Use of Non-Peptidic NK1 Receptor Antagonists for the Production of Apoptosis in Tumour Cells

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of substance P antagonists and, in particular, the use of non-peptidic NK1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of cancer and, more specifically, human melanoma, neuroblastoma, glioma, human Hodgkin's lymphoma KM-H2, lymphoblastic leukemia, human rhabdomyosarcoma, human breast carcinoma, human Burkitt's lymphoma, human lung carcinoma, human Ewing's sarcoma, human glioma and human osteosarcoma.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of inducing apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells comprising contacting the osteosarcoma cells with a non-peptide NK1 receptor antagonist in an effective amount to induce apoptosis, wherein the non-peptide NK1 receptor antagonist is (2S, 3S)  3 -{[3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]methoxy}-2-phenylpiperidine (L-733060) or aprepitant, wherein the osteosarcoma cells comprise a level of NK1 receptors that is 400% to 500% of the level on non-osteosarcoma cells. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the osteosarcoma cells are in a human subject. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating osteosarcoma in a human subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a non-peptide NK1 receptor antagonist, wherein the non-peptide NK1 receptor antagonist is 3-{[3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]methoxy}-2-phenylpiperidine (L-733060) or aprepitant, wherein the osteosarcoma cells comprise a level of NK1 receptors that is 400% to 500% of the level on non-osteosarcoma cells. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the non-peptide NK1 receptor antagonist is administered in an effective amount to induce apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.