Method for treating atherosclerosis or restenosis using microtubule stabilizing agent

Abstract

The present invention is a method of preventing or reducing atherosclerosis or restenosis, and a pharmaceutical preparation used therefor. In particular, it is a method of preventing or reducing atherosclerosis or restenosis after arterial injury by treatment with a low dose of a microtubule stabilizing agent such as taxol or a water soluble taxol derivative. The low dose used in the present invention prevents artery blockage while minimizing any negative side effects associated with the drug.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of preventing or reducing an arterial disease in a patient comprising: 
 treating said patient with a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a microtubule stabilizing chemotherapeutic agent.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said microtubule stabilizing chemotherapeutic agent is taxol or a water soluble taxol derivative.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said water soluble taxol derivative is selected from the group consisting of a 2′-succinyl-taxol; 2′-succinyl-taxol triethanolamine; 2′-glutaryl-taxol; 2′-glutaryl-taxol triethanolamine salt; 2′-O-ester with N-(dimethylaminoethyl) glutamide; and 2′-O-ester with N-(dimethylaminoethyl) glutamide hydrochloride salt.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said arterial disease is atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said arterial disease is atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said arterial disease is atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said arterial disease is restenosis.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said arterial disease is restenosis.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said arterial disease is restenosis.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treating step is comprised of systemic delivery of said pharmaceutical preparation.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treating step is comprised of local delivery of said pharmaceutical preparation.  
     
     
         12 . A drug delivery system comprising a means for locally delivering a microtubule stabilizing chemotherapeutic agent in a therapeutically effective amount to reduce or prevent the development of a neointimal fibroproliferative lesion.  
     
     
         13 . The drug delivery system of  claim 12  wherein said microtubule stabilizing chemotherapeutic agent is comprised of taxol or a water soluble taxol derivative.