Method for non-invasive treatment of cerebral aneurysms

Abstract

Described herein is a method for non-invasive detection and treatment of intra-cranial aneurysms. Antibodies are provided to specifically react/bind with antigens of the cerebral aneurism wall. The antibodies may be bound to a label and/or to a therapeutic agent for diagnosis and/or for treatment purposes thereof. Intra-cranial aneurysms are thus non-invasively detected before rupture occurs and are specifically treated.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A method for treating a cerebral aneurysm in a mammal in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the mammal a compound comprising an antibody moiety that binds a protein or cell present in at least one of: a tunica intima, an internal elastic lamina, a tunica media and a tunica adventitia of a cerebral artery, that is accessible to the antibody moiety from the mammal's bloodstream due to formation of gaps between endothelial cells in a cerebral aneurysm, the antibody conjugated to a therapeutic moiety. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the mammal in need has an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the mammal in need is suspected of having a ruptured or unruptured cerebral aneurysm. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the therapeutic moiety is selected from the group consisting of: a thrombogenic molecule, a compound for promoting cell growth, and a compound for promoting aneurismal wall thickening. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the therapeutic moiety is selected from the group consisting of: elastin, elastin degradation fragment, fibronectin, fibrinogen, and a cell growth factor. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the therapeutic moiety is a protease inhibitor. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the protease inhibitor is an elastase inhibitor or a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the therapeutic moiety comprises a protease inhibitor and fibronectin or fibrinogen. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the therapeutic moiety comprises fibronectin and a cell growth factor. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the antibody or the therapeutic moiety is conjugated to a red blood cell or macromolecule having a molecular weight such that the red blood cell or macromolecule confines the compound to the mammal's bloodstream. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the macromolecule is albumin, transferrin, a globulin, pectin, gelatin, dextran, or a cellulose derivative. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the compound is administered to the subject intravascularly. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the protein or cell is a cell surface antigen of a smooth muscle cell or a fibroblast. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the protein or cell is a glycoprotein. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the protein or cell is a protein selected from the group consisting of: elastin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, a fibrinogen precursor, collagen, laminin, elastin microfibrillar-associated proteins, desmosine, and isodesmosine. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein administration of the compound results in accumulation of the compound at the aneurysm wall and aneurismal lumen thrombosis or aneurism wall thickening.