Use of tgf-beta antagonists to treat infants at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

The disclosure relates to methods of treating an infant at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia, including premature infants, by administering a TGF-β antagonist during the perinatal period, including the prenatal period and/or the postnatal period. For administration during the prenatal period, the TGF-β antagonist can be administered either directly to the infant in utero, or indirectly by administration to the mother.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating an infant at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a TGF-β antagonist to the infant. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is administered to the infant during the prenatal period. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is administered to the infant by administration to the mother prior to birth of the infant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is administered directly to the infant in utero. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is administered to the infant during the postnatal period. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the age of the infant is about 24 weeks gestation to about 6 months after birth. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infant is a premature infant born at an age of about 24 to about 32 weeks gestation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the infant at birth is about 1500 grams or less. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the infant at birth is about 1000 grams or less. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is selected from the group consisting of an anti-TGF-β antibody, an anti-TGF-β receptor antibody, and a soluble TGF-β receptor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antibody is a human or humanized form of monoclonal antibody 1D11. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is a monoclonal antibody administered at a dose having a potency equivalent to the potency of the 1D11 antibody at a dose of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is a monoclonal antibody administered at a dose having a potency equivalent to the potency of the 1D11 antibody at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is a pan-specific human or humanized monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is administered intramuscularly, intravenously, or subcutaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is inhaled in an aerosolized form. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , where the TGF-β antagonist is administered by a nebulizer or an inhaler. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said aerosolized form comprises droplets less than 10 μm in diameter, said droplets comprising the TGF-β antagonist in a suitable pharmacologically acceptable liquid carrier. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is inhaled in powder form comprising particles less than 10 μm in diameter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administration to the infant at least one additional agent or therapy selected from the group consisting of surfactant, oxygen therapy, ventilator therapy, a steroid, vitamin A, inhaled nitric oxide, high calorie nutritional formulation, a diuretic, and a bronchodilator. 
     
     
         21 . Use of a TGF-β antagonist for treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia in an infant in need thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The use of  claim 21 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is used to ameliorate bronchopulmonary dysplasia in an infant that has been diagnosed with the disease. 
     
     
         23 . Use of a TGF-β antagonist in the manufacture of a medicament for treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia in an infant in need thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating lung injury in an infant, comprising:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of a TGF-β antagonist to the infant; and   providing oxygen supplementation to the infant after birth.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the TGF-β antagonist is selected from the group consisting of an anti-TGF-β antibody, an anti-TGF-β receptor antibody, and a soluble TGF-β receptor.