Treating neoplasms with neurotoxin

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of treating a neoplasm using a neurotoxin, preferably botulinum toxin. Neurotoxin administered around a neoplasm acts to decrease the contractile forces of the muscles surrounding a neoplasm which normally squeeze neoplastic cells through efferent channels leaving the neoplasm to distant sites. The present invention also provides a method of administering botulinum toxin at sites distant from the neoplasm, thereby enhancing cellular and humoral immunologic functions, which further contribute to neoplastic cell death. Following administration of botulinum toxin around or distant to a neoplasm as described herein, local, regional, and distant spread of neoplastic cells is reduced or eliminated. Immunomodulation with botulinum toxin is also valuable in treating other diseases that may or may not be associated with cancers, such as viral-induced growths, viral conditions, fungal disease, chronic wounds, graft versus host disease, autoimmune disease, and HIV.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of weakening or paralyzing the muscle fibers surrounding a neoplasm in a patient, comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin to non-neoplastic tissue around the neoplasm, such that the therapeutically effective amount of the neurotoxin weakens or paralyzes the muscle fibers in the non-neoplastic tissue around the neoplasm and induces an inflammatory response, wherein the size of the neoplasm is reduced. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the neurotoxin is botulinum toxin. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin serotype selected from the group consisting of: A, B, C 1 , D, E, F, and G. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin serotype A or botulinum toxin serotype B. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the neoplasm is a non-cancerous neoplasm. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the non-cancerous neoplasm is a viral-induced growth. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the viral-induced growth is a wart. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the wart is verruca vulgaris. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising administering to the patient a second therapeutic composition. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the second therapeutic composition is administered after the neurotoxin. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the second therapeutic composition is administered at the same time as the neurotoxin. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the second therapeutic composition is administered before the neurotoxin. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the second therapeutic composition is an immunotherapy agent. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the immunotherapy agent is administered topically. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the immunotherapy agent is administered to the non-malignant neoplasm. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the neurotoxin potentiates the efficacy of the second therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the dose of botulinum toxin does not exceed 500 units per application to the patient. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the dose of botulinum toxin is between about 0.01 to about 100 units per application to the patient. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the botulinum toxin is applied topically, by inhalation, or by injection. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the botulinum toxin is applied by injection.