Transdiscal administration of specific inhibitors of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Abstract

The present invention relates to injecting a high specificity cytokine antagonist into a diseased intervertebral disc.

1 . A formulation for treating degenerative disc disease, comprising:
 a) a high specificity cytokine antagonist, and   b) a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of:
 i) a growth factor, and 
 ii) viable cells, 
   wherein the high specificity cytokine antagonist inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).   
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the second therapeutic agent is viable cells. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 2  wherein the viable cells comprise mesenchymal stem cells. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 3  wherein the mesenchymal stem cells are autologous. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 4  wherein the mesenchymal stem cells are provided in a concentrated form. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the second therapeutic agent is a growth factor. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 6  wherein the growth factor is transforming growth factor (TGF-β) or a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the antagonist is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits TNF-α. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 8  wherein the monoclonal antibody is infliximab. 
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the antagonist is etanercept. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the high specificity cytokine antagonist is present in the formulation in a concentration of at least 100 mg/ml.