Patent Description:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most known chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system in humans. The onset of the disease typically occurs during ages <NUM> to <NUM>. Women are affected approximately twice as often as men.

Over time, MS may result in the accumulation of various neurological disabilities. Clinical disability in MS is presumed to be a result of repeated inflammatory injury with subsequent loss of myelin and axons, leading to tissue atrophy.

MS is manifested in physical symptoms (relapses and disability progression), Central Nervous System (CNS) inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive impairment. Presenting symptoms include focal sensory deficits, focal weakness, visual problems, imbalance and fatigue. Sexual impairment and sphincter dysfunction may occur. Approximately half of the patients with MS may experience cognitive impairment or depression.

MS is now considered to be a multi-phasic disease and periods of clinical quiescence (remissions) occur between exacerbations. Remissions vary in length and may last several years but are infrequently permanent.

Four courses of the disease are individualized: relapsing-remitting (RR), secondary progressive (SP), primary progressive (PP) and progressive relapsing (PR) multiple sclerosis.

More than <NUM>% of patients with MS will initially display a RR course with clinical exacerbation of neurological symptoms, followed by a recovery that may or may not be complete (<NPL>).

During RRMS, accumulation of disability results from incomplete recovery from relapses. Approximately, half of the patients with RRMS switch to a progressive course, called SPMS, <NUM> years after the diseased onset. During the SP phase, worsening of disability results from the accumulation of residual symptoms after exarcerbation but also from insidious progression between exacerbations (Lublin and Reingold above). <NUM>% of MS patients have PPMS which is characterized by insidious progression of the symptoms from the disease onset. Less than <NUM> % of patients have PRMS and are often considered to have the same prognosis as PPMS. It is suggested that distinct pathogenic mechanisms may be involved in different patient sub-groups and have wide-ranging implications for disease classification (<NPL>; <NPL>).

MS onset is defined by the occurrence of the first neurological symptoms of CNS dysfunction. Advances in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have simplified the diagnostic process and facilitated early diagnostic (<NPL>). The International Panel on the Diagnosis of MS issued revised criteria facilitating the diagnosis of MS and including MRI together with clinical and para-clinical diagnostic methods (<NPL>).

Current medications for MS which are disease modifying treatments, i.e. modifying the course of MS, modulate or suppress the immune system. There are four FDA approved immunomodulating agents for RRMS: three beta interferons (Betaseron®, Berlex; Avonex®, Biogen; Rebif®, Serono) and Glatimarer Acetate (Copaxone®, Amgen). There is also one FDA approved immunosuppressing drug for worsening MS, Mitoxantrone (Novantrone®, Amgen). Several other immunosuppressive agents are used, although not FDA approved.

Among them, Cladribine, a chlorinated purine analogue <NUM>-chloro-<NUM>'deoxyadenosine analogue (<NUM>-CdA), has been suggested to be useful in the treatment of MS (<CIT> and <CIT>).

Several clinical studies with Cladribine in patients with multiple sclerosis have investigated the use of i. Cladribine in MS.

Two double-blind, placebo controlled Phase II studies were conducted respectively in the treatment of Chronic Progressive MS (<NPL>) and Relapsing-Remitting MS respectively (<NPL>).

In the first trial, the Cladribine dose used was <NUM>/kg/day for <NUM> days by continuous i. The treatment for repeated for <NUM> consecutive months.

In the second clinical trial, the Cladribine dose used was <NUM>/kg/day for <NUM> days by subcutaneous injection. The treatment was repeated for <NUM> consecutive months.

In addition, placebo controlled Phase III study was conducted in patients with primary progressive (PP) or secondary progressive (SP) multiple sclerosis (<NPL>). In this study, both patient groups received Cladribine by subcutaneous injection at a dose of <NUM>/kg/day. The treatment was repeated for either <NUM> months or <NUM> months.

The Phase II clinical studies provided evidence for the positive effects of Cladribine in patients with MS in terms of Kutzke Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Scripps Neurologic rating Scale (SNRS) scores and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings (<NPL>; Romine et al. , <NUM> above). Phase III study results, were positive on the significant reduction of MRI-measured brain lesions (Rice at al. , <NUM>, above).

Some adverse effects (AEs), such as increased incidence of infections related to compromised immune function or myelosuppression, were observed with the highest doses (Selby et al. , <NUM>, above; <NPL>). Due to the narrow margin of safety between the efficacy dose and the dose of occurrence of AEs, to date, all clinical trials for Cladribine in multiple sclerosis have been conducted using either i. administration. As a result, Beutler et al. (<NPL>) excluded the oral route for the treatment of multiple sclerosis with Cladribine.

Grieb et al. reported a small trial in <NUM> patients with remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis (<NPL>) wherein Cladribine has been orally administered during <NUM> monthly courses of <NUM> days at a total dose of about <NUM>-<NUM>/kg (patients of about <NUM> and about <NUM> kilos, respectively) i.e. a total effective dose of <NUM>-<NUM>/kg. For some patients, a single re-treatment of <NUM> days was performed at a cumulative dose of <NUM>-<NUM>/kg after a cladribine free-period of <NUM> or <NUM> months. The side effects observed with the regimen above were said to be less severe than the ones observed in the study on patients suffering from chronic progressive multiple sclerosis treated by i. infusion of Cladribine (<NPL>) but were still present. In addition, the therapeutic efficacy of the oral regimen above versus the i. infusion therapy was questioned (Grieb et al. , <NUM>, above) and a group of "non-responders" has been identified (<NPL>).

<NPL>) report about a pilot trial of cladribine (<NUM>-chlorodeoxyadenosine) in remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis. In said trial, <NUM> patients with the remitting-relapsing form of MS were treated with six courses of this drug (<NUM> subcutaneously or <NUM> orally, once daily, repeated on five consecutive days) given once a month, followed by two additional courses at three month intervals. The patients were observed for two years after the initiation of the therapy. The treatment resulted in the reduction of lymphocyte counts to approx. <NUM>% of the initial value at <NUM> months, with a trend toward recovery evident only at <NUM> months. Neurological status of the patients showed a significant improvement between <NUM> and <NUM> month of the study. The number of relapses, compared to the two-year period immediately before the treatment, remained unchanged in three patients, and was markedly reduced (almost five times on average) in the remaining seven patients. Patients who experienced the reduced relapse rate also seemed to show longer and more pronounced improvement in their neurological status.

<CIT> relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a complex cladribine-cyclodextrin complex formulated into a solid oral dosage form for use, e.g. in treatment of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and leukaemia. For the treatment of multiple sclerosis, it is envisioned that <NUM> of cladribine in said complex in said solid dosage form would be administered once per day for a period of five to seven days in the first month, repeated for another period of five to seven days in the second month, followed by ten months of no treatment. Alternatively, the patient would be treated with <NUM> of cladribine in said complex in said dosage form once per day for a period of five to seven days per month for a total of six months, followed by eighteen months of no treatment.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method for treating multiple sclerosis comprising the oral administration of Cladribine that would permit the same or improved effect on MS lesions while decreasing the occurrence and/or severity adverse events. In addition, as MS is a chronic disease, it would be desirable to decrease the occurrence and/or severity adverse events in such a way that re-treatments are possible. A sustained benefit of Cladribine treatment between the treatment periods is also desirable.

The references to methods of treatment in this description are to be interpreted as references to the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments of the present invention for use in a method for treatment of the human (or animal) body by therapy.

Any subject-matter falling outside the scope of the claims, e.g. indicated as "aspects of the disclosure", is provided for information purposes only. The present invention is directed towards a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, wherein the preparation is to be the orally administered as defined in the claims. Particularly, the invention is directed towards a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis or early secondary progressive multiple sclerosis as defined in the claims and wherein re-treatments are possible.

An embodiment of the invention provides an improved dosing regimen for Cladribine in the treatment of multiple sclerosis as defined in the claims.

An additional embodiment of the invention provides a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis as defined in the claims wherein adverse effects are reduced, allowing further use of Cladribine as defined in the claims.

In one aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation wherein the formulation is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

In another aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, comprising the oral administration of Cladribine or of a formulation thereof in a patient in need thereof comprising the following steps:.

The "total dose" or "cumulative dose" refers to the total dose of Cladribine administered during the treatment, i.e. the dose reached at the end of the treatment that is calculated by adding the daily doses. For example, the total dose of Cladribine corresponding to a treatment of <NUM>/kg Cladribine per day during <NUM> days is <NUM>/kg or the total dose of Cladribine corresponding to a treatment of <NUM>/kg Cladribine per day during <NUM> days is <NUM>/kg.

"The total effective dose" or "cumulative effective dose" refers to the bioavailable dose of Cladribine after a given administration period, i.e. the bioavailable dose reached at the end of the treatment that is calculated by adding the daily doses reduced by the bioavailability coefficient. For example, the total effective dose of Cladribine corresponding to a treatment of <NUM>/kg Cladribine per day during <NUM> days wherein the bioavailability of Cladribine is of about <NUM>% is <NUM>/kg or the total effective dose of Cladribine corresponding to a treatment of <NUM>/kg Cladribine per day during <NUM> days wherein the bioavailability of Cladribine is of about <NUM>% is <NUM>/kg.

Typically, the bioavailability of Cladribine or of a Cladribine formulation used in the context of this invention is from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, such as about <NUM>%.

"A week" refers to a period of time of or <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> days.

"A month" refers to a period of time of or <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> days.

"Treatment" comprises the sequential succession of an "induction treatment" and at least a "maintenance treatment". Typically, a treatment according to the invention comprises an "induction treatment" and about one or about two or about three maintenance treatments. Typically, a treatment according to the invention is of about <NUM> years (about <NUM> months) or about <NUM> years (about <NUM> months) or about <NUM> years (about <NUM> months).

An "Induction Treatment" consists in the sequential succession of (i) an induction period wherein the Cladribine or the Cladribine pharmaceutical preparation of the invention is orally administered and (ii) a Cladribine-free period. According to the instant disclosure, an induction period lasts up to about <NUM> months or up to about <NUM> month or up to about <NUM> months. For example, an induction period lasts for about <NUM> to about <NUM> months. Typically, an induction period consists in the oral administration of Cladribine or a pharmaceutical preparation thereof during about <NUM> to about <NUM> days each month.

A "Cladribine-free period" is a period wherein no Cladribine is administered to the patient. During a Cladribine-free period, the patient can be free of any administration or be dosed with a placebo-pill or another drug except. According to the instant disclosure, a Cladribine-free period lasts up to about <NUM> months or up to <NUM> months or up to about <NUM> months. For example, a Cladribine-free period lasts from about <NUM> to about <NUM> months, typically at least of about <NUM> months.

According to the instant disclosure , a "Maintenance Treatment" preferably consists in the sequential succession of (i) a maintenance period wherein the Cladribine or the Cladribine pharmaceutical preparation of the invention is orally administered at a lower dose than the Cladribine dose orally administered during the induction treatment and (ii) a Cladribine-free period. Typically, a maintenance period lasts for up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, preferably up to about <NUM> months. For example, a maintenance period lasts for about <NUM> to about <NUM> months, preferably for about <NUM> months. Typically, a maintenance period consists in the oral administration of Cladribine or of a pharmaceutical preparation thereof during about <NUM> to about <NUM> days each month.

Within the context of this invention, the beneficial effect, including but not limited to an attenuation, reduction, decrease or diminishing of the pathological development after onset of the disease, may be seen after one or more a "treatments", after an "induction treatment", after a "maintenance treatment" or during a Cladribine-free period.

"Daily dose" refers to the total dose of Cladribine orally administered to the patient each day of administration. The daily dose can be reached through a single or several administrations per day, such as for example once a day, twice a day or three times a day.

Thus, a subject of the instant invention is a Cladribine pharmaceutical formulation for use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis wherein the Cladribine pharmaceutical formulation is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

The dosage administered, as single or multiple doses, to an individual will vary depending upon a variety of factors, including pharmacokinetic properties, patient conditions and characteristics (sex, age, body weight, health, size), extent of symptoms, concurrent treatments, frequency of treatment and the effect desired.

Patients suffering from MS can be defined for example as having clinically definite or laboratory-definite MS according to Schumacher or Poser criteria (<NPL>; <NPL>).

"Relapses" involve neurologic problems that occur over a short period, typically days but sometimes as short as hours or even minutes. These attacks most often involve motor, sensory, visual or coordination problems early in the disease. Later, bladder, bowel, sexual and cognitive problems may be shown. Sometimes the attack onset occurs over several weeks. Typical MS relapse involves a period of worsening, with development of neurological deficits, then a plateau, in which the patient is not getting any better but also not getting any worse followed by a recovery period. Recovery usually begins within a few weeks.

"Efficacy" of a treatment according to the invention can be measured based on changes in the course of disease in response to a use according to the invention. For example, treatment of MS efficacy can be measured by the frequency of relapses in RRMS and the presence or absence of new lesions in the CNS as detected using methods such as MRI technique (<NPL>;<NPL>).

The observation of the reduction and/or suppression of MRI T<NUM> gadolinium-enhanced lesions (thought to represent areas of active inflammation) gives a primary efficacy variable.

Secondary efficacy variables include MRI T<NUM> enhanced brain lesion volume, MRI T<NUM> enhanced lesion number, MRI T<NUM> lesion volume (thought to represent total disease burden, i.e. demyelination, gliosis, inflammation and axon loss), MRI T<NUM> enhanced hypointense lesion volume (thought to represent primarily demyelination and axon loss), time-to-progression of MS, frequency and severity of exacerbations and time-to-exacerbation, Expanded Disability Status Scale score and Scripps Neurologic Rating Scale (SNRS) score (<NPL>). Methods of early and accurate diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and of following the disease progression are described in<NPL>.

Degree of disability of MS patients can be for example measured by Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (<NPL>). Typically a decrease in EDSS score corresponds to an improvement in the disease and conversely, an increase in EDSS score corresponds to a worsening of the disease.

<NUM>-CdA and its pharmacologically acceptable salts may be used in the practice of this invention.

Cladribine can be formulated in any pharmaceutical preparation suitable for oral administration. Representative oral formulations of <NUM>-CdA are described in (WO <NUM>/<NUM>; WO <NUM>/<NUM>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>). Examples of ingredients for oral formulations are given below.

Processes for preparing <NUM>-CdA are well known in the art. For example, the preparation of <NUM>-CdA is described in (<CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>) and <NPL>. Alternatively, pharmaceutical preparations of <NUM>-CdA may be purchased from Bedford Laboratories, Bedford, Ohio.

Oral administration of Cladribine may be in capsule, tablet, oral suspension, or syrup form. The tablet or capsules may contain from about <NUM> to <NUM> of Cladribine. Preferably they may contain about <NUM> to about <NUM> of Cladribine, more preferably about <NUM>, about <NUM> or about <NUM> of Cladribine. The capsules may be gelatin capsules and may contain, in addition to Cladribine in the quantity indicated above, a small quantity, for example less than <NUM>% by weight, magnesium stearate or other excipient. Tablets may contain the foregoing amount of the compound and a binder, which may be a gelatin solution, a starch paste in water, polyvinyl polyvinyl alcohol in water, etc. with a typical sugar coating.

Compositions for use according to this invention may further comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable additional ingredient(s) such as alum, stabilizers, antimicrobial agents, buffers, coloring agents, flavoring agents, adjuvants, and the like.

Compositions for use according to this invention may be in the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in a conventional manner. For example, tablets and capsules for oral administration may contain conventional excipients including, but not limited to, binding agents, fillers, lubricants, disintegrants and wetting agents. Binding agents include, but are not limited to, syrup, accacia, gelatin, sorbitol, tragacanth, mucilage of starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Fillers include, but are not limited to, lactose, sugar, microcrystalline cellulose, maizestarch, calcium phosphate, and sorbitol. Lubricants include, but are not limited to, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, talc, polyethylene glycol, and silica. Disintegrants include, but are not limited to, potato starch and sodium starch glycollate. Wetting agents include, but are not limited to, sodium lauryl sulfate). Tablets may be coated according to methods well known in the art.

Compositions for use according to this invention may also be liquid formulations including, but not limited to, aqueous or oily suspensions, solutions, emulsions, syrups, and elixirs. The compositions may also be formulated as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain additives including, but not limited to, suspending agents, emulsifying agents, nonaqueous vehicles and preservatives. Suspending agent include, but are not limited to, sorbitol syrup, methyl cellulose, glucose/sugar syrup, gelatin, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, aluminum stearate gel, and hydrogenated edible fats. Emulsifying agents include, but are not limited to, lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, and acacia. Nonaqueous vehicles include, but are not limited to, edible oils, almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, oily esters, propylene glycol, and ethyl alcohol. Preservatives include, but are not limited to, methyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate and sorbic acid.

According to the invention, Cladribine can be administered alone or in combination with IFN-beta, prophylactically or therapeutically to an individual prior to, simultaneously or sequentially with other therapeutic regimens or agents (e.g. multiple drug regimens), in a therapeutically effective amount, especially therapeutic agents for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Active agents that are administered simultaneously with other therapeutic agents can be administered in the same or different compositions and in the same or different routes of administration.

In one embodiment, when Cladribine is administered in combination with IFN-beta, IFN-beta is administered during the Cladribine-free period.

In another embodiment, when Cladribine is administered in combination with IFN-beta, IFN-beta is administered after the "treatment" according to the invention.

The term "interferon-beta (IFN-β)", as used herein, is intended to include fibroblast interferon in particular of human origin, as obtained by isolation from biological fluids or as obtained by DNA recombinant techniques from prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells, as well as its salts, functional derivatives, variants, analogs and active fragments.

IFN-β suitable in accordance with the present invention is commercially available e.g. as Rebif® (Serono), Avonex® (Biogen) or Betaferon® (Schering). The use of interferons of human origin is also preferred in accordance with the present invention. The term interferon, as used herein, is intended to encompass salts, functional derivatives, variants, analogs and active fragments thereof.

Rebif® (recombinant human interferon-β) is the latest development in interferon therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) and represents a significant advance in treatment. Rebif® is interferon (IFN)-beta 1a, produced from mammalian cell lines. It was established that interferon beta-1a given subcutaneously three times per week is efficacious in the treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Interferon beta-1a can have a positive effect on the long-term course of MS by reducing number and severity of relapses and reducing the burden of the disease and disease activity as measured by MRI.

The dosing of IFN-β in the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS according to the invention depends on the type of IFN-β used.

In accordance with the present disclosure, where IFN is recombinant IFN-β1b produced in E. Coli, commercially available under the trademark Betaseron®, it may preferably be administered sub-cutaneously every second day at a dosage of about of <NUM> to <NUM>µg or <NUM> MIU to <NUM> MIU per person.

In accordance with the present disclosure, where IFN is recombinant IFN-β1a, produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO cells), commercially available under the trademark Avonex®, it may preferably be administered intra-muscularly once a week at a dosage of about of 30µg to <NUM>µg or <NUM> MIU to <NUM> MIU per person.

In accordance with the present disclosure, when IFN is recombinant IFN-β1a, produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO cells), commercially available under the trademark Rebif®, it may preferably be administered sub-cutaneously three times a week (TIW) at a dosage of <NUM> to <NUM>µg or <NUM> MIU to <NUM> MIU per person.

Patients according to the invention are patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, preferably RRMS or early SPMS.

In an embodiment of the invention, patients are selected from human males or females between <NUM> and <NUM> years age.

In another embodiment of the invention, patients had at least one relapse within the prior <NUM> months of the treatment.

In one aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis wherein the formulation is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

In a further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the induction period lasts up to about <NUM> months or up to about <NUM> months or up to about <NUM> months.

In a further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the induction period lasts up to about <NUM> months.

In a further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is about <NUM>/kg.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free period lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months or up to about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free (ii) period lasts up to about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free (ii) period lasts at least about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free period (ii) lasts up to about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free (iv) period lasts up to about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free (iv) period lasts at least about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free periods (ii) and/or (iv) last between about <NUM> and about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein a placebo-pill is administered during the Cladribine-free period.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the Cladribine-free period is free of any administration.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the maintenance period lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, preferably up to about <NUM> months.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period (iii) is about <NUM>/kg.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the steps (iii) to (iv) are repeated at least one or two times.

In a preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis wherein the formulation is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

wherein the induction period last up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months; the Cladribine-free period (ii) lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months; the maintenance period (iii) lasts up to about <NUM> months; the Cladribine-free period (iv) lasts up to about <NUM> months; the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg and steps (iii) to (iv) are repeated performed one, two or three times.

In another aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis wherein the formulation is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

In a further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use of Cladribine for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis wherein the formulation is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

wherein the induction period lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months; the Cladribine-free period (ii) lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months; the maintenance period (iii) lasts up to about <NUM> months; the Cladribine-free period (ii) lasts up to about <NUM> months; the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg and steps (iii) to (iv) are repeated performed one, two or three times.

In a preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides Cladribine for use as a medicament for the treatment of multiple sclerosis wherein the medicament is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a a use of Cladribine according to the invention wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is to be orally administered at a daily dose of Cladribine about <NUM> to <NUM> Cladribine, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> Cladribine, most preferably <NUM> Cladribine.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a use as described herein wherein the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is about <NUM>/kg and the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg.

In another further embodiment, the invention provides a use according to the invention wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is about <NUM>/kg and the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to the invention wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is to be orally administered once a day during the induction period.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to the invention wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is to be orally administered several times a day administered once a day during the induction period, preferably twice or three times a day, more preferably twice a day.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to the invention whereby the pharmaceutical formulation is orally administered about <NUM> to about <NUM> days per month, preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM> days per month during the induction period.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to the invention whereby the pharmaceutical formulation is orally administered about <NUM> days/kg to about <NUM> days/kg per month during the induction period.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to the invention whereby the pharmaceutical formulation is orally administered about <NUM> days/kg to about <NUM> days/kg per month during the maintenance period.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to the invention wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is to be orally administered at a daily dose of about <NUM> Cladribine from day <NUM> to about day <NUM> each month during the induction period.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to the invention wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is to be orally administered at a daily dose of about <NUM> Cladribine from day <NUM> to about day <NUM> each month during the induction period and wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is a pharmaceutical formulation described in <CIT> or in <CIT>.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a use of Cladribine according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is to be administered in combination with interferon-beta.

In a preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, comprising the oral administration of Cladribine or of a pharmaceutical formulation thereof in a patient in need thereof comprising the following steps:.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein the steps (iii) to (iv) are repeated at least one or two times.

In a preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method of treating multiple sclerosis with Cladribine, wherein Cladribine is orally administered following the sequential steps below:.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the induction period lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is about <NUM>/kg.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is about <NUM>/kg.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the Cladribine-free period lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the maintenance period lasts up to about <NUM> months, or up to about <NUM> months or up to about <NUM> months.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg.

In a further preferred aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method wherein the maintenance period is followed by a Cladribine-free period.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is about <NUM>/kg and the total dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is about <NUM>/kg and the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is about <NUM>/kg.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein Cladribine is to be orally administered at a daily dose of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein Cladribine is to be orally administered at a daily dose of about <NUM>.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein Cladribine is orally administered about <NUM> to about <NUM> days per month during the induction period.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein the steps (iii) are repeated at least one or two times.

In another further aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method as described herein wherein Cladribine is to be administered in combination with interferon-beta.

The following abbreviations refer respectively to the definitions below:
kg (kilogram), µg (microgram), mg (milligram), AEs (Adverse effects), CNS (Cnetral nervous system), CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid), EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale, SNRS (Scripps Neurologic Rating Scale), IFN (interferon), i. (intra-veinous), MIU (Million International units), MS (multiple sclerosis), MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging), p. (per os), PPMS (Primary progressive multiple sclerosis), PRMS (Progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis), RRMS (Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis), SPMS (Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis), s. (subcutaneous), TIW (Three times a week), <NUM>-CdA (<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>'deoxyadenosine or Cladribine), UI (International unit).

The efficacy and safety of oral Cladribine administration, eventually multi-dose administration, according to the invention can be assessed for example following the protocol below:.

A study of sixty patients with relapsing forms of clinically definite multiple sclerosis is undertaken. Each patient is first examined for normal hepatic, renal, and bone marrow functioning to establish baseline values.

Patients are selected from Male or Female, between <NUM> and <NUM> years of age who had one or more relapses within the prior <NUM> months. Female patients are non-pregnant female.

Patients are randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups listed in Table <NUM> below:.

Each of the patients in Groups <NUM> and <NUM> receives <NUM> or <NUM> <NUM>-CdA (<NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> administration(s) a day depending on the patient's weight) combined in cyclodextrin formulation as described in <CIT>, Example <NUM>. The Compositions of the.

Cladribine formulations in <NUM> or <NUM> <NUM>-CdA tablets containing hydroxypropyl-betacyclodextrin are listed in Table <NUM> below:.

Examples of administration schemes for the induction period depending on the patient's weight are given below in Tables <NUM> and <NUM> for the target doses of <NUM>/kg and <NUM>/kg respectively. For the maintenance period, the example of administration scheme of Table <NUM> is applicable.

In Group <NUM> patients receive a placebo (saline) for <NUM> months followed by <NUM> months of no treatment.

In Group <NUM> patients receive a daily oral administration of Cladribine for about <NUM> days a month during <NUM> months (induction period) of <NUM>-CdA cyclodextrin formulation such as the total effective dose administered at the end of the first <NUM> months approximates about <NUM>/kg (total dose of about <NUM>/kg for a bioavailablility of about <NUM>%); followed by administration of placebo for <NUM> months; followed by <NUM> months of no treatment.

In Group <NUM> patients receive a daily oral administration of Cladribine for about <NUM> days a month during <NUM> months (induction period) of <NUM>-CdA cyclodextrin formulation such as the total effective dose administered at the end of the first <NUM> months approximates about <NUM>/kg (total dose of about <NUM>/kg for a bioavailablility of about <NUM>%); followed by <NUM> months of no treatment.

Beginning at month <NUM>, all <NUM> patient groups receive re-treatment with Cladribine cyclodextrin formulation for about <NUM> days a month for <NUM> months (maintenance period) with the lower dose (such as the total effective dose administered at the end of the first <NUM> months approximates about <NUM>/kg) followed by <NUM> months of no treatment.

Finally, beginning at month <NUM>, all patient groups receive re-treatment with Cladribine cyclodextrin formulation for about <NUM> days a month for <NUM> months (maintenance period) with the lower dose (such as the total effective dose administered at the end of the first <NUM> months approximates about <NUM>/kg) followed by <NUM> more months of no treatment.

Patients are monitored to determine whether there is any progression or improvement of brain lesions associated with progression of MS through MRI scans and neurological examination as described in Miller et al. , <NUM>, above; Evans et al. , <NUM>, above; Sipe et al. , <NUM>, above; and Mattson, <NUM>, above. All patients have a baseline and MRI study (brain or spinal cord, according to localization of the lesions) at month <NUM>.

The patient's disability progression and the time for having a first relapse are monitored as well as the proportion of relapse-fee patients at <NUM> months.

Lymphocyte markers and monocyte counts are monitored in the patients.

Patients in Groups <NUM> and <NUM> have a decrease in brain lesions.

Claim 1:
Cladribine pharmaceutical formulation for use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis wherein the Cladribine pharmaceutical formulation is to be orally administered following the sequential steps below:
(i) An induction period of up to <NUM> months, or up to <NUM> months, or up to <NUM> months wherein the Cladribine pharmaceutical formulation is to be administered and wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period is
about <NUM>/kg, wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine corresponds to a treatment of <NUM>/kg Cladribine per day during <NUM> days wherein the bioavailability of Cladribine is of about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>/kg, wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine corresponds to a treatment of <NUM>/kg Cladribine per day during <NUM> days wherein the bioavailability of Cladribine is of about <NUM>%,
(ii) A Cladribine-free period of at least <NUM> months, wherein no Cladribine is to be administered;
(iii) A maintenance period of up to <NUM> months, up to <NUM> months or up to <NUM> months wherein the Cladribine pharmaceutical formulation is to be administered,
wherein the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the maintenance period is lower than the total effective dose of Cladribine reached at the end of the induction period (i) and is about <NUM>/kg, wherein said total effective dose of about <NUM>/kg of Cladribine corresponds to a treatment of <NUM>/kg Cladribine per day during <NUM> days wherein the bioavailability of Cladribine is of about <NUM>%;
(iv) A Cladribine-free period wherein no Cladribine is to be administered.