Patent · US Expired

Method and composition for inhibiting cancer cell growth

US7264800B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
7References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 27, 2005
Grant dateSep 4, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 4, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61K48/00
  • WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Improvements in methods of treating cancer with weakly basic anti-cancer compounds are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides an improvement in a method of treating cancer cells whose extracellular environment contains 1–8 mM urea, by exposing the cells to a weakly basic anti-cancer compound which is effective in inhibiting the growth of the cells. The improvement includes (a) exposing the cells to a urease enzyme composition and, (b) by step (a), reducing the amount of anti-cancer compound required to produce a given extent of inhibition in the growth of the cells when the cells are exposed to the anti-cancer agent. Methods of potentiating the specific therapeutic activity of a weakly basic anti-cancer compound in the treatment of a given mammalian cancer which is responsive to the compound are provided as are pharmaceutical compositions for use in intravenous administration to a subject are also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.