ACCELERATING THROMBUS RESOLUTION THROUGH AUGMENTATION OF p53 ACTIVITY

Abstract

A novel function for the p53 gene related to resolution of deep venous thrombosis is disclosed herein. Lack of the p53 gene results in impaired thrombus resolution in a clinically relevant in vivo model of deep venous thrombus resolution. It is further shown that augmentation of p53 activity with quinacrine accelerates thrombus resolution in vivo, and that this beneficial effect is completely dependent on p53. p53-based therapy is therefore provided to accelerate thrombus resolution in patients, and to prevent or ameliorate the debilitating long-term complications of deep venous thrombosis such as post-thrombotic syndrome.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of accelerating the resolution of a diagnosed, established thrombus in a subject and increasing recanalization of a thrombosed artery or vein containing the established thrombus, the method comprising:
 subsequent to the diagnosis of an established arterial or venous thrombosis, intravascularly administering a therapeutically effective amount of an activator of the p53 gene and a therapeutically effective amount of an anticoagulant to a subject suffering from the established arterial or venous thrombosis to resolve the established arterial or venous thrombosis.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activator of the p53 gene is selected from the group consisting of quinacrine, and chloroquine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said activator is administered by way of a drug delivery device.