Method Of Treatment Using Interferon-Tau

Abstract

A composition for use in preparation of a medicament for treating a condition responsive to interferon therapy in a human subject is described. The composition includes interferon-tau in dosage form suitable for oral administration to the intestinal tract in an amount effective to produce an increase in the subject's blood (2′, 5′)-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) level, relative to the OAS level in the subject in the absence of interferon-tau.

1 . A composition for use in preparation of a medicament for treating a condition in human subject responsive to interferon tau therapy, the condition selected from an autoimmune condition, cancer, or a viral infection, said composition comprising interferon-tau formulated for oral administration to the intestinal tract of the subject in an amount effective to produce an initial measurable increase in the subject's blood 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) level, relative to the blood OAS level in the subject in the absence of interferon-tau administration, wherein said interferon-tau is administered to the intestinal tract of the subject in such effective amount, on a regular basis of at least several times per week, for a period of at least one month, independent of changes in the subject's blood OAS level.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said interferon-tau is an ovine interferon-tau having a sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said interferon-tau is administered on a daily basis for a period of at least one month.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , for treatment of multiple sclerosis in the subject, wherein said interferon-tau is administered during a period corresponding to presence of the subject's symptoms.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , for treatment of hepatitis C infection in the subject, wherein said interferon-tau is administered for a period of several months past the time when no viral infection is detected in the subject.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , for treatment of cancer in the subject, wherein an anticancer agent is additionally administered to the subject during the period of interferon-tau administration.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the subject's blood OAS level is monitored during administration of interferon-tau to ascertain if the OAS level is increased.