Methods for reducing the likelihood of spontaneous abortion during assisted reproduction in a subject

Abstract

Compositions, kits and methods for the prevention of, for example, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm labor or implantation failure during assisted reproduction are provided. The compositions, kits and methods provide an effective amount of granulocyte colony stimulating factor to prevent, for example, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm labor or implantation failure of an embryo.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of reducing the likelihood of spontaneous abortion in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subject has had one or two previous spontaneous abortions. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subject has had more than two previous spontaneous abortions. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subject is in the first trimester of pregnancy. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subject is in the first or second month of pregnancy. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the G-CSF is administered parenterally, subcutaneously or intravenously. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said G-CSF is administered subcutaneously. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the G-CSF is administered in combination with an immunosuppressive agent. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the immunosuppressive agent is non-myeloablative. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the immunosuppressive agent is cyclophosphamide. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the immunosuppressive agent is a purine nucleoside analog. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the purine nucleoside analog is cladibrine or fludarabine. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the G-CSF is administered daily. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered through a slow release mechanism. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said slow release mechanism includes implantation of an inert matrix or device containing G-CSF formulated with polymeric or hydrophobic materials. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said slow release mechanism includes an adhesive disc or patch capable of slowly releasing G-CSF for percutaneous, intraepidermal, or intradermal absorption. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said G-CSF is administered in combination with a chemotherapeutic or interleukin. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said interleukin is selected from a group consisting of IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said interleukin is IL-3, IL-6 or IL-10. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered in combination with another CSF, an erythropoietin or a stem cell factor. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said another CSF is a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or macrophage CSF. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered in combination with an anti-inflammatory agent. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered in combination with vitamin D or aspirin. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered in combination with heparin, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or progesterone. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered daily for one to four weeks. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered for five consecutive days. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said G-CSF is administered prior to pregnancy.