Compositions for Preventing and Treating Pulmonary Injury due to Ionizing Radiation or Cytotoxic Drugs

Abstract

Compositions comprising melatonin or derivatives thereof for administration to the epithelium of the lower airway to protect against lung damage due to chest irradiation and/or cytotoxic chemotherapy are provided.

1 . A composition comprising melatonin or an antioxidant metabolite, derivative or analogue thereof formulated for administration via the airway to the epithelium of the lower airways for the prevention and treatment of lung damage due to chest irradiation and/or the administration of cytotoxic drugs. 
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , comprising additionally a pharmaceutically acceptable form or derivative or analogue of one or more of the substances vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C. 
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1  for the prevention and treatment of lung damage due to chest irradiation. 
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 1  for the prevention and treatment of lung damage due to cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 1  for the prevention and treatment of lung damage due to a combination of chest irradiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 3  in which the chest irradiation is due to a nuclear event or to background radiation following a nuclear event. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1  formulated for administration via the airways by inhalation or by intratracheal, intrabronchial or intraalveolar administration. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is for inhalation as a powder. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is for inhalation as an aerosol. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is for administration 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 times per day. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is for administration over a period of up to 3 months or more, such as 4 months or more, such as 5 months or more, such as 6 months or more. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the single dose of melatonin or metabolite, derivative or analogue thereof is 15 μg to 300 μg per kilogram of body weight. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the single standard adult dose of melatonin or metabolite, derivative or analogue thereof is 1 mg to 20 mg. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the daily dose of melatonin is from one to six times the single dose of 15 μg to 300 μg per kilogram of body weight. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein a single dose of melatonin or metabolite, derivative or analogue thereof is administered immediately before an episode of irradiation or a dose of chemotherapy.