NOVEL USE OF CYTOKINE INHIBITORS
The use of substance that inhibits a pro-inflammatory cytokine, such as TNF or IL-1, for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for improving wound healing is disclosed. Also, a method for improving wound healing wherein a therapeutically effective amount of a substance that inhibits a pro-inflammatory cytokine is administered to a patient in need of said treatment is disclosed.
1 - 45 . (canceled)
46 . A method for treating a wound and/or improving healing comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide derived from amino acid 12 to amino acid 40 of human lactoferrin to a patient in need thereof, wherein:
said peptide inhibits a pro-inflammatory cytokine;
said peptide comprises 20 Cys-Phe-X 1- X- 2- X 3- X 4- X 5- X 6- X 7- Lys-Val-Arg 31 (SEQ ID NO: 99), wherein X 1 is Gln or Ala; X 2 is Trp or Leu; X 3 is Gln, Lys, Orn, Ala, or Nle; X 4 is Arg, Lys, or Ala; X 5 is Asn, Orn, Ala, or Nle; X 6 is Met or Leu; and X 7 is Arg or Lys; and
said peptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 2-5, 8, 31-37, 47, 49, 51, 63, 65, 67, 70, 72-74, 80-83, and 87-97.
47 - 48 . (canceled)
49 . The method of claim 46 , wherein said wound is related to posttraumatic tissue injury.
50 . The method of claim 49 , wherein said posttraumatic tissue injury is caused by surgery.
51 . The method of claim 46 , wherein said wound is related to thermic injury.
52 . The method of claim 46 , wherein said wound is a result of a metabolic process due to reduced nutritional supply.
53 . The method of claim 52 , wherein said wound is a diabetic ulcer, a leg ulcer, a decubitus ulcer or a gastric ulcer.
54 . The method of claim 46 , wherein said wound is a result of exposure to a toxic compound.
55 . The method of claim 46 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is locally administered.
56 . The method of claim 46 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is systemically administered.