Methods of treating infections originating from viruses in the herpesviridae family
Inventors
Saxena, Shailendra K. • Ardelt, Wojciech
Assignees
Publication Number
US-8808690-B2
Publication Date
2014-08-19
Expiration Date
2030-11-17
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Abstract
Three RNases (ranpirnase, the second embodiment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,805, and recombinant Amphinase-2) are tested against identified herpesviridae infections. With some exceptions, quantitative PCR assays indicate that the RNases have anti-viral activity against many of these viruses.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to treating infections caused by viruses in the herpesviridae family by using certain ribonucleases (RNases), specifically ranpirnase, a closely related variant known as the '805 variant, and recombinant Amphinase 2 (rAmphinase 2). These RNases have been found to possess cytotoxic activity against cancer cells due to their enzymatic activity against RNA. The discovery described involves administering these RNases in therapeutically effective amounts to living subjects infected with herpesviridae viruses to treat the infections.
Currently, existing treatments for herpesviridae infections, such as acyclovir and ganciclovir, have limitations including toxicity, poor tolerance, and insufficient antiviral activity, particularly for human cytomegalovirus which often affects immune-compromised patients. The invention addresses these issues by providing an alternative treatment method using the specified RNases, which are non-toxic and well tolerated in humans and exhibit anti-viral activity against multiple herpesviridae viruses according to quantitative PCR assays.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims disclose methods of treating various herpesviridae infections using a specific polypeptide. There are four main inventive features corresponding to different target viruses.
Method of treating a herpesviridae infection other than herpes simplex virus
Administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,824.
Method of treating human cytomegalovirus
Administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,824.
Method of treating roseolovirus-6B
Administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,824.
Method of treating Epstein-Barr virus
Administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,824.
The claims collectively establish methods for treating a range of herpesviridae infections by administering the polypeptide with the specific amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:59, covering infections other than herpes simplex virus, as well as human cytomegalovirus, roseolovirus-6B, and Epstein-Barr virus.
Stated Advantages
Ranpirnase is known to be non-toxic and well-tolerated in humans, and the other RNases are believed to share these qualities.
The RNases show surprising antiviral activity against certain human herpesviridae infections, which suggests a treatment that is less toxic, better tolerated, and more active than existing drugs like acyclovir and ganciclovir.
Documented Applications
Treatment of infections caused by human cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-1 and -2, Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus (HHV-8), and roseoloviruses HHV-6A and HHV-6B in living subjects.
Use of ranpirnase, the '805 variant, and recombinant Amphinase 2 as antiviral agents administered in therapeutically effective amounts to treat these infections.
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