Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells

Abstract

Methods are provided for inhibiting or treating stenosis or restenosis following vascular trauma or disease in a mammalian host, comprising administering to the host a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent via a catheter. Also provided is a catheter adapted for administering a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent to a mammalian host for inhibiting or treating stenosis or restenosis.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A method for inhibiting or treating stenosis or restenosis comprising administering to a blood vessel of a mammal an amount of taxol or a structural analog thereof via a catheter, wherein the taxol or structural analog thereof is non-targeted and non-binding partner associated. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the administration is local. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the blood vessel is subjected to procedural vascular trauma. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the administration is before, during or after the vascular trauma. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the vascular trauma is associated with angioplasty, placement of a stent, or grafting. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the amount is a cytostatic amount. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the amount of taxol or a structural analog thereof exerts minimal protein synthesis inhibition and cytotoxicity on vascular smooth muscle cells, and exerts significant DNA synthesis inhibition on the vascular smooth muscle cells. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the amount is effective to inhibit proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the amount of taxol or structural analog thereof is in a sustained release dosage form. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the sustained release dosage form comprises microparticles or nanoparticles. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the microparticles or nanoparticles are in a liquid vehicle. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the sustained release dosage form is biodegradable. 
   
   
       33 . A system comprising an amount of taxol or a structural analog thereof, wherein the taxol or structural analog thereof is non-targeted and non-binding partner associated, and a catheter adapted for administering the amount of taxol or structural analog thereof to a blood vessel of a mammal, wherein the amount of taxol or structural analog thereof is effective to inhibit or treat stenosis or restenosis. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the amount is a cytostatic amount. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the amount of taxol or a structural analog thereof exerts minimal protein synthesis inhibition and cytotoxicity on vascular smooth muscle cells, and exerts significant DNA synthesis inhibition on the vascular smooth muscle cells. 
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the amount is effective to inhibit proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. 
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the amount of taxol or structural analog thereof is in a sustained release dosage form. 
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the sustained release dosage form comprises microparticles or nanoparticles. 
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the microparticles or nanoparticles are in a liquid vehicle. 
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the sustained release dosage form is biodegradable.