Reduction of restenosis
A method of reducing restenosis comprises administering to a patient a stent and reducing, shutting down or modifying functioning of the immune system in a controlled manner. In a preferred embodiment T-cell depletion or T-cell modification is used for controlling the immune system. The T-cell depletor or T-cell modifier is administered either separately or as part of the stent. Alternatively, an ex-vivo procedure may be used.
1 . A method of reducing restenosis comprising administering to a patient a stent and temporarily shutting down or reducing the functionality of the immune system either locally or in the whole organism.
2 . A method of reducing restenosis comprising administering to a patient a stent and depleting the T-cells of said patient or modiying their functionality.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein T-cell depletion or modification is performed ex vivo.
4 . A method of reducing restenosis comprising administering to a patient a stent and a T-cell depletor or a T-cell modifier that reduces the functionality of T-cells.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the T-cell depletor or modifier is administered to the patient independently of the stent procedure.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the T-cell depletor or modifier is part of the stent.
7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the T-cell depletor or modifier is released from the stent.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the T-cell depletor or modifier is fixed at the surface of the stent.
9 . The method of claim 4 , comprising administering a monoclonal antibody directed against CD3.
10 . The method of claim 4 , comprising administering a monoclonal antibody directed against CD4.
11 . The method of claim 4 , comprising administering a monoclonal antibody directed against CD52.
12 . The method of claim 4 , comprising administering muromonab-CD3.
13 . The method of claim 4 , comprising administering alemtuzumab.
14 . The method of claim 4 , comprising administering anti-thymocyte globulin.
15 . The method of claim 4 , comprising T-cell suicide gene transduction (Tk-gene).
16 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said T-cell depletor or T-cell modifier is administered prior to stent implantation.
17 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said T-cell depletor or T-cell modifier is administered until endothelialization of the stent has taken place.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein T-cell depletion/modification is accompanied or followed by a treatment for strengthening of the immune system.
19 . claim 1 one of the previous claims, further comprising administering of said T-cell depletor or modifier in combination with or followed by G-CSF or GM-CSF treatment.
20 . The method of claim 3 , wherein a T-cell depletor is administered.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the T-cell depletor essentially eliminates T-cells.
22 . The method of claim 3 , wherein a T-cell modulator is administered.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the T-cell modulator essentially eliminates T-cells.
24 . The method of claim 2 , for preventing restenosis.
25 . The method of claim 1 wherein the extent of T-cell depletion is at least 50%.
26 . The method of claim 20 wherein the extent of T-cell function loss is at least 50%.