Tyrosine kinase receptor antagonists and methods of treatment for pancreatic cancer

Abstract

A method of treatment is disclosed whereby cancer cells are brought into contact with a formulation comprising an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase receptors. The formulation may be comprised of an injectable carrier and two or more tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors which may be nordihydrogluaiaretic acid (NDGA) and doxyrubicine.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of treating a human pancreatic cancer patient comprising:
 orally administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation comprising: (1) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (2) nordihydroguaiaretic acid or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and (3) doxorubicin, wherein the NDGA and doxorubicin act synergistically to inhibit growth of the pancreatic cancer cells, and wherein doxorubicin and NDGA are administered in amounts below a therapeutically effective amount of either doxorubicin or NDGA when doxorubicin or NDGA are administered alone.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the amount of doxorubicin administered is less than 60 mg/m 2  once in 21 days, or less than 30 mg/m 2  daily for 3 days every four weeks. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the amount of NDGA administered is less than 100 mg/kg orally three times a week, or 37.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally three times a week. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein side effects are decreased compared to giving either doxorubicin or NDGA at higher dosages. 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a human pancreatic cancer patient, wherein pancreatic cancer cells in the cancer patient do not express Her2/neu receptor, comprising:
 orally administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation comprising: (1) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (2) nordihydroguiaretic acid (NDGA) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; (3) and doxorubicin, wherein the NDGA and doxorubicin act synergistically to inhibit growth of the pancreatic cancer cells, and wherein doxorubicin and NDGA are administered in amounts below a therapeutically effective amount of either doxorubicin or NDGA when doxorubicin or NDGA are administered alone.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the amount of doxorubicin administered is less than 60 mg/m 2  once in 21 days, or less than 30 mg/m 2  daily for 3 days every four weeks. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the amount of NDGA administered is less than 100 mg/kg orally three times a week, or 37.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally three times a week. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein side effects are decreased compared to giving either doxorubicin or NDGA at higher dosages. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a pancreatic cancer patient, wherein pancreatic cancer cells in the cancer patient express Her2/neu receptor, comprising the steps of:
 administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation comprising: (1) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (2) nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and (3) doxorubicin, wherein the NDGA and doxorubicin act synergistically to inhibit growth of the pancreatic cancer cells, and wherein the amount of doxorubicin administered is less than 60 mg/m 2  once in 21 days, or less than 30 mg/m 2  daily for 3 days every four weeks and the amount of NDGA is less than 100 mg/kg orally three times a week, or 37.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally three times a week.   
     
     
         36 . A method of treating a pancreatic cancer patient, wherein pancreatic cancer cells in the cancer patient do not express Her2/neu receptor, comprising the steps of:
 administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation comprising: (1) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (2) nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and (3) doxorubicin, wherein the NDGA and doxorubicin act synergistically to inhibit growth of the pancreatic cancer cells, and wherein the amount of doxorubicin administered is less than 60 mg/m 2  once in 21 days, or less than 30 mg/m 2  daily for 3 days every four weeks and the amount of NDGA is less than 100 mg/kg orally three times a week, or 37.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally three times a week.