Compositions and methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating ore preventing a STAT5-mediated medical condition, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, the compound being a STAT5 inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the STATS inhibitor, or a solvate of the STATS inhibitor, or a prodrug of the STAT5 inhibitor. In one example, the compound used in the methods and compositions is pimozide. In another example, the compound used in the methods and compositions is nicotinohydrazide.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A method of treating rheumatoid arthritis in a human subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, wherein the compound is nicotinohydrazide or pimozide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, wherein said compound is administered to the subject in an amount between about 0.001 mg/kg of body weight per day to about 5 mg/kg of body weight per day. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the compound is nicotinohydrazide. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of nicotinohydrazide, a solvate of nicotinohydrazide, or a prodrug of nicotinohydrazide. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the compound is pimozide. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of pimozide, a solvate of pimozide, or a prodrug of pimozide. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the compound is administered to the subject in an amount between about 0.001 mg/kg of body weight to about 1 mg/kg of body weight per day. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the subject is an anti-TNF non-responder.