Method of treating rhinitis or sinusitis

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods of treating mucosal inflammation associated with rhinitis or sinusitis by administering peptidases that recognize and cleave polypeptides at Xaa-Pro sequences. In addition, the invention encompasses therapeutic packages in which pharmaceutical compositions containing the peptidases are preloaded in a device suitable for intranasally delivering drug.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating a patient for mucosal inflammation associated with rhinitis, sinusitis or both, comprising: intranasally administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a peptidase that cleaves at Xaa-Pro sequences.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said peptidase is an exopeptidase selected from the group consisting of: dipeptidyl peptidase IV; quiescent cell proline dipeptidase; dipeptidyl peptidase 8; and attractin.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said exopeptidase is dipeptidyl peptidase IV.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said exopeptidase is dipeptidyl peptidase 8.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said exopeptidase is quiescent cell proline dipeptidase.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said exopeptidase is attractin.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said exopeptidase is administered at a dose of between 1 μg and 1 mg.  
     
     
         8 . The method of any one of claims  1 - 7 , wherein said rhinitis, sinusitis or both, is the result of allergies or asthma.  
     
     
         9 . A therapeutic package comprising a device for intranasally delivering drug to a patient, preloaded with a solution or powder comprising a peptidase that cleaves at Xaa-Pro sequences.  
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic package of  claim 9 , wherein said peptidase is an exopeptidase selected from the group consisting of: dipeptidyl peptidase IV; quiescent cell proline dipeptidase; dipeptidyl peptidase 8; and attractin.  
     
     
         11 . The therapeutic package of  claim 9 , wherein said exopeptidase is dipeptidyl peptidase IV.  
     
     
         12 . The therapeutic package of  claim 9 , wherein said exopeptidase is quiescent cell proline dipeptidase.  
     
     
         13 . The therapeutic package of  claim 10 , wherein said exopeptidase is dipeptidyl peptidase 8.  
     
     
         14 . The therapeutic package of  claim 9 , wherein said exopeptidase is attractin.  
     
     
         15 . The therapeutic package of  claim 10 , wherein said exopeptidase is present in a solution at a concentration of between 1 μg/ml and 10 mg/ml.  
     
     
         16 . A method of treating a patient for mucosal inflammation associated with rhinitis, sinusitis or both, comprising: intranasally administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits the binding of SP to the NK1 receptor.