Anti-ngf antibodies for the treatment of various disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to methods of using anti-NGF antibodies in the treatment of various NGF-related disorders, including asthma, arthritis and psoriasis. The methods are effective in treating these disorder in a patient without having a significant adverse effect on the immune system of the patient.

1 . A method of controlling an NGF-related disorder in a human patient, comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of an anti-human NGF (anti-hNGF) monoclonal antibody capable of binding hNGF with an affinity in the nanomolar or sub-nanomolar range, and inhibiting the binding of hNGF to human TrkA (hTrkA) in vivo, wherein said antibody has no significant adverse effect on the immune system of said patient. 
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antibody binds essentially the same hNGF epitope as an antibody selected from the group consisting of MAb 911, MAb 912, and MAb 938. 
     
     
         6 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antibody is an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         9 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antibody is selected from the group of antibodies consisting of chimeric, humanized, human, and bispecific antibodies. 
     
     
         12 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said NGF-related disorder is other than a disorder associated with the effect of NGF on the neuronal system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said NGF-related disorder is an inflammatory condition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of claim wherein said NGF-related disorder is selected from the group consisting of pain, asthma, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said NGF-related disorder is pain. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said pain is chronic pain. 
     
     
         21 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said antibody is administered in combination with another therapeutic agent for the treatment of said NGF-related disorder. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said other therapeutic agent is selected from a corticosteroid, an anti-IgE antibody, an anti-TNF antibody, an antibody that specifically binds to a TNF receptor, and an immunoadhesin that specifically binds to a TNF receptor. 
     
     
         25 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a chimeric, humanized or human anti-human NGF (anti-hNGF) monoclonal antibody capable of binding hNGF with an affinity in the nanomolar range, and inhibiting the binding of hNGF to human TrkA (hTrkA) in vivo, wherein said antibody has no significant adverse effect on the immune system of a patient, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         31 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 30  wherein said antibody is selected from an antibody fragment, a bispecific antibody, a bispecific antibody that specifically binds to native human IgE, a bispecific antibody that specifically binds to native human TNF, and a bispecific antibody that specifically binds to a native human TNF receptor. 
     
     
         32 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 30  further comprising another pharmaceutically active ingredient. 
     
     
         37 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 36  wherein said other pharmaceutically active ingredient is suitable for the treatment of an NGF-related disorder. 
     
     
         38 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 37  wherein said NGF-related disorder is selected from the group consisting of pain, asthma, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus erythematosus and psoriasis. 
     
     
         39 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . An article of manufacture comprising: a container; a pharmaceutical composition of  claim 30 ; and instructions for using the composition of matter to control an NGF-related disorder in a human patient. 
     
     
         44 . The article of manufacture of  claim 43  further comprising a second pharmaceutically active ingredient. 
     
     
         45 . The article of manufacture of  claim 44  wherein said second pharmaceutically active ingredient is suitable for the treatment of an NGF-related disorder selected from pain, asthma, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . The article of manufacture of  claim 43  further comprising a second container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a second antibody which binds an NGF receptor and blocks ligand activation.