The Texas A&M University System

Other

Amarillo Cell Culture Company, Incorporated

University of Illinois

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.

Joseph M Cummins

Martin Joseph Cummins

Philip C Fox

Alan S Young

J Kelly Smith

The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for treating or preventing muscle injury or diseases through oral administration of low doses of type I and/or type III interferons. In one embodiment a composition is administered comprising interferon-alpha and trehalose.

Method for reducing injury and stabilizing muscle using orally administered interferon

The present invention relates to a method for increasing unstimulated whole saliva in a patient. The method comprises orally administering an effective amount of a disaccharide, such as maltose, trehalose, or anhydrous crystalline maltose, to the patient in a dosage form such as a lozenge. The disaccharide can also be administered in combination with an effective amount of vitamin C, or a derivative thereof, such as a vitamin C ester. The invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a disaccharide in combination with vitamin C, or a derivative thereof, such as a vitamin C ester. The method is used to treat diseases such as Sj&ouml;gren's syndrome and xerostomia.

Composition and method for promoting oral health

A method for enhancing the expression of aquaporin proteins by contacting aquaporin producing cells with interferon-&agr; is described. The method enables treatment of patients afflicted with disease states characterized by xerosis.

Interferon-alpha mediated upregulation of aquaporin expression

Neoplastic disease, hyperallergenicity, autoimmune disorders characterized by chronic tissue degenerative inflammation and immuno-resistant viral infections are treated by the administration of interferon at a dosage of about 0.1 to about 5 IU/lb per day by contacting said interferon with oral/pharyngeal mucosa. Interferon is administered in solution or in a novel solid unitary dosage form adapted to be dissolved in saliva when placed in the mouth.

Interferon dosage form and method therefor

Improved methods for administering an interferon (IFN) to a warm-blooded vertebrate are described. The methods employ oral administration of the IFN to the vertebrate in very low dosages, for example, 0.1 to 1.5 IU per pound of body eight per dose.

Low-dose oral administration of interferons

Hyperallergenic conditions are treated by the administration of interferon at a dosage of from about 0.01 to about 5 IU/lb./day such that the interferon is held in contact with the patient's oral and pharyngeal mucosae. In preferred embodiments, IFN-.alpha. is administered in a solid dosage form, e.g., a saliva-dissolvable lozenge.

Treatment of hyperallergenic response with oral interferon

Autoimmune disorders are treated by the administration of human interferon, particularly IFN-.alpha. or IFN-.beta., at a dosage of from about 0.01 to about 5 IU/lb./day such that the interferon is held in contact with the patient's oral and pharyngeal mucosae. The interferon is administered in a solid dosage form, e.g., a saliva-dissolvable lozenge.

Treatment of autoimmune disorders with oral interferon

Viral infections are treated by the administration of alpha-interferon at a dosage of from about 0.01 to about 5 IU/lb./day such that the interferon is held in contact with the patient's oral and pharyngeal mucosae. The IFN-.alpha. is administered in a solid dosage from, e.g., a saliva-dissolvable lozenge.

Treatment of viral disease with oral interferon-.alpha.

Neoplastic diseases are treated by the administration of human interferon, particularly IFN-.alpha., at a dosage of from about 0.01 to about 5 IU/lb./day such that the interferon is held in contact with the patient's oral and pharyngeal mucosae. The interferon is administered in a solid dosage from, e.g., a saliva-dissolvable lozenge.

Treatment of neoplastic disease with oral interferon

Bacterial infections are treated by the administration of alpha-interferon at a dosage of from about 0.1 to about 5 IU/lb./day such that the interferon is held in contact with the patient's oral and pharyngeal mucosae. The method is particularly suitable for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections. IFN-.alpha. is administered in solution or in the form of a saliva-dissolvable lozenge.

Treatment of bacterial infection with oral interferon-.alpha.

Development of parasitic infections is Prevented in humans and animals exposed to infective parasitic agents by contacting the oral and pharyngeal mucosa of the human or animal with effective amounts of interferon.

Method for prevention of parasite infections

Treatment of immuno-resistant disease with low-dose interferon

Low doses of interferon contacted with the oral and pharyngeal mucosa of a patient in conjunction with administration of radiation therapy or chemotherapy reduces the toxic side effects associated with administration of said cancer therapy.

Method for reducing side effects of cancer therapy

A biologically active interferon can be administered to an animal in conjunction with the administration of a vaccine to improve the vaccine efficiency and allow the use of a smaller vaccination dose. This procedure will cause a less severe vaccine infection in the animal than if no interferon was administered.

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Amarillo, TX, United States of America

Joseph M Cummins