Compositions and methods for treating heart failure

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for treating chronic heart failure patients using the medication comprising neuregulin. The methods comprise first performing a companion diagnostic test of each patient before treatment; and then providing a suitable treatment to the patient according to the results of the companion diagnostic test. When the result of the test is within a favorite treatment zone, the patient is suitable for heart failure treatment by administering an effective amount of neuregulin.

1 . A method of treating chronic heart failure, comprising:
 a) performing a companion diagnostic test of each patient before treatment; and   b) providing a suitable treatment to the patient according to the results of the companion diagnostic test.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is the NYHA heart function classification. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is the test of plasma level of NT-proBNP or BNP. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suitable treatment comprising neuregulin treatment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the suitable treatment further comprising treating heart failure using one or more anti-heart failure drugs selected from a group consisting of: ACE inhibitors, β-blockers, ARBs, diuretics, and digitalis. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said suitable treatment is administered when the heart function is NYHA class II or III. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claims 3 , wherein said suitable treatment is administered when plasma level of NT-proBNP is ≦4000 fmol/ml. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the neuregulin is neuregulin-1. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the neuregulin protein comprises of EGF-like domain of neuregulin-1. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the neuregulin comprises of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         11 . Use of neuregulin for the preparation of medications for treating chronic heart failure patients, wherein the patients have a plasma NT-proBNP level of ≦4000 fmol/ml before treatment. 
     
     
         12 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . Use of neuregulin for the preparation of medications for treating chronic heart failure patients, wherein the patients has a class II or III heart function as classified by NYHA functional classification. 
     
     
         19 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of treating chronic heart failure comprising administering neuregulin, wherein the administration of neuregulin improves the clinical indication of the patient. 
     
     
         26 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A method of selecting a heart failure patient for treatment by neuregulin, comprises performing a companion diagnostic test before treatment and decide whether the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is measuring the plasma level of NT-proBNP in said patient. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the plasma level of NT-proBNP≦4000 fmol/ml. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the plasma level of NT-proBNP is between 1600 fmol/ml and 4000 fmol/ml. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the plasma level of NT-proBNP is ≦1600 fmol/ml. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the plasma level is measured by immunoassay. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the companion diagnostic test is evaluating heart function by NYHA heart function classification. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the result of the test is indicative for the treatment by neuregulin when the heart function is NYHA class II or III. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the neuregulin is neuregulin-1. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the neuregulin protein comprises of EGF-like domain of neuregulin-1. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the neuregulin comprises of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         60 - 62 . (canceled)