Methods for improving lung condition and airway

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for improving the lung condition of a cystic fibrosis patient, or for treating a clinical symptom in a patient's airway (e.g., nose, lung, and sinus), by administering a composition comprising an iodine-containing compound and a steroid to the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a clinical symptom of the airway of a patient, comprising administering to a sinal cavity of the patient in need therefore a pharmaceutical composition comprising an iodine-containing compound and a steroid, wherein the steroid comprises fluticasone or budesonide, or a salt or ester thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sinus symptom is inflammation, infection, formation of biofilm, rhinosinusitis, congestion, pain, pressure, fatigue, or thickened nasal discharge. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the airway is sinus, nose, or lung. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as an aqueous solution or a suspension; and the pH of the aqueous solution or the suspension ranges from about 2.0 to about 7.5, from about 2.0 to about 7.0, from about 3.0 to about 6.0, or from about 4.0 to about 5.0. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the iodine-containing compound comprises povidone-iodine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dose volume of the iodine-containing compound administered to the subject is between about 10 mcg to about 300 mcg per day, about 20 mcg to about 200 mcg per day, about 30 mcg to about 100 mcg per day, or about 50 mcg per spray with two spray per nostril per day. 
     
     
         7 . A method for improving the lung condition of a cystic fibrosis patient, comprising washing the sinal cavity of the patient with a pharmaceutical composition comprising an iodine-containing compound and a steroid, wherein the steroid comprises mometasone, fluticasone or budesonide, or a salt or ester thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the iodine-containing compound comprises povidone-iodine. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the concentration range of the iodine-containing compound is from 0.01% to 0.2% by weight/weight or weight/volume percentage, between 0.2% and 1.0% by weight/weight or weight/volume percentage, 0.15% by weight/weight or weight/volume percentage, or 15% by weight/weight or weight/volume percentage. 
     
     
         10 . A method for stabilizing an iodine-containing compound at a low concentration, comprising mixing the iodine-containing compound with a steroid, wherein the steroid comprises fluticasone or budesonide, or a salt or ester thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the iodine-containing compound comprises povidone-iodine. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the concentration of the povidone-iodine ranges from about 0.01% to about 10%, from about 0.1% to about 2.5%, from about 0.15% to about 1.5%, from about 0.2% to about 1.0%, or about 0.2% by weight/weight percentage or weight/volume percentage.