Methods for selectively occluding blood supplies to neoplasias

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of selectively reducing the blood supply to a neoplastic region, such as a tumor region, thereby selectively causing necrosis of the neoplastic tissue without substantial necrosis of adjoining tissues. In particular, methods are disclosed of selectively reducing the blood supply to a neoplastic region, such as a tumor region, by causing selectively occlusion of blood vessels feeding the neoplastic region. The invention also provides methods of selectively causing anti-angiogenic action in a neoplastic region, such as a tumor region, with the result that new blood vessels are not formed to sustain the neoplasia. The methods employ intra-arterial injection of polyunsaturated fatty acids, preferably in the form of salts, preferably with a lymphographic agent, and optionally with an anti-cancer drug, and/or a cytokine. The invention also provides solutions of PUFAs, or salts of PUFAs, in combination with a lymphographic agent.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid, or a salt of a polyunsaturated fatty acid, in combination with a lymphographic agent.  
     
     
         2 . A pharmaceutical composition as in  claim 1  wherein said lymphographic agent is an iodized fatty acid.  
     
     
         3 . A pharmaceutical composition as in  claim 1  wherein said lymphographic agent is combined with said polyunsaturated fatty acid in a solution.  
     
     
         4 . A pharmaceutical composition as in  claim 1  wherein said lymphographic agent is conjugated to said polyunsaturated fatty acid.  
     
     
         5 . A pharmaceutical composition as in any one of claims  1 - 4  wherein said polyunsaturated fatty acid is an essential fatty acid.  
     
     
         6 . A pharmaceutical composition as in  claim 5  wherein said essential fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, di-homo-gamma-linolenic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid.  
     
     
         7 . A pharmaceutical composition as in any one of claims  1 - 4  wherein said polyunsaturated fatty acid is administered in the form of a salt selected from the group consisting of a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, a magnesium salt, a calcium salt, a manganese salt, an iron salt, a copper salt, an aluminum salt, a zinc salt, a chromium salt, a cobalt salt, a nickel salt and an iodide.  
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition as in any one of claims  1 - 4  wherein said polyunsaturated fatty acid is in the form of a fatty acid derivative selected from the group consisting of glycerides, esters, free acids, amides, phospholipids and salts.  
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition as in any one of claims  1 - 4  further comprising an anti-neoplastic agent.  
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition as in  claim 9  wherein said anti-neoplastic agent is selected from the group consisting of tumor necrosis factor, an anti-cancer drug, a lymphokine, and specific polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.  
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical composition as in  claim 10  wherein said lymphokine is selected from the group consisting of alpha interferon and gamma interferon.  
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical composition as in  claim 10  wherein said anti-cancer drug is selected from the group consisting of vincristine, adriamycin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, cis-platinum, L-asparaginase, procarbazine, camptothecin, taxol and busulfan.