Patent ID: 6596269
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
A method of treating chronic pain by administering a beta-endorphin-expressing recombinant virus into a subarachnoid space, wherein basal nociceptive responses are not significantly affected, the method comprising the following steps:(a) providing a recombinant virus in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the recombinant virus is a recombinant adenovirus or a recombinant adeno-associated virus or a mixture thereof, wherein the recombinant virus comprises a nucleic acid insert encoding a beta-endorphin-secretion signal fusion protein, wherein the concentration of recombinant virus in the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is between about 105 to about 1015 particles per mL; and (b) administering the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient into the subarachnoid space or epidural space, wherein the recombinant virus infects the pia mater or arachnoid mater or dura mater connective tissue cells, wherein the infected cells express the fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein or a processed peptide is secreted into connective tissue interstitial space or cerebral spinal fluid or spinal chord parenchymal tissue in an amount effective to treat the chronic pain but not significantly affecting basal nociceptive responses.