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WO2009135494A2 - Composition d'alpha-lactalbumine destinée au traitement de la kératose actinique - Google Patents

Composition d'alpha-lactalbumine destinée au traitement de la kératose actinique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009135494A2
WO2009135494A2 PCT/DK2009/050106 DK2009050106W WO2009135494A2 WO 2009135494 A2 WO2009135494 A2 WO 2009135494A2 DK 2009050106 W DK2009050106 W DK 2009050106W WO 2009135494 A2 WO2009135494 A2 WO 2009135494A2
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Prior art keywords
lactalbumin
alpha
composition
monomeric
lac
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WO2009135494A3 (fr
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Mads Axelsen
Karen Koch
Jakob Ellinshøj LARSEN
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Nya HAMLET Pharma AB
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Nya HAMLET Pharma AB
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/38—Albumins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P17/00—Drugs for dermatological disorders
    • A61P17/12—Keratolytics, e.g. wart or anti-corn preparations
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents

Definitions

  • Alpha-lactalbumin composition for the treatment of actinic keratosis
  • the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC, which is an active complex of alpha- lactalbumin and a fatty acid or lipid with selective cytotoxic activity.
  • LAC monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex
  • preferably LAC composition Based on the selective cytotoxicity of the alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC composition such compositions are suitable for use in the manufacture of medicaments for use in the treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis.
  • the composition of the invention comprises insignificant amounts of oligomeric/multimeric alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC.
  • Monomeric alpha-lactalbumin is the most abundant protein in human milk whey. Mature monomeric alpha-lactalbumin consists of 123 amino acid residues (14.2 kDa) in many mammalian species. Human, bovine, equine, caprine, and camelide alpha- lactalbumin all consists of 123 amino acid residues, whereas porcine alpha-lactalbumin consists of 122 amino acids. Human, bovine, caprine and porcine alpha-lactalbumin also comprise a 19 amino acid leader sequence. This 14 KDa protein has been extensively characterised and the crystal structure has been resolved.
  • alpha-lactalbumin The crystal structure of alpha-lactalbumin has revealed that the protein consists of four alpha -helices and one triple stranded beta-sheet, which is found at the C-terminal end of the protein.
  • the major alpha-helical domain contains amino acid 5-1 1 , 23-34, 86-98, and the short alpha-helical segments; amino acid 18-20, 1 15-118.
  • the beta-domain contains the triple-stranded anti-parallel sheet that consists of amino acids 40-50 and the short 76-82 helix.
  • Alpha-lactalbumin is a metalloprotein and comprises a high affinity Ca 2+ binding site as well as several zinc binding sites. The high affinity Ca 2+ binding site spans amino acid residues 77-89.
  • residues 79, 82, 84, 87 and 88 appear to be involved in Ca 2+ binding (Permyakov et al., ⁇ -Lactalbumin: structure and function. FEBS Letters 473 (2000) 269-274.).
  • Alpha-lactalbumin binds other physiologically significant cations such as Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , Na + and K + , which can compete with Ca 2+ for the high affinity binding site.
  • the native monomer is the regulatory subunit of the lactose synthase complex, and alters the acceptor specificity of the galactosyl transferase from N-acetylglucosamine to glucose, with subsequent synthesis of lactose.
  • multimeric complexes of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or lipid may have cell killing abilities.
  • a fraction from human milk containing an oligomeric complex was described as multimeric alpha-lactalbumin or MAL or HAMLET (human a- lactalbumin made lethal to tumour cells) and was reported to have different biological properties to the monomeric form. It is a molecular complex that induces in vitro apoptosis selectively in tumour cells, but not in healthy differentiated cells.
  • the apoptotic activity of multimeric LA was discovered by serendipity.
  • human milk induced apoptosis in transformed and nontransformed immature cell lines.
  • the apoptotic activity in human milk was isolated from a fraction of human milk casein obtained by precipitation at low pH, and was purified by ion exchange chromatography, eluting as a single peak after 1 M NaCI. The elute was shown by spectroscopy to contain partially unfolded a-lactalbumin in an apo-like conformation (M.
  • the oligomeric complex is reported as having therapeutic applications both in the field of antibiotic (W096/04929) and cancer therapy (A.Hakansson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, (1995) 92, 8064-8068).
  • the oligomeric form induces apoptotic cell death in cancer cells and immature cells, but not in healthy cells.
  • A-lactalbumin undergo conformational switching when exposed to low pH.
  • the A state or molten globule state has native secondary structure, but less well defined tertiary structure than the native state.
  • Similar states of a- lactalbumin can form also at neutral pH, upon removal of the tightly bound Ca 2+ ion, reduction of disulphide bonds or at elevated temperatures.
  • Binding of Ca 2+ to a single very high affinity Ca 2+ binding site is important for the protein to maintain a native conformation.
  • the high affinity Ca 2+ binding site is 100 % conserved across many mammalian species including human, bovine, equine, porcine, caprine and camelide alpha-lactalbumin.
  • Five of the seven oxygens that ligate the Ca 2+ are contributed by side chain carboxylates of Asp residues at positions 82, 87 and 88 and by carbonyl oxygens of Lys 79 and Asp 84, and two water molecules supply the remaining ligands.
  • the bound Ca 2+ brings the ⁇ -helical region and the sheet in close proximity, and two disulfide bonds flanking the Ca 2+ binding site, make this part of the molecule fairly inflexible. Binding of other cations, such as Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , Na + and K + also cause conformational changes in alpha-lactalbumin although these are smaller than for the binding of Ca 2+ .
  • Conversion of human alpha-lactalbumin to LAC with apoptotic activity has previously been found to require both a conformational or folding change, the presence of a fatty acid or a lipid and oligomerization.
  • the conformational or folding change is conveniently effected by removal of calcium ions, or by using a variant without calcium ions.
  • the presence of calcium or a functional calcium binding site does not result in any loss of activity.
  • the oligomeric complex is reported as having therapeutic applications both in the field of antibiotic (W096/04929) and cancer therapy (A.Hakansson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, (1995) 92, 8064-8068).
  • the oligomeric form of LAC may induce apoptotic cell death in cancer cells and immature cells, but not (or only to a low extend) in mature, healthy cells.
  • the protein acquires novel biological properties when forming an active complex with a fatty acid or a lipid.
  • reagents such as fatty acids or lipids, such as oleic acid, may be useful in the conversion of LA to LAC
  • the active cytotoxic fraction contained oligomeric forms of LAC and the cell killing activity of LAC was attributed to the oligomeric form only (A.Hakansson et al. Molecular Microbiology (2000)35, 589- 600).
  • the oligomeric complex is reported as having therapeutic applications both in the field of antibiotic (W096/04929) and cancer therapy (A.Hakansson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, (1995) 92, 8064-8068).
  • the oligomeric form of LAC may induce apoptotic cell death in cancer cells and immature cells, but not (or only to a low extend) in mature, healthy cells.
  • the protein acquires novel biological properties when forming an active complex with a fatty acid or a lipid.
  • reagents such as fatty acids or lipids, such as oleic acid, may be useful in the conversion of LA to LAC
  • the present invention relates to the finding that monomeric LAC may comprise biological activities similar to multimeric LAC, including the selective cytotoxic activity, such as the cytotoxic activity towards malignant and/or pre-malignant cells in actinic keratosis.
  • An aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or a lipid, said alpha-lactalbumin being bovine alpha-lactalbumin or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein the composition comprises at least 95 % by weight of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin for use as a medicament in the treatment of malignant and/or pre- malignant skin conditions.
  • said pre-malignant skin condition is actinic keratosis.
  • the monomeric LAC composition has a selective cytotoxic activity, where the potency measured as LD50 is less than 0.1 mg/ml.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is bovine alpha-lactalbumin identified by SEQ ID NO 1. In another preferred embodiment the alpha-lactalbumin is human alpha-lactalbumin identified by SEQ ID NO 2.
  • the invention relates to the use of a composition comprising monomeric LAC, which is a complex of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or a lipid, said alpha-lactalbumin being alpha-lactalbumin of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2 or a functional equivalent thereof, comprising a sequence at least 70% identical thereto, wherein the composition comprises at least 50 % by weight of monomeric LAC for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions.
  • said pre-malignant skin condition is actinic keratosis.
  • a subsequent aspect of the invention relates to a method of treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions in an individual in need thereof comprising administering a medicament comprising administering a medicament comprising: i. a composition comprising comprising monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or a lipid, said alpha- lactalbumin being bovine alpha-lactalbumin or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein the composition comprises at least 60 %, such as more than 70 %, preferably more than 80 % or more than 90 % by weight of monomeric LAC, preferably more than 95 % by weight of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin and ii. pharmaceutical excipients.
  • pre-malignant skin condition is actinic keratosis.
  • compositions comprising a monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or a lipid, said alpha- lactalbumin being bovine alpha-lactalbumin or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein the composition as the active agent comprises at least 60 %, such as more than 70 %, preferably more than 80 % or more than 90 % by weight of monomeric LAC, preferably more than 95 % by weight of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin for use as a medicament in the treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions.
  • said pre- malignant skin condition is actinic keratosis.
  • Alpha-lactalbumin has the meaning of the alpha-lactalbumin polypeptide independent of the tertiary structure of the polypeptide.
  • the sequences of bovine and human alpha-lactalbumin are defined by SEQ ID NO 1 and SEQ ID NO 2 respectively.
  • Figure 1A shows a sequence alignment of human and bovine alpha- lactalbumin.
  • human alpha-lactalbumin is any polypeptide of the sequence SEQ ID NO 2 with any tertiary structure.
  • bovine alpha-lactalbumin is any polypeptide of the sequence SEQ ID NO 1 with any tertiary structure.
  • LA as used herein has the meaning of the alpha-lactalbumin polypeptide preferably in the native tertiary structure and preferably with calcium bound to the high affinity calcium-binding site. LA is not in complex with any fatty acids or lipids and does preferably not have cell killing abilities.
  • hLA and bLA as used herein have the meaning of human LA and bovine LA, respectively.
  • A-state of alpha-lactalbumin has the meaning of partially folded state of alpha-lactalbumin adopted for example when dissolved at low pH, whereas the apo-state is the partially folded state alpha-lactalbumin adopted for example upon removal of the protein bound calcium at neutral pH and low salt concentration.
  • LAC has the meaning of an active complex of alpha- lactalbumin and a fatty acid or a lipid.
  • active is meant that the complex has capacity of apoptosis induction (see more details herein below in the section “Alpha- Lactalbumin”).
  • hLAC and bLAC as used herein has the meaning of human LAC and bovine LAC, respectively.
  • LAC has cell killing activity which is less than 15 ⁇ g/100.000 cells in 70 ⁇ l. In a preferred embodiment the LD50 is less than 10 ⁇ g/100.000 cells in 70 ⁇ l.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin composition according to the invention more preferable has a cytotoxic activity measured as LD50 of less than 5 ⁇ g/100.000 cells. Most preferred is a composition wherein the cytotoxic activity measured as LD50 is 1-5 ⁇ g/100.000 cells in 70 ⁇ l.
  • Figure 1 A Sequence alignments of equine, porcine, camelide, human, bovine and caprine alpha-lactalbumin.
  • 1 B Sequence alignments of human and bovine alpha- lactalbumin.
  • Figure 2. Schematic overview of production process.
  • Figure 3. Overview of cytotoxicity test.
  • FIG. 4 Sensitivity of squamous carcinoma cell lines (iSCL-l, SCL-II and SCC-12), a premalignant human actinic keratosis cell line (derived from an actinic keratosis lesion behind the ear) and a non-cancerous human keratinocytic cell line (HaCaT) to different concentrations of LAC.
  • squamous carcinoma cell lines iSCL-l, SCL-II and SCC-12
  • HaCaT non-cancerous human keratinocytic cell line
  • compositions comprising alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC with a predominant content of monomeric LAC in comparison to the content of multimeric or oligomeric LAC for use in the treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions, preferably actinic keratosis.
  • Monomeric alpha-lactalbumin has a molecular weight of approximately 14 kDa.
  • Monomers of alpha-lactalbumin can multimerize or oligomerize to form higher molecular weight molecules, for example when the monomers are passed over an ion exchange column (therapy (A.Hakansson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, (1995) 92, 8064-8068). These multimeric forms were proven to have selective cytotoxic activities (A.Hakansson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, (1995) 92, 8064-8068).
  • a monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex according to the invention preferably consists of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin and lipid or fatty acid.
  • a monomeric alpha-lactalbumin molecule according to the invention contains only one alpha-lactalbumin polypeptide, such as any of the alpha-lactalbumin polypeptides described herein below.
  • a monomeric alpha-lactalbumin molecule according to the invention has a molecular weight of in the range of 14 to 15 kDa.
  • a dimer of alpha-lactalbumin contains exactly two alpha-lactalbumin polypeptides, such as any of the alpha-lactalbumin polypeptides described herein below.
  • a dimer of alpha-lactalbumin has a molecular weight of in the range of 28-30 kDa.
  • a trimer of alpha-lactalbumin contains exactly three alpha- lactalbumin polypeptides, such as any of the alpha-lactalbumin polypeptides described herein below.
  • a trimer has a molecular weight of in the range of 42 to 45 kDa. Similar applies for higher oligomers.
  • the content of LAC monomers and oligomers is calculated by weight, i.e. the mass of the protein complexes.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin composition preferably LAC according to the invention, comprises more than 50 % (weight %) monomeric LAC, such as more than 60 %, such as more than 70 %, preferably more than 80 % or more than 90 % by weight of monomeric LAC, preferably more than 95 % by weight of monomeric LAC.
  • the composition comprises more than 96 % (weight %) monomeric alpha-lactalbumin, preferably LAC, more preferably more than 97 %, or more than 98 %, most preferably more than 99 % of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin, preferably LAC, thus the composition is preferably an essentially pure monomeric alpha-lactalbumin, preferably LAC composition comprising an insignificant amount of multimeric or oligomeric alpha-lactalbumin, preferably LAC.
  • the amount of multimeric or oligomeric alpha-lactalbumin, preferably LAC in the composition is below the level of detection by a method such as PAGE or immunoblotting.
  • An aspect of the invention relates to a composition
  • a composition comprising monomeric alpha- lactalbumin, preferably LAC, which is a complex of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or a lipid, said alpha-lactalbumin being bovine or human alpha-lactalbumin or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein the composition comprises more than 60 %, such as more than 70 %, preferably more than 80 % or more than 90 % by weight of monomeric LAC, preferably more than 95 % by weight by weight of monomeric LAC for use as a medicament in the treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions.
  • said pre-malignant skin condition is actinic keratosis.
  • said alpha-lactalbumin is bovine alpha-lactalbumin.
  • the wild-type bovine alpha-lactalbumin i.e. the naturally occurring non-mutated version of the protein is identified as SEQ ID NO: 1 and the wild-type human alpha-lactalbumin i.e. the naturally occurring non-mutated version of the protein is identified as SEQ ID NO: 2 and.
  • the present invention also covers functional homologues of alpha- lactalbumin comprising a sequence identity of at least 70% to SEQ ID NO: 1 or comprising a sequence identity of at least 70% to SEQ ID NO:2 as well as an active complex of functional homologues of alpha-lactalbumin with a fatty acid or a lipid.
  • the wild-type bovine alpha-lactalbumin including the leader sequence i.e. the naturally occurring non-mutated version of the protein including the 19 amino acid leader sequence is identified as SEQ ID NO: 3 and the wild-type human alpha-lactalbumin including the leader sequence i.e. the naturally occurring non-mutated version of the protein including the 19 amino acid leader sequence is identified as SEQ ID NO: 4.
  • a functional homologue can be defined as alpha-lactalbumin that differs in sequence from the wild-type alpha-lactalbumin, such as wild-type human alpha-lactalbumin or wild-type bovine lactalbumin, but is still functionally competent.
  • a functional homologue may be a mutated version or an alternative splice variant of the wild-type alpha- lactalbumin.
  • functional homologues of alpha-lactalbumin are defined as described herein below.
  • a functional homologue may be, but is not limited to, a recombinant version of alpha-lactalbumin with one or more mutations and/or one or more sequence deletions and/or additions introduced ex vivo.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin may be human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin, wherein the alpha-lactalbumin is either naturally occurring milk alpha-lactalbumin or the alpha-lactalbumin has been recombinantly produced.
  • Alpha-lactalbumin is as described in the background section highly abundant in milk.
  • the sequence of alpha-lactalbumin from different mammal species is well conserved. Sequences from rodents (mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig), primates, cats and dogs show a high degree of identity.
  • the amino acid sequence from equine, caprine, bovine, porcine and humans show approximately 75-95 % identity (Pettersson, Jenny, BBRC 345 (2006) 260-270).
  • Alpha-lactalbumin from any species, preferably any mammalian species, may according to the invention be used for production of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin, preferably LAC.
  • alpha-lactalbumin from any species different from bovine or human species is considered functional equivalents (see below) of bovine or human alpha-lactalbumin.
  • Alpha-lactalbumin is evolutionary related to and share around 35 to 40% of sequence homology as well as the positions of the four disulfide bonds with lysozyme C.
  • the functional equivalent of bovine or human alpha- lactalbumin is selected from the group consisting of equine, caprine, bovine, camelide and porcine.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin is bovine.
  • Figure 1 B shows an alignment of the protein sequences of bovine and human alpha- lactalbumin.
  • Human wild-type alpha-lactalbumin is identified as SEQ ID NO: 2 and bovine wild-type alpha-lactalbumin is identified as SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is bovine alpha-lactalbumin and in another embodiment of the invention alpha-lactalbumin is human alpha-lactalbumin.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is bovine wild-type alpha-lactalbumin as identified by SEQ ID NO: 1 and in another preferred embodiment of the invention alpha-lactalbumin is human alpha-lactalbumin as identified by SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is recombinant wild type human alpha-lactalbumin and in an equally preferred embodiment of the invention alpha- lactalbumin is recombinant wild type bovine alpha-lactalbumin.
  • Alpha-lactalbumin variants include any form of alpha-lactalbumin known to a person skilled in the art and any functional homologue thereof.
  • alpha-lactalbumin variants include splice variants and allelic variants and single nucleotide polymorphisms.
  • a functional homologue of alpha-lactalbumin may be any protein that exhibits at least some sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, and when complexed with a fatty acid or a lipid shares one or more functions with LAC, such as the capacity of apoptosis induction (see more details herein below).
  • the capacity of LAC of induction of apoptosis can for example be measured as described in Danish patent application PA 2007 0693.
  • the capacity of alpha- lactalbumin of DNA fragmentation can be visualised as described in (Pettersson, Jenny, BBRC 345 (2006) 260-270) for example with ethidium bromide using a 305 nm UV-light source.
  • Histone binding activity of alpha-lactalbumin, which is a function of wild type LAC can be measured as described in Danish patent application PA 2007 0693
  • Alpha-lactalbumin to be used with the present invention may be derived from any suitable source, for example alpha-lactalbumin may be naturally occurring alpha- lactalbumin or alpha-lactalbumin may be recombinantly produced alpha-lactalbumin as described in detail herein below.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is human alpha-lactalbumin purified from human milk and in another equally preferred embodiment alpha-lactalbumin is bovine alpha-lactalbumin purified from bovine milk.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is recombinant bovine alpha-lactalbumin.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is recombinant bovine wild-type alpha- lactalbumin.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is bovine wild- type alpha-lactalbumin purified from bovine milk.
  • alpha-lactalbumin is bovine alpha- lactalbumin, in a more preferred embodiment alpha-lactalbumin is bovine wild-type alpha-lactalbumin as identified by SEQ ID NO: 1. In a very preferred embodiment alpha-lactalbumin is recombinant wild type human alpha-lactalbumin. In another preferred embodiment of the invention alpha-lactalbumin is human alpha-lactalbumin, in a more preferred embodiment alpha-lactalbumin is human wild-type alpha- lactalbumin as identified by SEQ ID NO: 2. In a very preferred embodiment alpha- lactalbumin is recombinant wild type bovine alpha-lactalbumin. In an even a more preferred embodiment alpha-lactalbumin is bovine wild-type alpha-lactalbumin purified from bovine milk.
  • alpha-lactalbumin molecules are herein referred to as functional equivalents of bovine or human alpha- lactalbumin, and may be such as variants and fragments of native bovine or human alpha-lactalbumin as described here below.
  • a functional homologue of alpha-lactalbumin may be any protein that exhibits at least some sequence identity with SEQ ID NO. 1 or SEQ ID NO.2 and shares one or more functions with alpha-lactalbumin, such as:
  • LAC has cell killing activity
  • LAC has histone binding activity
  • the functional homologue exhibits at least some sequence identity with SEQ ID NO. 1 or SEQ ID NO.2 and has cell killing abilities.
  • alpha-lactalbumin sequences are compared between species where alpha-lactalbumin function is conserved, for example but not limited to mammals including rodents, monkeys and apes. Residues under high selective pressure are more likely to represent essential amino acids that cannot easily be substituted than residues that change between species.
  • such an alignment may be performed using ClustalW from EBML-EBI comparing porcine alpha-lactalbumin and human alpha-lactalbumin ( Figure 1 A).
  • alpha- lactalbumin molecules are herein referred to as functional equivalents of bovine or human alpha-lactalbumin, and may be such as variants and fragments of native bovine or human alpha-lactalbumin as described here below.
  • Functional assays can for example be used in order to determine if alpha-lactalbumin function is conserved. Functional assays known to a skilled person can be used to verify the functional conservation of uncomplexed alpha-lactalbumin. Such functional assays determine the ability of alpha-lactalbumin to act as a regulatory subunit of the lactose synthase complex in the production of lactose.
  • Functional assays known to a skilled person can be used to verify the functional conservation of alpha-lactalbumin in complex with a fatty acid or a lipid.
  • Functional assays for evaluating alpha-lactalbumin function known to persons skilled in the art include, but are not limited to, assays described herein above and in Danish patent application PA 2007 0693.
  • variant refers to polypeptides or proteins which are homologous to the basic protein, which is suitably bovine or human alpha-lactalbumin, but which differs from the base sequence from which they are derived in that one or more amino acids within the sequence are substituted for other amino acids.
  • Amino acid substitutions may be regarded as "conservative" where an amino acid is replaced with a different amino acid with broadly similar properties. Non-conservative substitutions are where amino acids are replaced with amino acids of a different type. Broadly speaking, fewer non-conservative substitutions will be possible without altering the biological activity of the polypeptide.
  • Figure 1A shows an alignment of the protein sequences of bovine, human, equine, caprine, bovine, camelide and porcine alpha- lactalbumin wherein identical residues (" * ”) and residues with conservative (“:”) and semi-conservative (".”) substitutions are marked.
  • functional homo- logues of alpha-lactalbumin comprises a sequence with high sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:2, wherein none of the conserved residues marked with " * " in figure 1A are substituted. It is furthermore preferred within this embodiment that the residues marked with ":" in figure 1 A are either not substituted or only substituted by conservative substitution, more preferably by substitution with an amino acid with a high level of similarity as defined herein below.
  • functional homologues of bovine alpha- lactalbumin have a sequence with high sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 , wherein residues E1 , L3, E7, V8, L15, Y18, V21 , S22, V27, Q39, A40, 141 , N44, I59, K62, Q65, I85, M90, N102, S112, D116, K122 are either not substituted or substituted only by conservative substitution, more preferably substituted only an amino acid with a high level of similarity as defined herein below.
  • alpha-lactalbumin have a sequence with high sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein residues marked with ".” in figure 1A are either not substituted or are only substituted by conservative substitutions, such as with amino acids with lower levels or high level of similarity as defined herein below.
  • functional homologues of bovine alpha-lactalbumin have a sequence with high sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 , wherein residues D14, K16, G17, G20, P24, S47, N56, D63, D64, N74, V92, and A109 are either not substituted or only substituted by conservative substitutions, such as with amino acids with lower level or high level of similarity as defined herein below.
  • functional homologues of alpha- lactalbumin may have a sequence with high sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the unmarkes residues in Figure 1A may be substituted with any other amino acid.
  • functional homolgoues of human alpha-lactalbumin may have a sequence with high sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 , wherein residues F9, R10, E11 , G19, W25, T29, T30, T33, Q43, D46, T48, N66, P67, H68, S70, I89, K98, V99, L118, and L123 are either not substituted or substituted with any other amino acid.
  • amino acids may be grouped according to shared characteristics.
  • a conservative amino acid substitution is a substitution of one amino acid within a predetermined group of amino acids for another amino acid within the same group, wherein the amino acids within a predetermined groups exhibit similar or substantially similar characteristics.
  • Conservative amino acid substitutions refer to the interchangeability of residues having similar side chains.
  • a group of amino acids having aliphatic side chains is glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; a group of amino acids having aliphatic-hydroxyl side chains is serine and threonine, a group of amino acids having amide-containing side chains is asparagine and glutamine; a group of amino acids having aromatic side chains is phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; a group of amino acids having basic side chains is lysine, arginine, and histidine; and a group of amino acids having sulfur-containing side chains is cysteine and methionine.
  • Preferred conservative amino acids substitution groups are: valine-leucine-isoleucine, phenylalanine-tyrosine, lysine-arginine, alanine-valine, and asparagine-glutamine.
  • Polarity i) Amino acids having polar side chains (Asp, GIu, Lys, Arg, His, Asn, GIn, Ser,
  • Hydrophilic or hydrophobic iii) Hydrophobic amino acids (Ala, Cys, GIy, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Trp, Tyr, VaI)
  • Acidic amino acids ((asp, GIu)
  • Preferred conservative amino acids substitution groups are: valine-leucine-isoleucine, phenylalanine-tyrosine, lysine-arginine, alanine-valine, and asparagine-glutamine.
  • a variant or a fragment thereof according to the invention may comprise, within the same variant of the sequence or fragments thereof, or among different variants of the sequence or fragments thereof, at least one substitution, such as a plurality of substitutions introduced independently of one another.
  • the same variant or fragment thereof may comprise more than one conservative amino acid substitution from more than one group of conservative amino acids as defined herein above.
  • nonstandard amino acids include the sulfur-containing taurine and the neurotransmitters GABA and dopamine.
  • nonstandard amino acids include the sulfur-containing taurine and the neurotransmitters GABA and dopamine.
  • Other examples are lanthionine, 2-Aminoisobutyric acid, and dehydroalanine.
  • Further non standard amino are ornithine and citrulline.
  • Non-standard amino acids are usually formed through modifications to standard amino acids.
  • taurine can be formed by the decarboxylation of cysteine, while dopamine is synthesized from tyrosine and hydroxyproline is made by a posttranslational modification of proline (common in collagen).
  • non-natural amino acids are those listed e.g. in 37 C. F. R. section 1.822(b)(4), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • a functional equivalent according to the invention may comprise any amino acid including non-standard amino acids. In preferred embodiments a functional equivalent comprises only standard amino acids.
  • the standard and/or non-standard amino acids may be linked by peptide bonds or by non-peptide bonds.
  • the term peptide also embraces post-translational modifications introduced by chemical or enzyme-catalyzed reactions, as are known in the art. Such post-translational modifications can be introduced prior to partitioning, if desired.
  • Amino acids as specified herein will preferentially be in the L-stereoisomeric form.
  • Amino acid analogs can be employed instead of the 20 naturally-occurring amino acids. Several such analogs are known, including fluorophenylalanine, norleucine, azetidine-2- carboxylic acid, S-aminoethyl cysteine, 4-methyl tryptophan and the like.
  • variants will be at least 60% identical, preferably at least 70% and accordingly, variants preferably have at least 75% sequence identity, for example at least 80% sequence identity, such as at least 85 % sequence identity, for example at least 90 % sequence identity, such as at least 91 % sequence identity, for example at least 91 % sequence identity, such as at least 92 % sequence identity, for example at least 93 % sequence identity, such as at least 94 % sequence identity, for example at least 95 % sequence identity, such as at least 96 % sequence identity, for example at least 97% sequence identity, such as at least 98 % sequence identity, for example 99% sequence identity with the predetermined sequence of bovine alpha-lactalbumin.
  • Sequence identity can be calculated using a number of well-known algorithms and applying a number of different gap penalties.
  • the sequence identity is calculated relative to full-length SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. In the alternative, it is calculated relative to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the sequence encoding the signal peptide is not included.
  • the signal peptide is predicted to comprise amino acids 1 to 24 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Any sequence alignment tool such as but not limited to FASTA, BLAST, or LALIGN may be used for searching homologues and calculating sequence identity.
  • any commonly known substitution matrix such as but not limited to PAM, BLOSSUM or PSSM matrices may be applied with the search algorithm.
  • a PSSM position specific scoring matrix
  • sequence alignments may be performed using a range of penalties for gap opening and extension.
  • the BLAST algorithm may be used with a gap opening penalty in the range 5-12, and a gap extension penalty in the range 1-2.
  • a functional homologue within the scope of the present invention is a polypeptide that exhibits some sequence identity with bovine alpha-lactalbumin or with human alpha- lactalbumin as identified by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, preferably they have a high sequence identity t SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, for example functional homologues may have a sequence sharing at least 70% sequence identity preferably functional homologues have at least 75% sequence identity, for example at least 80% sequence identity, such as at least 85 % sequence identity, for example at least 90 % sequence identity, such as at least 91 % sequence identity, for example at least 91 % sequence identity, such as at least 92 % sequence identity, for example at least 93 % sequence identity, such as at least 94 % sequence identity, for example at least 95 % sequence identity, such as at least 96 % sequence identity, for example at least 97% sequence identity, such as at least 98 % sequence identity, for example 99% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 or S
  • Functional equivalents may further comprise chemical modifications such as ubiquitination, labeling (e.g., with radionuclides, various enzymes, etc.), pegylation (derivatization with polyethylene glycol), or by insertion (or substitution by chemical synthesis) of amino acids (amino acids) such as ornithine, which do not normally occur in human proteins.
  • chemical modifications such as ubiquitination, labeling (e.g., with radionuclides, various enzymes, etc.), pegylation (derivatization with polyethylene glycol), or by insertion (or substitution by chemical synthesis) of amino acids (amino acids) such as ornithine, which do not normally occur in human proteins.
  • sterically similar compounds may be formulated to mimic the key portions of the peptide structure and that such compounds may also be used in the same manner as the peptides of the invention. This may be achieved by techniques of modelling and chemical designing known to those of skill in the art. For example, esterification and other alkylations may be employed to modify the amino terminus of, e.g., a di-arginine peptide backbone, to mimic a tetra peptide structure. It will be understood that all such sterically similar constructs fall within the scope of the present invention.
  • Functional equivalents also comprise glycosy- lated and covalent or aggregative conjugates formed with the same molecules, including dimers or unrelated chemical moieties. Such functional equivalents are prepared by linkage of functionalities to groups which are found in fragment including at any one or both of the N- and C-termini, by means known in the art.
  • fragment thereof may refer to any portion of the given amino acid sequence. Fragments may comprise more than one portion from within the full-length protein, joined together. Suitable fragments may be deletion or addition mutants.
  • the addition of at least one amino acid may be an addition of from preferably 2 to 250 amino acids, such as from 10 to 20 amino acids, for example from 20 to 30 amino acids, such as from 40 to 50 amino acids. Fragments may include small regions from the protein or combinations of these.
  • Suitable fragments may be deletion or addition mutants.
  • the addition or deletion of at least one amino acid may be an addition or deletion of from preferably 2 to 250 amino acids, such as from 10 to 20 amino acids, for example from 20 to 30 amino acids, such as from 40 to 50 amino acids.
  • the deletion and/or the addition may - independently of one another - be a deletion and/or an addition within a sequence and/or at the end of a sequence.
  • a functional homologue may be a deletion mutant of alpha-lactalbumin as identified by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, sharing at least 70% and accordingly, a functional homologue preferably have at least 75% sequence identity, for example at least 80% sequence identity, such as at least 85 % sequence identity, for example at least 90 % sequence identity, such as at least 91 % sequence identity, for example at least 91 % sequence identity, such as at least 92 % sequence identity, for example at least 93 % sequence identity, such as at least 94 % sequence identity, for example at least 95 % sequence identity, such as at least 96 % sequence identity, for example at least 97% sequence identity, such as at least 98 % sequence identity, for example 99% sequence identity.
  • Deletion mutants suitably comprise at least 20 or 40 consecutive amino acid and more preferably at least 80 or 100 consecutive amino acids in length. Accordingly such a fragment may be a shorter sequence of the sequence as identified by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 comprising at least 20 consecutive amino acids, for example at least 30 consecutive amino acids, such as at least 40 consecutive amino acids, for example at least 50 consecutive amino acids, such as at least 60 consecutive amino acids, for example at least 70 consecutive amino acids, such as at least 80 consecutive amino acids, for example at least 90 consecutive amino acids, such as at least 95 consecutive amino acids, such as at least 100 consecutive amino acids, such as at least 105 amino acids, for example at least 110 consecutive amino acids, such as at least 115 consecutive amino acids, for example at least 120 consecutive amino acids, wherein said deletion mutants preferably share at least 75% sequence identity, for example at least 80% sequence identity, such as at least 85 % sequence identity, for example at least 90 % sequence identity, such as at least 91 % sequence identity, for example at least 91 % sequence
  • functional homologues of alpha-lactalbumin comprises at the most 500, more preferably at the most 400, even more preferably at the most 300, yet more preferably at the most 200, such as at the most 175, for example at the most 160, such as at the most 150 amino acids, for example at the most 142 amino acids.
  • fragment thereof may refer to any portion of the given amino acid sequence. Fragments may comprise more than one portion from within the full-length protein, joined together. Portions will suitably comprise at least 5 and preferably at least 10 consecutive amino acids from the basic sequence. They may include small regions from the protein or combinations of these. In preferred embodiments fragments may comprise at least one consecutive sequence of bovine alpha-lactalbumin of at least 40 amino acids.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin fragment comprise one or more amino acid segments.
  • the segments may be selected from the major alpha- helical domain containing amino acid 5-1 1 , 23-34, 86-98, and the short alpha-helical segments; amino acid 18-20, 115-1 18, or from the beta-domain containing the triple- stranded anti-parallel sheet: amino acids 40-50 and the short 76-82 helix or the calcium binding domain 76-89 or any segments between these domains: amino acid 1-4, 12-17, 21-22, 35-39,51-76, 82-84, 99-114 or 1 19-123.
  • an alpha-lactalbumin fragment comprises at least two of the above mentioned segments, more preferably at least three of the indicated segments, more preferably four or most preferably five or all sixth mentioned segments.
  • the region which forms the interface between the alpha and beta domains is, in human alpha-lactalbumin, defined by amino acids 35-39 and 83-87 in the structure.
  • suitable fragments of bovine alpha-lactalbumin will include these regions, and preferably the entire region from amino acid 35-87 of the native protein, for example from amino acid 20-100 of the native protein, for example from amino acid 10-1 10 of the native protein, for example from amino acid 5-115 of the native protein, for example from amino acid 1-123.
  • This region of the molecule differs between the bovine and the human proteins, in that one of the three basic amino acids (R70) is changed to S70 in bovine alpha-lactalbumin, thus eliminating one potential coordinating side chain.
  • the deletion and/or the addition may - independently of one another - be a deletion and/or an addition within a sequence and/or at the end of a sequence.
  • the high affinity Ca 2+ binding site is 100% conserved in alpha-lactalbumin from different species (Acharya K. R. , et al. , (1991 ) J MoI Bio3 221 ,5il-581 ), illustrating the importance of this function for the protein. It is co-ordinated by five different amino acids and two water molecules as described in the background section.
  • a variant according to the invention is one in which the calcium binding site has been modified so that the affinity for calcium is reduced, or it is no longer functional.
  • the calcium binding site in alpha-lactalbumin is coordinated by the residues K79, D82, D84, D87 and D88.
  • modification of these residues by for example by removing one of more of the acidic residues, can reduce the affinity of the site for calcium, or eliminate the function completely and mutants of this type are an embodiment of the invention.
  • the aspartic acid residue at amino acid position 87 within the protein sequence is mutated to a non-acidic residue, and in particular a non-polar or uncharged polar side chain.
  • D87 may also be replaced by an asparagine (N).
  • variants for use in the complexes of the invention may be D87A and D87N variants of a-lactalbumin, or fragments which include this mutation.
  • LAC appears to be active with and without calcium present. Two explanations for this are plausible.
  • LAC is formed by unfolding and binding of fatty acid (se below) with little disturbance of the alpha-helical domain.
  • the Ca 2+ -binding site may then retain a similar conformation as in the absence of fatty acid and Ca 2+ may be bound there to.
  • a second possibility is that the Ca 2+ site is disrupted and that the observed Ca 2+ binding is explained by the generation of a new Ca 2+ site in LAC.
  • the head group of the fatty acid might potentially coordinate calcium together with amino acid residues.
  • the Ca 2+ - binding site is not involved in the conversion of a- lactalbumin to an apoptosis-associated conformation, and that the structural changes associated with Ca 2+ binding to LAC do not hinder the biological function.
  • the Ca 2+ binding site is preserved by the inclusion of amino acid segment 76-89 as described above.
  • Alpha-lactalbumin complex comprises an alpha- lactalbumin complex (LAC) comprising bovine or human alpha-lactalbumin of SEQ ID NO.1 or SEQ ID NO:2 or a functional equivalent there of and a lipid or a fatty acid.
  • LAC alpha- lactalbumin complex
  • alpha-lactalbumin is complexed with a fatty acid.
  • Fatty acids are carboxylic acids, which often have a long unbranched aliphatic chain.
  • acetyl-CoA in which the acetic unit contains two C-atoms, most natural fatty acids have an even number of C atoms ranging from 4 to 80 C atoms.
  • the aliphatic chain of a fatty acid can be either saturated or unsaturated. Saturated fatty acids are saturated with hydrogen and thus have no double bonds.
  • Unsaturated fatty acids can be either mono-unsaturated (or MUFAs), having one double bond or poly-unsatu rated (PUFAs), having 2 or more double bonds.
  • the fatty acids of the present invention may be a saturated fatty acid or an unsaturated fatty acid.
  • the fatty acid is selected from the group of C4 to C30, for example from C6 to C28, such as from C8 to C26, for example from C10 to C24, such as from C12 to C22, for example from C14 to C20, such as from C16 to C20, for example from the group of C16, C17, C18 and C20, such as from the group of C16, C18 and C20. Even more preferred fatty acid is selected from the group of C16, C17, C18 and C20.
  • Fatty acids are often described using the number of C-atoms of the chain and the number, location and conformation of double bonds.
  • Steric acid for example, has a chain of 18 C-atoms and no double bonds and can be described as C18:0
  • oleic acid has a chain of 18 C-atoms and one double bond and can be described as C18:1
  • linoleic acid has a chain of 18 C-atoms and two double bonds and can be described as C18:2 and so forth.
  • the double bond is located on the xth carbon-carbon bond, counting from the carboxyl terminus.
  • the Latin prefixes cis (on the side) or trans (across) describe the conformation of the double bonds by describing the orientation of the hydrogen atoms with respect to said double bond. Double bonds in the cis conformation are preferred. The position of the double bond is frequently indicated as the last number, following the integer indicating the number of double bonds.
  • oleic acid having a 18 carbon chain with one double bond between carbon 9 and 10 may be described as C18:1 :9cis and ⁇ -linolenic acid having a 18 carbon chain with three double bonds between carbon 9 and 10, 12 and 13 and 15 and 16, respectively, may be described as C18:3:9,12,15.
  • Cis or trans may be indicated after the position of the double bond. If there is more than one double bond and they all are of the same conformation, then the term cis or trans may be indicated after indication of the position of all double bonds and thus relates to the conformation of all double bonds.
  • Linoleic acid having a 18 carbon chain with 2 double bonds, which are both cis double bonds between carbons 9 and 10 and 12 and 13, respectively may be described as C18:2:9,12cis
  • the fatty acid has in the range of 0 to 6 double bonds, for example in the range of 1 to 5 double bonds, such as the number of double bonds is selected from the group of 1 , 2, 3 or 4 double bonds. In more preferred embodiments of the invention the fatty acid has 1 or 3 double bonds. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention the fatty acid has one double bond.
  • saturated fatty acids are: Butyric (butanoic acid): CH3(CH2)2COOH or C4:0
  • Unsaturated fatty acids are preferred for the present invention.
  • a mono-saturated acid is complexed with alpha-lactalbumin. More preferred are mono-saturated acids selected from the group of: C17:1:10cis or trans, C16:1:6cis and trans, C16:1:9cis and trans, C16:1:11 cis and trans, C18:1:6cis or trans, C18:1:9cis and trans, C18:1:11 cis or trans, C18:1:13cis or trans, C20:1:9 cis and trans, C20:1:11cisand trans, C20:1:13cis and trans.
  • the mono-saturated acid complexed with alpha-lactalbumin is in the cis conformation such a fatty acid selected from the group of: C17:1:10cis, C16:1:6cis, C16:1:9cis, C16:1:11cis, C18:1:6cis, C18:1:9cis, C18:1:11cis, C18:1:13cis, C20:1:9cis, C20:1:11cis, C20:1:13cis.
  • the fatty acid complexed with alpha-lactalbumin is an unsaturated fatty acid in the cis conformation, preferably selected from the group consisting of C17:1 :10cis, C18:1 :9cis, C18:1 :11 cis, C18:1 :6cis, C16:1 :9cis, C18:3:6,9,12cis, C18:3:9,12,15cis, C18:2:9,12cis.
  • the fatty acid complexed with alpha-lactalbumin is selected from the group consisting of C16 to C20 fatty acids comprising in the range of 1 to 5 cis double bonds.
  • the fatty acid may for example be selected from the group consisting of Vaccenic Acid C18:1 :1 1 cis, Linoleic Acid C18:2:9,12cis, Alpha Linolenic Acid C18:3:9,12,15, Palmitoleic Acid C16:1 :9cis, Heptadecenoic Acid C17:1 :10cis, Gamma Linolenic Acid C18:3:6,9,12cis, Stearidonic acid C18:4:6,9,12,15cis, Eicosenoic Acid C20:1 :11 cis and Eicosapentaenoic Acid C20:5:5,8,11 ,14,17cis, such as from the group consisting of Vaccenic Acid C18:1 :1
  • the fatty acid complexed with alpha- lactalbumin is an unsaturated C16 or C18 fatty acid, preferably a C18 fatty acid, wherein all double bonds are cis double bonds.
  • the fatty acid may preferably comprise 1 , for example 2, such as 3, for example 4 double bonds, wherein all double bonds are cis double bonds.
  • the fatty acid may for example be selected from the group consisting of C18:1 :9cis, C18: 1 :1 1 cis, C18:1 :6cis, C16:1 :9cis, C18:3:6,9,12cis, C18:3:9,12,15cis, C18:2:9,12cis and C18:4:6, 9, 12, 15cis, preferably selected from the group consisting of C18:1 :9cis, C18:1 :11 cis, C18:1 :6cis, C18:3:6,9,12cis, C18:3:9,12,15cis, C18:2:9,12cis and C18:4:6, 9, 12, 15cis, for example selected from the group consisting of C18:1 :9cis, C18:1 :11 cis, C18:3:6,9,12cis, C18:3:9,12,15cis and C18:2:9
  • the fatty acid complexed with alpha-lactalbumin is an unsaturated C16, C17 or C18 fatty acid with no more than three unsaturated bonds.
  • the fatty acid complexed with alpha-lactalbumin is an unsaturated C17 fatty acid, preferably C17:1 :1 Ocis.
  • Most preferred fatty acids are according to the invention C18:1 :9cis, C17:1 :10cis and C18:1 :1 1cis.
  • C18:1 :9cis is highly preferred for the complex of the invention.
  • a polysatued acid is complexed with alpha-lactalbumin.
  • a polysatuated acid selected from the group of C18:2:9, 12cis, C18:3:9,12,15cis, C18:3:6,9,12cis, and C20:4:5,8,1 1 15cis,
  • the fatty acid is an artificial fatty acid.
  • the fatty acid or lipid binding site in alpha-lactalbumin may be located in the groove between the ⁇ -helical and ⁇ -sheet domains, which becomes exposed in the apoprotein.
  • the applicant believes that the cofactor such as oleic acid binds in the interface between the alpha and the beta domains, and that the bound cofactor acid locks this region of the molecule, while allowing the ⁇ -domain to maintain a native-like conformation.
  • This region of the molecule differs between the bovine and the human proteins, in that one of the three basic amino acids (R70) is changed to S70 in bovine ⁇ -lactalbumin, thus eliminating one potential coordinating side chain.
  • the active complex is preferably produced in local environments that favour the altered protein fold, and where fatty acid or lipid cofactors are available.
  • alpha-lactalbumin preferably LAC
  • complex composition Production of alpha-lactalbumin, preferably LAC, complex composition
  • alpha-lactalbumin composition may according to the invention be produced by any suitable methods.
  • Natural sources of alpha-lactalbumin are milk from different mammalian species, preferably selected from the group of: equine, caprine, bovine and porcine, most preferably bovine.
  • alpha-lactalbumin may be produced recombinantly (see more details herein below in the section "recombinant production") or obtained as a commercial product from several companies.
  • Purification Purification of proteins in general involves one or more steps of removal of or separation from contaminating nucleic acids, phages and/or viruses, other proteins and/or other biological macromolecules.
  • the obtaining of LA from a composition comprising LA, such as milk or a culture medium or an extract of host cells may comprise one or more protein isolation steps. Any suitable protein isolation step may be used with the present invention. The skilled person will in general readily be able to identify useful protein isolation steps for LA if such are required.
  • the protein isolation steps useful with the present invention may be commonly used methods for protein purification including for example chromatographic methods such as for example gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, ion exchange chromatography and/or affinity chromatography; filtration methods such as for example gel filtration and ultrafiltration; precipitation, such as ammonium sulphate precipitation and/or gradient separation such as sucrose gradient separation.
  • Purification of LA may comprise one or more of the aforementioned methods in any combination.
  • purification of LA may for example comprise one or more centrifugation steps.
  • Said centrifugation may be employed for example for defattening purposes and/or to remove cells/cellular debris or the like and/or to separate supernatant from precipitate
  • purification of LA may for example comprise one or more precipitation steps, for example precipitation using ammonium sulphate, for example at a concentration in 10 to 75%, preferably in the range of 30 to 60%, such as in the range of 40-45%.
  • precipitation is performed using an ammonium sulphate concentration of in the range of 40 to 45%, LA will generally be present in the supernatant.
  • Purification of LA may comprise one or more steps of filtration, for example filtration through a filter paper and/or filtration using another filter with a pore size of the range pf 0.1 ⁇ m to 100 ⁇ m, for example in the range of 0.5 to 50 ⁇ m, such as in the range of 0.5 to 20 ⁇ m, such as in the range of 0.5-1 ⁇ m.
  • Purification of LA may comprise one or more chromatographic steps, for example any of the chromatographic methods mentioned above.
  • the method comprises a hydrophobic interaction chromatography.
  • Functional equivalents of LA are preferably produced recombinantly.
  • Wild type LA may in one preferred embodiment also be recombinantly produced.
  • Useful recombinant production methods includes conventional methods known in the art, such as by expression of heterologuos LA of functional homologues thereof in suitable host cells such as E. coli, S. cerevisiae or S. pombe or insect or mammalian cells suitable for production of recombinant proteins (see below).
  • suitable host cells such as E. coli, S. cerevisiae or S. pombe or insect or mammalian cells suitable for production of recombinant proteins (see below).
  • the skilled person will in general readily be able to identify useful recombinant techniques for the production of recombinant proteins in general and LA specifically.
  • LA is produced in a transgene plant or animal.
  • a transgenic plant or animal in this context is meant a plant or animal which has been genetically modified to contain and express a nucleic acid encoding human or bovine LA or functional homolgues hereof.
  • LA or a functional homolgue thereof is produced recombinantly by host cells.
  • LA is produced by host cells comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding alpha-lactalbumin or a functional homologue thereof operably associated with a second nucleic acid capable of directing expression in said host cells.
  • the second nucleic acid sequence may thus comprise or even consist of a promoter that will direct the expression of protein of interest in said cells.
  • a skilled person will be readily capable of identifying useful second nucleic acid sequence for use in a given host cell.
  • the process of producing recombinant LA or a functional homologue thereof in general comprises the steps of:
  • composition comprising LA may thus be an extract of said host cells or a composition purified from an extract of said host cells and/or from the culture medium.
  • the recombinant LA thus produced may be isolated by any conventional method for example by any of the protein purification methods described herein above.
  • the skilled person will be able to identify a suitable protein isolation steps for purifying any protein of interest.
  • the recombinantly produced LA or the functional homologue thereof is excreted by the host cells.
  • the process of producing a recombinant protein of interest may comprise the following steps
  • culture medium comprising LA or a functional homologue thereof.
  • composition comprising LA or a functional homologue thereof may thus in this embodiment of the invention be the culture medium or a composition prepared from the culture medium.
  • said composition is an extract prepared from animals, parts thereof or cells or an isolated fraction of such an extract.
  • LA is recombinantly produced in vitro in host cells and is isolated from cell lysate, cell extract or from tissue culture supernatant.
  • LA is produced by host cells that are modified in such a way that they express the protein of interest.
  • said host cells are transformed to produce and excrete LA.
  • the LA preparation is preferably a recombinant preparation, wherein the LA preparation is obtained by:
  • a gene expression construct comprising a first nucleic acid encoding human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin peptide or a functional homologue thereof, operably linked to a second nucleic acid capable of directing expression in a host cell,
  • composition comprising a variety of alpha-lactalbumin molecules and nucleic acids
  • the LA preparation is preferably a recombinant preparation, wherein the LA preparation is obtained by:
  • a gene expression construct comprising a first nucleic acid encoding human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin peptide or a functional homologue thereof, operably linked to a second nucleic acid capable of directing expression in a host cell
  • composition comprising a plurality of LA molecules and nucleic acids
  • the nucleic acid encoding alpha-lactalbumin may be derived from the human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin gene or from alpha-lactalbumin genes of other animal species as defined herein above.
  • the gene expression construct is suitable for expression in mammalian cell lines or transgenic plants or animals.
  • the host cell culture is cultured in a transgene animal.
  • a transgenic plant or animal in this context is meant a plant or animal which has been genetically modified to contain and express a nucleic acid encoding human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin or a functional homologue thereof as defined herein above
  • the gene expression construct of the present invention comprises a viral based vector, such as a DNA viral based vector, a RNA viral based vector, or a chimeric viral based vector.
  • a viral based vector such as a DNA viral based vector, a RNA viral based vector, or a chimeric viral based vector.
  • DNA viruses are cytomegalo virus, Herpex Simplex, Epstein-Barr virus, Simian virus 40, Bovine papillomavirus, Adeno-associated virus, Adenovirus, Vaccinia virus, and Baculo virus.
  • the gene expression construct may for example only comprise a plasmid based vector.
  • the invention provides an expression construct encoding human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin or functional homologues thereof, featured by comprising one or more intron sequences from the human or bovine human or bovine alpha- lactalbumin gene including functional derivatives hereof. Additionally, it may contain a promoter region derived from a viral gene or an eukaryotic gene, including mammalian and insect genes.
  • the promoter region is preferably selected to be different from the native human or bovine human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin promoter, and preferably in order to optimize the yield of human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin, the promoter region is selected to function most optimally with the vector and host cells in question.
  • the promoter region is selected from a group comprising Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat promoter, and cytomegalovirus immediate- early promoter, and elongation factor-1 alpha promoter.
  • the promoter region is derived from a gene of a microorganism, such as other viruses, yeasts and bacteria.
  • the promoter region may comprise enhancer elements, such as the QBI SP1 63 element of the 5' end untranslated region of the mouse vascular endothelian growth factor gene
  • One process for producing recombinant LA according to the invention is characterised in that the host cell culture is may be eukaryotic, and for example a mammalian cell culture or a yeast cell culture.
  • Useful mammalian cells may for example be human embryonal kidney cells (HEK cells), such as the cell lines deposited at the American Type Culture Collection with the numbers CRL-1573 and CRL-10852, chick embryo fibroblast, hamster ovary cells, baby hamster kidney cells, human cervical carcinoma cells, human melanoma cells, human kidney cells, human umbilical vascular endothelium cells, human brain endothelium cells, human oral cavity tumor cells, monkey kidney cells, mouse fibroblast, mouse kidney cells, mouse connective tissue cells, mouse oligodendritic cells, mouse macrophage, mouse fibroblast, mouse neuroblastoma cells, mouse pre-B cell, mouse B lymphoma cells, mouse plasmacytoma cells, mouse teratocacinoma cells, rat astrocytoma cells, rat mammary epithelium cells, COS, CHO, BHK, 293, VERO, HeLa, MDCK, WI38, and NIH 3T3 cells.
  • the host cells are either prokaryotic cells or yeast cells.
  • Prokaryotic cells may for example be E. coli.
  • Yeast cells may for example be Saccharomyces, Pichia or Hansenula.
  • recombinantly produced alpha-lactalbumin When recombinantly produced alpha-lactalbumin is used with the present invention it is preferred that said recombinantly produced alpha-lactalbumin has a size distribution profile that is similar to naturally occurring alpha-lactalbumin.
  • Recombinantly produced LA may for example be purified as described herein above in the section "Purification of Alpha-lactalbumin" and recombinantly produced LA may be used for preparing LAC, for example as described herein below.
  • LAC is an active complex of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or lipid.
  • Functional assays known to a skilled person can be used to verify the functional activity of alpha-lactalbumin in complex with a fatty acid or a lipid.
  • Functional assays for evaluating alpha-lactalbumin function known to persons skilled in the art include, but are not limited to, assays described herein above or for example the cell killing assay or the histone assay described in PCT/DK2007/050169.
  • a preferred method of production of the alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC, composition starting from cow milk may comprise steps of centrifugation, precipitations, filtering and hydrophobic interaction chromatography.
  • alpha-lactalbumin A preferred method of production of alpha-lactalbumin from milk is described in PCT/DK2007/050169.
  • the purification of alpha-lactalbumin is followed by conversion of alpha-lactalbumin to alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC. This conversion may be performed by a series of steps including release of Ca 2+ ion from alpha-lactalbumin.
  • Alpha-lactalbumin is then allowed to bind the lipid cofactor, for example, on an ion exchange matrix.
  • the active complex may be isolated by e.g elution using high salt concentration.
  • LAC may be produced according to the methods described in Danish Patent Application PA 2007 0693 and PCT application PCT/DK2007/050169.
  • Release of calcium may be obtained by any suitable method known to the skilled person.
  • release of calcium may be achieved by contacting LA with a calcium chelating agent.
  • the calcium chelating agent may be selected from the group of calcium chelators comprising, but not limited to 1 ,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- ⁇ /, ⁇ /, ⁇ /', ⁇ /'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) or Ethylene glycol-bis(aminoethylether)- ⁇ /, ⁇ /, ⁇ /',/V- tetraacetic (EGTA) or Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).
  • the calcium chelator is Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).
  • the calcium chelating agent is ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid.
  • release of calcium is obtained by using a functional homologue of alpha-lactalbumin, wherein the calcium binding site has been modified in a manner that reduces the ability of said functional homologue of alpha lactalbumin to bind calcium.
  • the amino acids of the calcium-binding site K79, D82, D84, D87 and D88
  • the step involving the release of calcium from LA is obsolete and the conversion of LA to LAC comprises of the binding of a fatty acid or a lipid to LA with either simultaneous or subsequent exposure to an anion exchange medium.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin composition may further be analysed using poly acryl gel electrophoresis (PAGE), immunoblotting (western blotting) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), MALDI-MS or any other methods whereby the content of the alpha-lactalbumin composition may be analysed.
  • PAGE poly acryl gel electrophoresis
  • SEC Size Exclusion Chromatography
  • MALDI-MS MALDI-MS
  • the purified alpha-lactalbumin complex may be filtered, concentrated and buffer changed to have a stable solution of the alpha-lactalbumin complex in a high concentration.
  • the composition is a saline composition of 0.01 to 90% such as 0.1 to 80% NaCI, for example 0.2 to 70% NaCI, such as 0.3 to 60% NaCI, for example 0.4 to 50% NaCI, such as 0.5 to 40% NaCI, for example 0.6 to 30 % NaCI, such as 0.7 to 20% NaCI, such as 0.8 to 10% NaCI, for example 0.85 to 5% NaCI, such as around 0.9% NaCI.
  • the composition is a 0.9 % NaCI solution.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC .composition according to the invention preferably has a concentration of more than 1 mg/ml, such as more than 2 mg/ml, preferably more than 5 mg/ml, such as more than 6 mg/ml or7 mg/ml such as more than 8 mg/ml more preferably approximately 9 mg/ml.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC, composition according to the invention preferably has a concentration of approximately 7 mg/ml.
  • the ratio of monomeric/multimeric alpha-lactalbumin in the alpha-lactalbumin complex is controlled by the ratio of monomeric/multimeric alpha-lactalbumin subjected to the conversion procedure.
  • the ratio of monomeric/multimeric alpha- lactalbumin obtained from the initial purification procedure of alpha-lactalbumin is important.
  • Production of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex may be favoured by a high concentration of the starting product, whereby the intermediated HIC purified alpha- lactalbumin is obtained in a monomeric form suitable for conversion resulting in an alpha-lactalbumin complex in the monomeric form.
  • An aspect of the invention accordingly relates to a method of producing a composition according to the invention comprising more than 60 %, such as more than 70 %, preferably more than 80 % or more than 90 % by weight of monomeric LAC, preferably more than 95 % by weight (weight %) monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC in comparison to the content of multimeric or oligomeric LAC.
  • the alpha-lactalbumin composition comprising more than 60 %, such as more than 70 %, preferably more than 80 % or more than 90 % by weight of monomeric LAC, preferably more than 95 % by weight of monomeric alpha-lactalbumin may preferably be obtained by hydrophobic interaction chromatography, wherein the column is loaded with more than 2 mg/ml. preferably more than 4 mg/ml, such as at least 6 mg/ml.
  • the load may alternatively be measured in mg/cm 2 , whereby the preferred load is over 40 mg/ cm 2 , such as more than 50 or preferably more than 60 mg/cm 2 . Even further preferred is a load of more than 70 mg/cm 2 or more than 80 mg/cm 2 .
  • the methods used with the present invention for production of alpha-lactalbumin complex involves conversion of alpha-lactalbumin to alpha-lactalbumin complex by chromatography, for example as described in Examples 3 and 4 in Danish Patent application PA 2007 00693.
  • a higher load of alpha-lactalbumin and a high yield of alpha-lactalbumin complex preferably LAC can be achieved.
  • the column for conversion may be loaded with more than 20 mg alpha-lactalbumin/cm 2 ion exchange medium, such as at least 30 mg/cm 2 , for example more than 40 mg/cm 2 , such as at least 50 mg/cm 2 , for example more than 60 mg/cm 2 , such as at least 70 mg/cm 2 , for example more than 80 mg/cm 2 , such as at least 90 mg alpha-lactabumin/cm 2 ion exchange medium.
  • more than 20 mg alpha-lactalbumin/cm 2 ion exchange medium such as at least 30 mg/cm 2 , for example more than 40 mg/cm 2 , such as at least 50 mg/cm 2 , for example more than 60 mg/cm 2 , such as at least 70 mg/cm 2 , for example more than 80 mg/cm 2 , such as at least 90 mg alpha-lactabumin/cm 2 ion exchange medium.
  • the yield of lactalbumin complex with afore-mentioned load is at least 50%, such as at least 55%, for example more than 60%, such as at least 65%, for example more than 70%, such as at least 75%, for example more than 80%.
  • the yield is at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, for example at least 75, such as at least 80%, when the load is 30 mg alpha- lactalbumin/cm 2 ion exchange medium. It is also preferred that the yield is at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, for example at least 75, such as at least 80%, for example at least 90%, when the load is 42 mg alpha-lactalbumin/cm 2 ion exchange medium.
  • the yield is at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, such as at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, for example at least 75, such as at least 80%, when the load is 90 mg alpha-lactalbumin/cm 2 ion exchange medium.
  • the composition comprises only very little - if any - contaminating biomacromolecules such as proteins.
  • at least 50%, such as at least 60%, for example at least 70%, such as at least 80%, for example at least 90% by weight of the proteins of the composition is LAC.
  • MAL multimeric alpha-lactalbumin
  • HAMLET have been demonstrated to poses selective cytotoxic activities towards cancer cells and immature cells besides its effect on bacterial and viral infections. Formation of the active complex has been shown to be dependent on the cofactor oleic acid and stimulated by depletion of ca 2+ from the environment.
  • the applicant herein describes monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC with cytotoxic activity towards malignant and/or pre-malignant cells for the treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions, preferably actinic keratosis.
  • monomeric LAC may comprise biological activities similar to multimeric LAC, including the selective cytotoxic activity, such as the cytotoxic activity towards malignant and/or pre-malignant cells in actinic keratosis.
  • the cells most likely to be targeted by LAC in the treatment of malignant and/or pre- malignant skin conditions is transformed keratonocytes.
  • the cytotoxicity of the monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex may be evaluated using any suitable cytotoxicity assay, which is well known in the art.
  • An example of such an assay, namely the ViaLight assay is for example described in example 2 of PCT/DK2007/050169
  • the dose of alpha-lactalbumin capable of killing 50 % of a given cell population is calculated base on the measured luminescence data.
  • the potency of the alpha- lactalbumin composition is reflected by the LD50 dose, where a low LD50 dose is characteristic for a composition with high potency, i.e. a composition highly effective in killing malignant and/or pre-malignant cells.
  • a cancer cell line L1210 is used, although it is clear that several different cell lines are suitable for the purpose. Results from such analysis are depicted in figures 6 and 7 and in a table format in example 2, table 1 of PCT/DK2007/050169.
  • the cytotoxic activity measured as LD50 of the alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC composition is less than 15 ⁇ g/100.000 cells in 70 ⁇ l. In a preferred embodiment the LD50 is less than 10 ⁇ g/100.000 cells in 70 ⁇ l.
  • the alpha- lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC composition according to the invention more preferable has a cytotoxic activity measured as LD50 of less than 5 ⁇ g/100.000 cells. Most preferred is a composition wherein the cytotoxic activity measured as LD50 is 1-5 ⁇ g/100.000 cells in 70 ⁇ l.
  • the LD50 may be calculated as the concentration of the compound such as the amount of alpha-lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC composition required to kill 50 % of a cell population in a predetermined volume.
  • the results shown in table 1 example 2 of PCT/DK2007/050169 shows that the composition according to the invention preferably have a LD50 concentration of less than 0.1 mg/ml, when measured on a cell population of 100,000 cells in 70 ⁇ l such as a LD50 of less than 0.9 mg/ml when measured on a cell population of 100.000 cells in 70 ⁇ l.
  • the composition have a LD50 concentration of less than 0.1 mg/ml when measured on a cell population of 100,000 cells in 70 ⁇ l, preferably less than 0.08 when measured on a cell population of 100,000 cells in 70 ⁇ l, more preferred less than 0.06 most preferred less than 0.04 mg/ml when measured on a cell population of 100,000 cells in 70 ⁇ l.
  • actinic keratosis and “actinic keratoses” are used interchangeably and the term also covers other names or classifications of "actinic keratosis", including but not limited to "early manifestation of squamous cell carcinoma” and” keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia”.
  • composition according to the invention may be used for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions.
  • a pre-malignant or pre-cancerous skin condition according to the present invention is a condition of skin tissue that is not yet malignant, but is poised to become malignant.
  • Pre-malignant skin conditions according to the present invention includes but are not limited to actinic cheilitis, lentigo maligna, porokeratosis and premaiignant epidermal dysplasias such as carcinoma m situ, Bowen's disease and actinic keratosis.
  • the preferred pre-malignant skin conditions of the present invention may, if untreated, progress into squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in situ.
  • Actinic keratosis (AK), Bowen disease and carcinoma in situ resemble each other, and the distinction between them is a matter of degree (extent of the lesion) rather than differences in individual cells. Often, marked hyperkeratosis and areas of parakeratosis with loss of the granular layer are present. A dense inflammatory infiltrate is usually present.
  • the pre-malignant skin condition may be AK, Bowen disease and carcinoma in situ. In a very preferred embodiment said pre-malignant skin condition is actinic keratosis.
  • Actinic keratosis is a UV light-induced lesion of the skin that may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. It is by far the most common lesion with malignant potential to arise on the skin. AK is most often seen in fair-skinned persons in areas of long-term sun exposure, with an estimated frequency of 40-50% of the adult population older than 40 years in Australia, the country with the highest skin cancer rate in the world. Clinically, actinic keratoses range from barely perceptible rough spots of skin to elevated, hyperkeratotic plaques several centimeters in diameter. Most often, they appear as multiple discrete, flat or elevated, keratotic lesions.
  • erythematous base covered by scale hyperkeratosis
  • They are usually 3-10 mm in diameter and gradually enlarge into broader, more elevated lesions.
  • actinic keratoses may develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
  • patients demonstrate a background of solar-damaged skin with telangiectasias, elastosis, and pigmented lentigines.
  • Actinic keratoses of all appearances and sizes are comprised within the present invention.
  • AK is an epidermal lesion characterized by aggregates of atypical, pleomorphic keratinocytes at the basal layer that may extend upwards to involve the granular and cornified layers.
  • the epidermis itself shows an abnormal architecture, with acanthosis, parakeratosis, and dyskeratosis.
  • Cellular atypia is present, and the keratinocytes vary in size and shape. Mitotic figures are present.
  • epidermal lesions showing these characteristics are comprised within the present invention.
  • the monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex preferably LAC composition according to the invention is for the treatment of a pre-malignant skin condition, preferably actinic keratosis, which is preferably treated by topical application of a medicament according to the invention.
  • a malignant or cancerous skin condition according to the present invention may be a tumour of skin tissue.
  • a malignant or cancerous skin condition according to the present invention may be a melanoma or a non-melanoma skin cancer.
  • Non-melanoma skin cancers includes but are not limited to Keratinocyte carcinomas such as Basal cell skin cancer and Squamous cell skin cancer or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) ; Cutaneous lymphomas such as T-cell lymphoma cutaneous, including Mycosis Fungoides; other cutaneous lymphomas such as Karposi's sarcoma; other skin sarcomas such as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and angiosarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.
  • Keratinocyte carcinomas such as Basal cell skin cancer and Squamous cell skin cancer or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
  • Cutaneous lymphomas such as T-cell lymphoma cutaneous, including Mycosis Fungoides
  • other cutaneous lymphomas such as Karposi's sarcoma
  • other skin sarcomas such as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and angiosarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.
  • the monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex preferably LAC composition according to the invention is for the treatment of a malignant skin condition, preferably squamous cell carcinoma(SCC), which is preferably treated by topical application of a medicament according to the invention.
  • a malignant skin condition preferably squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)
  • SCC squamous cell carcinoma
  • Malignant and/or pre-malignant skin conditions and/or actinic keratosis according to the present invention does not include Papillomas and/or warts.
  • compositions containing a composition of the present invention may be prepared by conventional techniques, e.g. as described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 1995, edited by E. W. Martin, Mack Publishing Company, 19th edition, Easton, Pa.
  • the compositions may appear in conventional forms, for example capsules, tablets, aerosols, solutions, suspensions or topical applications.
  • the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising alpha- lactalbumin complex, preferably LAC for use as a medicament in the treatment of a malignant and/or pre-malignant skin condition, preferably actinic keratosis.
  • alpha- lactalbumin complex preferably LAC
  • the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition.
  • the pharmaceutical composition may be formulated in a number of different manners, depending on the purpose for the particular pharmaceutical composition.
  • composition may be formulated in a manner so it is useful for a particular administration form.
  • Preferred administration forms are described herein below.
  • the pharmaceutical composition is formulated so it is a liquid.
  • the composition may be a protein solution or the composition may be a protein suspension.
  • Said liquid may be suitable for parenteral administration, for example for injection or infusion.
  • the liquid may be any useful liquid, however it is frequently preferred that the liquid is an aqueous liquid.
  • the liquid is sterile. Sterility may be conferred by any conventional method, for example filtration, irradiation or heating.
  • the liquid has been subjected to a virus reduction step, in particular if the liquid is formulated for parenteral administration.
  • Virus reduction may for example be performed by nanofiltration or virus filtering over a suitable filter, such as a Planova filter consisting of several layers.
  • the Planova filter may be any suitable size for example 75N, 35N, 2ON or 15N or filters of different size may be used, for example Planova 20N.
  • Virus reduction may also comprise a step of prefiltering with another filter, for example using a filter with a pore size of the the range of 0.01 to 1 ⁇ m, such as in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 ⁇ m, for example around 0.1 ⁇ m.
  • Virus reductions may also include an acidic treatment step.
  • compositions for bolus injections may be packages in dosage units of for example at the most 10 ml, preferably at the most 8 ml, more preferably at the most 6 ml, such as at the most 5 ml, for example at the most 4 ml, such as at the most 3 ml, for example around 2.2 ml.
  • the pharmaceutical composition may be packaged in any suitable container.
  • a single dosage of the pharmaceutical composition may be packaged in injection syringes or in a container useful for infusion.
  • the pharmaceutical composition is a dry composition.
  • the dry composition may be used as such, but for most purposes the composition is a dry composition for storage only. Prior to use the dry composition may be dissolved or suspended in a suitable liquid composition, for example sterile water.
  • the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may also comprise a first nucleic acid sequence encoding LAC, such as any of the LAC mentioned herein above.
  • Said first nucleic acid sequence is preferably operably associated with a second nucleic acid sequence directing expression of the first nucleic acid in the individual to be treated with the pharmaceutical composition, more preferably in the cells of said individual, which are diseased.
  • the second nucleic acid sequence is capable of directing expression of the first nucleic acid sequence in a human being. It is preferred that the second nucleic acid sequence is capable of directing expression of the first nucleic acid sequence in malignant and/or pre- malignant cells. It is furthermore preferred that the first and the second nucleic acid sequences are included in a suitable vector.
  • the pharmaceutical composition may be applied topically to the site of the site, for example in the form of a liquid, a lotion, a creme, an ointment, a spray, such as an aerosol spray or a nasal spray, rectal or vaginal suppositories, drops, such as eye drops or nasal drops, a patch, an occlusive dressing or the like.
  • compositions containing alpha-lactalbumin complex preferably
  • LAC may be prepared by any conventional technique, e.g. as described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 1995, edited by E. W. Martin, Mack Publishing Company, 19th edition, Easton, Pa.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable additives may be any conventionally used pharmaceutically acceptable additive, which should be selected according to the specific formulation, intended administration route etc.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable additives may be any of the additives mentioned in Nema et al, 1997.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable additive may be any accepted additive from FDA ' s "inactive ingredients list", which for example is available on the internet address http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/iig/default.htm.
  • it is desirable that the pharmaceutical composition comprises an isotonic agent.
  • an isotonic agent is added.
  • composition may comprise at least one pharmaceutically acceptable additive which is an isotonic agent.
  • the pharmaceutical composition may be isotonic, hypotonic or hypertonic. However it is often preferred that a pharmaceutical composition for infusion or injection is essentially isotonic, when it is administrated. Hence, for storage the pharmaceutical composition may preferably be isotonic or hypertonic. If the pharmaceutical composition is hypertonic for storage, it may be diluted to become an isotonic solution prior to administration.
  • the isotonic agent may be an ionic isotonic agent such as a salt or a non-ionic isotonic agent such as a carbohydrate.
  • ionic isotonic agents include but are not limited to NaCI, CaCI 2 , KCI and MgCI 2
  • non-ionic isotonic agents include but are not limited to mannitol and glycerol.
  • the pharmaceutical composition may comprise no buffer at all or only micromolar amounts of buffer.
  • the buffer is TRIS.
  • TRIS buffer is known under various other names for example tromethamine including tromethamine USP, THAM, Trizma, Trisamine, Tris amino and trometamol.
  • the designation TRIS covers all the aforementioned designations.
  • the buffer may furthermore for example be selected from USP compatible buffers for parenteral use, in particular, when the pharmaceutical formulation is for parenteral use.
  • the buffer may be selected from the group consisting of monobasic acids such as acetic, benzoic, gluconic, glyceric and lactic, dibasic acids such as aconitic, adipic, ascorbic, carbonic, glutamic, malic, succinic and tartaric, polybasic acids such as citric and phosphoric and bases such as ammonia, diethanolamine, glycine, triethanolamine, and TRIS.
  • monobasic acids such as acetic, benzoic, gluconic, glyceric and lactic
  • dibasic acids such as aconitic, adipic, ascorbic, carbonic, glutamic, malic, succinic and tartaric
  • polybasic acids such as citric and phosphoric and bases such as ammonia, diethanolamine, glycine, triethanol
  • compositions may comprise at least one pharmaceutically acceptable additive which is a stabiliser.
  • the stabiliser may be selected from the group consisting of poloxamers, Tween-20, Tween-40, Tween-60, Tween-80, Brij, metal ions, amino acids, polyethylene glycol, Triton, EDTA, ascorbic acid, Triton X-100, NP40 or CHAPS.
  • the pharmaceutical composition according to the invention may also comprise one or more cryoprotectant agents.
  • the composition comprises freeze-dried protein or the composition should be stored frozen, it may be desirable to add a cryoprotecting agent to the pharmaceutical composition.
  • the cryoprotectant agent may be any useful cryoprotectant agent, for example the cryoprotectant agent may be selected from the group consisting of dextran, glycerin, polyethylenglycol, sucrose, trehalose and mannitol.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable additives may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of isotonic salt, hypertonic salt, buffer and stabilisers. Furthermore, the pharmaceutically acceptable additives may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of isotonic agents, buffer, stabilisers and cryoprotectant agents.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable additives comprise glucosemonohydrate, glycine, NaCI and polyethyleneglycol 3350.
  • composition of the present invention Whilst it is possible for the composition of the present invention to be administered as the raw composition, it is preferred to present it in the form of a pharmaceutical formulation. Accordingly, the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical formulation, for medicinal application, which comprises a composition of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as herein defined, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore.
  • a pharmaceutical formulation for medicinal application, which comprises a composition of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as herein defined, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore.
  • compositions of the present invention may be formulated in a wide variety of oral administration dosage forms.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms may comprise the compositions of the invention or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a crystal form thereof as the active component.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid or liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, pills, capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispersible granules.
  • a solid carrier can be one or more substances which may also act as diluents, flavoring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, preservatives, wetting agents, tablet disintegrating agents, or an encapsulating material.
  • the composition will be about 0.5% to 75% by weight of a composition or compositions of the invention, with the remainder consisting of suitable pharmaceutical excipients.
  • suitable pharmaceutical excipients include pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, talcum, cellulose, glucose, gelatin, sucrose, magnesium carbonate, and the like.
  • the carrier is a finely divided solid which is a mixture with the finely divided active component.
  • the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding capacity in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired.
  • the powders and tablets preferably contain from 1 to about 70 %t of the active composition.
  • Suitable carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a low melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like.
  • preparation is intended to include the formulation of the active composition with encapsulating material as carrier providing a capsule in which the active component, with or without carriers, is surrounded by a carrier, which is in association with it.
  • encapsulating material as carrier providing a capsule in which the active component, with or without carriers, is surrounded by a carrier, which is in association with it.
  • cachets and lozenges are included. Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, and lozenges can be as solid forms suitable for oral administration. Multiple- unit-dosage granules can be prepared as well. Tablets and granules of the above cores can be coated with concentrated solutions of sugar, etc. The cores can also be coated with polymers which change the dissolution rate in the gastrointestinal tract, such as anionic polymers having a pka of above 5.5.
  • Such polymers are hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate, cellulose acetate phthalate, and polymers sold under the trade mark Eudragit S100 andLIOO. In preparation of gelatine capsules these can be soft or hard. In the former case the active compound is mixed with oil, and in the latter case the multiple-unit-dosage granules are filled therein.
  • Drops according to the present invention may comprise sterile or non-sterile aqueous or oil solutions or suspensions, and may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient in a suitable aqueous solution, optionally including a bactericidal and/or fungicidal agent and/or any other suitable preservative, and optionally including a surface active agent.
  • a suitable aqueous solution optionally including a bactericidal and/or fungicidal agent and/or any other suitable preservative, and optionally including a surface active agent.
  • the resulting solution may then be clarified by filtration, trans- ferred to a suitable container which is then sealed and sterilized by autoclaving or maintaining at 98-100 degree C for half an hour.
  • the solution may be sterilized by filtration and transferred to the container aseptically.
  • bactericidal and fungicidal agents suitable for inclusion in the drops are phenylmercuric nitrate or acetate (0.002%), benzalkonium chloride (0.01 %) and chlorhexidine acetate (0.01 %).
  • Suitable solvents for the preparation of an oily solution include glycerol, diluted alcohol and propylene glycol.
  • solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations for oral administration.
  • liquid forms include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions.
  • These preparations may contain, in addition to the active component, colorants, flavours, stabilizers, buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilising agents, and the like.
  • liquid form preparations including emulsions, syrups, elixirs, aqueous solutions, aqueous suspensions, toothpaste, gel dentrifrice, chewing gum, or solid form preparations which are intended to be converted shortly before use to liquid form preparations.
  • Emulsions may be prepared in solutions in aqueous propylene glycol solutions or may contain emulsifying agents such as lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, or acacia.
  • Aqueous solutions can be prepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavours, stabilizing and thickening agents.
  • Aqueous suspensions can be prepared by dispersing the finely divided active component in water with viscous material, such as natural or synthetic gums, resins, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and other well known suspending agents.
  • Solid form preparations include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions, and may contain, in addition to the active component, colorants, flavours, stabilizers, buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilising agents, and the like.
  • compositions of the present invention may be formulated for parenteral administration (e.g., by injection, for example bolus injection or continuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dose form in ampoules, pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dose containers with an added preservative.
  • the compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, for example solutions in aqueous polyethylene glycol.
  • oily or nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehicles examples include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil), and injectable organic esters (e.g., ethyl oleate), and may contain formulatory agents such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying or suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.
  • the active ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolation of sterile solid or by lyophilisation from solution for constitution before use with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free water.
  • Oils useful in parenteral formulations include petroleum, animal, vegetable, or synthetic oils. Specific examples of oils useful in such formulations include peanut, soybean, sesame, cottonseed, corn, olive, petrolatum, and mineral. Suitable fatty acids for use in parenteral formulations include oleic acid, stearic acid, and isostearic acid. Ethyl oleate and isopropyl myristate are examples of suitable fatty acid esters.
  • Suitable soaps for use in parenteral formulations include fatty alkali metal, ammonium, and triethanolamine salts
  • suitable detergents include (a) cationic detergents such as, for example, dimethyl dialkyl ammonium halides, and alkyl pyridinium halides; (b) anionic detergents such as, for example, alkyl, aryl, and olefin sulfonates, alkyl, olefin, ether, and monoglyceride sulfates, and sulfosuccinates, (c) nonionic detergents such as, for example, fatty amine oxides, fatty acid alkanolamides, and polyoxyethylenepolypropylene copolymers, (d) amphoteric detergents such as, for example, alkyl-.
  • compositions typically will contain from about 0.5 to about 25% by weight of the active ingredient in solution. Preservatives and buffers may be used. In order to minimize or eliminate irritation at the site of injection, such compositions may contain one or more nonionic surfactants having a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of from about 12 to about 17. The quantity of surfactant in such formulations will typically range from about 5to about 15% by weight.
  • HLB hydrophile-lipophile balance
  • Suitable surfactants include polyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, such as sorbitan monooleate and the high molecular weight adducts of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base, formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol.
  • the parenteral formulations can be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, such as ampules and vials, and can be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid excipient, for example, water, for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions can be prepared from sterile powders, granules, and tablets of the kind previously described.
  • compositions of the invention can also be delivered topically.
  • Regions for topical administration include the skin surface and also mucous membrane tissues of the vagina, rectum, nose, mouth, and throat.
  • Compositions for topical administration via the skin and mucous membranes should not give rise to signs of irritation, such as swelling or redness.
  • the topical composition may include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier adapted for topical administration.
  • the composition may take the form of a suspension, solution, ointment, lotion, sexual lubricant, cream, foam, aerosol, spray, suppository, implant, inhalant, tablet, capsule, dry powder, syrup, balm or lozenge, for example. Methods for preparing such compositions are well known in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • compositions of the present invention may be formulated for topical administration to the epidermis as ointments, creams or lotions, or as a transdermal patch.
  • Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulated with an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/or gelling agents.
  • Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oily base and will in general also containing one or more emulsifying agents, stabilizing agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, or coloring agents.
  • Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising active agents in a flavored base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.
  • Creams, ointments or pastes according to the present invention are semi-solid formulations of the active ingredient for external application. They may be made by mixing the active ingredient in finely-divided or powdered form, alone or in solution or suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous fluid, with the aid of suitable machinery, with a greasy or non-greasy base.
  • the base may comprise hydrocarbons such as hard, soft or liquid paraffin, glycerol, beeswax, a metallic soap; a mucilage; an oil of natural origin such as almond, corn, arachis, castor or olive oil; wool fat or its derivatives or a fatty acid such as steric or oleic acid together with an alcohol such as propylene glycol or a macrogel.
  • the formulation may incorporate any suitable surface active agent such as an anionic, cationic or non-ionic surfactant such as a sorbitan ester or a polyoxyethylene derivative thereof.
  • Suspending agents such as natural gums, cellulose derivatives or inorganic materials such as silicaceous silicas, and other ingredients such as lanolin, may also be included.
  • Lotions according to the present invention include those suitable for application to the skin or eye.
  • An eye lotion may comprise a sterile aqueous solution optionally containing a bactericide and may be prepared by methods similar to those for the preparation of drops.
  • Lotions or liniments for application to the skin may also include an agent to hasten drying and to cool the skin, such as an alcohol or acetone, and/or a moisturizer such as glycerol or an oil such as castor oil or arachis oil.
  • Transdermal administration typically involves the delivery of a pharmaceutical agent for percutaneous passage of the drug into the systemic circulation of the patient.
  • the skin sites include anatomic regions for transdermally administering the drug and include the forearm, abdomen, chest, back, buttock, mastoidal area, and the like.
  • Transdermal delivery is accomplished by exposing a source of the complex to a patient's skin for an extended period of time.
  • Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a pharmaceutical agent-chemical modifier complex to the body.
  • Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving, dispersing, or otherwise incorporating the pharmaceutical agent-chemical modifier complex in a proper medium, such as an elastomeric matrix material.
  • Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate of such flux can be controlled by either providing a rate-controlling membrane or dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.
  • a simple adhesive patch can be prepared from a backing material and an acrylate adhesive.
  • the pharmaceutical agent-chemical modifier complex and any enhancer are formulated into the adhesive casting solution and allowed to mix thoroughly.
  • the solution is cast directly onto the backing material and the casting solvent is evaporated in an oven, leaving an adhesive film.
  • the release liner can be attached to complete the system.
  • a polyurethane matrix patch can be employed to deliver the pharmaceutical agent-chemical modifier complex.
  • the layers of this patch comprise a backing, a polyurethane drug/enhancer matrix, a membrane, an adhesive, and a release liner.
  • the polyurethane matrix is prepared using a room temperature curing polyurethane prepolymer. Addition of water, alcohol, and complex to the prepolymer results in the formation of a tacky firm elastomer that can be directly cast only the backing material.
  • a further embodiment of this invention will utilize a hydrogel matrix patch.
  • the hydrogel matrix will comprise alcohol, water, drug, and several hydrophilic polymers.
  • This hydrogel matrix can be incorporated into a transdermal patch between the backing and the adhesive layer.
  • the liquid reservoir patch will also find use in the methods described herein.
  • This patch comprises an impermeable or semipermeable, heat sealable backing material, a heat sealable membrane, an acrylate based pressure sensitive skin adhesive, and a siliconized release liner. The backing is heat sealed to the membrane to form a reservoir which can then be filled with a solution of the complex, enhancers, gelling agent, and other excipients.
  • Foam matrix patches are similar in design and components to the liquid reservoir system, except that the gelled pharmaceutical agent-chemical modifier solution is constrained in a thin foam layer, typically a polyurethane. This foam layer is situated between the backing and the membrane which have been heat sealed at the periphery of the patch.
  • the rate of release is typically controlled by a membrane placed between the reservoir and the skin, by diffusion from a monolithic device, or by the skin itself serving as a rate-controlling barrier in the delivery system. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,816,258; 4,927,408; 4,904,475; 4,588,580, 4,788,062; and the like.
  • the rate of drug delivery will be dependent, in part, upon the nature of the membrane. For example, the rate of drug delivery across membranes within the body is generally higher than across dermal barriers.
  • the rate at which the complex is delivered from the device to the membrane is most advantageously controlled by the use of rate-limiting membranes which are placed between the reservoir and the skin. Assuming that the skin is sufficiently permeable to the complex (i.e., absorption through the skin is greater than the rate of passage through the membrane), the membrane will serve to control the dosage rate experienced by the patient.
  • Suitable permeable membrane materials may be selected based on the desired degree of permeability, the nature of the complex, and the mechanical considerations related to constructing the device.
  • Exemplary permeable membrane materials include a wide variety of natural and synthetic polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxanes (silicone rubbers), ethylenevinylacetate copolymer (EVA), polyurethanes, polyurethane- polyether copolymers, polyethylenes, polyamides, polyvinylchlorides (PVC), polypropylenes, polycarbonates, polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE), cellulosic materials, e.g., cellulose triacetate and cellulose nitrate/acetate, and hydrogels, e.g., 2- hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA).
  • siloxanes silicone rubbers
  • EVA ethylenevinylacetate copolymer
  • PVC polyurethanes
  • polyurethane- polyether copolymers poly
  • compositions according to this invention may also include one or more preservatives or bacteriostatic agents, e.g., methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, chlorocresol, benzalkonium chlorides, and the like.
  • preservatives or bacteriostatic agents e.g., methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, chlorocresol, benzalkonium chlorides, and the like.
  • bacteriostatic agents e.g., methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, chlorocresol, benzalkonium chlorides, and the like.
  • active ingredients such as antimicrobial agents, particularly antibiotics, anesthetics, analgesics, and antipruritic agents.
  • compositions of the present invention may be formulated for administration as suppositories.
  • a low melting wax such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides or cocoa butter is first melted and the active component is dispersed homogeneously, for example, by stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient sized molds, allowed to cool, and to solidify.
  • the active composition may be formulated into a suppository comprising, for example, about 0.5% to about 50% of a composition of the invention, disposed in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) carrier (e.g., PEG 1000 [96%] and PEG 4000 [4%].
  • PEG polyethylene glycol
  • compositions of the present invention may be formulated for vaginal administration. Pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprays containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.
  • compositions of the present invention may be formulated for nasal administration.
  • the solutions or suspensions are applied directly to the nasal cavity by conventional means, for example with a dropper, pipette or spray.
  • the formulations may be provided in a single or multidose form. In the latter case of a dropper or pipette this may be achieved by the patient administering an appropriate, predetermined volume of the solution or suspension. In the case of a spray this may be achieved for example by means of a metering atomizing spray pump.
  • compositions of the present invention may be formulated for aerosol administration, particularly to the respiratory tract and including intranasal administration.
  • the composition will generally have a small particle size for example of the order of 5 microns or less. Such a particle size may be obtained by means known in the art, for example by micronization.
  • the active ingredient is provided in a pressurized pack with a suitable propellant such as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) for example dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, or dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas.
  • CFC chlorofluorocarbon
  • the aerosol may conveniently also contain a surfactant such as lecithin.
  • the dose of drug may be controlled by a metered valve.
  • the active ingredients may be provided in a form of a dry powder, for example a powder mix of the composition in a suitable powder base such as lactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP).
  • a suitable powder base such as lactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP).
  • the powder carrier will form a gel in the nasal cavity.
  • the powder composition may be presented in unit dose form for example in capsules or cartridges of e.g., gelatin or blister packs from which the powder may be administered by means of an inhaler.
  • formulations can be prepared with enteric coatings adapted for sustained or controlled release administration of the active ingredient.
  • the pharmaceutical preparations are preferably in unit dosage forms.
  • the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active component.
  • the unit dosage form can be a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities of preparation, such as packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules.
  • the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozenge itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of these in packaged form.
  • salts of the instant compounds where they can be prepared, are also intended to be covered by this invention. These salts will be ones which are acceptable in their application to a pharmaceutical use. By that it is meant that the salt will retain the biological activity of the parent compound and the salt will not have untoward or deleterious effects in its application and use in treating diseases.
  • compositions are prepared in a standard manner. If the parent compound is a base it is treated with an excess of an organic or inorganic acid in a suitable solvent. If the parent compound is an acid, it is treated with an inorganic or organic base in a suitable solvent.
  • the compounds of the invention may be administered in the form of an alkali metal or earth alkali metal salt thereof, concurrently, simultaneously, or together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, especially and preferably in the form of a pharmaceutical composition thereof, whether by oral, rectal, or parenteral (including subcutaneous) route, in an effective amount.
  • Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts for use in the present inventive pharmaceutical composition include those derived from mineral acids, such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, metaphosphoric, nitric and sulfuric acids, and organic acids, such as tartaric, acetic, citric, malic, lactic, fumaric, benzoic, glycolic, gluconic, succinic, p-toluenesulphonic acids, and arylsulphonic, for example.
  • mineral acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, metaphosphoric, nitric and sulfuric acids
  • organic acids such as tartaric, acetic, citric, malic, lactic, fumaric, benzoic, glycolic, gluconic, succinic, p-toluenesulphonic acids, and arylsulphonic, for example.
  • the pharmaceutical composition may be prepared so it is suitable for one or more particular administration methods. Furthermore, the method of treatment described herein may involve different administration methods.
  • LAC LAC may be administered to an individual in a manner so that active LAC may reach the site of disease
  • any administration method wherein LAC may be administered to an individual in a manner so that active LAC may reach the site of disease may be employed with the present invention.
  • the main routes of drug delivery, in the treatment method are intravenous, oral, and topical, as will be described below.
  • Other drug-administration methods such as subcutaneous injection or via inhalation, which are effective to deliver the drug to a target site or to introduce the drug into the bloodstream, are also contemplated.
  • the mucosal membrane to which the pharmaceutical preparation of the invention is administered may be any mucosal membrane of the mammal to which the biologically active substance is to be given, e.g. in the nose, vagina, eye, mouth, genital tract, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or rectum, preferably the mucosa of the nose, mouth or vagina.
  • compositions of the invention may be administered parenterally, that is by intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous intranasal, intrarectal, intravaginal or intraperitoneal administration.
  • the subcutaneous and intramuscular forms of parenteral administration are generally preferred.
  • Appropriate dosage forms for such administration may be prepared by conventional techniques.
  • the compositions may also be administered by inhalation, that is by intranasal and oral inhalation administration.
  • Appropriate dosage forms for such administration such as an aerosol formulation or a metered dose inhaler, may be prepared by conventional techniques.
  • compositions according to the invention may be administered with at least one other compound.
  • the compounds may be administered simultaneously, either as separate formulations or combined in a unit dosage form, or administered sequentially.
  • An aspect of the invention relates to a method of treatment of malignant and/or pre- malignant skin conditions in an individual in need thereof comprising administering a medicament comprising administering a medicament comprising: iii. a composition comprising comprising monomeric alpha-lactalbumin complex of alpha-lactalbumin and a fatty acid or a lipid, said alpha- lactalbumin being bovine alpha-lactalbumin or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein the composition comprises more than 60 %, such as more than 70 %, preferably more than 80 % or more than 90 % by weight of monomeric LAC, preferably more than 95 % by weight of monomeric alpha-lactalbuminin and iv. pharmaceutical excipients.
  • said skin condition is actinic keratosis.
  • an individual in need is any individual suffering or at risk of acquiring a of malignant and/or pre-malignant skin condition, preferably actinic keratosis.
  • the treatment according to the invention may both be a curative treatment and/or a prophylactic treatment.
  • the dosage requirements of monomeric alpha-lactalbuminin complex, preferably LAC to be administered will vary with the particular drug composition employed, the route of administration and the particular subject being treated. Ideally, a patient to be treated by the present method will receive a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound in the maximum tolerated dose, generally no higher than that required before drug resistance develops.
  • the daily oral dosage regimen will preferably be from about 0.01 to about 80 mg/kg of total body weight.
  • the daily parenteral dosage regimen may be about 0.001 to about 80 mg/kg of total body weight.
  • the daily topical dosage regimen will preferably be from 0.1 mg to 150 mg, administered one to four, preferably two or three times daily.
  • the daily inhalation dosage regimen will preferably be from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg per day.
  • the optimal quantity and spacing of individual dosages of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof will be determined by the nature and extent of the condition being treated, the form, route and site of administration, and the particular patient being treated, and that such optimums can be determined by conventional techniques. It will also be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the optimal course of treatment, i.e., the number of doses of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof given per day for a defined number of days, can be ascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional course of treatment determination tests.
  • the daily dose of the active compound varies and is dependant on the type of administrative route, but as a general rule it is 1 to 100 mg/dose of active compound at personal administration, and 2 to 200 mg/dose in topical administration.
  • the number of applications per 24 hours depend of the administration route, but may vary, e. g. in the case of a topical application in the no. se from 3 to 8 times per 24 hours, i. e. , depending on the flow of phlegm produced by the body treated in therapeutic use.
  • unit dosage form refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human and animal subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of a compound, alone or in combination with other agents, calculated in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, or vehicle.
  • the specifications for the unit dosage forms of the present invention depend on the particular compound or compounds employed and the effect to be achieved, as well as the pharmacodynamics associated with each compound in the host.
  • the dose administered should be an "effective amount” or an amount necessary to achieve an "effective level" in the individual patient.
  • the effective level is used as the preferred endpoint for dosing, the actual dose and schedule can vary, depending on individual differences in pharmacokinetics, drug distribution, and metabolism.
  • the "effective level” can be defined, for example, as the blood or tissue level desired in the patient that corresponds to a concentration of one or more compounds according to the invention.
  • Example 1 Sensitivity ; iSCL-l, SCL-II and SCC-1 , a premalignant human actinic keratosis cell line and HaCaT to LAC.
  • Cells three squamous carcinoma cell lines; iSCL-l, SCL-II and SCC-12), a premalignant human actinic keratosis cell line (derived from an actinic keratosis lesion behind the ear) and a non-cancerous human keratinocytic cell line (HaCaT)were counted and plated in 24-well plates overnight at 37°C.
  • iSCL-l, SCL-II and SCC-12 a premalignant human actinic keratosis cell line (derived from an actinic keratosis lesion behind the ear) and a non-cancerous human keratinocytic cell line (HaCaT) were counted and plated in 24-well plates overnight at 37°C.
  • HaCaT non-cancerous human keratinocytic cell line
  • squamous carcinoma cell lines iSCL-l, SCL-II and SCC-12
  • a premalignant human actinic keratosis cell line derived from an actinic keratosis lesion behind the ear
  • a non-cancerous human keratinocytic cell line HaCaT
  • All cancerous cell lines and the premalignant cell line are sensitive to LAC treatment, whereas the untransformed keratonocyte cell line HaCaT is resistant to cell killing by LAC exposure.
  • Example 2 Treatment of a patient with actinic keratosis with bLAC
  • a patient with actinic keratosis is treated topically with a composition comprising bovine LAC (bLAC).
  • bLAC bovine LAC
  • a dose of LAC of 0.1 mg to 150 mg is administered one to four times daily until either a full response (i.e. complete disappearance of actinic keratoses) or a partial response (i.e., 75 percent reduction in actinic keratoses) is observed.
  • the treatment regime lasts up to 16 weeks.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne une composition pharmaceutique comprenant un complexe alpha-lactalbumine monomère, de préférence du LAC, qui est un complexe actif alpha-lactalbumine, et un lipide ou un acide gras présentant une activité cytotoxique sélective. Ladite composition est destinée au traitement de maladies cutanées malignes et/ou pré-malignes, de préférence au traitement de la kératose actinique. La composition de la présente invention comprend des quantités infimes du complexe alpha-lactalbumine oligomère/multimérique, de préférence du LAC. Sur la base de la cytotoxicité sélective du complexe alpha-lactalbumine, de préférence d'une composition de LAC, de telles compositions peuvent être utilisées dans la fabrication de médicaments thérapeutiques. Lesdits médicaments, qui comprennent le LAC monomère, sont destinés à être utilisés dans le traitement de maladies cutanées malignes et/ou pré-malignes, telles que la kératose actinique. L'application porte en outre sur des procédés de production d'une composition comprenant un complexe alpha-lactalbumine monomère, de préférence un LAC présentant une activité cytotoxique.
PCT/DK2009/050106 2008-05-09 2009-05-07 Composition d'alpha-lactalbumine destinée au traitement de la kératose actinique Ceased WO2009135494A2 (fr)

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GB0210464D0 (en) * 2002-05-08 2002-06-12 Svanborg Catharina Therapeutic treatment
EP1727561A1 (fr) * 2004-02-26 2006-12-06 HAMLET Pharma AB Lactalbumine permettant d'inhiber l'angiogenese
CN101588820A (zh) * 2006-11-17 2009-11-25 尼亚哈姆雷特药品公司 α-乳清蛋白组合物
WO2008138348A1 (fr) * 2007-05-09 2008-11-20 Nya Hamlet Pharma Ab Préparation de lactalbumine complexée
WO2009012785A2 (fr) * 2007-07-20 2009-01-29 Nya Hamlet Pharma Ab Complexes d'un agent émulsionnant et d'un acide gras
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