Asthma associated factors as targets for treating atopic allergies including asthma and related disorders

Abstract

This invention relates to methods for treating asthma or allergy in a mammal by administering a 3-aminosteroid compound to a mammal in need thereof. The 3-aminosteroid compound being capable of down regulating the IL-9 pathway and alleviating asthmatic responses to allergen. Exemplary 3-aminosteroid compounds used in the methods of the invention include compounds having the chemical formula (I), wherein X, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 groups are as defined herein. The invention also relates to certain novel compounds of formula (I). Moreover, the invention also provides methods for identifying an immunomodulatory 3-aminosteroid compound.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A method of treating atopic allergy and asthma in a mammal, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of the following chemical formula:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein 
 X is selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 —PO(OR 5 ) 2 , —NH—SO 2 —R 5 , —NH—CO—OR 5 , —CH 2 —CO—NH 2 , —CH 2 —CO—NH—R 8 , —CH 2 —CO 2 —R 5 ,  
                     
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of R 6 —NH—,  
                     
 R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, —OH, —OAc and  
                     
 R 5  is a C 1-12  alkyl; and  
 R 6 , R 7  and R 8  are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 1-6  alkyl and phenyl.  
 
   
   
       22 . A compound having the formula:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein 
 X is selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 —PO(OR 5 ) 2 , —NH—SO 2 —R 5 , —NH—CO—OR 5 , —CH 2 —CO—NH 2 , —CH 2 —CO—NH—R 8 , —CH 2 —CO 2 —R 5 ,  
                     
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of R 6 —NH—,  
                     
 R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, —OH, —OAc and  
                     
 R 5  is a C 1-12  alkyl; and  
 R 6 , R 7  and R 8  are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 1-6  alkyl and phenyl.