined by means of serial radiographic studies. Areas of referenced tumors are determined by multiplication of the longest diameter by the greatest perpendicular diameter. Complete response would be then defined as the disappearance of all measurable disease determined by observation separated by at least four weeks with the appearance of no new lesions within the radiation portal. Partial response is a 50% decrease in the referenced tumor mass and stable disease would be defined as a less than 50% decrease in tumor size, or less than 25% increase. A tumor growth larger than 25% is considered progressive disease.

Other response criteria include relief of subjective and objective symptoms especially a significant reduction in (1) the number and severity of coughing bouts (2) the shortness of breath, and (3) coughing-up of blood. Weight gain, increase in pulmonary capacity, exercise capacity and reduction in adjuntive or comcomitant cancer therapies would also indicate effective treatment.

Symptoms and objective side effects of rhIFN-α therapy including changes in body temperature, airflow obstructure and flu-like symptom are also measured.

A reduction in tumor growth and/or lung malignancy by administering by oral inhalation rhIFN-α to patients in need of such administer is expected.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a lung malignancy in a mammal which composition comprises an effective amount of recombinant DNA human alpha interferon.

2. A use of recombinant DNA human alpha interferon for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a lung malignancy in a mammal.

3. A method of treating a lung malignancy in a mammal afflicted with a lung malignancy which comprises administering by oral inhalation to such a mammal an amount of recombinant DNA,human alpha interferon effective for such treating.

4. A method of preventing a lung malignancy in a mammal susceptible to a lung malignancy which comprises administering by oral inhalation to such a mammal an amount of recombinant DNA human alpha interferon effective for such preventing.

5. " A pharmaceutical composition or a use or method of any preceding claim wherein the lung malignancy is selected from the group of squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, alveolar cell carcinoma, bronchoalveolar carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma-in-situ, metastic carcinoma or sarcoma from primary tumors outside the lung or airways.

6. A pharmaceutical composition or use or method of treating or preventing of any preceding claim wherein the recombinant DNA human alpha interferon is administered by a nebulizer.

7. A pharmaceutical composition or a use or a method of treating or preventing any of the preceding claims wherein the recombinant DNA human alpha interferon is administered by a metered dose inhaler.

8. A pharmaceutical composition or a use or method of treating or preventing any of the preceding claims wherein the recombinant human DNA alpha interferon is interferon alpha-2a.

9. A pharmaceutical composition or a use or method of treating or preventing any of the preceding claims wherein the recombinant human DNA alpha interferon is interferon alpha-2b.

10. A pharmaceutical composition or a use or method of treating or preventing any of the preceding claims where the amount of recombinant human DNA alpha interferon is in the range of about 1 x 10⁶ IU to about 1 x 10¹¹ IU.

11. A pharmaceutical composition or a use or method of any of the preceding claim wherein the output of the nebulizer metered dose inhaler is in the form of particles of an aqueous solution of recombinant human alpha interferon having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of above about 0.5 to about 5.0 microns.