Patent ID: 6632440
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: A61K,A61P,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of treating hypersecretion of mucus, comprising administering, topically to the airways of a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, said compound comprising:(a) a light chain (L-chain) or L-chain fragment of a clostridial neurotoxin, which L-chain or L-chain fragment comprises the active proteolytic enzyme domain of the L-chain; (b) a targeting domain that binds to a target cell selected from the group consisting of (i) a mucus secreting cell, and (ii) a neuronal cell controlling or directing mucus secretion; and (c) a translocating domain of a clostridial neurotoxin that translocates the L-chain or L-chain fragment into the target cell; with the proviso that said compound is not a botulinum toxin; and wherein, following administration to said patient, the compound binds to and delivers the L-chain or L-chain fragment into said target cell, thereby (i) inhibiting mucus secretion by mucus secreting cells, (ii) inhibiting neurotransmitter release from neuronal cells controlling or directing mucus secretion, or (iii) inhibiting mucus secretion by mucus secreting cells and inhibiting neurotransmitter release from neuronal cells controlling or directing mucus secretion.