| abstract |
A method for prophylaxis or treatment of a mammal, particularly human, at risk for a fibrogenic disorder is disclosed. The compositions and methods of the invention are directed both to treatments for existing fibrogenic disorders and prevention thereof. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis), polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosis and rheumatoid arthristis, and other fibrotic disorders, including liver cirrhosis, keloid formation, interstitial nephritis and pulmonary fibrosis. A therapeutic composition according to the invention includes, as a therapeutic agent, an inhibitor of a collagen promoter in a pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier vehicle, preferably for local, and particularly topical, application. Exemplary inhibitors include those that interfere with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90) chaperone function, e.g., the specific inhibitor geldanamycin or other known Hsp90 inhibitors such as macbecin I and II, herbimycin, radcicol and novobiocin. |