Treating unwanted ocular condition using an ascomycin macrolactam

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and uses of an ascomycin macrolactam for the treatment of an unwanted ocular condition occurring in a patient undergoing treatment with a therapeutically active agent for the treatment of cancer.

1 . A method for treating an unwanted ocular condition occurring in a patient undergoing cancer treatment with a therapeutically active agent effective for treatment of a cancer, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of an ascomycin macrolactam to the patient, wherein the ascomycin macrolactam administration reduces a symptom of the ocular condition associated with the use of said therapeutically active agent effective for treatment of a cancer, wherein the ascomycin macrolactam is tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, ascomycin, or any combination thereof, and wherein the unwanted ocular condition is nasolacrimal stenosis, canalicular stenosis, lacrimal duct stenosis, chemotherapy induced ocular toxicity, lacrimation, abnormal lacrimation, epiphora, nasolacrimal blockage, dacryocystitis, or keratitis. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ascomycin macrolactam is administered before administration of the therapeutically active agent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ascomycin macrolactam is administered after administration of the therapeutically active agent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ascomycin macrolactam is administered simultaneously with administration of the therapeutically active agent. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically active agent is a chemotherapy agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the chemotherapy agent is Paclitaxel or a Paclitaxel derivative. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the chemotherapy agent is selected from the group consisting of Docetaxel, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Irinotecan Hydrochloride, Fluorouracil, Imatinib Mesylate, and Rituximab. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the chemotherapy agent is docetaxel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically active agent is an antiviral agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antiviral agent is Zalcitabine, Rimantadine Hydrochloride, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically active agent is an immunomodulator. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the immunomodulator is Interferon alfa-2b, Recombinant Mycophenolate Mofetil, Mycophenolate Mofetil Hydrochloride, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled)