Methods of treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by administering a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise a taxane and an albumin. The invention also provides combination therapy methods of treating HCC comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise a taxane and an albumin and another agent, such as an agent that inhibits microtubule disassembly.

1 . A method of treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising a taxane and an albumin. 
     
     
         2 . A method of treating HCC in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to the individual (a) an effective amount of a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising a taxane and albumin; and (b) an effective amount of at least one other agent, wherein said other agent inhibits microtubule disassembly. 
     
     
         3 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the HCC is liver cell carcinoma, fibrolamellar variant of HCC, or mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma. 
     
     
         13 . The method  claim 1 , wherein the HCC is early stage HCC, non-metastatic HCC, primary HCC, advanced HCC, locally advanced HCC, metastatic HCC, HCC in remission, recurrent HCC, HCC in an adjuvant setting, or HCC in a neoadjuvant setting. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprising nanoparticles comprising taxane and albumin is administered parenterally. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition comprising nanoparticles comprising taxane and albumin is administered intravenously, intraarterially, intrahepatically, or intraportally. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the taxane is paclitaxel. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles in the composition have an average diameter of less than about 200 nm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the taxane in the nanoparticles is coated with albumin. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual is human. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the HCC is liver cell carcinoma. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the HCC is fibrolamellar variant of HCC. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the HCC is mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of albumin and taxane in the nanoparticle composition is about 1:1 to about 9:1. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of albumin and taxane in the nanoparticle composition is about 9:1. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of albumin and taxane in the nanoparticle composition is about 9:1, and wherein the taxane in the nanoparticles is coated with albumin. 
     
     
         27 . A kit comprising a) a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising a taxane and an albumin, and 2) an instruction for using the composition comprising nanoparticles comprising taxane and albumin for treating HCC in an individual.