Pharmaceutical composition containing inhibitors of interferon-gamma

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring, comprising inhibitors and inhibiting IFN-γ, together with compositions and methods for promoting the healing of chronic wounds, comprising stimulating and stimulators of IFN-γ.

1 . The use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ in the manufacture of a medicament for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.  
     
     
         2 . The use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ according to  claim 1 , the inhibitor comprising a neutralising antibody.  
     
     
         3 . The use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ according to either one of claims  1  or  2 , the inhibitor being selected from any one of the group of a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a phage-derived antibody, a genetically engineered antibody and an antibody derived from a transgenic mouse.  
     
     
         4 . The use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ according to any one of claims  1 - 3  wherein the inhibitor prevents IFN-γ interacting with its receptor.  
     
     
         5 . The use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ according to any one of the preceding claims for use in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.  
     
     
         6 . The use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ according to any one of the preceding claims for use in conjunction with a composition for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.  
     
     
         7 . The use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ according to any one of the preceding claims for use in conjunction with a composition for promoting the healing of chronic wounds.  
     
     
         8 . A method for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring comprising the use of an inhibitor of IFN-γ according to any one of the preceding claims.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , comprising administering to a site of wounding or fibrosis an inhibitor of IFN-γ.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to any one of claims  8 - 9 , comprising inhibiting between about 300 and about 30,000 IU IFN-γ.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to any one of claims  8 - 10 , IFN-γ being inhibited either immediately prior to wounding/onset or immediately after wounding/onset.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to any one of claims  8 - 11  used in conjunction with a method for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to any one of claims  8 - 12  used in conjunction with a method for promoting the healing of chronic wounds.  
     
     
         14 . The use of a stimulator of IFN-γ in the manufacture of a medicament for promoting the healing of chronic wounds.  
     
     
         15 . The use of a stimulator of IFN-γ according to  claim 15  wherein it is selected from any one of the group of IFN-γ or a partially modified form thereof, and an inhibitor of IFN-γ metabolism.  
     
     
         16 . The use of a stimulator of IFN-γ according to either one of claims  14  or  15  in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.  
     
     
         17 . The use of a stimulator of IFN-γ according to any one of claims  15 - 17  in conjunction with a composition for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.  
     
     
         18 . The use of a simulator of IFN-γ according to any one of claims  15 - 18  in conjunction with a composition for promoting the healing of chronic wounds.  
     
     
         19 . A method for promoting the healing of chronic wounds comprising the use of a stimulator of IFN-γ according to any one of claims  14 - 18 .  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , comprising administering to a site of wounding a stimulator of IFN-γ.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to either one of claims  19  or  20  comprising the use of between about 7,500 and 15,000 IU IFN-γ.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to any one of claims  19 - 21 , comprising stimulating IFN-γ either immediately prior to wounding or immediately after wounding.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to any one of claims  19 - 22  used in conjunction with a method for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to any one of claims  19 - 23  used in conjunction with a method for promoting the healing of chronic wounds.