Pharmaceutical compositions comprising poh derivatives and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention provides for a method of treating a disease such as cancer, comprising the step of administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a perillyl alcohol derivative such as a perillyl alcohol ester, or an isoperillyl alcohol derivative such as an isoperillyl alcohol ester. The derivative may be a perillyl alcohol or an isoperillyl alcohol conjugated with a therapeutic agent such as valproic acid. The route of administration may vary, including inhalation, intranasal, oral, transdermal, intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a disease in a mammal, the method comprising the step of administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a perillyl alcohol conjugated with valproic acid. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disease is cancer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cancer is a tumor of the nervous system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the tumor is a glioblastoma. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the mammal with radiation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of administering to the mammal a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the perillyl alcohol conjugated with valproic acid is administered by inhalation, intranasally, orally, intravenously, subcutaneously or intramuscularly. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating a disease in a mammal, comprising the step of administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a perillyl alcohol conjugated with valproic acid conjugated with valproic acid using a nasal delivery device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the nasal delivery device is selected from the group consisting of an intranasal inhaler, an intranasal spray device, an atomizer, a nebulizer, a metered dose inhaler (MDI), a pressurized dose inhaler, an insufflator, a unit dose container, a pump, a dropper, a squeeze bottle and a bi-directional device.