Anti-IL-6 antibodies or fragments thereof to treat or inhibit cachexia, associated with chemotherapy toxicity

摘要

The present invention is directed to therapeutic methods and compositions, especially subcutaneous and intravenous composition using antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6 to prevent or treat cachexia, fever, weakness and/or fatigue in a patient in need thereof. In preferred embodiments, the anti-IL-6 antibodies will be humanized and/or will be aglycosylated. Also, in preferred embodiments these patients will comprise those exhibiting (or at risk of developing) an elevated serum C-reactive protein level. In another preferred embodiment, the patient's survivability or quality of life will preferably be improved.

主权项

1. A method of treating or inhibiting cachexia in a patient exhibiting chemotherapy toxicity, comprising administering to the patient an anti-IL-6 antibody or an IL-6 binding antibody fragment comprising the variable light (VL) chain CDR1 of SEQ ID NO:4, CDR2 of SEQ ID NO:5 and CDR3 of SEQ ID NO:6, and the variable heavy (VH) chain CDR1 of SEQ ID NO:7, CDR2 of SEQ ID NO:8 or 120, and CDR3 of SEQ ID NO:9, wherein the patient's cachexia associated with the chemotherapy toxicity is effectively treated or inhibited.