Method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of medical disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of skin disorders, and in particular proliferative and/or inflammatory skin disorders, and to genetic molecules useful for same. The present invention is particularly directed to genetic molecules capable of modulating growth factor interaction with its receptor on epidermal keratinocytes to inhibit, reduce or otherwise decrease stimulation of this layer of cells. The present invention contemplates, in a most preferred embodiment, a method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of psoriasis.

1 - 44 . (canceled)  
     
     
         45 . A method for ameliorating a proliferative or inflammatory skin disorder in a mammal, the method comprising contacting a cell in proliferating or inflamed skin with an effective amount of a nucleic acid molecule, or a chemical modification thereof, wherein the modification produces a modified nucleic acid molecule that has the same length and nucleotide sequence as the nucleic acid molecule prior to modification, and wherein the nucleic acid molecule or modified nucleic acid molecule inhibits growth-factor-mediated cell proliferation or inflammation.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the proliferative or inflammatory skin disorder is mediated by a growth factor, wherein the growth factor is selected from the group consisting of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the proliferative or inflammatory skin disorder is selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, ichthyosis, pityriasis, rubra, pilaris, serborrhoea, keloids, keratosis, neoplasias, scleroderma, warts, benign growths, and a cancer of the skin.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule or modified nucleic acid molecule reduces the level of an IGF, IGF receptor, or IGF-binding protein in the mammal.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule or modified nucleic acid molecule is an antisense molecule that reduces the expression of a gene encoding IGF, IGF receptor, or IGF-binding protein.  
     
     
         50 . A method for ameliorating a disease in a mammal, the method comprising contacting a cell in the diseased tissue with an effective amount of a nucleic acid molecule, or a chemical modification thereof, wherein the modification produces a modified nucleic acid molecule that has the same length and nucleotide sequence as the nucleic acid molecule prior to modification, and wherein the nucleic acid molecule or modified nucleic acid molecule is capable of inhibiting growth-factor-mediated cell proliferation or inflammation.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of a hyperneovascular condition, neovascular condition of the retina, neovascular condition of the retina, neovascular condition of the skin, growth-factor-mediated disease, a sclerotic disease, kidney disease, hyper-proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, and hyperplasia.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule or modified nucleic acid molecule reduces the level of an IGF, IGF receptor, or IGF-binding protein in the mammal.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule or modified nucleic acid molecule is an antisense molecule that reduces the expression of a gene encoding IGF, IGF receptor, or IGF-binding protein.