Transmucosal delivery of peptides and proteins

Abstract

Provided are methods and compositions for enhancing the transmucosal absorption of bioactive peptides and proteins. More particularly, the invention provides compositions for enhancing the transmucosal absorption of bioactive peptides and proteins, such as exendin-4, PYY, PYY 3-36 , and GLP-1 and their analogs and derivatives, wherein the compositions comprise an absorption enhancing mixture of a cationic polyamino acid, at least one additional absorption enhancing agent, and a buffer that is compatible with the polyamino acid. Also provided are methods for enhancing the transmucosal absorption and bioavailability of bioactive peptides and proteins using such compositions.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition for transmucosal administration of a bioactive peptide or protein of interest comprising said bioactive peptide or protein of interest, a cationic polyamino acid, and a compatible buffer, wherein at the pH of the composition said compatible buffer does not cause precipitation of the cationic polyamino acid, and has a mono-anionic or neutral net charge; and 
 wherein the transmucosal absorption of said bioactive peptide or protein is increased relative the absorption of said bioactive peptide or protein in the absence of said cationic polyamino acid.    
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional absorption enhancing agent.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said additional absorption enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, phospholipids, cyclodextrins, surfactants, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of said composition is between about pH 3.0 and about pH 8.0.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of said composition is between about pH 4.0 and about pH 6.0.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of said composition is between about pH 4.0 and pH 5.0.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said compatible buffer is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, ε-aminocaproic acid or glutamic acid.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said compatible buffer comprises glutamic acid.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a tonicifying agent, a viscosity-increasing agent, a bioadhesive agent, a preservative, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cationic polyamino acid comprises poly-histidine, poly-arginine, poly-lysine, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said cationic polyamino acid has an average molecule weight of between about 10 kDa and about 300 kDa.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bioactive peptide or protein is an exendin, an exendin analog, or an exendin derivative.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bioactive peptide or protein is selected from the group consisting of exendin-3, exendin-4, exendin-4 acid, exendin-4 (1-30), exendin-4 (1-30) amide, exendin-4 (1-28), exendin-4 (1-28) amide,  14 Leu,  25 Phe exendin-4 amide, and  14 Leu,  25 Phe exendin-4 (1-28) amide.  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bioactive peptide or protein is selected from the group consisting of GLP-1, a GLP-1 analog, and a GLP-1 derivative.  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bioactive peptide or protein is selected from the group consisting of GLP-1, GLP-1 (7-37), GLP-1(7-36)NH 2 , Gly 8  GLP-1(7-37), Ser 34  GLP-1(7-37) Val 8  GLP-1(7-37) and Val 8  Glu 22  GLP-1(7-37).  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bioactive peptide or protein is selected from the group consisting of PYY peptides, PYY agonists and PYY derivatives.  
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bioactive peptide is PYY or PYY (3-36).  
   
   
       18 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said tonicifying agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, mannitol, sucrose, glucose and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said viscosity-increasing agent is selected from the group consisting of: hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose of average molecular weight between about 10 and about 1,500 kDa, starch, gums and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said bioadhesive agent is selected from the group consisting of: carbomer, polycarbophil and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said preservative is selected from the group consisting of phenylethyl alcohol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, chlorbutanol, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, phenol, m-cresol, alcohol, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       22 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said absorption is increased at least 1.5-fold.  
   
   
       23 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said absorption is increased at least 2-fold.  
   
   
       24 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said absorption is increased at least 5-fold.  
   
   
       25 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said absorption is increased at least 10-fold.  
   
   
       26 . A pharmaceutical composition for transmucosal administration of a bioactive peptide or protein of interest comprising about 0.01% to about 5.0% (w/v) of said bioactive peptide or protein of interest; about 0.01% to about 1.0% (w/v) of a cationic polyamino acid having a molecular weight between about 10 kDa and about 300 kDa; and about 0.01% to about 10.0% (w/v) of a compatible buffer, wherein at of between about pH 4.0 and about 5.0, said compatible buffer does not cause precipitation of the cationic polyamino acid, and has a mono-anionic or neutral net charge; and wherein the transmucosal absorption of said bioactive peptide or protein is increased relative the absorption of said bioactive peptide or protein in the absence of said cationic polyamino acid.  
   
   
       27 . The composition of  claim 26 , further comprising at least one additional absorption enhancing agent.  
   
   
       28 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein the absorption enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, phospholipids, cyclodextrins, surfactants, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       29 . The composition of  claim 26 , further comprising between about 0.001% to about 10.0% of a tonicifying agent.  
   
   
       30 . The composition of  claim 26 , further comprising between about 0.001% to about 10.0% of a viscosity-increasing agent.  
   
   
       31 . The composition of  claim 26 , further comprising between about 0.001% to about 10.0% of a bioadhesive agent.  
   
   
       32 . The composition of  claim 26 , further comprising between about 0.001% to about 10.0% of a preservative.  
   
   
       33 . A pharmaceutical composition for transmucosal administration comprising about 0.5% (w/v) of exendin-4; about 0.5% to about 1.0% (w/v) of poly-arginine having an average molecular weight of about 141 kDa; and about 0.56% monosodium glutamate, monohydrate (w/v) at a pH of about 4.5.  
   
   
       34 . The composition of  claim 33 , further comprising at least one additional absorption enhancing agent.  
   
   
       35 . The composition of  claim 34 , wherein the absorption enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, phospholipids, cyclodextrins, surfactants, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       36 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein said poly-arginine is poly-L-arginine.  
   
   
       37 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein said composition further comprises a tonicifying agent, a viscosity-increasing agent, a bioadhesive agent, a preservative, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       38 . The composition of  claim 33 , further comprising about 0.72% sodium chloride (w/v).  
   
   
       39 . A method for transmucosal administration of a bioactive peptide or protein comprising contacting a mucosal surface for a time sufficient for a therapeutically effective amount of said bioactive peptide or protein to pass through the mucosal surface, with a composition comprising said bioactive peptide or protein of interest, a cationic polyamino acid, and a compatible buffer, wherein at the pH of the composition, said compatible buffer does not cause precipitation of the cationic polyamino acid, and has a mono-anionic or neutral net charge; and wherein the transmucosal absorption of said bioactive peptide or protein is increased relative the absorption of said bioactive peptide or protein in the absence of said cationic polyamino acid.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one additional absorption enhancing agent.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the absorption enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, phospholipids, cyclodextrins, surfactants, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said bioactive protein or peptide is an exendin, GLP-1 or an analog or derivative thereof and said dose is therapeutically effective in lower blood glucose.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said bioactive protein or peptide is a PYY peptide or an analog or derivative thereof, and said dose is therapeutically effective in food intake, gastric emptying, pancreatic secretion or weight loss.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said bioactive protein or peptide is an exendin, GLP-1 or an analog or derivative thereof and said dose is effective in causing weight loss.  
   
   
       45 . A method for increasing the bioavailability of a bioactive peptide or protein of interest following transdermal administration comprising, combining said bioactive peptide or protein with a cationic polyamino acid, and a compatible buffer, wherein at the pH of the composition, said compatible buffer does not cause precipitation of the cationic polyamino acid, and has a mono-anionic or neutral net charge; wherein the bioavailability of said bioactive peptide or protein is increased relative the bioavailability of said bioactive peptide or protein in the absence of said cationic polyamino acid.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising combining said bioactive peptide or protein with at least one additional absorption enhancing agent.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the absorption enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, phospholipids, cyclodextrins, surfactants, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said bioactive protein or peptide is an exendin, GLP-1, a PYY peptide, or an analog or derivative of an exendin, GLP-1 or a PYY peptide.