Methods for treating uterine disorders

Abstract

A method for treating uterine disorders, including hyperplasic, hypertonic, cystic and/or neoplastic uterine gland tissue by local administration of a botulinum toxin to or to the vicinity of the afflicted uterine tissue.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a uterine glandular disorder, the method comprising the step of local administration of between about 10 −3  U/kg and about 2000 U/kg of a  Clostridial  neurotoxin to a uterine gland, thereby treating a uterine gland disorder. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Clostridial  neurotoxin is a botulinum toxin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the botulinum toxin is administered in an amount of between about 10 −2  U/kg and about 200 U/kg. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the botulinum toxin is administered in an amount of between about 10 −1  U/kg and about 35 U/kg. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxins types A, B, C, D, E, F and G. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin type A. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein local administration of the botulinum toxin is carried out by implantation of a botulinum toxin implant into or onto a uterine gland. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the uterine gland disorder is selected from the group consisting of precancerous uterine tissue and uterus cancer. 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating a uterine gland disorder, the method comprising the step of local administration of between about 10 −3  U/kg and about 2000 U/kg of a botulinum toxin type A to a uterus of a human patient, thereby treating a uterine gland disorder by reducing a secretion from the uterine gland and treating the uterine gland disorder. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating a uterine fibroid, the method comprising the step of local administration of between about 10 −3  U/kg and about 2000 U/kg of a botulinum toxin to a uterine fibroid, thereby treating the uterine fibroid. 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating a uterine gland disorder, the method comprising the step of local administration of a botulinum toxin to a uterine gland or to the vicinity of a precancerous uterus tissue, thereby causing a reduction in the size and/or activity of the hyperplastic, hypertonic or neoplastic uterine gland tissue. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating a uterine gland disorder, the method comprising the step of local administration of a therapeutic amount of a botulinum toxin to a hyperplastic, hypertonic or neoplastic uterine gland tissue, thereby causing a reduction in the diameter of the hyperplastic, hypertonic or neoplastic uterine gland tissue of between about 20% and about 100%. 
     
     
         13 . A method for preventing development of a uterine gland neoplasm, the method comprising the step of local administration of a botulinum toxin to a hyperplasic or hypertonic uterine gland tissue, thereby reducing a secretion from the hyperplasic or hypertonic uterine gland tissue and preventing the hyperplasic or hypertonic uterine gland tissue from developing into a neoplasm. 
     
     
         14 . A method for preventing development of a uterine neoplasm, the method comprising the step of local administration of a therapeutic amount of a botulinum toxin type A to the precancerous hyperplasic or hypertonic uterine gland tissue of a human patient, thereby preventing development of a uterine gland neoplasm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the hyperplasic uterine tissue comprises a substrate for the botulinum toxin selected from the group of vesicle membrane docking proteins consisting of a 25 kiloDalton synaptosomal associated protein (SNAP-25), synaptobrevin and syntaxin. 
     
     
         16 . A method for preventing development of a uterine carcinoma, the method comprising the step of local administration of between about 10 −3  U/kg and about 2000 U/kg of a botulinum toxin type A to a hyperplastic uterus tissue of a human patient, wherein the hyperplastic uterus tissue comprises a substrate for the botulinum toxin selected from the group of vesicle membrane docking proteins consisting of a 25 kiloDalton synaptosomal associated protein (SNAP-25), synaptobrevin and syntaxin, and wherein the botulinum toxin acts upon the substrate to reduce a secretion from the hyperplasic uterus tissue.