Anti-estrogen and immune modulator combinations for treating breast cancer

Abstract

Compositions for treating cancers of mucosal tissues including breast, prostate, ovary, colon are disclosed which include various combinations of new or conventional anti-estrogen compounds, aromatase inhibitors, immune modulators, immune inhibitors, immune inhibitor mimicking compounds and steroid or thyroid hormones. Methods of predicting susceptibility of a cancer of mucosal origin to treatment with a composition containing an immune inhibitor or an immune inhibitor mimicking compound are also disclosed. Preferred methods include identifying in a specimen of cancer cells the presence of a Poly-Ig (Fe) receptor or Poly-Ig-like (Fc) receptor capable of binding to an immune inhibitor or an immune inhibitor mimicking compound and of mediating immune inhibition of cancer cell growth.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating breast cancer in an individual in need of such treatment, the method comprising:
 in a specimen of breast cancer cells from said individual, determining susceptibility of at least a portion of said cells to cell growth inhibition by an immunoglobulin inhibitor mimicking compound by a method comprising identifying in at least a portion of said cells the expression of a Poly-Ig receptor or Poly-Ig-like receptor, or the Fc receptor region thereof, that is capable of binding to said immunoglobulin inhibitor mimicking compound and mediating immunoglobulin inhibition of breast cancer cell growth; and   administering said immunoglobulin inhibitor mimicking compound to said individual.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising administering an aromatase inhibitor to said individual. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising administering a pure anti-estrogen compound to said individual. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising administering to said individual an enhancer of immunoglobulin production. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said enhancer is levimisole. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said enhancer is imiquimod. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said enhancer is picibanil. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said enhancer is DHEA. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (Canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising administering at least one hormone to said individual. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said at least one hormone is chosen from pituitary hormones, adrenal hormones, thyroid hormones, cytokines and neurogenic hormones. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said at least one hormone comprises progesterone. 
     
     
         22 - 28 . (canceled)