Breast cancer therapeutics

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing cancer in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a RANKL inhibitor to said patient.

1 . A method of preventing or treating a primary breast or mammary cancer in a patient comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a RANKL inhibitor to said patient. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  for the reduction of cancer cells or the prevention of cancer progression in the tissue of origin of said primary breast or mammary cancer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inhibitor inhibits binding of RANKL to RANK, and wherein said treatment is for the reduction of cancer cells or the prevention of cancer progression in the tissue of origin of said primary breast or mammary cancer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient has received a treatment with female sexual hormones, and wherein said inhibitor inhibits binding of RANKL to RANK. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inhibitor is administered in combination with a therapy of female sexual hormones, and wherein said inhibitor inhibits binding of RANKL to RANK. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , characterized in that the cancer is of epithelial cell origin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inhibitor is administered in combination with or for priming a further anti-cancer therapy. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  for treating or preventing a primary cancer or for treating or preventing reoccurence of a cancer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the RANKL inhibitor is a RANKL or RANK ligand. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cancer comprises cancerous cells selected from a breast tissue cell or breast cancer cell, and/or an epithelial cell or basal cell and/or a cancer stem cell. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inhibitor is administered in a pharmaceutical composition comprising the inhibitor and a hormone or derivative thereof selected from estrogen, progesterone, a progestin and a hormone contraceptive, wherein said inhibitor inhibits binding of RANKL to RANK. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, solubilizer, emulsifier, preservative and/or adjuvant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method is also a contraception or a hormone replacement therapy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inhibitor is administered together with a chemotherapeutic agent for treatment or prevention of breast or mammary cancer, wherein said inhibitor inhibits binding of RANKL to RANK. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the patient has received a hormone replacement therapy or a hormone contraceptive. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the inhibitor is administered in combination with a hormone replacement therapy or a hormone contraceptive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the RANKL inhibitor is selected from an anti-RANKL-antibody and a siRNA.