Cancer treatment

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions, methods, uses and kits for treating cancer. The present invention relates to methods for minimising the progression of cancer in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen, thereby minimising the progression of cancer in the subject. In particular, the methods provide a means for treating cancer by reducing the number of cancer stem cells in the subject.

1 . A method of minimising the progression of cancer in a subject who has received a treatment for cancer, wherein the subject is determined to have cancer stem cells or determined to be at risk of having cancer stem cells, the method comprising administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen, thereby minimising the progression of cancer in the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is in partial or complete remission. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises treating minimal residual disease in a subject who has received a treatment for cancer. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises preventing recurrence of cancer in the subject. 
     
     
         5 . A method of preventing or inhibiting metastasis of cancer in a subject who is to receive a treatment for cancer, who is receiving a treatment for cancer, or who has received a treatment for cancer, wherein the subject is determined to have cancer stem cells or determined to be at risk of having cancer stem cells,
 the method comprising administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen, thereby preventing or inhibiting metastasis of cancer in the subject, wherein the subject is determined to have cancer stem cells.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the treatment for cancer is selected from the group consisting of surgical excision of the tumour, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method of delaying the onset of cancer in a subject, wherein the subject is determined to have cancer stem cells or determined to be at risk of having cancer stem cells,
 the method comprising administering therapeutically effective amount of chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen to the subject, thereby delaying the onset of cancer in the subject.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the subject is one who is identified as being at risk of cancer. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the risk of cancer is determined on the basis of family medical history, or biomarkers associated with risk of cancer, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the subject has not been diagnosed as having cancer. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the subject does not have detectable cancer at the time that the chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen are administered. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen are adapted to be administered in a weight ratio of chymotrypsinogen: trypsinogen of between greater than 1:1 but less than or equal to 10:1. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the weight ratio of chymotrypsinogen:trypsinogen is in the range of between 4:1 to 8:1. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the weight ratio of chymotrypsinogen: trypsinogen is in the range of between 5:1 to 7:1. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the weight ratio of chymotrypsinogen: trypsinogen is about 6:1. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen are administered simultaneously. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises determining the presence of cancer stem cells in the subject. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the presence of cancer stem cells in the subject is determined by identifying cells expressing one or more cancer stem cell markers. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the number of cancer stem cells in the subject is reduced or prevented from increasing in number following administration of the chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen. 
     
     
         22 - 38 . (canceled)