Inhibitors for the Treatment of T cell-mediated Autoimmune Disorders
Tech ID: 11171 / UC Case 2009-313-0
Abstract
Method of using Dantrolene, a FDA-approved drug, currently used for treatment of muscular skeletal dysfunction, to treat T-lymphocyte mediated disorders (autoimmune diseases and chronic graft versus host disease) in humans and animals.
Full Description
T lymphocytes (T cells) play a critical role in regulation of immune system functioning: they control cell-mediated immunity, provide defense against infectious microbes, recognize and eliminate foreign substances, and act as surveillance for cancer cells.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered that Dantrolene, a FDA approved drug currently used for the treatment of muscular skeletal dysfunctions, significantly suppresses CD4+ T cell functions such as proliferation and cytokine production. This indicates a new application of Dantrolene as a new tool for manipulation of T cell function allowing for the development of therapeutic strategies for treatment of a number of human disorders caused by the immune system dysfunction.
T cells are the primary causes of inflammatory responses in patients with autoimmune disorders. By targeting T cells, Dantrolene can effectively reduce inflammation-induced tissue damage. Furthermore, T cells initiate graft rejection in organ transplant patients, thus by targeting T-cells, this drug can effectively reduce graft rejection.
The therapeutic potentials of Dantrolene are broad. It can be used as an immunosuppressant to treat T-cell mediated autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type-1 diabetes, psoriasis, and chronic graft-versus-host disease in humans and animals.
Applications
The use of Dantrolene as an immunosuppressant has therapeutic applications in humans and animals. This drug can be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously, alone, or in combination with other drugs to treat a broad range of T-cell mediated autoimmune disorders and chronic-graft-versus host disease.
Features/Benefits
- This drug may be more effective in treating T-cell mediated diseases than other currently marketed immunosuppressants;
- Can be used as an alternative treatment in patients who cannot tolerate the severe side effects of currently marketed immunosuppressive drugs; and,
- Can be used to treat autoimmune diseases or graft-versus-host disease in patients who underwent immunosuppressive drug treatments that did not produce desirable effects.
Patent Status
Patent Pending
Inventors
- Fomina, Alla F.
Other Information
Related cases
2009-313-0
Keywords
immunosuppressant, autoimmune disease, chronic graft-versus-host disease
Contact
Raj Gururajan / rgururajan@ucdavis.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #11171.