Compositions and methods for treating or preventing diseases of body passageways

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing diseases associated with body passageways, comprising the step of delivering to an external portion of the body passageway a therapeutic agent. Representative examples of therapeutic agents include anti-angiogenic factors, anti-proliferative agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and antibiotics.

1 . A method for treating or preventing a disease associated with a body passageway, comprising delivering to an external portion of the body passageway a therapeutic agent or composition thereof, wherein the therapeutic agent or composition thereof is delivered from a thread.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising delivering the therapeutic agent or composition thereof via the adventitia to smooth muscle cells of the body passageway.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-angiogenic factor.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the therapeutic agent is a compound which disrupts microtubule function.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the compound which disrupts microtubule function is paclitaxel, or an analogue, derivative, or conjugate thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the compound which disrupts microtubule function is paclitaxel.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises the therapeutic agent and a polymer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the composition is biodegradable.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the composition is non-biodegradable.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is biodegradable.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is non-biodegradable.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymer comprises poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate).  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymer comprises a polyester.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the composition comprises a polymer wherein the polymer is poly (D,L-lactide), poly (D,L-lactic acid), poly (L-lactic acid), a copolymer formed from lactic acid and glycolic acid, a copolymer of poly (lactic acid) and poly (caprolactone), a polyanhydride, poly (caprolactone), or a copolymer of poly(lactic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol).  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymer comprises poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide).  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is in the form of a coating.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the body passageway is the esophagus, the stomach, the duodenum, the small intestine, the large intestine, biliary tracts, the ureter, the bladder, the urethra, lacrimal ducts, the trachea, bronchi, bronchiole, nasal airways, eustachian tubes, the external auditory canal, fallopian tubes, oral cavities, the uterus, vagina or other passageways of the female reproductive tract, the vas deferens or other passageways of the male reproductive tract, or the ventricular system of the brain or the spinal cord.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the body passageway is an artery, a vein, or a capillary.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the disease is stenosis or restenosis.