Imatinib for use in the treatment of stroke

Abstract

Imatinib can be used in the treatment of stroke in a new dosage regime, where Imatinib is administered to the patient at a dose of 650 mg/day or higher for at least 3 consecutive days, and preferably administered in a starting dose of 1000 mg/day or higher on day 1, and at a dose in the interval of 650 mg/day to 1000 mg/day on the subsequent days. A method for the treatment of stroke, a pharmaceutical composition and a kit of parts is/are also disclosed.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for intravenous administration, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) storing imatinib in lyophilized form in a sealed vial, wherein said imatinib is in admixture with one or more stabilizing agents;   b) reconstituting the lyophilized imatinib by addition of sterile Water for Injection (WFI) or saline; and   c) adding the reconstituted imatinib to a solution for intravenous administration in a desired concentration.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein steps b) and c) and are carried out in a hospital pharmacy, at an intensive care ward, at bedside, or at point-of-care. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the sealed vial is formed of dark glass. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said imatinib in lyophilized form in step a) is stored away from heat, moisture, and light. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the vial contains a dose of 400 mg imatinib. 
     
     
         30 . A method for the treatment of stroke, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) storing imatinib in lyophilized form in sealed vials, wherein said imatinib is in admixture with one or more stabilizing agents;   b) reconstituting the lyophilized imatinib by addition of sterile Water for Injection (WFI) or saline;   c) adding the reconstituted imatinib to a solution for intravenous administration in a desired concentration; and   d) intravenously administering the solution from step c) to a stroke patient.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the sealed vial is formed of dark glass. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said imatinib in lyophilized form in step a) is stored away from heat, moisture, and light. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the vial contains a dose of 400 mg imatinib. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein step d) comprises intravenously administering a daily dose of 800 mg imatinib. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein step d) comprises intravenously administering two doses of 400 mg imatinib per day.