Medical Uses of Glucans

Abstract

The invention relates to a glucan having a beta-(1,3)-backbone with one or more beta-(1,3)-side chains linked thereto for use in the treatment of asthma and related diseases of abnormal pulmonary function in an animal. Also described is a method of treating asthma and related diseases of abnormal pulmonary function in an animal comprising administering to said animal an effective amount of a glucan having a beta-(1,3)-backbone with one or more beta-(1,3)-side chains linked thereto.

1 . A method of treating asthma or a related disease of abnormal pulmonary function in an animal comprising administering to said animal an effective amount of a glucan having a beta-(1,3)-backbone with one or more beta-(1,3)-side chains linked thereto. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the source of the glucan is selected from the group consisting of yeast, mushrooms or other fungi, Gramineae, algae and bacteria. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the yeast is  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the glucan is at least partially isolated from other cell wall components. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the glucan has a chemical structure which is altered as compared to its naturally occurring structure. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the glucan is underivatized by chemical groups. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the glucan is essentially free of repetitive beta-(1,6)-linked glucosyl units. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the glucan is in particulate form. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the glucan is solubilized. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the molecular weight of the glucan is in the range of 150 kDa to 300 kDa. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the molecular weight of the glucan is in the range of about 6 kDa to 30 kDA. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the glucan is administered orally. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the glucan is administered in a dose range of 10 to 500 mg per kg body weight per day. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the asthma is bronchial asthma. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the related disease of abnormal pulmonary function is selected from the group consisting of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, chronic bronchitis with an allergic element and emphysema. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A kit or an administration device comprising a glucan as defined in any one of the preceding claims and information material which describes administering the glucan to a human or other animal. 
     
     
         19 . An inhaler, nebuliser of dry powder device containing a glucan as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A product comprising (a) a glucan having a beta-(1,3)-backbone with one or more beta-(1,3)-side chains linked thereto and (b) a second active agent for the treatment of asthma or related diseases of abnormal pulmonary function, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of asthma or related diseases of abnormal pulmonary function.