Long-acting oxytocin analogues for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer and psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for prophylaxis and treatment of breast cancer involving administration of a therapeutically effective amount of carbetocin and/or other long-acting oxytocin analogues. 1-Butanoic acid-2-(O-methyl-L-tyrosine)-1-carbaoxytocin (carbetocin) and/or other long-acting oxytocin analogues are formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and administered in an amount sufficient to inhibit initiation or growth of breast cancer in the patient. The carbetocin and/or other long-acting oxytocin analogues may also be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and administered in an amount sufficient to treat, prevent or alleviate the symptoms of a psychiatric disorder in the patient. Carbetocin may be administered prophylactically or to treat existing conditions in patients by a variety of administration modes, including intramuscular, intravenous, intranasal, intrapulmonary, subcutaneous, parenteral, oral, or transdermal delivery methods and formulations. Preferably, the carbetocin is administered to a mucosal surface of the patient via intranasal delivery. For this purpose, pharmaceutical compositions are provided for intranasal delivery that incorporate carbetocin in a powder or aqueous formulation for intranasal delivery.