Claims for Patent: 6,461,605

Summary for Patent: 6,461,605

Title:	Continuous low-dose cytokine infusion therapy
Abstract:	A method is provided for treating conditions that are susceptible of treatment with a cytokine wherein the undesirable side effects normally associated with cytokine administration are diminished or eliminated. The method comprises continuously administering a low dose of a cytokine to an individual afflicted with a condition susceptible of treatment with the cytokine. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, chronic hepatitis C is treated by administering a low dose amount of interferon.
Inventor(s):	Cutler; David L. (Morristown, NJ), Affrime; Melton B. (Flemington, NJ)
Assignee:	Schering Corporation (Kenilworth, NJ)
Application Number:	10/104,287
Patent Claims:	1. A method of treating a hepatitis C viral infection in a human comprising continuously parenterally administering interferon alpha to the human in an amount from about 2 million IU per week to about 10 million IU per week. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said continuous administration is conducted subcutaneously. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said continuous administration is conducted by injection of a sustained-release formulation of the interferon alpha. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said continuous administration is accomplished by injection of a polymer-interferon alpha conjugate. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the polymer is polyethylene glycol. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the interferon alpha is interferon alpha-2b. 7. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein the interferon alpha is used in combination with ribavirin. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the interferon alpha is used in combination with at least one other cytokine selected from the group consisting of G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-1, IL-3, IL-6 and erythropoietin. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said amount is about 2 million IU interferon alpha per week. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said amount is from about 2 to 5 million IU interferon alpha per week. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said amount is from about 2 to 8 million IU interferon alpha per week. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said amount is from 5 to 8 million IU interferon alpha per week. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said amount is 5 million IU interferon alpha per week. 14. The method of claim 1 wherein said amount is 8 million IU interferon alpha per week.