Details for Patent: 5,767,097

Title:	Specific modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine expression by ribavirin in activated T-lymphocytes
Abstract:	Ribavirin is administered to a patient in a dosage range which is effective to modulate lymphokine expression in activated T cells. In particular, ribavirin is used to suppress Th2-mediated T cell responses and promote Th1-mediated T cell response. Thus, instead of administering ribavirin in its well-recognized role as an anti-viral agent, ribavirin is herein used in the treatment of imbalances in lymphokine expression. Such imbalances may be found to be concomitants of allergic atopic disorders such as allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis, helminth infection and leishmaniasis, and various primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, which may or may not also be associated with viral infection.
Inventor(s):	Tam; Robert C. (Costa Mesa, CA)
Assignee:	ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA)
Filing Date:	Jan 23, 1996
Application Number:	08/590,449
Claims:	1. A method of modulating Th1 and Th2 response in activated T cells of a human patient comprising administering Ribavirin to the T cells in a dosage which promotes the Th1 response and suppresses the Th2 response. 2. A method of treating a patient having a non-viral disease characterized by a cytokine profile in which Th1 response is suppressed and Th2 response is enhanced, comprising administering Ribavirin to the patient under a protocol which promotes the Th1 response and suppresses the Th2 response in the patient. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the disease comprises an allergy. 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the disease comprises an autoimmune disease. 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the disease comprises a helminthic disease. 6. A method of treating a patient having a disease which includes a viral component and a non-viral component, the non-viral component being characterized by reduced Th1 levels and increased Th2 levels in activated T-lymphocytes, comprising administering Ribavirin to the patient under a protocol sufficient to promote the Th1 response and suppress the Th2 response in a patient. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the disease involves primary immunodeficiency. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the disease involves secondary immunodeficiency. 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the viral component involves the human immunodeficiency virus.