Robert Lester Caudle

US Patent:

6596269, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Aug 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/787660

Inventors:

Michael J. Iadarola - Washington DC
Robert M. Caudle - Gainesville FL
Alan A. Finegold - Bethesda MD
Andrew J. Mannes - Chevy Chase MD
Zoltan Olah - Kensington MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services - Washington DC

International Classification:

A61K 4800

US Classification:

424 932, 4241991, 4353201, 4352351

Abstract:

This invention pertains to the surprising discovery of novel compositions and methods which selectively treat chronic pain while not significantly affecting basal nociceptive, acute pain, responses. The invention provides for compositions and methods of treating chronic pain by administering beta-endorphin-expressing recombinant expression systems such as adenovirus or adeno-associated virus into a subarachnoid or epidural space. The recombinant virus infects the pia mater connectve tissue cells and the infected cells express the fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein is secreted into the spinal cord parenchymal tissue in an amount effective to treat the chronic pain but not significantly affecting basal nociceptive responses.