Diagnostic assay and treatment for preeclampsia
Described is a method of diagnosis or prognosis of preeclampsia in a pregnant subject, comprising providing a sample from a pregnant subject and measuring the ratio between the amount of (a) one or both of sFlt-1 and PlGF, and (b) one or both of a breakdown product of heme and a breakdown product of arginine, in the sample. Also described are assay kits and a computer adapted for use in the method. Also described is a method of treating preeclampsia, comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of L-arginine and/or citrulline and an inhibitor of arginase or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also described is a method of treating cancer, comprising treating a subject with a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF compound, L-arginine and an arginase inhibitor.
1. A method of treating preeclampsia in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject (a) a therapeutically effective amount of L-arginine or a salt thereof, or citrulline or a salt thereof, or a precursor of L-arginine or a salt thereof, or a combination of any of the foregoing; and (b) an inhibitor of arginase; and optionally (c) an iron chelating agent.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the inhibitor of arginase is nor-NOHA or a salt thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the L-arginine or a salt thereof, or citrulline or a salt thereof, or precursor of L-arginine or a salt thereof, or combination of any of the foregoing are administered orally.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the inhibitor of arginase is administered intramuscularly or intraperitoneally.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject has a high ratio of sFlt-1 compared to a heme breakdown product.
6. The method of claim 1 comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of (a) L-arginine or a salt thereof, or citrulline or a salt thereof, or a combination of any of the foregoing; and (b) an inhibitor of arginase to the subject.
7. The method of claim 1 comprising administering to the subject (a) a therapeutically effective amount of L-arginine or a salt thereof, or citrulline or a salt thereof, or a precursor of L-arginine or a salt thereof, or a combination of any of the foregoing; and (b) an inhibitor of arginase; and (c) an iron chelating agent.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the iron chelating agent is deferoxamine.