Method of reducing antigenic drift or reassortment of viruses in a host animal using α interferon
Inventors
Carter, William A. • Strayer, David R.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11642396-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
This disclosures relates to methods of preventing or reducing antigenic drift, viral reassortment and symptoms of wild-type and mutant influenza viruses in a host animal by determining if a host animal has been exposed to or infected by an avian influenza virus, and administering to the exposed host animal α-interferon.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method for reducing antigenic drift or viral reassortment in a human by determining if the human has been exposed to or infected by an avian influenza virus and administering an α-interferon to the exposed or infected human. The approach is directed to avian influenza A, including H7N9 variants, and is considered in the context of neuraminidase inhibitor resistance profiles.
In particular, the method administers a natural multi-species human α-interferon comprising seven α-interferon species, namely α2, α4, α7, α8, α10, α16 and α17. The document describes the α-interferon as a natural human leukocyte interferon cocktail and identifies embodiments such as ALFERON and ALFERON LDO.
The document also describes experimental support for the method, including comparison of ALFERON versus oseltamivir showing inhibition of H7N9 replication for NA-292R and NA-292K variants. Nonhuman primate macaque studies indicate reduced lung lesions with α-interferon prophylaxis, and human oral ALFERON LDO trials report systemic upregulation of interferon-related genes with dose-dependent gene-expression changes and mild tolerability.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a method that combines determining exposure or infection by an avian influenza virus with administration of a defined multi-species α-interferon. The independent claim includes 3 core inventive aspects: the determining-and-treating workflow, the seven-species α-interferon composition, and the specified administration routes.
Determining exposure or infection and administering α-interferon
A method for reducing antigenic drift or viral reassortment in a human comprising determining if the human has been exposed to or infected by an avian influenza virus, and administering α-interferon to the exposed or the infected human.
Seven-species α-interferon composition
The α-interferon comprises seven species of α-interferon comprising α-interferon species α2, α4, α7, α8, α10, α16 and α17.
Administration via specified routes
The α-interferon is administered intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intranasally.
Overall, the claim coverage is centered on reducing antigenic drift or viral reassortment by administering seven-species α-interferon to a human identified as exposed to or infected by an avian influenza virus, with delivery by intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intranasal routes.
Stated Advantages
Reducing antigenic drift or viral reassortment in a human.
Inhibiting H7N9 replication for NA-292R and NA-292K variants.
Reduced lung lesions with α-interferon prophylaxis in a nonhuman primate study.
Systemic upregulation of interferon-related genes with oral ALFERON LDO in human trials, with dose-dependent gene-expression changes and mild tolerability.
Documented Applications
Use as a method for reducing antigenic drift or viral reassortment in a human who has been exposed to or infected by an avian influenza virus.
Use against avian influenza A H7N9 variants, including NA-292R and NA-292K neuraminidase inhibitor resistance profiles.
Nonhuman primate macaque infection model application, where α-interferon prophylaxis reduced lung lesions.
Human oral ALFERON LDO trial application, assessing interferon-related gene upregulation and tolerability.
Potential use with mismatched dsRNA (AMPLIGEN) for enhanced antiviral effects.
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