Use of agiotensin II inhibitors to prevent malignancies associated with immunosuppression

Abstract

The invention provides a method for reducing formation or progression of neoplasms associated with immunosuppressive therapy in a mammal, the method comprising treating the mammal with an effective amount of an angiotensin II inhibitor. In addition the invention provides a method of preventing or treating a neoplasm in a mammal, the method includes treating the mammal with an effective amount of an angiotensin II inhibitor where the treatment is not associated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Also provided are compositions comprising an angiotensin II inhibitor and an immunosuppressive agent such as cyclosporin or FK506. The angiotensin II inhibitor of the invention includes proteins and polypeptides that bind angiotensin II receptors, anti-angiotensin II antibodies, angiotensin II receptors and fragments thereof. In another aspect the invention provides methods for identifying compounds capable of inhibiting the formation or proliferation of tumors in a mammal undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treatment for reducing formation or progression of a neoplasm in a mammal, the method comprising treating the mammal with an effective amount of an angiotensin II inhibitor, wherein the treatment is not part of a chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatment regimen.