Use of one or more of the elements from the group yttrium, neodymium and zirconium, and pharmaceutical compositions which contain those elements

Abstract

A method of treating a patient includes the medical use of one or more of the elements from the group yttrium, neodymium and zirconium, pharmaceutical formulations which contain said elements and implants which are at least region-wise made up of such formulations. It has been found inter alia that a formulation containing one or more of the elements has an action of inhibiting the proliferation of human smooth muscle cells.

1 . A method of treating a patient comprising use of one or more of the elements from the group yttrium (Y), neodymium (Nd) or zirconium (Zr) for the production of a pharmaceutical formulation for inhibiting the proliferation of human smooth muscle cells. 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inhibition of the proliferation of human smooth muscle cells is directed to the region of an atherosclerotic lesion. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  comprising local restenosis prophylaxis after stent implantation.