COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING HEART FAILURE
The present invention provides methods for treating chronic heart failure patients using the medication comprising neuregulin. The methods comprise first performing a companion diagnostic test of each patient before treatment; and then providing a suitable treatment to the patient according to the results of the companion diagnostic test. When the result of the test is within a favorite treatment zone, the patient is suitable for heart failure treatment by administering an effective amount of neuregulin.
1 . A method of treating chronic heart failure, comprising:
a) performing a companion diagnostic test of each patient before treatment; and
b) providing a suitable treatment to the patient according to the results of the companion diagnostic test.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is the NYHA heart function classification.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is the test of plasma level of NT-proBNP or BNP.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the suitable treatment comprising neuregulin treatment.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the suitable treatment further comprising treating heart failure using one or more anti-heart failure drugs selected from a group consisting of: ACE inhibitors, β-blockers, ARBs, diuretics, and digitalis.
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said suitable treatment is administered when the heart function is NYHA class II or III.
7 . The method of claims 3 , wherein said suitable treatment is administered when plasma level of NT-proBNP is ≦4000 fmol/ml.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the neuregulin is neuregulin-1.
9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the neuregulin protein comprises of EGF-like domain of neuregulin-1.
10 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the neuregulin comprises of SEQ ID NO: 1.
11 . Use of neuregulin for the preparation of medications for treating chronic heart failure patients, wherein the patients have a plasma NT-proBNP level of ≦4000 fmol/ml before treatment.
12 - 17 . (canceled)
18 . Use of neuregulin for the preparation of medications for treating chronic heart failure patients, wherein the patients has a class II or III heart function as classified by NYHA functional classification.
19 - 24 . (canceled)
25 . A method of treating chronic heart failure comprising administering neuregulin, wherein the administration of neuregulin improves the clinical indication of the patient.
26 - 48 . (canceled)
49 . A method of selecting a heart failure patient for treatment by neuregulin, comprises performing a companion diagnostic test before treatment and decide whether the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin.
50 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is measuring the plasma level of NT-proBNP in said patient.
51 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the plasma level of NT-proBNP≦4000 fmol/ml.
52 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the plasma level of NT-proBNP is between 1600 fmol/ml and 4000 fmol/ml.
53 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the plasma level of NT-proBNP is ≦1600 fmol/ml.
54 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the plasma level is measured by immunoassay.
55 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is evaluating heart function by NYHA heart function classification.
56 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the heart function is NYHA class II or III.
57 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the neuregulin is neuregulin-1.
58 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the neuregulin protein comprises of EGF-like domain of neuregulin-1.
59 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the neuregulin comprises of SEQ ID NO: 1.
60 - 62 . (canceled)