Treatments for immune-mediated ear disorders

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods for treating immune-mediated ear disorders, such as IMCVDs, or their symptoms, involving administration of a therapeutically-effective amount of a TNF antagonist, such as etanercept or infliximab, or a therapeutically-effective amount of a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor, such as leflunomide.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating a mammal with an immune-mediated ear disorder, said method comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said immune-mediated ear disorder is an immune-mediated cochlear or vestibular disorder (IMCVD).  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said immune-mediated ear disorder involves a hearing impairment.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said immune-mediated ear disorder is autoimmune-mediated.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said immune-mediated ear disorder affects the inner ear.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor is leflunomide.