Compositions and methods for treating heart failure
View Patent ↗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, the method comprising:
a) measuring a plasma level of NT-proBNP or BNP of a patient before treatment; and
b) administering neuregulin-1 to the patient when the plasma level of NT-proBNP according to the results of step a) is ≤4000 fmol/ml;
wherein the neuregulin-1 is administered at an amount of 0.6 or 1.2 μg/kg.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises performing a test for the NYHA heart function classification of the patient, and wherein the NYHA heart function classification is class II or III.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises treating heart failure by further administering one or more anti-heart failure drugs selected from a group consisting of: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, β-blockers, Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics, and digitalis.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neuregulin-1 comprises an EGF-like domain of neuregulin-1.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neuregulin-1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administration of neuregulin-1 improves the clinical indication of the patient, wherein said clinical indication is one or more of prolonged survival or reduced re-hospitalization.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neuregulin-1 is administered to the patient in an introduction regimen.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the introduction regimen comprises administration of neuregulin-1 for at least 3, 5, 7 or 10 consecutive days.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the neuregulin-1 is administered to the patient in a maintenance regimen after the introduction regimen.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the maintenance regimen comprises administration of neuregulin-1 every 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plasma level of NT-proBNP of the patient is ≤1600 fmol/ml.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plasma level of NT-proBNP of the patient is measured by immunoassay.