Method for treating atherosclerosis or restenosis using microtubule stabilizing agent

Abstract

The present invention is a method of preventing or reducing atherosclerosis or restenosis, and a pharmaceutical preparation used therefore. In particular, it is a method of preventing or reducing atherosclerosis or restenosis after arterial injury by treatment with a low dose of a microtubule stabilizing agent such as taxol or a water soluble taxol derivative. The low dose used in the present invention prevents artery blockage while minimizing any negative side effects associated with the drug.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting or reducing restenosis or atherosclerosis in a patient comprising:
 infusing a patient with a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of taxol or a taxol derivative, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation is in-line filtered during infusion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the taxol or taxol derivative is administered at a dose lower than a dose used to treat human cancers. 
     
     
         3 . A method of inhibiting or reducing restenosis or atherosclerosis in a patient comprising:
 administering to the patient about 0.5 to about 2 mg/kg of taxol or a taxol derivative over about a 24 hour time period prior to vascular surgery;   administering to the patient about 0.25 to about 2 mg/kg of taxol or a taxol derivative over about a 24 hour time period after the vascular surgery; and then   administering to the patient about 0.25 to about 2 mg/kg of taxol or a taxol derivative over about a 24 hour time period every 21 days for 1 to 6 cycles.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each administration of taxol or a taxol derivative is via continuous intravenous infusion.