Treatment of autoimmune disorders with a neurotoxin

Abstract

Methods of treating one or more autoimmune disorders include a step of administering a Clostridial neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a patient that has an autoimmune disorder. In one aspect, a method includes a step of administering the neurotoxin to the thymus gland or near the thymus gland of the patient. In another aspect, a method includes a step of administering the neurotoxin in combination with administering a cytokine inhibitor to the patient. Compositions are also described.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a Clostridial neurotoxin and at least one cytokine inhibitor present in amounts effective to treat an autoimmune disorder 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Clostridial neurotoxin is selected from the group consisting of  botulinum  toxins types A, B, C 1 , D, E, F, and G. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Clostridial neurotoxin is  botulinum  toxin type A.