Method for use of IGF-binding protein for selective sensitization of target cells in vivo

Abstract

New methods for the treatment of human disease are provided. IGFBP- 3 is administered together with a co-administered agent to subjects having disease, thereby alleviating the symptoms of the disease, under conditions where administration of IGFBP- 3 alone at the maximum practicable dose has no measurable beneficial effect on the disease condition.

1 . A method of treating a patient having a tumor that is unresponsive to IGFBP-3 alone, comprising administering to said patient a co-administered agent or treatment regimen together with an effective amount of IGFBP-3.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said co-administered agent is a chemical agent selected from the group consisting of alkylating agents, antimetabolites, Vinca alkaloids, podophyllotoxins, antitumor antibiotics, nitrosoureas, metallic DNA modifying compounds and microtubule stabilizers.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said co-administered agent is a biological agent selected from the group consisting of nutrient limitation, antibodies, vaccines, peptides, cytokines, receptor ligands and nucleic acids.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said co-administered agent is a physical agent selected from the group consisting of heat, pressure, osmolarity, acidity and radiation.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of breast, prostate, colon, ovarian, pancreatic, gastric and lung cancer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the co-administered agent is a chemical agent selected from the group consisting of doxorubicin, paclitaxel, methotrexate, tamoxifen, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, etoposide, streptozotocin and 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cancer is breast cancer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cancer is prostate cancer.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cancer is colon cancer.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cancer is lung cancer.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said co-administered agent is paclitaxel.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said co-administered agent is 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said co-administered agent is doxorubicin.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said co-administered agent is paclitaxel.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said co-administered agent is 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said co-administered agent is doxorubicin.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said co-administered agent is paclitaxel.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said co-administered agent is 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said co-administered agent is doxorubicin.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said IGFBP-3 is administered at about 0.01 to about 50 milligrams per kilogram total body weight per day (mg/kg/day).  
     
     
         21 . A method for alleviating a symptom of cancer, comprising administering a co-administered agent or treatment regimen together with an effective amount of IGFBP-3 to a subject having cancer, wherein the administration of IGFBP-3 alone has no measurable effect on the symptom.