Means and methods for treating copper-related diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of (bio-)medicine, and more particularly to the treatment of copper-related diseases. Novel means and methods for depleting (excess) copper from organs and/or the circulation are provided. Agents with a high copper binding affinity and stabilized forms thereof are provided, as well as a novel treatment regimen. The means and methods of the present invention are particularly useful for treatment of Wilson Disease, but also for treatment of other conditions.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a stabilized methanobactin, wherein said methanobactin complexes Zn(I) and/or Zn(II) and/or said pharmaceutical composition is provided at a pH ≥9. 
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  comprising a stabilized methanobactin complexing Zn(I) and/or Zn(II), being prepared contacting an amount of Zn(I) and/or Zn(II) and an amount of methanobactin in a ratio of 1:1 in aqueous solution. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , being essentially stable at 37° C. for at least 20, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 hours or more. 
     
     
         4 . A kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  further comprising an active agent. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 5 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of copper chelators d-penicillamine (D-PA), trientine (TETA), tetrathiomolybdate (TTM), zinc salts, chemotherapeutic agents, levodopa and derivatives thereof, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, anticholinergics, amantadine, cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine and riluzole. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , which is administered to a subject parentally or orally.