Full text now available on yesterdays patent.
Probably not a novel patent and probably not a big market even if discovery eventually makes it to market. Just trying to beat Robert S. <g>
BTW eat your heart out. Dogs, cats, horses, fish, PLANTS are all subjects which might benefit from treatment with the discovery. Did I mention surfaces???
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the surprising discovery that a Domain III derived peptide has fungicidal activity and can be
administered to treat subjects suffering from fungal infection. As used herein, "subject" is meant to refer to higher
organisms, including animals (e.g., humans; companion animals such as dogs; livestock such as horses, cows and pigs;
poultry; insects; fish; avian species) and plants."
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides novel peptides derived from or based on Domain III (amino acids 142-169) of
bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and therapeutic uses of such peptides as anti-fungal agents. Peptides of the
invention are useful in methods of treating a subject suffering from a fungal infection by administering a therapeutically
effective amount of the peptide. This is based on the surprising discovery that Domain III derived peptides have
fungicidal/fungistatic effects. A second surprising discovery is that such peptides have LPS-neutralizing activity. This
activity provides an additional benefit in the use of peptides of the invention for treating fungal infections. Domain III
derived peptides may be administered alone or in conjunction with known anti-fungal agents. When made the subject of
adjunctive therapy, the administration of Domain III derived peptides may reduce the amount of anti-fungal agent needed for
effective therapy, thus limiting potential toxic response and/or high cost of treatment. Administration of Domain III derived
peptides may also enhance the effect of such agents, accelerate the effect of such agents, or reverse resistance of fungi to
such agents. Peptides according to the invention include peptides SEQ ID NOS:1-250.
In addition, the invention provides a method of killing or inhibiting growth of fungi comprising contacting the fungi with a
Domain III derived peptide. This method can be practiced in vivo or in a variety of in vitro uses such as to decontaminate
fluids and surfaces and to sterilize surgical and other medical equipment and implantable devices, including prosthetic joints
and indwelling invasive devices.
A further aspect of the invention involves use of a Domain III derived peptide for the manufacture of a medicament for
treatment of fungal infection. The medicament may include, in addition to a Domain III derived peptide, other
chemotherapeutic agents such as anti-fungal agents.
Numerous additional aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
considering the following detailed description of the invention, which describes the presently preferred embodiments
thereof. |
