Method for treating macular degeneration

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for treating macular degeneration in a mammalian subject, which includes administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a 15-keto-prostaglandin compound such as 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-20-ethyl-prostaglandin F 2α isopropyl ester.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating macular degeneration in a mammalian subject, which comprises administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a 15-keto-prostaglandin compound. 
     
     
         2 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a compound as shown by the following general formula (I). 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein L, M and N are hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy(lower)alkyl, or oxo, and the five-membered ring may have at least one double bond; 
         A is —CH 3 , —CH 2 OH, —COCH 2 OH, —COOH or a functional derivative thereof; 
         B is —CH 2 —CH 2 —, —CH═CH— or —C≡C—; 
         R 1  is a saturated or unsaturated bivalent lower or medium aliphatic hydrocarbon residue, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy, oxo, aryl or heterocyclic group, and at least one of carbon atom in the aliphatic hydrocarbon is optionally substituted by oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; and 
         Ra is a saturated or unsaturated lower or medium aliphatic hydrocarbon group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, oxo, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, cyclo(lower)alkyl, cyclo(lower)alkyloxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic group or hetrocyclic-oxy group; lower alkoxy, lower aklanoyloxy, cyclo(lower)alkyl; cyclo(lower)alkyloxy; aryl; aryloxy; heterocyclic group; heterocyclic-oxy group. 
       
     
     
         3 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin compound. 
     
     
         4 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a 15-keto-20-lower alkyl-prostaglandin compound. 
     
     
         5 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-20-lower alkyl-prostaglandin compound. 
     
     
         6 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a 15-keto-20-ethyl-prostaglandin F compound. 
     
     
         7 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-20-ethyl-prostaglandin F compound. 
     
     
         8 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-20-ethyl-prostaglandin F 2α  compound 
     
     
         9 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-20-ethyl-prostaglandin F 2α  isopropyl ester. 
     
     
         10 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said macular degeneration is age related macular degeneration. 
     
     
         11 . The method as described in  claim 10 , wherein said age related macular degeneration is dry age related macular degeneration. 
     
     
         12 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the 15-keto-prostaglandin compound is formulated as a composition for topical administration. 
     
     
         13 . The method as described in  claim 12 , wherein said composition is an ophthalmic composition for ocular topical administration. 
     
     
         14 . The method as described in  claim 13 , wherein said ophthalmic composition is formulated as eye drop. 
     
     
         15 . The method as described in  claim 14 , wherein said eye drop is formulated as a sterile unit dose type eye drop containing no preservatives. 
     
     
         16 . The method as described in  claim 13 , wherein said ophthalmic composition comprises substantially no benzalkonium chloride.