ErbB2 SIGNALING AND NERVE REGENERATION

Abstract

Use of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor for treatment: or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues is provided. The inhibitor includes art antibody, in particular, a monoclonal antibody, Or example, Herceptin. A medicament for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues can be formulated which includes an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor. A pharmaceutical kit may include a medicament having an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor and dosing instructions for administrating the medicament for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues. Also provided are uses of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor for increasing axon regeneration, preventing neuron or glial cell death, and/or stimulating Schwann cell proliferation in a nerve stump.

1 . Use of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues. 
     
     
         2 . The use of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment or repair comprises peripheral nerve regeneration in mammals after injuries. 
     
     
         3 . The use of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody to the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         4 . The use of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody further inhibits activation of a binding partner of the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         5 . The use of  claim 4 , wherein the binding partner is EGFR. 
     
     
         6 . The use of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         7 . The use of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is Herceptin. 
     
     
         8 . Use of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor for increasing axon regeneration. 
     
     
         9 . The use of  claim 8 , wherein the axon regeneration is in motoneurons and/or sensory neurons. 
     
     
         10 . Use of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor for preventing neuron or glial cell death and/or stimulating Schwann cell proliferation in a nerve stump. 
     
     
         11 . The use of  claim 8 , wherein the inhibitor is Herceptin. 
     
     
         12 . A medicament comprising an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor, wherein the medicament is for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues. 
     
     
         13 . The medicament of  claim 12 , for use in peripheral nerve regeneration after injuries. 
     
     
         14 . The medicament of  claim 12 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody to the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         15 . The medicament of  claim 14 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         16 . The medicament of  claim 12 , wherein the inhibitor is Herceptin. 
     
     
         17 . A pharmaceutical kit comprising the medicament of  claim 1 , and dosing instructions for administrating the medicament. 
     
     
         18 . The pharmaceutical kit of  claim 17 , wherein the administration is by way of intravenous administration after injury. 
     
     
         19 . The pharmaceutical kit of  claim 17 , wherein the administration is for one of a pre-surgical intervention, a post-surgical intervention, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         29 . A method of preventing neuron or glial cell death and/or degeneration, the method comprising exposing a nerve to an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody to the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said monoclonal antibody is Herceptin. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein exposing the nerve to the inhibitor comprises systemically administering the inhibitor to a mammal.