METHODS OF TREATING CARTILAGE DEFECTS
The present invention provides methods of repairing and regenerating cartilage tissue by administering into the cartilage or the area surrounding the cartilage a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a morphogenic protein.
1 .- 61 . (canceled)
62 . A method of repairing a cartilage defect surrounded by synovial fluid in a patient comprising the step of administering into the synovial fluid surrounding the cartilage defect a composition selected from a liquid solution or suspension comprising a therapeutically effective amount of OP-1 covalently linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG), and wherein said composition is formulated as a sustained release formulation or as a delayed clearance formulation.
63 . The method of claim 62 , wherein the composition is an injectable formulation.
64 . The method of claim 62 , wherein the composition is an aqueous solution.
65 . The method of claim 62 , wherein the OP-1 is glycosylated.
66 . A method of regenerating or producing cartilage in a patient wherein said cartilage is surrounded by synovial fluid comprising the step of administering into the synovial fluid surrounding the cartilage a composition selected from a liquid solution or suspension, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of OP-1 covalently linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG), and wherein said composition is formulated as a sustained release formulation or as a delayed clearance formulation.
67 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the composition is an injectable formulation.
68 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the composition is an aqueous solution.
69 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the OP-1 is glycosylated.
70 . A method of promoting cartilage growth or accelerating cartilage formation in a patient, wherein said cartilage is surrounded by synovial fluid, comprising the step of administering into the synovial fluid surrounding the cartilage a composition selected from a liquid solution or suspension, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of OP-1 covalently linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG), and wherein said composition is formulated as a sustained release formulation or as a delayed clearance formulation.
71 . The method of claim 70 , wherein the composition is an injectable formulation.
72 . The method of claim 70 , wherein the composition is an aqueous solution.
73 . The method of claim 70 , wherein the OP-1 is glycosylated.
74 . A method of treating cartilage injury or cartilage degenerative disease or disorder in a patient, wherein said cartilage is surrounded by synovial fluid, comprising the step of administering into the synovial fluid surrounding the cartilage a composition selected from a liquid solution or suspension, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of OP-1 covalently linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG), and wherein said composition is formulated as a sustained release formulation or as a delayed clearance formulation.
75 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the composition is an injectable formulation.
76 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the composition is an aqueous solution.
77 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the OP-1 is glycosylated.
78 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the cartilage injury or degenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, and ACL injury.
79 . The method of any one of claim 62 , 66 , 70 or 74 , wherein said cartilage is in a knee joint, a hip joint, or a shoulder joint.
80 . The method of any one of claim 62 , 66 , 70 or 74 , wherein said cartilage is articular cartilage.
81 . The method of any one of claim 63 , 67 , 71 or 75 , wherein the administration is via intra-articular injection.