Title of Invention

"A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION"

Abstract Disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical composition consisting essentially of (i) 200 milligrams to 4 grams of acyclovir, or 50 milligrams to 4 grams of valacyclovir, (ii) 50 milligrams to 200 milligrams of a tetracycline and (iii) 100 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams of metronidazole, in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carries.
Full Text TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an improved pharmaceutical formulation for treatment of nptoms associated in humans with reactive arthritis or idiopathic bursitis.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
Reactive arthritis refers to a spondyloarthritity which usually arises as a complication of an infection elsewhere in the body. Reactive arthritis can be caused by species of Shigella bacteria (most notably Shigella flexneri). Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter jejuni,: species of Salmonella, genitourinary pathogens, Chlamydia achomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea, Ureaplasma urealyticum. Streptococcus pyogenes, and other yet unidentified infectious agents.
Reactive arthritis commonly occurs in young men and women, but can occur at any age. Sufferers experience joint pain, stiffness, redness or swelling. Common symptoms may include fatigue, malaise, fever, and weight loss. The joints of the lower extremities, including the knee, ankle, and joints of the foot, are the most common sites of involvement, but symptoms can also occur in the wrists, fmgers, elbows, shoulders, neck, and lower back. Other symptoms may include urethritis and prostatitis in males, and cervicitis or salpingitis in females. Ocular disease is common ranging from transient, asymptomatic conjunctivitis to aggressive anterior uveitis that occasionally results in blindness. Mucocutaneous lesions and nail changes are frequent. On less frequent or rare occasions manifestations of reactive arthritis include cardiac conduction defects, aortic insufficiency, central or peripheral nervous system lesions, and pleuropulmonary infiltrates.
Treatment of patients suffering from reactive arthritis with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs ("NSAED") provides some benefit, although symptoms of reactive arthritis are rarely completely alleviated and some patients fail to respond at all. The preferred initial treatment of choice for acute reactive arthritis is indomethacin in divided doses of 75 to 150milligrams per day. The NSACD of last resort is phenylbutazone, in doses of 100 milligrams twice or three times per day, because of its potentially serious side effects. Patients with debilitating symptoms refractory to NSAID therapy may be treated with cytotoxic agents such as azathioprine or methotrexate, or with sulfasalazine. Tendinitis, other lesions, and uveitis may benefit from corticosteroids. Minocycline hydrochloride, a semisynthetic derivative of tetracycline, is indicated for infections caused by at least Shigella microorganisms, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Neisserie gonorrhoeae. It is therefore an accepted treatment in incidents of reactive arthritis triggered by these biological entities.
Long-term follow-up studies have suggested that some joint symptoms persist in many, if not most, patients with reactive arthritis. Recurrences of the more acute symptoms arc ' common, and as many as twenty-five percent of patients either become unable to work or arc forced to change occupations because of persistent joint problems.
Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a thin-walled sac lined with synovial tissue. The function of the bursa is to facilitate movement of tendons and muscles over bony prominences. Bursitis may be caused by excessive frictional Ibrces, trauma, systemic disease sach as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, or infection. The most common form of bursitis is subacromial. Trochanteric bursitis causes patients to experience pain over the lateral aspect of the hip and upper thigh, and tenderness over the posterior aspect of the greater trochanter. Reu-ocalcaneal bursitis involves the bursa located between the calcaneus and the posterior surface of the Achilles tendon. Pain is experienced at the back of the heel, and swelling appears on either or both of the medial and lateral sides of the tendon. Retrocalcaneal bursitis occurs in association with spondyloarthritities, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and trauma.
Treatment of bursitis generally consists of prevention of the aggravating condition, rest of the involved part, an NSAID, and local steroid injection. In the long term, bursitis can result
in loss of use of a joint and chronic pain syndrome.
The long term effects of reactive arthritis and bursitis range from chronic pain to crippling disability. It is also thought that many instances of osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis are in actuality reactive arthritis. Unfortunately, current procedures for management treat the symptoms of these diseases rather than their underlying pathogens. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The inventors have discovered that significant benefits can be obtained by treating humans affected with conditions associated with reactive arthritis or bursitis using combinations of acyclovir, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole or, altematively, valacyclovir hydrochloride, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole.
Acyclovir is an an[i-viral drug. The chemical name of acyclovir is 2-amino-l,9-dihydro-9-[(2-hydroxythoxy)methyt]-6H-purin-6-onc. Acyclovir is commercially available under the brand name ZOVIRAX® in capsules, tablets, or suspension. Acyclovir has demonstrated anti-viral activity against herpes simplex virus types I and II, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr vims and cytomegalovirus, both in vitro and in vivo.
Valacyclovir hydrochloride (sold under the brand name Valtrex®) is the hydrochloride salt of L-valyl ester of acyclovir. The chemical name of valacyclovir hydrochloride is L-valine 2-[(2-amino- l,6-dihydro-6-oxo-9H-purin-9-yl)methoxy]ethyl ester, monohydrochloride. Valacyclovir hydrochloride is rapidly and nearly completely converted to acyclovir in the body.
Minocycline hydrochloride is a bacteriostatic antibiotic which exerts its antimicrobial effect by inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. It has been shown to be effective against gram-negative bacteria, some gram-positive bacteria and other microorganisms.
Metronidazole is an oral synthetic antiprotozoal and antibacterial agent. Heretofore it has been indicated for treatment of symptomatic trichomoniasis, intestinal amebiasis, and a
wide range of intra-abdominal, skin, and gynecological, bone and joint, and lower respiratory tract and central nervous system infections, bacterial septicemia and endocarditis.
The preferred embodiment of a formulation for treatment of the symptoms in human beings of reactive arthritis or idiopathic bursitis, or both, comprises the combination of acyclovir, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole. An alternative formulation comprises the substitution of valacyclovir hydrochloride in place of acyclovir. The pharmaceutical dosages of the compounds of the combination may be administered in capsules, tablets, in suspension form, or by injection.
The invention provides a pharmaceutical combination that puts the diseases of reactive arthritis and bursitis into remission. Treatment with the combination may effect a cure of reactive arthritis and bursitis, but definitive testing has not been performed to confirm that fact.
It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a combination for treating conditions in human beings associated with either or both reactive arthritis or idiopathic bursitis.
Another object of the invention is to provide a treatment for conditions in human beings associated with either or both reactive arthritis or idiopathic bursitis that puts the disease being treated into full remission.
A further object of the invention is to provide a treatment for any constellation of symptoms amenable to treatment using the above combination, including for example, cases of reactive arthritis which have been misdiagnosed as osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis. A still further object of the invention is to provide a combination comprising a pharmaceutical carrier for treating conditions in human beings associated with either or both reactive arthritis or idiopathic bursitis.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
U.S. Patent No. 6,087,382 to Bonner, et al., describes a method of treatment involving administration of a combination of L-lysine, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole. An alternate method includes administration of InH for those individuals who have tested positively for mycobacterial exposure, along with the underlying combination of L-lysine, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole. Another method described in U.S. Patent No. 6,465,473 Bl to Bonner, et al. includes administration of valacyclovir hydrochloride with the underlying combination of L-lysine, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole. A third method of treatment, described in U.S. Patent No. 6,197,776 Bl to Bonner, et al. includes administration of acyclovir with the underlying combination of L-lysine, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole. The preferred embodiment of the present treatment comprises a pharmaceutical combination including acyclovir, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole. Alternatively, the treatment may include valacyclovir hydrochloride, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole. Either of these embodiments may be supplemented with administration of pyridoxine hydrochloride, glucosamine, manganese, vitamin C, and desalinated seawater, such as Essence of Life.
Administration will generally be accomplished orally via capsules, tablets, or in suspension form, but delivery could be accomplished by injection, or any other method commonly used for administration of internal medicines.
Like L-lysine, acyclovir inhibits herpes simplex viruses, but by a different mechanism. While L-lysine tends to stop the virus from replicating by inhibiting the initiation of the replication process, acyclovir inhibits effective replication of actively replicating viral particles by stopping replication of herpes viral DNA. This is accomplished by either competitive inhibition or inactivation of viral DNA polymerase or incorporation an termination of the
growing viral DNA chain. In double-blind testing, it has been found that the administration of the combination of acyclovir, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole is an effective treatment for reactive arthritis or bursitis. Acyclovir has never been used in the prior art for treatment of arthritis or bursitis. It does not appear to be effective alone for the treatment of these diseases. The daily dose of acyclovir may vary from 200 mg to 4 grams. The preferred dose of acyclovir is 400 mg twice daily.
The preferred dose of minocycline hydrochloride is an initial dosage of 200 mg followed by doses of 100 mg twice per day. Daily doses of minocycline hydrochloride following the initial administration of 200 mg may vary from 50 mg to 200 mg. Based upon their similar properties, it is expected that other members of the tamiiy such as doxycycline can be effectively substituted, in the combination, for minocycline hydrochrloride.
The preferred dose of metronidazole is 250-500 mg twice per day. The total dose per day of metronidazole may vary from 100 mg to 1,000 mg.
It is known that the combination of minocycline hydrochloride, In to. and metronidazole inhibits the multiplication of susceptible organisms, including shigella, salmonella, chlamydia, streptococci, and mycobacteria. Applicants have also determined that tne combination of L-lysine, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole provides a medically effective treatment for reactive arthritis and bursitis. See U.S. Patent No. 6,087,382. It has also been shown that the combination of acyclovir, L-lysine, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole provides an effective treatment for these conditions. See U.S. Patent .No. 6,197,776. Individuals with severe symptoms, including joint swelling and joint contractures, who were not thought to be candidates for treatment using the combination of L-lysme, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole only, have also experienced substantial beneficial effects in response to treatment with that combination and valacyclovir hydrochloride.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the combination of
acycl its prodrug, valacyclovir, with minocycline hydrochloride and It is believed that acyclovir results in a substantial due to its inhibition of virus replication. The total combination of medicines in each of these embodiments presents a broad spectrum approach that it is believed effectively addresses the underlying pathogenesis for reactive arthritis and what has previously been referred to as idiopathic bursitis, and further is a for reactive arthritis in particular cases wherein the symptom complex has been misdiansed as osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis, or in any other simitar cases of misdiagnosis.
Example Thefllowing examples serve to illustrate the mention, but are not meant to restart its effective scope.
Example I A 54 year old male presented with joint pain in his neck, upper back, lower back, both shoulders, boih elbows, both wrists, both hands, both hips, both ankles, both knees, and both Achilles tendons at insertion. Tliis patient also had clTusion in both knees. He was unable to run or jog, had extreme difficulty squatting, was unable to fully squat, and had difficulty arising from a sitting position. He was treated with acyclozir, 400 mg BID, minocycline hydrochloride, 100 mg BID, and metronidazole, 250 mg BID, for 8 weeks. The patient experienced resolution of joint tenderness at all mentioned joints, excepting the PIP joint of the third digit of his right hand and his left knee, though such tenderness had decreased in severity in both those joints; and resolution of knee effusions. Before treatment, the paiient experienced stiffness in all aforementioned joints lasting for up to 18 hours daily. After treatment stiffness remained in only four joints for about 10 minutes daily.
Example 2 A female, 79 years old presented with tenderness in her left shoulder, right elbow, both
hands, both kness, her riglit hip, both ankles, the Achilles insertion of both feet, her lov. cr back, and both wrists. She also experienced effusion in both knees, and pretibiat edema bilaterally. This individual had sttifness in her joints for about 4 hours a day. After treatment with acyclovir, 400 nig BID, minocycline hydrochloride, 100 mg BID, and metronidazole, 250 mg BID, for S weeks, tendenress remained in only the right ankle with a decrease in severity at that joint. Tendenicss decreased in severity in each joint from "'moderate to severe" before treatment, to "slight"' post-treatment. The effusions and prelibial edema had resolved. The patient went from a semi-sedentary state to being able to walk around daily for 20 minutes at a time and was ubfe to resume her shopping activities and perfonning household chores.
There have been thus described certam preferred embodiments of a phannaccutical rormulation lor treatment of conditions in human beings associated with either or both reactive arthritis or idiopathic bursitis. While preferred embudimcnis have been described and disclosed, ii will be recognized by those with Skill in the an that modifications are within the true scope and spirit of the invention. The appended claims arc intended to cover all such moditications











We Claim:
1. A pharmaceutical composition consisting of (i) 200 milligrams to 4 grams of
acyclovir, or 50 milligrams to 4 grams of valacyclovir, (ii) 50 milligrams to 200 milligrams
of a tetracycline and (iii) 100 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams of metronidazole, in
combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carries such as described herein.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tetracycline is selected
from the group consisting of tetracycline, minocycline hydrochloride, and doxycycline.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tetracycline is
minocycline hydrochloride.
4. The composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, consisting of
acyclovir.
5. The composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, consisting of
valacyclovir hydrochloride.
6. The composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in a form suitable for
oral administration.
7. The composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in a form suitable for
injection.

Documents:

1518-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(26-07-2010).pdf

1518-delnp-2005-abstract.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-assigement.pdf

1518-DELNP-2005-Claims-(26-07-2010).pdf

1518-delnp-2005-claims.pdf

1518-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(26-07-2010).pdf

1518-delnp-2005-correspondence-others.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-correspondence-po.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

1518-DELNP-2005-Form-1-(26-07-2010).pdf

1518-delnp-2005-form-1.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-form-18.pdf

1518-DELNP-2005-Form-2-(26-07-2010).pdf

1518-delnp-2005-form-2.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-form-26.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-form-3.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-form-5.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-form-6.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-pct-101.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-pct-210.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-pct-301.pdf

1518-delnp-2005-pct-304.pdf


Patent Number 252201
Indian Patent Application Number 1518/DELNP/2005
PG Journal Number 18/2012
Publication Date 04-May-2012
Grant Date 01-May-2012
Date of Filing 15-Apr-2005
Name of Patentee FICAAR INC.
Applicant Address 1406 PARK STREET, SUITE 400, ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA 94501, U.S.A
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BONNER, JR. ERNEST, L 1406 PARK STREET, SUITE 400, ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA 94501, U.S.A
2 HINES, ROBERT 3637 CAPE CENTER DRIVE, FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28304, U.S.A
PCT International Classification Number A61K 31/65
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2001/21916
PCT International Filing date 2001-07-10
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10/271,117 2002-10-15 U.S.A.