METHOD OF REDUCING SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY IN CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract: A method for reducing the severity of chemotherapy side effects in cancer patients by administering thymosin alpha 1 in conjunction with the administration of a chemotherapy agent to the patient. As a result of the reduction of post-chemotherapy side effects, patients experience an increase in the quality of life.

Description: METHOD OF REDUCING SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY IN CANCER PATIENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improved treatment of cancer in animals, including humans, by reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cancers are a leading cause of death in animals and humans. The leading cancer therapies today are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In spite of advances in the field of cancer treatment, each of these known therapies has serious side effects. For example, surgery disfigures the patient or interferes with normal bodily functions. Chemotherapy or radiation therapies cause patients to experience acute debilitating symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypersensitivity to light, hair loss, etc. The side effects of these cytotoxic compounds frequently limit the frequency and dosage at which they can be administered. Chemotherapeutic agents have been found useful in treating cancer in humans. Broadly classified as antineoplastics, chemotherapeutic agents found to be of assistance in the suppression of tumors include but are not limited to alkylating agents (e.g., nitrogen mustards), antimetabolites (e.g., pyrimidine analogs), radioactive isotopes (e.g., phosphorous and iodine), hormones (e.g., estrogens and adrenocorticosteroids), miscellaneous agents (e.g., substituted ureas) and natural products (e.g., vinca alkyloids and antibiotics). Although the preceding compounds are not curative agents, they are widely recognized in the medical profession as useful in the suppression, palliation, retardation and control of malignant tumors. While these compounds have been found to be effective and are in general clinical use as antiproliferative agents, there are well recognized drawbacks associated with their administration. The alkylating agents have marked cytotoxic action and the ability of these drugs to interfere with normal mitosis and cell division can be lethal. The antimetabolites can lead to anorexia, progressive weight loss, depression, and coma. Prolonged administration of antimetabolites can result in serious changes in bone marrow. Both the alkylating agents and the antimetabolites generally have a depressive effect on the immunosuppressive system. Prolonged administration of natural products such as vinca alkyloids can also result in bone marrow depression. Hydroxy urea and other chemically derived agents can lead to rapid reduction in levels of adrenocorticosteriods and their metabolites. The administration of hormonal compounds or radioactive isotopes is also undesirable from the viewpoint of inflicting damage on the immunosuppressive system and thereby disabling the body's defenses against common infections. In most instances, it would be preferable to employ a chemotherapeutic agent which is effective in controlling, retarding, or suppressing the growth of malignant tumors while simultaneously acting to stimulate the patient's immune system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided in which the side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients are reduced by administering thymosin , ("To.,") in conjunction with the administration of the chemotherapy agent to the patient. The reduction in the severity of post-chemotherapy side effects increases the quality of life experienced by patients receiving chemotherapy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is known that the thymus produces a family of polypeptides termed thymosin and perhaps several other thymic hormones and/or factors which play an important role in the maturation, differentiation and function of T-cells. Thymosin has been found to induce T-cell differentiation and enhance immunological functions in genetically athymic mice, in adult thymectisized mice and in NZB mice with severe autoimmune reactions, in tumor bearing mice and in mice with casein-induced amyloidosis. Thymosin α,, an acidic polypeptide isolated from thymosin fraction 5 is an immunomodulator that acts primarily by enhancing T-cell function and also has been shown to have direct anti-cancer effects. Thymosin α, has been found to stimulate T-cell maturation, differentiation and function. It has been previously documented that thymosin α, reduces the incidence and severity of post-chemotherapy infections. It has now been found that the use of thymosin α, in conjunction with the administration of antineoplastics (chemotherapeutic agents) significantly improves the cancer patient's quality of life by reducing nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, inability to sleep, decline in overall feeling, reduction in daily activity, fatigue and depression. The administration of thymosin α, does not appear to result in any side effects. The mechanism by which thymosin , acts to improve the patient quality of life is not yet known. Without being bound to any particular theory, one possibility may relate to the apparent ability of thymosin α, to block neurotransmitter receptors. It is believed that most chemotherapeutic agents activate the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and that the CT2 chemotherapy interaction triggers the release of neurotransmitters that activate the vomiting center. CTZ neurotransmitters that are thought to cause emesis include but are not limited to, dopamine, serotonin, histamine, norepinephrine, apomorphine, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). In vitro and in vivo studies, have shown that thymosin α, has a VIP receptor blocking effect. This may explain why thymosin α, can control vomiting in patients whose vomiting could not be controlled by 5-HT blockers. The increase in quality of life may be due to thymosin ,'s ability to control GI adverse effects like nausea and vomiting through the above described VIP receptor blocking effect or it could be the result of a reduction of low grade, clinically undetectable infections or some combination thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, the thymosin α, is administered prior to the administration of the chemotherapy. The thymosin α, may be administered on a single day or be administered on several days prior to the chemotherapy. In another embodiment of the invention, the thymosin , is administered following the administration of the antineoplastic agent. In this embodiment, the thymosin , may be administered once or several times prior to the chemotherapy. This administration may take place on a single day or on a series of days prior to the administration of the antineoplastic agent. In another embodiment of the invention, thymosin α, is administered prior to and subsequent to the administration of the antineoplastic agent. This administration may take place on one or multiple days prior to and one or multiple days subsequent to the chemotherapy. In one preferred embodiment, thymosin , is administered to cancer patients once each day on four days immediately preceding the administration of the antineoplastic agent and once on day 2 and on day 4 following chemotherapy. Tα, can be administered in any suitable way, such as by injection, infusion, or transcutaneously. Other methods of administration may also be possible, such as orally as a liquid or solid dosage form. In preferred embodiments Tα, is injected. Thymosin α, may be administered at any suitable dosage level, e.g., within a range of about 0.1 - 3 mg. In preferred embodiments, thymosin α, is administered via injection at a dosage of about 1.6 mg s.c. Thymosin α, can be administered to reduce side effects of any suitable antineoplastic agents, including one or more antineoplastic agent selected from the group consisting of alkylating agents (e.g., nitrogen mustards), antimetabolites (e.g., pyrimidine analogs), radioactive isotopes (e.g., phosphorous and iodine), hormones (e.g., estrogens and adrenocorticosteroids), miscellaneous agents (e.g., substituted ureas) and natural products (e.g., vinca alkyloids and antibiotics). Examples of such anitneoplastic agents include but are not limited to the following: ADJUNCT ANTINEOPLASIC THERAPY: Aloprim™ for Injection Anzemet® Injection Anzemet® Tablets Aredia® for Injection Didronel® I.V. Infusion Diflucan® Tablets, Injection, and Oral Suspension Epogen® for Injection Ergamisol® Tablets Ethyol® for Injection Kytril® Injection Kytril® Tablets Leucovorin Calcium for Injection Leucovorin Calcium Tablets Leukine® Marinol® Capsules Mesnex® Injection Neupogen® for Injection Procrit® for Injection Saiagen® Tablets Sandostatin® Injection Zinecard® for Injection Zofran® Injection Zofran® ODT™ Orally Disintegrating Tablets Zofran® Oral Solution Zofran® Tablets Zyloprim® Tablets ALKYLATING AGENTS: Myleran® Tablets Paraplatin® for Injection Platinol® for Injection Platinol-AQ® Injection Thioplex® for Injection NITROGEN MUSTARDS: Alkeran® for Injection Alkeran® Tablets Cytoxan® for Injection Cytoxan® Tablets Ifex® for Injection Leukeran® Tablets Mustargen® for Injection NITROSOUREAS: BiCNU® CeεNU® Gliadel® Wafer Zanosar® Sterile Powder ANTIBIOTICS: Adriamycin® PFS/RDS for Injection Blenoxane® Cerubidine® for Injection Cosmegen® for Injection DaunoXome® Doxil® Injection Doxorubicin Hydrochloride for Injection, USP Idamycin PFS Injection Mithracin® for Intravenous Use Mutamycin® for Injection Nipent® for Injection Novantrone® for Injection Rubex® for Injection Valstar™ Sterile Solution for Intravesical Instil:. Lupron® Injection Zoladex® PROGESTLNS Depo-Provera® Sterile Aqueous Suspension Megace® Tablets IMMUNOMODULATORS Ergamisol® Tablets Proleukin® for Injection MISCELLANEOUS ANTINEOPLASTICS Camptosar® Injection Celestone® Soluspan® Suspension DTIC-Dome® Elspar® for Injection Etopophos® for Injection Etoposide Injection Gemzar® for Injection Herceptin® I.V. Hexalen® Capsules Hycamtin® for Injection Hydrea® Capsules Hydroxyurea Capsules, USP Intron® A for Injection Lysodren® Tablets Matulane® Capsules Navelbine® Injection Oncapsar® Oncovin® Solution Vials and Hyporets Ontak™ Vials Proleukin® for Injection Rituxan™ for Infusion Rituxan® I.V. Roferon®-A Injection Taxol® Injection Taxotere® tor Injection Concentrate TheraCys® Tice® BCG Vaccine, USP Velban® Vials VePesid® Capsules VePesid® for Injection Vesanoid® Capsules Vumon® for Injection PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS Photofrin® for Injection SKIN AND MUCUS MEMBRANE AGENTS Efudex® Cream Efudex® Topical Solution Fluoroplex® Topical Cream Fluoroplex® Topical Solution The invention is illustrated by the following Example, which is not intended to be limiting. Example 1 METHOD: A randomized crossover open label trial was performed. A total of sixty patients, twenty with lung cancer, twenty with gastric cancer and twenty with breast cancer were studied during two complete cycles of chemotherapy. All patients were randomized into two groups. In group 1, patients received chemotherapy with thymosin , in the first cycle, and without thymosin α, in the second cycle. While patients in group 2 received chemotherapy without thymosin , in the first cycle, and with thymosin α, in the second cycle. The patients were treated as follows: Twenty lung cancer patients were treated with 100 mg of Etoposide IV on days 1-5 and 40 mg of Cisplatin I.V. on days 1-3 in a 21 day cycle. Twenty gastric cancer patients were treated with 100 mg of Etoposide IV on days 1-5, 30 mg/m 2 Calcium Leucovorin IN. on days 1-5 and 500 mg/m 2 5-Fluorouricil (5-FU) IN. on days 1-5. Twenty breast cancer patients were treated with 5-Fluorouricil 500 mg/m 2 , Adriamycin IN. 30 mg/m 2 IN. on day 1 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m 2 IN. on day 1. 8 A mild anti-emetic consisting of 20 mg metoclopamide, I.M. and 5 mg Dexamethasone IN. were given to all patients on days 1-5. All subjects on thymosin received six injections of 1.6 mg s.c. Tα, on each of the four days immediately preceding the chemotherapy and on days two and four following chemotherapy. All patients who have completed the two cycles of chemotherapy, then were reallocated into two cohorts, A and B. Cohort A are patients with Tα,, and Cohort B are patients without Tα,. ANALYSIS: Quality of life was analyzed using a scored scale for (1) loss of appetite, (2) loss of sleep, (3) fatigue, (4) reduction in daily activity, (5) decline in overall feeling, (6) depression and (7) nausea and vomiting. Maximum total score was 35 points. RESULTS: A comparison between cycles (with Tα, and without Tα,) was performed. The addition of Tα, to chemotherapy cycles significantly increases the quality of life scores compared with cycles without Tα,. Side Effects Loss of Appetite 4.33 vs. 3.99 p = 0.0001 Loss of Sleep 4.41 vs. 4.10 p = 0.002 Fatigue 4.05 vs. 3.70 p = 0.0001 Reduction in Daily Activity 4.12 vs. 3.84 p = 0.0001 Decline in Overall Feeling 4.32 vs. 3.94 p = 0.0001 Depression 4.01 vs. 3.72 p = 0.003 Nausea and Vomiting 4.29 vs. 3.93 p = 0.001 Nausea and vomiting classified according to WHO criteria: Group n Grade 0 Gr.l Gr.2 Gr.3 Gr.4 P value A (with Tα,) 54 7/55 33 13 1 0 PO.0005 B (Without Tα,) 53 4/53 19 19 11 0 CONCLUSION: Adding Tα, to chemotherapy significantly improves patient quality of life.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of reducing side effects of chemotherapy in a cancer patient, comprising administering to a cancer patient thymosin α, (Tα,) in conjunction with administration of a chemotherapy agent to said patient. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the Tα, is administered prior to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said Tα, is administered subsequent to said chemotherapy agent. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said Tα, is administered both prior to and subsequent to said chemotherapy agent. 5. The method of claim 2 wherein said Tα, is administered during a plurality of administrations on a plurality of days prior to said chemotherapy agent. 6. The method of claim 2 wherein said Tα, is administered as a single administration on each of a plurality of days prior to said chemotherapy agent. 7. The method of claim 2 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered one day immediately prior to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 8. The method of claim 2 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered on each of two days immediately prior to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 9. The method of claim 2 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered on each of three days immediately prior to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 10. The method of claim 2 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered on each of four days immediately prior to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 10 11. The method of claim 3 wherein a plurality of administrations of said Tα, are administered on a plurality of days subsequent to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 12. The method of claim 3 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered on each of a plurality of days subsequent to administration of said chemotherapy agent, 13. The method of claim 3 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered one day immediately subsequent to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 14. The method of claim 3 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered on each of two days immediately subsequent to said administration of said chemotherapy agent. 15. The method of claim 4 wherein a plurality of administrations of said Tα, are administered on a plurality of days prior to and subsequent to the administration of said chemotherapy agent. 16. The method of claim 4 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered on each of a plurality of days prior to and subsequent to the administration of said chemotherapy agent. 17. The method of claim 4 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered one day immediately prior to and one day immediately subsequent to administration of said chemotherapy agent. 18. The method of claim 4 wherein a single administration of Tα, is administered on each of two days immediately days prior to and two days immediately subsequent to the administration of said chemotherapy agent. 19. The method of claim 1 wherein Tα, is administered at a dosage within a range of about .1 - 3.2 mg. 20. The method of claim 1 wherein Tα, is administered at a dosage of about 1.6 mg. 11 21. The method of claim 1 wherein said chemotherapy agent is selected from the group consisting of antineoplastic alkylating agents, antineoplastic antimetabolites, antineoplastic radioactive isotopes, antineoplastic hormones, antineoplastic ureas, antineoplastic vinca alkaloids, antineoplastic antibiotics, and combinations thereof. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein said antineoplastic alkylating agents are nitrogen mustards, said antineoplastic antimetabolites are pyrimidine analogs, said antineoplastic radioactive isotopes are radioactive phosphorous, radioactive iodine or a combination thereof, and said antineoplastic hormones are estrogens, adrenocorticosteroids, and combinations thereof. 23. The method of claim 1 wherein said chemotherapy agent is selected from the group consisting of: allopurinol sodium, dolasetron mesylate, pamidronate disodium, etidronate, fluconazole, epoetin alfa, levamisole HCL, amifostine, granisetron HCL, leucovorin calcium, sargramostim, dronabinol, mesna, filgrastim, pilocarpine HCl, octreotide acetate, dexrazoxane, ondansetron HCl, ondansetron, busulfan, carboplatin, cisplatin, thiotepa, melphalan HCl, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, chlorambucil, mechlorethamine HCl, carmustine, lomustine. polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant, streptozocin, doxorubicin HCl, bleomycin sulfate, daunirubicin HCl, dactinomycin, daunorucbicin citrate, idarubicin HCl, plimycin, mitomycin, pentostatin, mitoxantrone, valrubicin, cytarabine, fludarabine phosphate, floxuridine, cladribine, methotrexate, mercaptipurine, thioguanine, capecitabine, methyltestosterone, nilutamide, testolactone, bicalutamide, flutamide, anastrozole, toremifene citrate, tamoxifen, estramustine phosphate sodium, ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, esterified estrogens, conjugated estrogens, leuprolide acetate, goserelin acetate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, levamisole HCl, aldesleukin, irinotecan HCl, dacarbazine, asparaginase, etoposide phosphate, gemcitabine HCl, trastuzumab, altretamine, topotecan HCl, hydroxyurea, interferon alfa-2b, recombinant, mitotane, procarbazine HCl, vinorelbine tartrate, E. coli L-asparaginase, Erwinia L- asparaginase, vincristine sulfate, denileukin diftitox, aldesleukin, rituximab, interferon alfa-2a, recombinant, paclitaxel, docetaxel, BCG live (intravesical), vinblastine sulfate, etoposide, tretinoin, teniposide, porfimer sodium, fluorouracil, betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate, letrozole, and combinations thereof. 12 24. The method of claim 1 wherein said chemotherapy agent is selected from the group consisting of etoposide citrororum factor, folinic acid, calcium leucouorin, 5-fluorouricil, adriamycin, cytoxan, diamino dichloro platinum and combinations thereof. 25. The method of claim 1 wherein said side effects are selected from the group consisting of loss of appetite, loss of sleep, fatigue, reduction in daily activity, decline in overall feeling, depression, nausea and vomiting and combinations thereof. 13

Inventors: QUAN MAGGIE JIE, RUDOLPH ALFRED R, TAM VINCENT CHUNG-YIN, QUAN, MAGGIE, JIE, RUDOLPH, ALFRED, R., TAM, VINCENT, CHUNG-YIN
Applicants: SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC, SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61K38
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K33, A61K38, A61K45, A61P1, A61P25, A61P35