Methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward the delivery of toxic agents to pathogenic cells, particularly cancer cells. In some embodiments, the toxic agent is a human ribonuclease or similar agent that is toxic to cells.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a subject comprising: administering a human ribonuclease comprising polyethylene glycol to the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ribonuclease is a wild type human ribonuclease (human RNase). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is a research subject. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject has a disease. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said disease is a disease characterized by aberrant cell growth. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said disease is cancer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said disease is a vascular disease. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said disease is an inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said disease is an autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject has an infection. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject has a degenerative condition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ribonuclease is administered at 0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight of the subject per week for one or more weeks. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ribonuclease is administered at 0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight of the subject per day for one or more days. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ribonuclease is administered at 0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight of the subject per treatment for one or more treatments. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ribonuclease is co-administered with one or more other medical interventions. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the co-administration is simultaneous. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the co-administration is sequential.