Use of calcitonin in osteoarthritis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel use of calcitonin in osteoarthritis, and to methods of treating and/or preventing osteoarthritis in mammals, particularly humans.

1 . A method of preventing or/and treating osteoarthritis in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a calcitonin in free or salt form. 
     
     
         2 . A method of inhibiting resorption and/or normalizing turnover of subchondral bone in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a calcitonin in free or salt form. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of a calcitonin is delivered orally. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of a calcitonin is delivered orally in a composition comprising the calcitonin and a delivery agent for calcitonin. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of a calcitonin is delivered orally in a composition comprising the calcitonin which is conjugated to a polymer molecule. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of a calcitonin is delivered with an effective dosage of an oral pharmaceutical composition comprising calcitonin, at least one pharmaceutically acceptable pH-lowering agent, at least one absorption enhancer, and an enteric coating. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the calcitonin is a salmon calcitonin. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , whereas said pharmaceutical composition comprises a delivery agent selected from the group of 5-CNAC, SNAD, and SNAC. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 4 , whereas said pharmaceutical composition comprises a delivery agent selected from the group consisting of a disodium salt of 5-CNAC, a disodium salt of SNAD, and a disodium salt of SNAC. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 4 , whereas said pharmaceutical composition comprises a delivery agent in micronized form. 
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment or/and prevention of osteoarthritis in a patient in need thereof, comprising a calcitonin together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carriers therefore. 
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical combination for use in the treatment or/and prevention of osteoarthritis in a patient in need thereof, comprising:
 a) a first agent which is a calcitonin, and   b) a co-agent which is a bone resorption inhibitor, bone forming drug or pain reducing agent.   
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12  comprising between 0.4 and 2.5 mg of a calcitonin.