Method for preventing and/or treating peripheral neuropathies induced by the administration of an anticancer agent

Abstract

A method for preventing and/or treating peripheral neuropathies induced by the administration of an anticancer agent of the family of platin compounds, taxanes, epothilone class, vinca alkaloids, said method comprising the administration in a co-ordinated manner to a subject suffering from said peripheral neuropathies, or expected to suffer from said peripheral neuropathies, an effective amount of acetyl L-carnitine or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In case of prevention, acetyl L-carnitine is administered to a subject, in view of the need of a treatment with an anticancer agent, immediately before or immediately after surgical removal of the tumor, but in any case before the administration of the anticancer agent. Acetyl L-carnitine can enhance the supportive effect of physiological NGF during chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, thus avoiding the problem of the local and general side effects of the exogenous administration of NGF which are a major problem of this neuroprotective strategy.

1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . A method of preventing and/or treating peripheral neuropathies induced by the administration of vinorelbine comprising administering to a subject acetyl L-carnitine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and said vinorelbine. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a co-ordinated manner. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a sequential manner. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a substantially simultaneous manner. 
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in the form of a composition comprising said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt and said vinorelbine and optionally pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and/or vehicles. 
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein said pharmacologically acceptable salt of acetyl L-carnitine is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, orotate, acid aspartate, acid citrate, acid phosphate, fumarate and acid fumarate, maleate and acid maleate, acid oxalate, acid sulphate, glucose phosphate, tartrate and acid tartrate. 
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein said acetyl L-carnitine is administered to a subject in need of a treatment with vinorelbine. 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine are administered immediately before or immediately after surgical removal of a tumor. 
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said vinorelbine is alternative to surgical removal of the tumor. 
   
   
       37 . A method of preventing and/or treating peripheral neuropathies induced by the administration of vinorelbine comprising administering to a subject expected to suffer or suffering from said peripheral neuropathies an effective amount of acetyl L-carnitine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and said vinorelbine. 
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a co-ordinated manner. 
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a sequential manner. 
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a substantially simultaneous manner. 
   
   
       41 . A method of preventing peripheral neuropathies induced by the administration of vinorelbine comprising administering to a subject in view of receiving a treatment with vinorelbine an effective amount of acetyl L-carnitine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof before receiving said vinorelbine. 
   
   
       42 . A method of preventing peripheral neuropathies induced by the administration of vinorelbine comprising administering to a subject in view of receiving a treatment with vinorelbine an effective amount of acetyl L-carnitine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof immediately before or immediately after surgical removal of the tumor and before receiving said vinorelbine. 
   
   
       43 . A method of treating peripheral neuropathies induced by the administration of vinorelbine comprising administering to a subject receiving a treatment with vinorelbine an effective amount of acetyl L-carnitine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a sequential manner. 
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said vinorelbine and said acetyl L-carnitine or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt are administered in a substantially simultaneous manner.