Methods for Therapeutic Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

Abstract

Therapeutic methods for treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy by inhibition of the activity of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Methods encompass the use of IGF-I antagonists, as well as the use of compounds that lower the effective level of IGF-I or interfere with post receptor effects of IGF-I action in the prostate.

1 . A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) disease by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of IGF-I activity. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is an IGF-I antagonist. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is a growth hormone (GH) antagonist. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is a stimulator of IGFBP1. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is an agent that lowers GH production or levels. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is an agent that decreases the synthesis of IGF-I. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the agent that decreases the synthesis of IGF-I is a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the nucleic acid is an antisense sequence or catalytic RNA capable of interfering with the expression of a gene encoding IGF-I. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is an agent which increases the rate of IGF-I degradation. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treating BPH comprises reducing the volume or diameter of a prostate gland in a patient suffering from BPH. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treating BPH comprises reducing undesirable irritative and/or obstructive symptoms. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treating BPH comprises ameliorating undesirable symptoms. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) disease by administration of a pharmaceutical composition consisting essentially of a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of IGF-I activity. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is an IGF-I antagonist. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is a growth hormone (GH) antagonist. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the antagonist is pegvisomant. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is an agent that lowers GH production or levels. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the agent is octreotide or lanreotide. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the inhibitor of IGF-I activity is an agent that decreases the synthesis of IGF-I. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the agent that decrease the synthesis of IGF-I is a nucleic acid.