Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin

Abstract

Disclosed are microcapsules that include an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) within the microcapsules, and pharmaceutical compositions and kits that include the microcapsules. Also disclosed are methods for treating or preventing an age-related disease, condition, or disorder in a subject that involve administering to a subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of microcapsules that includes an inhibitor of mTOR within the microcapsules.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method for orally administering rapamycin to a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising rapamycin in combination with a hydrophilic, swellable, hydrogel forming material, wherein said composition is encased in a coating that includes a water insoluble polymer and a hydrophilic water permeable agent. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the water insoluble polymer is a methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the subject in need thereof is known or suspected to have an age-related disease. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the age-related disease is Alzheimer's disease or cancer. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the subject is a human greater than age 50. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the composition reduces age-related decline in cognition in the subject. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the rapamycin containing composition is comprised in a food or food additive. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the rapamycin containing composition comprises 25% to 60% by weight of rapamycin. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the average blood level of rapamycin in the subject is greater than 25 ng/ml after administration of the composition. 
     
     
         57 . A method for treating or delaying onset of an age-related disease or prolonging the lifespan of a mammalian subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition comprising rapamycin in combination with a hydrophilic, swellable, hydrogel forming material, wherein the composition is encased in a coating that includes a water insoluble polymer and a hydrophilic water permeable agent, and wherein the age-related disease is treated, the onset of age-related disease is delayed or the lifespan of the subject is prolonged. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the water insoluble polymer is a methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the subject in need thereof is known or suspected to have an age-related disease. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the subject in need thereof is known to have an age-related disease. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the age-related disease is Alzheimer's disease or cancer. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the composition comprises 25% to 60% by weight of rapamycin, wherein the average blood level of rapamycin in the subject is greater than 25 ng/ml after administration of the composition, and wherein the subject is a human greater than age 50. 
     
     
         63 . A method for orally administering rapamycin to a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising 25% to 60% by weight of rapamycin in combination with a hydrophilic, swellable, hydrogel forming material, wherein said composition is encased in a coating that prevents release and absorption of said composition until reaching the small intestines of said subject, wherein said coating includes a water insoluble polymer and a hydrophilic water permeable agent and the average blood level of said rapamycin in said subject is greater than 25 ng/ml, and wherein said subject is a human greater than age 50. 
     
     
         64 . A pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition comprising rapamycin in combination with a hydrophilic, swellable, hydrogel forming material, wherein the composition is encased in a coating that includes a water insoluble polymer and a hydrophilic water permeable agent. 
     
     
         65 . The pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition of  claim 64 , wherein the water insoluble polymer is a methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer. 
     
     
         66 . The pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition of  claim 64 , wherein the composition comprises 25% to 60% by weight of rapamycin or an analog thereof.