Method for treating multiple sclerosis

Abstract

A method is provided for administering to a mammal suffering from, or at risk for, multiple sclerosis, an initial dosing of a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-LFA-1 antibody, followed by a subsequent intermittent dosing of a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-LFA-1 antibody wherein the antibody is administered to the mammal no more than once per week in the intermittent dosing.

1 . A method for treating multiple sclerosis in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an initial dosing of a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-CD11a antibody, followed by a subsequent intermittent dosing of a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody that is less than 100%, calculated on a daily basis, of the initial dosing of the antibody, wherein the antibody is administered to the mammal not more than once per week during the subsequent intermittent dosing.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subsequent dosing is less than about 50%, calculated on a daily basis, of the initial dosing of the antibody.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subsequent dosing is less than about 25%, calculated on a daily basis, of the initial dosing of the antibody.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subsequent dosing is less than about 10%, calculated on a daily basis, of the initial dosing of the antibody.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subsequent dosing is less than about 2%, calculated on a daily basis, of the initial dosing of the antibody.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administering an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent to the mammal.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a human.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subsequent dosing is carried out for a longer time than the initial dosing.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the initial dosing consists of daily administration.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the intermittent dosing comprises administration of no more than once biweekly.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dosing is given by intravenous or subcutaneous injections.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  which does not deplete T-lymphocytes in the mammal.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody in which a CDR from one immunoglobulin class is substituted into another immunoglobulin class.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intermittent dosing is administered to the mammal for at least about 5 weeks.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intermittent dosing is administered to the mammal for at least about 10 weeks.