Estriol therapy for autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders

Abstract

The present invention discloses administering steroid hormones to mammals to treat autoimmune related diseases, including post-partum auto immune diseases. Most preferably the invention uses estrogens, estranges, estriol or estrogen receptor active agents to prevent or ameliorate clinical symptoms of these Th1-mediated (cell-mediated) autoimmune diseases known to either have an initial onset following the birth of a child or which are exacerbated in patients in the post-partum period.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A method of treating a secondary progressive form of multiple sclerosis comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising estriol at a therapeutically effective dosage in an effective dosage form. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the therapeutically effective dosage is about 0.001 to about 16 milligrams about every 24 hours. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the treatment results in patient serum concentrations of estriol of about 2 to about 30 nanograms per milliliter. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising administering to the patient progesterone in an effective dosage in an effective dosage form. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the progesterone is administered in a dosage of 100 milligrams per day. 
     
     
         53 . A method of treating a secondary progressive form of multiple sclerosis comprising administering to a patient an oral pharmaceutical composition comprising estriol at a dosage of about 8 milligrams about every 24 hours. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the treatment results in patient serum concentrations of estriol of about 2 to about 30 nanograms per milliliter. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53  further comprising administering to the patient progesterone in an effective dosage in an effective dosage form. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the progesterone is administered in a dosage of 100 milligrams per day.