Method of inhibiting restenosis using bisphosphonates

Abstract

A method of inhibiting the activity or production of cytokines or growth factors associated with vascular restenosis, by administering to an individual an effective amount of an active ingredient comprising a bisphosphonate particle or a bisphosphonate particulate. The bisphosphonate may be encapsulated, embedded or adsorbed within the particle, dispersed uniformly in the polymer matrix, adsorbed on the particle surface, or in combination of any of these forms. The particles include liposomes or inert polymeric particles, such as microcapsules, nanocapsules, nanoparticles, nanospheres, or microparticles. The particulates include any suspended or dispersed form of the bisphosphonate which is not encapsulated, entrapped, or adsorbed within a polymeric particle. The particulates include suspended or dispersed colloids, aggregates, flocculates, insoluble salts and insoluble complexes of the active ingredient. The cytokines and growth factors include, but are not limited to interleukin 1-β, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and platelet-derived growth factor β (PDGFβ).