Novel use of cytokine inhibitors

Abstract

The use of substance that inhibits a pro-inflammatory cytokine, such as TNF or IL-1, for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for improving wound healing is disclosed. Also, a method for improving wound healing wherein a therapeutically effective amount of a substance that inhibits a pro-inflammatory cytokine is administered to a patient in need of said treatment is disclosed.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method for treating a wound and/or improving healing comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide derived from amino acid 12 to amino acid 40 of human lactoferrin to a patient in need thereof, wherein:
 said peptide inhibits a pro-inflammatory cytokine;   said peptide comprises  20 Cys-Phe-X 1- X- 2- X 3- X 4- X 5- X 6- X 7- Lys-Val-Arg 31  (SEQ ID NO: 99), wherein X 1  is Gln or Ala; X 2  is Trp or Leu; X 3  is Gln, Lys, Orn, Ala, or Nle; X 4  is Arg, Lys, or Ala; X 5  is Asn, Orn, Ala, or Nle; X 6  is Met or Leu; and X 7  is Arg or Lys; and   said peptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 2-5, 8, 31-37, 47, 49, 51, 63, 65, 67, 70, 72-74, 80-83, and 87-97.   
     
     
         47 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said wound is related to posttraumatic tissue injury. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said posttraumatic tissue injury is caused by surgery. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said wound is related to thermic injury. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said wound is a result of a metabolic process due to reduced nutritional supply. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said wound is a diabetic ulcer, a leg ulcer, a decubitus ulcer or a gastric ulcer. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said wound is a result of exposure to a toxic compound. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is locally administered. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is systemically administered.