Treatment of rhinosinusitis with p-glycoprotein inhibitors

01/7VJUOTreatment of Rhinosinusitis with P-glycoprotein Inhibitors CLAIM OF PRIORITYThis application claims the benefit of U.S.

Provisional Patent ApplicationSerial No. 61/746,290, filed on December 27, 2012. TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates to treatment of rhinos inusitis in a subject, and more particularly to methods for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject with P-glycoprotein inhibitors.BACKGROUNDParanasal sinuses are four pairs of air-filled cavities connecting to the nasal passage.

The paranasal sinuses are named after the cranial bones in which they are located: the frontal sinuses, the maxillary sinuses, the ethmoid sinuses, and the sphenoid sinuses. A membrane lining the paranasal sinuses secretes mucus, which drains into the nasal passage through a small channel in each sinus.

Healthy sinusesare sterile and contain no bacteria In contrast, the nasal passage normally contains many bacteria that enter through the nostrils as a person breathes.A number of factors and processes are involved in 'maintaining healthysinuses.

The mucus secreted by the membrane lining must be fluid but sticky, in order to flow freely yet absorb pollutants and entrap bacteria.

It must also contain sufficientamounts of bacteria-fighting substances such as antibodies.

Additionally, small hair-like projections called cilia, located in the nostril, must beat in unison to propel mucus outward, in order to expel bacteria and other particles.

Moreover, the mucous membranes themselves must be intact, and the sinus passages must be open to allow drainage and the circulation of air through the nasal passage.

When one or more ofthese processes or factors are amiss, causing obstruction of the sinus passage, an infection called sinusitis develops.Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining one or more paranasal sinuses.

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the1CA 2928035 2020-03-20CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945nasal passage.

Rhinitis and sinusitis usually coexist and are concurrent in most individuals; thus most guidelines and experts now have adopted the term rhinosinusitis (Fokkens et al., Rhinology 2012 March; 50 (Suppl 23): S5).The symptoms of rhinosinusitis include nasal congestion and obstruction,colored nasal discharge, anterior or posterior nasal drip.

Subjects may also experiencefacial pain or pressure, and in severe cases, suffer a reduction or a loss of smell (Fokkens et al., 2012).

There are two different types of rhinosinusitis: acute and chronic.

Acute rhinosinusitis is characterized as rhinosinusitis with complete resolution of symptoms within 12 weeks, while chronic rhinosinusitis lasts longerthan 12 weeks, and usually involves tissue damage (Fokkens et al., 2012).

Nasalpolyps are frequently present in some subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis based on epidetniologic studies.SUMMARYDisclosed herein are, inter alia, methods for treating rhinosinusitis with P- glycoprotein inhibitors.In some embodiments, a subject having rhinosinusitis is identified and treated by administration to the subject an effective amount of a P-gp inhibitor.

The subject having rhinosinusitis may be identified by one of skill in the art based on known methods, e.g., based on detection of the presence of symptoms, by endoscopy, or bycomputed tomography.

The efficacy of the treatment may be monitored by methodsknown in the art, e.g., by monitoring symptoms, by endoscopy or computed tomography.In one aspect, a subject with rhinosinusitis is treated with a P-gp inhibitor inan amount sufficient to inhibit P-gp expression and/or activity.

The P-gp inhibitorcould be a first generation compound, e.g. vcrapamil, cyclosporin A, anti-hypertensive, reserpine, quinidine or yohimbine, tamoxifen, or toremifena.

Preferably, the P-gp inhibitor is a second or third generation compound, e.g. PSC 833, R-verapamil, VX-710, GF120918, MS-209, R101933, LY335979, 0C144093, XR9051, or XR9576.In another aspect, a subject with rhinosinusitis is treated with a P-gp inhibitorin an amount sufficient to decrease P-gp expression in the subject's sinonasal epithelial cells, either transcriptionally or posttranscriptionally.2CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCTMS2013/077945In some embodiments, the P-gp inhibitor is administered systemically.

In other embodiments, the P-gp inhibitor is administered locally to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses by an inhalation device, by flushing, spraying, irrigation, nebulization, atomization, or a drug eluting vehicle. In some embodiments, a subject with rhinosinusitis is treated with a P-gpinhibitor in combination with other conventional treatments, e.g., drugs such as corticosteroids and/or antibiotics, to potentiate the effect of treatment.In some embodiments, when a subject with rhinosinusitis has nasal polyps, surgical removal of such nasal polyps can be performed in addition to administrationof a P-gp inhibitor to the subject.

Thus, a subject with rhinosinusitis may undergoboth surgery and treatment with a P-gp inhibitor.In some embodiments, a subject with rhinosinusitis has eosinophilic sinusitisand/or other forms of mucosal inflammation.In some embodiments, a subject continues to experience symptoms of chronicsinusitis after a sinus surgery, and a P-gp inhibitor-eluting implant, stent, or spacer isused to maintain sinus patency in the subject.

The P-gp inhibitor eluting device can be made from bioabsorbable material so that the implant will be absorbed within a short period of time after the implantation and no surgical removal of the implant is necessary.

The P-gp inhibitor eluting device can be in the form of solid, semisolid, gel, polymer, or particle.In some embodiments, the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is administered in combination with one of both of a corticosteroid and/or an antibiotic.

The corticosteroid can be, e.g., selected from dexamethasone, prednisone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, cortisol, budesonide, mometasone, fluticasone, flunisolide, and.. betamethasone.

The antibiotic can be, e.g., selected from erythromycin, doxycycline,tetracycline, penicillin, beta-lactam, macrolide, fluoroquinolone, cephalosporin, and sulfonamide.In some embodiments, a kit for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject is provided.

Such a kit comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount ofa P-gp inhibitor, and a device for delivering the pharmaceutical composition to thesubject's nasal passage and sinuses.

The device may deliver the pharmaceuticalcomposition to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses in a liquid or an aerosolized381796368form.

In some embodiments, the kit also includes a corticosteroid and/or an antibiotic, in the same pharmaceutical composition as the P-gp inhibitor or in a separate composition.More particularly, there is provided: = Use of an effective amount of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor for treatingrhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having rhinosinusitis, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is verapamil.= A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as havingrhinosinusitis, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the P-glycoproteininhibitor is verapamil.= A P-glycoprotein inhibitor for use in the treatment of rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having rhinosinusitis, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is not an antibiotic agent, an antifungal agent, a corticosteroid, or a first generation P-.. glycoprotein inhibitor compound.= Use of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor in the manufacture of a medicament for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having rhinosinusitis, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is verapamil.= A kit for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject, said kit comprising: a.. pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a P-glycoproteininhibitor for treating rhinosinusitis and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; a device for delivering the phaiinaceutical composition to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses; and instructions for the use thereof for treating rhinosinusitis in the subject, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is verapamil. = Use of an effective amount of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor for treatingrhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having rhinosinusitis, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is not an antibiotic agent, an antifungal agent, a corticosteroid, or a first generation P-glycoprotein inhibitor compound.74.

Use according to claim 73, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is for use in combination with thecorticosteroid and the antibiotic.= A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having4Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-0681796368rhinosinusitis, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is not an antibiotic agent, an antifungal agent, a corticosteroid, or a first generation P-glycoprotein inhibitor compound.= Use of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor in the manufacture of a medicamentfor treating rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having rhinosinusitis, wherein theP-glycoprotein inhibitor is not an antibiotic agent, an antifungal agent, a corticosteroid, or a first generation P-glycoprotein inhibitor compound.= A kit for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject, said kit comprising: a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a P-glycoproteininhibitor for treating rhinosinusitis and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; a devicefor delivering the pharmaceutical composition to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses; and instructions for the use thereof for treating rhinosinusitis in the subject, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is not an antibiotic agent, an antifungal agent, a corticosteroid, or a first generation P-glycoprotein inhibitor compound. = Veraparnil for use in an effective amount for the treatment ofrhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having rhinosinusitis.= Use of an effective amount of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor for treating chronic rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having chronic rhinosinusitis, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is selected from R-verapamil, D-verapamil,dexverapamil, verapamil, PSC 833, VX-710, GF120918, MS-209, LY335979,0C144093, XR9576, and XR9051, and said use is in combination with a corticosteroid selected from mometasone, fluticasone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, flunisolide, budenoside, and betamethasone.= Use of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor in the manufacture of a medicament.. for treating chronic rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having chronicrhinosinusitis in combination with a corticosteroid, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is selected from R-verapamil, D-verapamil, dexverapamil, verapamil, PSC 833, VX-710, GF120918, MS-209, LY335979, 0C144093, XR9576, and XR9051, and the corticosteroid is selected from mometasone, fluticasone, prednisolone,triamcinolone, flunisolide, budenoside, and betamethasone.= A P-glycoprotein inhibitor for use in an effective amount for treating chronic rhinosinusitis in a subject identified as having chronic rhinosinusitis, wherein the P-glycoprotein inhibitor is selected from R-verapamil, D-verapamil,4aDate Recue/Date Received 2023-09-0681796368dexverapamil, verapamil, PSC 833, VX-710, GF120918, MS-209, LY335979, 0C144093, XR9576, and XR9051, and said use is in combination with a corticosteroid selected from mometasone, fluticasone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, flunisolide, budenoside, and betamethasone. As used herein, "treatment" means any manner in which one or more of thesymptoms of a disease or disorder are ameliorated or otherwise beneficially altered.

As used herein, amelioration of the symptoms of a particular disorder refers to any lessening, whether permanent or temporary, lasting or transient that can be attributed to or associated with treatment by the compositions and methods of the presentdisclosure.An "effective amount" is an amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desired results.

For example, a therapeutic amount is one that achieves the desired therapeutic effect.

This amount can be the same or different from a prophylactically effective amount, which is an amount necessary to prevent onset of disease or diseasesymptoms.

An effective amount can be administered in one or more administrations,applications or dosages. A therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic compound (i.e., an effective dosage) depends on the therapeutic compounds selected.

The compositions can be administered from one or more times per day to one or more times per week; including once every other day.

The skilled artisan will appreciatethat certain factors may influence the dosage and timing required to effectively treat asubject, including but not limited to the severity of the disease or disorder, previous treatments, the general health and/or age of the subject, and other diseases present.

Moreover, treatment of a subject with a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic compounds described herein can include a single treatment or a series oftreatments.The term "subject" is used throughout the specification to describe an animal, human or non-human, to whom treatment according to the methods of the present invention is provided.

Veterinary and non-veterinary applications are contemplated.

The term includes, but is not limited to, mammals, e.g., humans, other primates, pigs,rodents such as mice and rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, cows, horses, cats, dogs,sheep and goats.

Typical subjects include humans, farm animals, and domestic pets such as cats and dogs.4bDate Recue/Date Received 2023-09-0661796..ibSThe term "rhinosinusitis" as used herein includes acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, either with or without the presence of nasal polyps.Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this invention belongs.

Methods and materials are described herein for use inthe present invention; other, suitable methods and materials known in the art can also be used.

The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.to Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description and figures, and from the claims.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a bar graph showing Q-F1HC ratios of P-gp staining intensity at twotissue subsites (sinus and septum) among the control subject groups (Control), thesubject group having chronic rhinosinusitis but without nasal polyps (CRS), and thesubject group having chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (* p<0.001, ** p = 0,002).

Dashed line denotes a ratio of 1 suggesting no increased epithelial staining over background.FIG. 2 is a set of matched photomicrograph images (bar = 100 m) of sinustissue representing P-gp immunostaining (top panel), propidium iodide nuclear stain(middle panel), and H&E staining (lower panel) in CRSwNP (A), CRS (B), and Control (C)subjects.

Note the increased P-gp epithelial staining in the CRSwNP group relative to CRS and control Inset images in the top row represent negative control slides. FIG. 3 is a set of high magnification histologic images (bar = 50 m) of P-gpimmunostaining in CRSwNP (A) and Control (B) subjects with matched propidium iodide nuclear stains (lower panel).

Note the circumferential membranous P-gp expression subtending both the apical and basolatcral surfaces of the epithelial cells.5CA 2928035 2020-03-20CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945FIG. 4 a graph showing Q-FIHC staining intensity of membranous P-gp in PNECCs exposed to culture media alone (BEGM) versus BEGM with 0.05mg/mL of LPS for 23 hours (h).

Corrected luminosity refers to the total luminosity divided by the total cell area per field.

Exposure to LPS resulted in a significant increase in staining intensity.FIG. 5 is a set of fluorescent images in primary human sinonasal epithelial cell culture depicting P-gp staining (upper windows) following exposure to BEGM or BEGM+LPS.

The lower windows depict the matched propidium iodide (PI) nuclear staining for cellular localization. P-gp staining intensity was quantified in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a box graph showing membranous P-gp expression determined byELISA following membrane protein extraction.

The significant increase in expression following LPS exposure was again seen confirming the findings by IBC.

There was no significant difference in expression seen between cells exposed to LPS and those exposed to LPS along with a P-gp inhibitor (PSC 833, p = 0.115). FIG. 7 is a bar graph of rhodamine 123 accumulation assay demonstratingconcentration of intracellular rhodamine as compared to baseline following inhibition of P-gp using either PSC 833 or verapatnil.

The evident dose response using two separate inhibitors confirmed that the P-gp expressed in PNECCs is sensitive to inhibition.

The accumulation in rhodamine 123 over baseline seen with gmicM ofPSC 833 suggested that the alterations in cytokine secretion seen following PSC 833exposure at this concentration may be directly attributable to P-gp inhibition.FIG. 8 is a box graph showing secreted 1L-6 concentration (normalized to total media protein) in the control condition (CTRL) following exposure to culture mediaalone as compared to PNECCs exposed to media + LPS (0.05mg/mL), and media LPS (0.05mg/mL) + PSC 833 (8micM).

Note the significant reduction in LPSstimulated IL-6 secretion following inhibition of P-gp with PSC 833.FIG. 9 is a box graph showing secreted GM-CSF concentration (normalized tototal media protein) in the control condition (CTRL) following exposure to culture media alone as compared to .PNECCs exposed to media + LPS (0.05mg/mL), and media + LPS (0.05mg/mL) + PSC 833 (8micM).

Note the significant reduction inLPS stimulated GM-CSF secretion following inhibition of P-gp with PSC 833.6CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945FIG. 10 is a box graph showing secreted TSLP concentration (normalized to total media protein) in the control condition (CTRL) following exposure to culture media alone as compared to PNECCs exposed to media + LPS (0.05mg/mL), and media + LPS (0.05mg/mL) + PSC 833 (8micM).

Note the significant reduction in LPS stimulated TSLP secretion following inhibition of P-gp with PSC 833.FIG. 11 is a box graph showing secreted IL-8 concentration (normalized tototal media protein) in the control condition (CTRL) following exposure to culture media alone as compared to PNECCs exposed to media + LPS (0.05mg/mL), and media + LPS (0.05mg/mL) + PSC 833 (8micM).

In this case PSC 833 failed tosignificantly impair IL-8 secretion suggesting that P-gp mediated secretion is selectiveto specific cytokines.FIG. 12 is a bar graph showing that treatment with the P-gp inhibitor PSC 833 resulted in increased intracellular dexamethasone retention in primary sinonasal epithelial cells relative to uninhibited cells. FIG. 13A is a bar graph showing that treatment with the P-gp inhibitorVerapamil or Zosuquidar resulted in increased intracellular prednisone retention in primary sinonasal epithelial cells relative to uninhibited cells. FIG. 13B is a bar graph showing that treatment with the Pip inhibitor Verapamil or Zosuquidar resulted in increased intracellular dexamethasone retention in primary sinonasal epithelial cellsrelative to uninhibited cells.FIG. 14 is a line graph showing that treatment with the P-gp inhibitor PSC 833resulted in increased intracellular dexamethasone retention in nasal polyp explantsrelative to uninhibited polyp explants.FIG. 15 is a box graph showing that GM-CSF secretion is reduced in LPS- stimulated cells treated with both dexamethasone and PSC833 as compared todexamethasone treatment alone.FIG. 16A is a set of fluorescent images of epithelial calcein staining in nasalpolyp explants with or without the presence of PSC 833(bar=50pm). FIG. 16B is a bar graph demonstrating the corrected luminosity of both scptal and nasal polypsexplants with or without the presence of PSC 833(n=4, each).

The increase in cakeinluminosity following PSC 833 mediated inhibition is proportionate to the degree of P-gp activity.7CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945FIG. 17A is a FIHC image demonstrating pattern of P-gp expression in submerged CRSwNP HSNECC with propidium iodide (PI) nuclear counterstain.

Inset represents control slide with primary antibody omitted. FIG. 17B is a box and whisker plot of membranous P-gp expression (ng/mL) normalized to total cytoplasmic protein (mcg/mL) demonstrating a significant upregulation following LPS exposure ascompared to cells exposed to media alone.FIG. 18 is a dot plot demonstrating a significant dose-dependent inhibition of P-glycoprotein following PSC 833 exposure.

The increase in mean calceinfluorescence following exposure to varying concentrations of PSC 833 relative touninhibited control cells is proportionate to a successive reduction in P-gp activity.FIGs. 19A and 19B are box and whisker plots of cytokine secretion of GM-CSF (A) and IL-6 (B) under control, LPS stimulated, and LPS stimulated + P-gp inhibitor conditions (n=5, each).

The y-axis represents secreted cytokineconcentration (pcg/mL) normalized to total media protein (mcg/mL) x 100. FIGs. 19C and 191D are scatter plots showing the positive correlation between LPSstimulated normalized GM-CSF (C) and IL-6 (D) secretion and membranous P-gp expression.FIGs. 20A and 20B are box and whisker plots of cytokine secretion of IL-8 and 11.-25 under control, T,PS stimulated, and T.PS stimulated + P-gp inhibitor conditions.

The y-axis represents secreted cytokinc concentration (pcg/mL)normalized to total media protein (mcg/mL) x 100. FIGs. 20C and 201) are scatter plots showing the lack of correlation between LPS stimulated normalized IL-8 (C) and IL-25 (D) secretion and membranous P-gp expression.FIG. 21A is a bar graph demonstrating the mean P-gp epithelial/backgroundstaining ratios between the low and high P-gp expressing patient groups. FIG. 21B isa box and whisker plot demonstrating the distribution of eosinophils/hpf between the low and high P-gp expressing patient groups. FIG. 21C is a box and whisker plot demonstrating the distribution of Lund-Mackay scores between the low and high P-gp expressing patient groups. FIGs. 22A and B are fluorescent immunohistochemical images of mucosadepicting representative (A) low epithelial P-gp expression and (B) high epithelial P-gp expression (bar = 50 M, lower right inset represents negative control in which the8CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945primary antibody was omitted). FIGs. 22C and D are matched high powered (400x) H&E stromal images depicting the absence (C) and presence (D) of mucosa] cosinophilia (black arrows denote individual eosinophils).

Note the thickened basement membrane in C is consistent with CRSsNP. FIGs. 22E and F are coronal CTscans demonstrating increased radiographic inflammation in the patient with high P-gp expression (F) relative to the patient with low P-gp expression (E).FIG. 23A is a bar graph demonstrating the mean P-gp epithelial/background staining ratios between the low and high P-gp¨expressing patient groups. FIG. 23B isa box and whisker plot demonstrating the distribution of serum eosinophil between the low and high P-gp--expressing patient groups.FIG. 24A is a box and whisker plot demonstrating the distribution of GOS between the low and high P-gp¨expressing patient groups. FIG. 24B is a box and whisker plot demonstrating the distribution of KOS between the low and high P-gp expressing patient groups. FIG. 24C is a scatter plot of both osteitis scoring systems demonstrating a significant, high correlation between KOS and GOS.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAbout 16% of the adult population in the United States suffers chronic rhinosinusitis (Blackwell et al., Vital Health Stat. 10. 2002 May; (205):1-109).

According to U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 30 millionAmericans have sinusitis, resulting in about 200,000 to 500,000 sinus surgeries and23 million missed work days per year.The primary objectives for treating rhinosinusitis are reduction ofinflammation, eradication of infection, draining of the sinuses, and ensuring that the paranasal sinuses are and remain open. Described herein are methods for treating rhinosinusitis in subjects with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an ATP dependent efflux pump.

The data shown herein demonstrate that P-gp is overexpressed in subjects with rhinosinusitis, and P-gp functions as an immunomodulator through regulation of epithelial cytokine secretion.

Therefore, P-gp contributes to the etiopathogenesis ofsinonasal inflammation, and P-gp inhibitors can be used for treating subjects withrhinosinusitis. P-gp inhibitors can also be used in combination with other9CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945conventional treatments, e.g., drugs such as corticosteroids and/or antibiotics, to potentiate the effect of treatment by enhancing intracellular retention.

For example, P-gp inhibitors can be used in combination with a corticosteroid, e.g., selected from dexamethasone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, cortisol, prednisone, budesonide,mometasone, fluticasone, flunisolide, and betamethasone.

In some embodiments, P-gp inhibitors are used in combination with an antibiotic, e.g., selected frommacrolides, e.g., erythromycin; penicillins, e.g., amoxicillin , beta-lactam, ampicillin; tetracyclines, e.g., doxycycline, tetracycline; sulfonamides, e.g. mafenide,sulfacetamide; fluoroquinolones; and cephalosporins, e.g., ceftaroline fosamil,ceftobiprole.

In some embodiments, P-gp inhibitors are used in combination with acorticosteroid and an antibiotic.Conventional Treatment of Rhinosinusitis The present methods can be used in combination with present conventionaltreatments of rhinosinusitis, e.g., as follows.

Most subjects with rhinosinusitis causedby bacteria are treated with antibiotics along with a nasal decongestant.

The most common side effect for nearly all antibiotics is gastrointestinal distress.

Certain drugs, including some over-the-counter medications, interact with antibiotics, and all antibiotics carry the risk for allergic reactions, which can be serious in some cases.Failure to take all prescribed antibiotics may increase the risk for reinfection and alsofor development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The usefulness of antibiotics in treating chronic sinusitis is highly debated, as some symptoms persist even after prolonged courses of antibiotics.

Furthermore, a vast majority of sinusitis is caused by viruses and will not respond to antibiotic treatment. Nasal decongestants may dry out the affected areas and damage tissues.

Withprolonged use, nasal decongestants become ineffective, and the tendency is to increase the frequency of use.

Withdrawal from over-frequent decongestant use can itself cause symptoms of rhinosinusitis and the return of nasal congestion, a phenomenon known as the "rebound effect." Short-acting nasal decongestants maycause rebound effect after only eight hours.

Eventually, the inflammation can becomeworse than before the decongestant was taken.

Thus, nasal decongestants aregenerally recommended for no more than one to three days of use because of this risk.CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Steroid nasal sprays are commonly used to treat inflammation in chronic sinusitis.

For subjects with severe chronic sinusitis, doctors may prescribe oral steroids, such as prednisone.

Since oral steroids have serious side effects, they are prescribed only when other medications have not been effective.When medications fail, surgery may be the only alternative in treating chronicsinusitis.

Presently, the most commonly done surgery is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, in which the sinuses are reached through the nasal passage via endoscopy, and the diseased and thickened tissues from the sinuses are removed to enlarge the sinus passageway to the nostril and allow for drainage and improved topical drugdelivery.

This type of surgery is less invasive than traditional open sinus surgerytechniques.

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis sometimes persist after surgery, however, because of continued inflammation, growth of new nasal polyps, or scarring from the procedure. P-RIVCOD rotein P-glycoprotein is a 170-klla glycoprotein encoded by the MDR1 (Al3CB1) gene located on chromosome 7q21.12 and was first identified in the CHO cell line (Fernandez et al., J Pharm.

Pharm.

Sci. 2004 Nov 17; 7(3):359-71). P-gp is a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ARC) transporter family and is capable of energydependent transport of a variety of intracellular substrates (Golden et al., J Pharm Sci.2003; 92(9):1739-53). P-gp is located within the plasma membrane and functions to extrude xenobiotic agents against their concentration gradient (Ehrhardt et al., Pharm.

Res. 2003 Apr; 20(4):545-51).

Substrate recognition of P-gp occurs by a variety of mechanisms including the presence of electron donor groups which bind putative reactive hydrogen bonding sites in the interior channels formed by the 12transmembrane helices (Golden et al., 2003).P-gp is constitutively expressed on multiple cell types including the apical membrane of intestinal mucosal cells, the brush border of renal proximal tubules, the blood-brain barrier, and lower airway epithelial cells (Bleier BS, Int.

Forum AllergyIthinol. 2012; 2:122-125).

Due to the selective distribution at the port of drug entryand exit, P-gp functions as a biochemical barrier for entry of xenobiotics and as a vacuum cleaner to expel them from the organs, such as brain, liver, kidney, and11CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945ultimately from systemic circulation (Varma et al., Pharmacological Research 2003; 48: 347-359).

This xenobiotic excretion function belies the role of P-gp in reducing the systemic bioavailability of a variety of drugs.

Through increased expression and active drug efflux in malignancy, P-gp has also been shown to confer chemotherapeutic resistance (Fernandez et al., 2004).While the efflux behavior of P-gp is well established, the potential for the role of P-gp as an immunomodulator is a new concept.

In a P-gp knockout mouse (Mdrla/lb-/-), there was diminished dendritic cell (DC) maturation and subsequent DC induced T-cell response which correlated with decreased Thl and Th2 cytokinelevels (Kooij et al., PLoS One. 2009 Dec 8; 4(12):e8212).

In the lower airway,inhalational steroid exposure has been shown to decrease the expression of lymphocyte P-gp (Kopriva et al., J Asthma. 2009 May; 46(4):366-70).P-glvcoorotein Inhibitors.. A number of inhibitors of P-gp are known in the art (Varma et al., 2003).

In general,P-gp can be inhibited (1) by blocking its substrate binding site; (2) by interfering with its ATPase activity (Shapiro, et al., Biochem Pharmacol 1997; 53:587-96); or (3) by decreasing its expression level either transcriptionally or posttranscriptionally. (Drori et al., -Fur .1 Bloch em 1995; 228:1020-9). Based on specificity and affinity, P-gp inhibitors are classified into threegenerations.

First-generation P-gp inhibitors are known pharmacological compounds that are in clinical use, or were developed for, for other indications but have been shown to inhibit P-gp.

These include calcium channel blockers such as verapamil; immunosuppressants like cyclosporin A; anti-hypertensives, reseipine, quinidine andyohimbine; and anti-estrogens like tamoxifen and toremifena (Varma et at., 2003).The usage of these compounds has been limited by their toxicity due to the high serum concentrations achieved with the dose that is required to inhibit P-gp when administered systemically.Second-generation P-gp modulators are agents that lack the pharmacologicalactivity of the first-generation compounds and usually possess a higher P-gp affinity.Second-generation P-gp inhibitors include the non-inununosuppresive analogues of cyclosporin A such as PSC 833 (Valspodar: 6-[(25,4R,6E)-4-methy1-2-12CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945(methylamino)-3-oxo-6-octenoic acid]-7-L-valine-cyclosporin A); verapamil isomers such as D-isomer of verapamil, R-verapamil, and dexverapamil; and other inhibitors such as VX-710 (Biricodar: 1,7-di(pyridin-3-yl)heptan-4-y1(2S)-1-[oxo(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenypacetyllpiperidine-2-carboxylate); GF120918 (Elacridar: N-(4-(2- (6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-y1)ethyl)pheny1)-5-methoxy-9-oxo-9,10-dihydroacridine-4-carboxamide hydrochloride); and MS-209 (Dofequidar fumarate: 1-(4-(2-hydroxy-3-(quinolin-5-yloxy)propyl)piperazin-l-y1)-2,2-diphenylethanone) (Varma et al., 2003).

However, this class of compounds often inhibits two or more ABC transporters, leading to some drug¨drug interactions. The third-generation P-gp blockers are under development with the primarypurpose to improve the treatment of multidrug resistant tumors and to inhibit P-gp with high specificity and toxicity.

Examples of the third-generation P-gp inhibitors include LY335979 (Zosuquidar: (2R)-1- {4-[(1aR,6r,10bS)-1,1-Diftuoro-1,1a,6,10b-tetrahydrodibenzo[a,e]cyclopropa[c]cyclohepten -6-yl]piperazin-1-y1) -3-(quinolin-5-yloxy)propan-2-ol,trihydrochloride); 0C144093 (44244-[(E)-3-ethoxyprop-1-enyl]phenyl]-444-(propan-2-ylamino)phenyl]-11-I-imidazol-5-y1]-N-propan-2-ylaniline); R-101933 (Laniquidar: methyl 11-(1-(4-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)phenethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[d]imidazo[1,2-a]azepine-3-carboxylate); 3CR9576 (Tariquidar: N42-[[442-(6,7-Dimethoxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yOethyl]phenyl]carbamoyl]-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]quinoline-3 -carboxamide); XR9051 (34(Z)-((Z)-5-benzylidene-4-methyl-3,6-dioxopiperazin-2-ylidene)methyl)-N-(4-(2-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-ypethyl)phenyl)benzamide).

Some third-generation P-gp modulators such as LY335979, 0C144093, and XR9576 are shown to be highlypotent and selective inhibitors of P-gp with a potency of about 10-fold more than thefirst and second-generation inhibitors. (Varma et al., 2003).Treatment of Rhinosinusitis using P-elvcoorotein Inhibitors While the expression of P-gp has been studied in the lower airway, very littleis known with respect to its presence in the upper airway or its relationship to chronicsinonasal inflammation.

Furthermore, there is no report on the expression of P-gp across disease states or between sinus and adjacent intranasal subsites.

Therefore, the13CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945pattern and degree of epithelial P-gp expression was examined in subjects havingchronic sinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyposis (NP) and in control subjects.

The data presented herein show that the expression of P-gp is negligible in healthy sinus mucosa, but is significantly elevated in the epithelial layer of sinusmucosa in subjects having CRS with or without NP relative to other non-diseasedsinonasal subsites.The sinonasal epithelium functions as a barrier organ against the external environment and is endowed with an array of innate and adaptive immunologic mechanisms to combat extrinsic pathogens.

It has been suggested that sinonasalin epithelial cells may function as primary actors in the initiation and maintenance ofchronic sinonasal inflammation through the elaboration of an array of cytokines and subsequent recruitment of professional immune cells (Reh et al., Am. J Rhinol.

Allergy. 2010; 24(2):105-9).

While these studies suggest that epithelial cells are capable of orchestrating an innate immune response, the post-translationalmechanisms governing non-canonical cytokine secretion at the cellular level are notfully understood.The data presented herein show that membrane bound P-gp is present and functionally active in primary nasal epithelial cells, and P-gp inhibitor (e.g., PSC 833)exposure results in a significant reduction in stimulated cytokine secretion of those primary nasal epithelial cells.

As demonstrated herein, P-gp participates inmodulating cytokine secretion and inflammation at the nasal mucosal surface.

Furthermore, P-gp inhibition in epithelial cells is shown to result in increased intracellular steroid retention and potentiate the anti-inflammatory effect of steroid.Collectively, the present data show that P-gp is overexpressed in sinus mucosaof subjects having rhinosinusitis, and P-gp functions as an immunomodulator throughregulation of epithelial cytokine secretion.

Therefore, P-gp contributes to the etiopathogenesis of sinonasal inflammation and P-gp inhibitors are promising novel medicines for treating rhinosinusitis in order to reduce the cytokine secretion which leads to the development of sinonasal inflammation.In some embodiments, a subject having rhinosinusitis is identified and treatedby administration to the subject an effective amount of a P-gp inhibitor.

The subject having rhinosinusitis may be identified by one of skill in the art based on known14CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCTMS2013/077945methods, e.g., based on detection of the presence of symptoms, by endoscopy, or by computed tomography.

The efficacy of the treatment may be monitored by methods known in the art, e.g., by monitoring symptoms, by endoscopy or computed tomography.

Improvements of the subject include a better symptom score, e.g. abetter SNOT-22 or VAS score; a reduction in inflammation or nasal polyp burden asrevealed by endoscopy, e.g. a better Lund-Kennedy score; or a reduction in mucosal thickening or sinus pacification as revealed by computed tomography (CT), e.g. a better Lund-Mackay score.

The 22-item Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22) is a questionnaire encompassing 22 major symptoms on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps,and serves as a valuable tool to measure the severity of a subject's symptoms andtheir impact on health-related quality of life (Quintanilla-Dieck, et al., International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology 2012; 2(6):437-443).

The SNOT-22 assessed 12 nasal- and sinus-related symptoms (nasal blockage, loss of sense of taste and smell; need to blow nose, sneezing, runny nose, cough, postnasal discharge, thick nasaldischarge, ear fullness, dizziness, ear pain, and facial pain/pressure) and 10psychological and behavioral symptoms (difficulty falling asleep, waking up at night, lack of a good night's sleep, waking up tired, fatigue, reduced productivity, reduced concentration, frustrated/restless/irritable, sad, and embarrassed) with participants scoring each symptom on a scale of 0 (absent) to 5 (severe) on average for the lastweek, for a total score range of 0 to 100.

The SNOT-22 score is the mean for the 22scores (Piccirillo et al., Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002; 126:41-47).

The 10-symptom visual analog (VAS) scale is a questionnaire based on the major and minor symptom diagnostic criteria for CRS as described by the American Academy of Otolaryngology¨Head and Neck Surgery TFR.

The VAS assessed subject-reportedseverity of each of the following symptoms on average experienced during the priorweek: nasal drainage of pus, nasal obstruction/congestion, impaired sense of smell, facial pressure/pain, headache, bad breath, weakness/fatigue, dental pain, ear fullness/pain, and cough (Ryan, et al., Laryngoscope 2011; 121:674-678).

The Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scoring system quantifies the pathologic states of the nose andparanasal sinuses as assessed by nasal endoscopy, focusing on the presence of polyps,discharge, edema, scarring or adhesions, and crusting (Ryan, et al., 2011).

The LundMackay CT scoring system is the most widely used CT grading system for chronicCA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945rhinosinusitis.

This scoring system consists of a scale of 0-2 dependent on the absence (0), partial (1) or complete (2) opacification of the sinus system and the osteomeatal complex as assessed by CT imaging (Hopkins et al., Otolaryngology¨Head and Neck Surgery 2007; 137:555-561). In some embodiments, a subject with rhinosinusitis is treated with a P-gpinhibitor in an amount sufficient to inhibit P-gp function.

The P-gp inhibitor could be a first generation compound, e.g. a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil, an immunosuppressant like cyclosporin A, an anti-hypertensive, a reserpine, a quinidine or yohimbine, or an anti-estrogen like tamoxifen or toremifena.

Preferably, the P-gpinhibitor is a second or third generation compound, e.g. PSC 833, D-isomer ofverapamil, dexverapamil, VX-710, GF120918, MS-209, R101933, LY335979, 0C144093, XR9051, or XR9576.In other embodiments, a subject with rhinosinusitis is treated with a P-gp inhibitor in an amount sufficient to decrease P-gp expression in the subject's sinonasal epithelial cells, either transcriptionally or posttranscriptionally.In some embodiments, the P-gp inhibitor is administered systemically, e.g., orally, intravenously, intradermally, or subcutaneously.

In other embodiments, the P-gp inhibitor is administered locally to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses by an inhalation device, by flushing, or by spraying.

In some embodiments, a subject withrhinosinusitis is treated with nasal drops or sprays comprising an effective amount ofa P-gp inhibitor.

An effective amount of the P-gp inhibitor can be delivered to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses in a liquid form by flushing or spraying.

An effective amount of a P-gp inhibitor can also be delivered to the nasal passage and sinuses of a subject with rhinosinusitis in an aerosolized form by an inhalation device, such as a nebulizer, an inhaler, or an OptiNose.In some embodiments, a subject with rhinosinusitis is treated with a P-gp inhibitor in combination with other conventional treatments, e.g., drugs such as corticosteroids and/or antibiotics, to potentiate the effect of treatment.

For example, P-gp inhibitors may be used in combination with a corticosteroid selected from dexamethasone, prednisolone, triameinolone, cortisol, prednisone, budesonide,mometasone, fluticasone, flunisolide, and betamethasone.

In some embodiments, P-gpinhibitors are used in combination with an antibiotic selected from macrolides, e.g.,16CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945erythromycin; penicillins, e.g., amoxicillin , beta-lactam, ampicillin; tetracyclines, e.g., doxycycline, tetracycline; sulfonamides, e.g. mafenide, sulfacetamide; fluoroquinolones; and cephalosporins, e.g., ceftaroline fosamil, ceftobiprole.

In some embodiments, P-gp inhibitors are used in combination with a corticosteroid and an antibiotic.In some embodiments, when a subject with rhinosinusitis has nasal polyps, surgical removal of such nasal polyps can be performed in addition to administration of a P-gp inhibitor to the subject.

Thus, a subject with rhinosinusitis may undergo both surgery and treatment with a P-gp inhibitor.io In some embodiments, a subject continues to experience symptoms of chronicsinusitis after a sinus surgery, and a P-gp inhibitor-eluting implant, stent, or spacer is used to maintain sinus patency in the subject.

During the sinus surgery, a P-gp inhibitor eluting device is implanted, e.g., in the ostia of the paranasal sinuses to prop open the ostia while locally eluting a P-gp inhibitor to reduce inflammation of thesinonasal epithelium after the surgery.

The P-gp inhibitor eluting device can be madefrom bioabsorbable material so that the implant will be absorbed within a short period of time after the implantation and no surgical removal of the implant is necessary.

The P-gp inhibitor eluting device can be in the form of solid, semisolid, gel, polymer, or particle.

In some embodiments, the P-gp inhibitor eluting device is a bioabsorbablegel such as an alginate gel (e.g., sodium alginate), a cellulose-based gel (e.g.,carboxymethyl cellulose or carboxyethyl cellulose), or a chitosan-based gel (e.g., chitosan glycerophosphate; see, e.g., Bleier et al, Am J Rhino' Allergy 23,76-79, 2009).In some embodiments, a tissue sample, e.g., a sinus mucosal biopsy sample,can be obtained from a subject having rhinosinusitis and one or more tests can beperformed on these biopsy samples to assist in selecting a therapy for the subject.

For example, levels of P-gp expression in the nasal epithelium can be determined using methods known in the art, e.g., quantitative fluorescent immunohistochemistry.

When a .P-gp expression level in the nasal epithelium is determined to be above athreshold (i.e., a reference level), a therapy comprising a P-gp inhibitor as describedherein can be selected to treat rhinosinusitis in the subject.17CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945In some embodiments, sinus mucosal biopsy samples from a subject having rhinosinusitis and the average number of eosinophils per high powered field can be calculated, e.g., using light microscopy and staining with hematoxylin and eosin.

As demonstrated herein, P-gp expression levels correlate with tissue eosinophilia, thushigh levels of tissue eosinpophelia (i.e., levels above a reference level) can be used asa proxy for high levels of P-Gp expression. A therapy as described herein comprising administration of a P-gp inhibitor can be selected to treat rhinosinusitis in the subject when the average number of eosinophils per high powered field is determined to be above a threshold (i.e., reference level). to In some embodiments, computed tomography (CT) can be performed to scoreosteitis in a subject having rhinosinusitis.

For example, a Kennedy Osteitis Score (KOS) (Lee JT, Kennedy DW, Palmer JN, Am J Rhino] 20:278-282, 2006) or Global Osteitis Score (GOS) (Georgalas C, Videler W, Freling N, Clin Otolaryngol 35:455-461, 2010) can be determined for the bony walls of the paranasal sinuses aspreviously described.

As demonstrated herein, these osteitis scores correlate with P-gpexpression level in patients having chronic sinusitis, and thus a high osteitis score can be used as a proxy for high P-gp expression levels.

When an osteitis score isdetermined to be above a threshold (i.e., a reference level), a therapy as described herein comprising administration of a P-gp inhibitor can be selected to treatrhinosinusitis in the subject.One of skill in the art would readily be able to determine and select a suitable reference level.

For example, a reference level can be determined as a median, average, or cutoff point for a percentile of the population (e.g., the cutoff for the top half, top tertile, top quartile, top quintile, and so on). A reference level can beselected that represents a level of P-gp expression, eosinophilia, KOS, or GOS in asubject that would be likely to benefit from treatment with a P-gp inhibitor, and levels at or above that reference level indicate that the subject should be treated with a method comprising administration of a P-gp inhibitor as described herein.18CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Methods for Selecting a Subject for Participation, or Stratifying Subjects, in a Clinical StudyAlso provided are methods of selecting a subject for participation in, orstratifying subjects in, a clinical study of a treatment for rhinosinusitis.

Such methodscan include determining a level of epithelial P-gp expression in a sinus mucosalbiopsy sample from a subject, comparing the P-gp level in the sample to a reference P-gp level, and selecting for participation a subject having an elevated P-gp level in the sample compared to the reference P-gp level in a clinical trial of a treatment for rhinosinusitis, or stratifying subjects in a clinical trial based on P-gp levels.

In someembodiments, a subject can be excluded from participation in a clinical study of atreatment for rhinosinusitis if the subject has no significant change or a decrease in the P-gp level in the sample compared to the reference P-gp level.Also provided are methods of selecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying subjects in, a clinical study for a treatment for rhinosinusitis.

Suchmethods include determining a P-gp level in a first biopsy sample obtained from asubject at a first time point, determining a P-gp level in a second biopsy sample obtained from the subject at a second time point, comparing the P-gp level in the first biopsy sample to the P-gp level in the second biopsy sample, and selecting a subject having an elevated P-gp level in the second biopsy sample compared to the P-gp levelin the first biopsy sample for participation in a clinical trial of a treatment forrhinosinusitis, or stratifying subjects in a clinical trial based on changing P-gp levels.

In some embodiments, a subject can be excluded from participation in a clinical study of a treatment for rhinosinusitis if the subject has no significant change or a decrease in the P-gp level determined at the second time point compared to the P-gp level determined at the first time point.

In some embodiments, the treatment forrhinosinusitis is a pharmacological treatment (e.g., administration of one or more pharmaceutical agents) or the implantation of an eluting implant, stent, or spacer.In some embodiments, additional clinical scores can be used to assist inselecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying subjects in, a clinical study of atreatment for rhinosinusitis.

For example, sinus mucosal biopsy samples can beprocessed for hematoxylin and eosin staining and the average number of eosinophils per high powered field can be calculated and used in selecting a subject for19CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945participation in, or stratifying subjects in a clinical study of a treatment forrhinosinusitis.

For example, subjects with levels of eosinophilia above a reference level can indicate that the subject should be selected or stratified.In some embodiments, computed tomography (CT) can be performed to scoreosteitis in a subject having rhinosinusitis.

The osteitis score, e.g., Kennedy OsteitisScore (KOS) or Global Osteitis Score EGOS) can be used in selecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying subjects in, a clinical study of a treatment for rhinosinusitis.

For example, subjects with GOS or KOS above a reference level can indicate that the subject should be selected or stratified. The clinical studies may be performed by a health care professional (e.g., aphysician, a physician's assistant, a nurse, a phlebotomist, or a laboratory technician) in a health care facility (e.g., a hospital, a clinic, or a research center).

The biopsy samples may be obtained from subjects that present with one or more (e.g., at least two, three, four, or five) symptoms of rhinosinusitis. Pharmaceutical Compositions, Dosage, and Methods of Administration The methods of treatment described herein also include the use ofpharmaceutical compositions, which include P-gp inhibitors described herein as active ingredients.

In some embodiments the composition also includes one or more supplementary active compounds incorporated therein, e.g., one or morecorticosteroids and/or one or more antibiotics.

The corticosteroid can be, e.g., selected from dexamethasone, prednisone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, cortisol, budesonide, mometasone, fluticasone, flunisolide, or betamethasone.

The antibiotic can be, e.g,, selected from erythromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, penicillin, beta-lactam, macrolide, fluoroquinolone, cephalosporin, and sulfonamide.

Also includedare the pharmaceutical compositions themselves.Pharmaceutical compositions typically include a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

As used herein the language "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" includes saline, solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents,isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceuticaladministration.CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Pharmaceutical compositions are typically formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration.

Examples of routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Methods of formulating suitable pharmaceutical compositions are known inthe art, see, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st ed., 2005; and the books in the series Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences: a Series of Textbooks and Monographs (Dekker, NY).

For example, solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include thefollowing components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution,fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates andagents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. pH can beadjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use can include sterileaqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders, for theextemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion.

For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline,bacteriostatic water, Cremophor ELTM (BASF, Parsippany, NJ) or phosphate bufferedsaline (PBS).

In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the.. extent that easy syringability exists.

It should be stable under the conditions ofmanufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyetheylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixturesthereof.

The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coatingsuch as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants.

Prevention of the action of microorganisms21CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like.

In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition.

Prolonged absorption of theinjectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition anagent that delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the activecompound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization.Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into asterile vehicle, which contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above.

In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying, which yield a powder of the active ingredient plusany additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier.

For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can beincorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, or capsules, e.g., gelatin capsules.

Oral compositions can also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash.

Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvantmaterials can be included as part of the composition.

The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid,Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes; a glidantsuch as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.For administration by inhalation, the compounds can be delivered in the formof an aerosol spray from a pressured container or dispenser that contains a suitablepropellant, e.g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer.

Such methods includethose described in U.S.

Patent No. 6,468,798.22CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Systemic administration of a therapeutic compound as described herein can also be by transm.ucosal or transdermal means.

For transmucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation.

Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, forexample, for transmucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acidderivatives.

Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories.

For transdermal administration, the active compounds are formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.In one embodiment, the therapeutic compounds are prepared with carriers thatwill protect the therapeutic compounds against rapid elimination from the body, suchas a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems.The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration.In some em.bodi.ments, a kit for treating rhinosinusitis in a subject is provided.Such a kit comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a P-glyeoprotein inhibitor, optionally a corticosteroid and/or an antibiotic, and a device for delivering the pharmaceutical composition to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses, such as a nebulizer, an inhaler, or an OptiNose.

The device may deliverthe pharmaceutical composition to the subject's nasal passage and sinuses in a liquidor an aerosolized form.In non-limiting examples, the pharmaceutical composition containing at least one pharmaceutical agent is formulated as a liquid (e.g., a thermosetting liquid), as a component of a solid (e.g., a powder or a biodegradable biocompatible polymer (e.g.,a cationic biodegradable biocompatible polymer)), or as a component of a gel (e.g., abiodegradable biocompatible polymer).

In some embodiments, the at least composition containing at least one pharmaceutical agent is formulated as a gel selected from the group of an alginate gel (e.g., sodium alginate), a cellulose-based gel (e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose or carboxyethyl cellulose), or a chitosan-based gel(e.g., chitosan glycerophosphate).

Additional, non-limiting examples of drug-elutingpolymers that can be used to formulate any of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein include, carrageenan, carboxym.ethyleellulose,23CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945hydroxypropylcellulose, dextran in combination with polyvinyl alcohol, dextran in combination with polyacrylic acid, polygalacturonic acid, galacturonicpolysaccharide, polysalactic acid, polyglycolic acid, tamarind gum, xanthum gum, cellulose gum, guar gum (carboxymethyl guar), pectin, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, N-isopropylpolyacrylomide, polyoxyethylene,polyoxypropylene, pluronic acid, polylactic acid, cyclodextrin, cycloamylose, resilin,polybutadiene, N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer, maleic anhydrate - alkyl vinyl ether, polydepsipeptide, polyhydroxybutyrate,polycaprolactone, polydioxanone, polyethylene glycol, polyorganophosphazene,polyortho ester, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA),polyanhydrides, polysilamine, poly N-vinyl caprolactam, and gellan.An "effective amount" is an amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desired results.

For example, a therapeutic amount is one that achieves the desiredtherapeutic effect.

This amount can be the same or different from a prophylacticallyeffective amount, which is an amount necessary to prevent onset of disease or diseasesymptoms.

An effective amount can be administered in one or more administrations, applications or dosages. A therapeutically effective amount of a therapeuticcompound (i.e., an effective dosage) depends on the therapeutic compounds selected.

The compositions can be administered one from one or more times per day to one ormore times per week; including once every other day.

The skilled artisan willappreciate that certain factors may influence the dosage and timing required to effectively treat a subject, including but not limited to the severity of the disease or disorder, previous treatments, the general health and/or age of the subject, and other diseases present.

Moreover, treatment of a subject with a therapeutically effectiveamount of the therapeutic compounds described herein can include a single treatmentor a series of treatments.Dosage, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of the therapeutic compounds can bedetermined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 500/0 of the population) andthe ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population).

The doseratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50.

Compounds which exhibit high therapeutic24CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945indices are preferred.

While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects. The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies can be used informulating a range of dosage for use in humans.

The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity.

The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized.

For any compoundused in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can beestimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture.

Such information can be used to moreaccurately determine useful doses in humans.

Levels in plasma may be measured, forexample, by high performance liquid chromatography.EXAMPLESThe invention is further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.Example 1. MDR1/P-gp is overexpressed in the epithelial layer of sinus mucosa in subjects having chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis relative to control subjects and non-diseased adjacent intranasal subsites.While the expression of P-gp has been studied in the lower airway, very littleis known with respect to its presence in the upper airway or its relationship to chronic sin onasal inflammation.

Furthermore, there is no report on the expression of P-gp across disease states or between sinus and adjacent intranasal subsites.

Therefore, the pattern and degree of epithelial P-gp expression was examined in three subjectgroups: the control subjects; the subjects having chronic sinusitis (CRS) without nasalpolyposis; and the subjects having chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).01/Y0-100Control subjects were defined as subjects free of rhinosinusitis.

Subjects were defined as having CRS with or without NP using the established consensus diagnostic criteria (Rosenfeld et al., Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Sep; 137(3 Suppl):S1-31).

Exclusion criteria included the following: use of steroids or immunotherapywithin the preceding 4 weeks, Aspirin. sensitivity (ASA triad), ciliary dysfunction,autoimmune disease, cystic fibrosis or any known immunodeficiency.

Tissues were collected from the septum, inferior turbinate, and paranasal sinuses (or polyp in CASwNP) in each subjectFollowing mucosal sampling, the tissues were immediately snap frozen into OCT.

Four samples per subsite were sectioned at 10p.m and preserved in 4 Cacetone.

Following blocking, the primary antibody (monoclonal anti-P-gp clone F4, 1:250, Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO) was applied for 24h at 4 C.

The tissue was then rinsed followed by application of the secondary antibody (Anti-Mouse IgG (Fc specific) F(ab')2 fragment-FITC, 1:160, Sigma Aldrich, St.

Louis, MO) for 30minutes at room temperature.

Slides were then rinsed and mounted in Vectashieldcontaining propidium iodide (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) for nuclear countcrstaining.

Negative control slides were considered those in which the primary antibody was omitted from the staining procedure.Quantitative fluorescent immunohistochemistry (Q-FIHC) for membranous P-gp expression was performed using previously described techniques (Kirkeby et al., JImmunol.

Methods. 2005 Jun; 301(1-2):102-13).

Briefly, standardized image capture was performed with an upright epifluoreseent microscope (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) using the FITC filter following a standard 1000ms exposure.

Imaging sites were chosen based on morphology using the nuclear stain to eliminate the Potential for bias.

Images were then exported in tagged image file format (TIFF) into agraphics editing program (Adobe Photoshop v8.0, San Jose, California).

Images were cropped to exclude all non-tissue bearing regions.

The lasso tool was used to partition the image into epithelial and stromal regions.

The partitioning accuracy was verified using matched propidium iodide nuclear stained images.

Following partitioning, themagic wand tool (tolerance 30) was used to select pixels exceeding the luminositytolerance threshold in each compartment.

Fluorescence in a relatively acellular region of the stromal compartment was considered non-specific background staining and26CA 2928035 2020-03-20CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945used as an internal control for each slide.

An average luminosity score reflecting the epithelial and stromal compartments was generated and an epithelial/stromal luminosity ratio was recorded for each slide.For statistical analysis, the sample size of four subjects per subgroup wasdetermined by a power analysis assuming a 143 of 80% and a significance level ofp<0.05.

Staining ratios of 1 or less were considered negligible expression above background.

The significance of differences between P-gp expression ratios was determined using a 2 tailed Student's t-test (SigmaStat v3.1, Systat Software Inc, San Jose, CA). Among the sinus mucosal specimens, P-gp expression in the CRSwNP group(n =4, 1.570+1-0.354) was significantly greater than both the CRS group (n=4, 1.224+1-0.248) and the control group (n=4, 0.762+1-0.128) (p<0.001, p.002; respectively) (FIG 1, 2). P-gp expression in the CRS group was significantly greater than the control group (p4:1.002) (FIG. 1, 2).

Among the negative control slides, therewas no difference between the staining ratios of the CRSwNP, CRS, or controlsamples (0.889+1-0.125, 0.982+1-0.030, and 0.929+1-0.137, n=4, respectively).

Among the septal mucosal samples, there was no significant difference between CRSwNP (n=4, 0.914+/-0.264), CRS (n=4, 1.126+1-0.476), or control (0.966-F/-0.327) tissues (FIG 1).

Among the inferior turbinate mucosal samples, there was no significant difference between CRSwNP (n=4, 1.047+1-0.157), CRS (n=4,1.099+/-0.362), or control tissues (n=4, 0.824+/-0.181).When examined under high magnification, P-gp staining in the CRSwNP and CRS samples was localized to both the apical and basolateral aspects of the epithelial cell membranes (FIG 3). These results show that membrane-bound P-gp protein expression wasupregulated in the sinus epithelial cells in the subjects having CRSwNP or CRS relative to the control subjects.

Within the same subjects, expression in adjacent non-diseased subsites was not similarly significantly elevated.

Thus P-gp may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of rhinosinusitis.27CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Example 2.

Membranous P-glycoprotein is expressed in the primary nasal epithelial cellsThe primary nasal epithelial cell cultures (PNECCs) were generated from the sinus mucosal biopsies from five subjects who are free of rhinosinusitis andundergoing surgery for either cerebrospinal fluid leak repair or tumor removal.Exclusion criteria included the following: diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, use of oral steroids or immunotherapy within the preceding 4 weeks, aspirin sensitivity, ciliary dysfunction, autoimmune disease, cystic fibrosis, or any known immunodeficiency.

All tissues were derived from schneiderian mucosa within the middle meatus. Mucosal biopsies were washed and digested in Pronase for 90 minutes at37 C.

Cell suspensions were separated from particulate matter by centrifugation and resuspended in basal epithelial growth medium (BEGM) (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland).

Cells were plated for 2 hours on standard tissue culture plates to removecontaminating fibroblasts.

Cells were then expanded for 3-5 days on collagen coated 75CM2 dishes (Coming Life Sciences, Corning, NY).

Once confluent, the Fl ECCswerc trypsinized and re-seeded evenly on human collagen type IV-coated 6-well tissue culture plates.

Cultures were grown to 80% confluence in BEGM prior to testing. PNECC cells intended for immunohistochemistry were grown on tissue culture treated coverslips placed within the wells. PNECC cells were exposed to 23 hours of stimulation with lipopolysaccharide(LPS, 0.05mg/mL), which is a toll-like receptor 4 agonist and capable of eliciting a strong immune responses.

Control cells were considered those exposed to culture medium alone (BEGM). A 0.4 % trypan blue (Sigma, St.

Louis, MO) cell survival assay was used to ensure the stimulant exposures were not cytotoxic.

In all wells, lessthan 20% of cells were stained blue indicating greater than 80% survival of the cells.Following the LPS exposures, the media was removed from each well.Q-FIHC for membranous P-gp expression was performed using previously described techniques (Kirkeby et al., 2005).

Briefly, PNECC cells were fixed in 4 C acetone.

Following blocking, the primary antibody (monoclonal anti-P-gp clone F4,1:250, Sigma Aldrich, St.

Louis, MO) was applied for 24h at 4 C.

The cells werethen rinsed followed by application of the secondary antibody (Anti-Mouse IgG (Fc specific) F(ab')2 fragment-FITC, 1:160, Sigma Aldrich, St.

Louis, MO) for 30min at28CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945room temperature.

The coverslips were then rinsed and mounted in Vectashield containing propidium iodide (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) for nuclear countcrstaining.

Negative control slides were considered those in which the primary antibody was omitted from the staining procedure.

The mean corrected luminositywas considered the staining intensity (calculated using Image J v1.45s) divided by thetotal number of pixels subtended by the cells.For statistical analysis, the sample size of five subjects was determined by a power analysis assuming a 143 of 80% and a significance level of p<0.05.

Thesignificance of differences in membranous P-gp expression was determined using 2to tailed Student's t-tests with post-hoc testing using the Bonferroni procedure(SigmaStat v4, Systat Software Inc, San Jose, CA).Membranous P-gp was detected by Q-FIHC in submerged PNECCs grown in culture media alone (BEGM) with a mean corrected luminosity of 1.27 (95%CI 0.41 to 2.13).

Exposure of PNECCs to 23h of LPS resulted in a significant increase in P-gp expression with a mean corrected luminosity of 9.64 (95%CI 4.30 to 14.98, p =0.017) (FIG. 4 and 5).This increase in P-gp expression was confirmed by ELISA following membrane extraction.

Following removal of media from each well, the cytoplasmicand membranous protein fractions were isolated using a two-step extraction assay (DualXtract, Bulldog Bio, Inc., Portsmouth, NH).

Membrane bound P-gp wasquantified by subjecting the membranous fraction to ELISA (USCN Life Sciences Inc., Wuhan, P.R.

China) and normalized to the cytoplasmic protein concentration.

Normalized membranous P-gp was significantly greater in LPS-exposed PNECCs than in control cells (mean, 95%CI; 19.63, 11.62 to 27.64 vs. 4.42, 2.88 to 5.97, respectively, p=0.016) (FIG. 6).The immunohistochemical and ELISA data show that P-gp was both present and functional within PNECC.

The primary antibody used in our Q-FIHC study is specific to an extracellular loop of the P-gp protein providing further confirmation that our data reflects the activity of the membrane bound P-gp as opposed to thecytoplasmic fraction which does not participate in substrate transport out of the cell.In some wells, a specific P-gp inhibitor (PSC 833 8micM, Tocris Bioscience, Bristol, UK) was applied to the cells 1 hour prior to LPS stimulation.

Following the29CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945LPS and PSC 833 treatment, the media was removed from each well, and ELISA was performed to quantify membrane bound P-gp. LPS stimulated membranous P-gp did not change significantly when an 8micM PSC 833 solution was added as compared to LPS alone (70.40, 22.77 to 118.04; p=0.115) (FIG. 6). Example 3. P-glycoprotein is responsive to selective inhibition in vitroThe primary nasal epithelial cell cultures (PNECCs) were generated as previously described in Example 2.

Specific P-gp inhibitors (PSC 833 8micM or 80micM, Tocris Bioscience, Bristol, UK; and verapamil 10micM or 100micM,Sigma, St.

Louis, MO) were added to the culture medium for 21 hours.

Verapamil isa first-generation P-gp inhibitor. PSC 833 is a "second-generation" P-gp specific inhibitor that lacks immunosuppressive activity. PSC 833 is thought to impair both the ATPase activity as well as the transport function of P-gp as a high affmity competitive substrate (Morjani et al., Methods Mol.

Biol. 2010; 596:433-46). Rhodamine 123 accumulation assay was then performed.

Rhodamine 123(500micM, Sigma, St.

Louis, MO), a P-gp specific substrate, was then added to each well for 2 hours.

The rhodamine 123 was then removed and the P-gp inhibitor alone was added back to the wells for 1 hour.

The media was then removed and the cells were lysed using Cell Lytle M (Sigma, St.

Louis, MO).

The total intracellularrhodamine 123 concentration in each well was determined by spectrophotometry(excitation 510nm, emission 534nm) and normalized to the total cytoplasmic protein using a Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA).

Retention of intracellular rhodamine 123 over baseline was considered proportional to degree of P-gp inhibition. The Rhodamine 123 accumulation assay shows that selective inhibition of P-gp led to a significant increase in intracellular rhodamine 123 over baseline in a dose-dependent fashion.

Exposure to an 8micM solution of PSC 833 resulted in a mean 118.12+/- 12.16% increase in accumulated P-gp while an 80micM demonstrated a significant mean increase of 439.46 +1- 117.59% (p.015) (FIG. 7). A similar dose-accumulation was seen using a 10micM and 100micM verapamil solution(mean+/-SD, 185.33 +/- 6.59% vs. 328.27 +1- 66.98%, respectively, p3.014) (FIG. 7).CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945The accumulation assay results show that the low dose PSC 833 utilized in this study was sufficient to inhibit P-gp mediated transport as evidenced by increased retention of intracellular rhodamine 123 over baseline.

While the dose response seen suggests that P-gp is not fully inhibited at 8rnicM of PSC 833, the lower dose wasutilized in the following cytokine secretion experiments to prevent the possibility ofcytotoxicity.Example 4. P-glycoprotein participates in regulation of stimulated epithelial cytoldne secretion in vitro The primary nasal epithelial cell cultures (PNECCs) were generated aspreviously described in Example 2.

Cells were exposed to 23 hours of stimulation with LPS (0.05mg/mL) with or without concomitant P-gp inhibition by PSC 833(8micM), which was applied to cells 1 hour prior to LPS treatment.

Control wells were considered those exposed to culture medium alone (BEGM). A 0.4% trypanblue (Sigma, St.

Louis, MO) cell survival assay was used to ensure the stimulant andinhibitor exposures were not cytotoxic.

In all wells less than 20% of cells were stained blue indicating greater than 80% survival.

Following the LPS and PSC 833 exposures, the media was removed from each well.

Cytokine concentrations for IL-6, 11,8, GM-CSF, and TST,P in each well were determined by ELTSA according to themanufacturer guidelines (eBioscience, San Diego, CA).

Cytokine concentrationswere normalized to total media protein concentrations using a Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit.With respect to normalized IL-6, PNECCs demonstrated a detectable baselinesecretion that was non-significantly upreg,ulated following LPS stimulation (mean,95%CI; 57.95, 30.58 to 85.37 vs. 79.67, 42.26 to 117.07, respectively, pA.082).Stimulated IL-6 secretion was significantly decreased following P-gp inhibition (mean 37.60, 95%CI 11.54 to 63.65, p).023) (FIG. 8).With respect to normalized GM-CSF, PNECCs demonstrated a detectable baseline secretion that was significantly upregulated following LPS stimulation(mean, 95%CI; 4,45, -0,88 to 9.77 vs, 39.92, 7.90 to 71.94, respectively, p=0,049).Stimulated GM-CSF secretion was significantly decreased following P-gp inhibition (mean 7.64, 95%CI 2.25 to 13.03, p=0.044) (FIG. 9).31CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945With respect to normalized TSLP, PNECCs demonstrated a detectable baseline secretion that was non-significantly upregulated following LPS stimulation (mean, 95%Cl; 7.27, 6.23 to 8.30 vs. 6.65, 5.35 to 7.96, respectively, p41.274).

Stimulated TSLP secretion was significantly decreased following P-gp inhibition (mean 5.13, 95%CI 4.44 to 5.82, p=0.038) (FIG. 10).With respect to normalized IL-8, PNECCs demonstrated a detectable baseline secretion that was significantly upregulated following LPS stimulation (mean, 95%CI; 263.81, 157.22 to 370.40 vs. 912.91, 466.89 1358.92, respectively, p=0.018).

Stimulated IL-8 secretion demonstrated a trend towards reduction following P-gpinhibition although this was not significant (mean 801.09, 95%CI 596.88 to 1005.30,p=0.313) (FIG. 11).Among the cytokines sensitive to PSC 833 exposure, the LPS stimulated secretion following P-gp inhibition was equivalent to or significantly less than baseline levels (IL-6, p=0.014; GM-CSF, p.001; TSLP, pq).008). The cytokine assays demonstrated that inhibition of P-gp resulted in asignificant reduction in LPS stimulated IL-6, GM-CSF, and TSLP secretion.

The lack of significant inhibition of IL-8 suggests that P-gp mediated immunomodulation is selective and does not apply to all secreted cytokines.

The stable P-gp expression in LPS stimulated cells exposed to PSC 833 as compared to LPS alone suggests that thereduction effect cannot be attributed to a down-regulation in epithelial P-gp.

Therhodamine 123 accumulation assay confirms that PSC 833 is mediating its effect through P-gp specific inhibition.As demonstrated herein, P-glycoprotein is overexpressed in sinonasal inflammation.

In addition, P-gp functions as an immunomodulator through regulationof epithelial cytoldne secretion. P-gp therefore contributes to the etiopathogenesis ofsinonasal inflammation.Example 5. P-glycoprotein inhibition in epithelial cells results in increasedintracellular steroid retention and potentiates the anti-inflammatory effect of steroidPrimary sinonasal epithelial cells were obtained from three patients havingchronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, who were treated with steroid32CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945dexamethasone.

These cultured primary sinonasal epithelial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of the P-gp inhibitor PSC 833.

Treatment with PSC 833 resulted in increased intracellular dcxamethasone retention relative to the cells treated with dexamethasone alone in all three patients (Fig. 12).

The mean increase in the normalized dexamethasone retention wasstatistically significant by t-test (Fig. 12).

Several steroids are known substrates of P-glycoprotein; a reduction in P-gp-mediated efflux results in increased retention of steroid, which may potentiate or sensitize the cells to the therapeutic effects of steroid.The steroid retention effect was confirmed in nasal polyp explants(n=12/group) treated with two different corticosteroid (dexamethasone or prednisone)and two independent P-gp inhibitors (Verapamil or Zosuquidar).

Figure 13 illustrates the normalized intracellular corticosteroid concentration of nasal polyp explants after exposure to either dexamethasone (0.05mg/mL) or prednisone (0.05mg/mT ) in the presence of media alone or the P-gp inhibitor Verapamil (12.54M) or Zosuquidar(0.31 M). A statistically significant increase in intracellular prednisone retention wasobserved in the nasal polyp explants after exposure to either Verapamil or Zosuquidar (Fig. 13A). A statistically significant increase in intracellular dexamethasoneretention was observed after Verapamil exposure (Fig. 13B), A similar trend of increase in intracellular dexamethasone retention was seen after Zosuquidar exposure (Fig. 13B).The ability of nasal polyp explants to retain steroid after a 30-minute incubation in dexamethasone (0.05mg/mL, n-i) was examined.

Following incubation, polyp explants were placed either in media alone or in media containing the P-gp inhibitor PSC 833 (8 M) and the amount of steroid released by the explantsinto the surrounding media was measured. A statistically significant decrease insteroid release was observed in explants exposed to PSC 833, relative to explants exposed to media alone (Fig. 14).

These data indicate that blocking P-gp pump action prevents dexamethasone from being cleared by the cells and thereby enhances its therapeutic efficacy.The increase in intracellular corticosteroid concentration potentiates its anti-inflammatory effect.

Primary sinonasal epithelial cell culture was derived from patients with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and stimulated with LPS,33CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945a component of gram negative bacterial cell walls.

Figure 15 shows that the control cells that were not stimulated with LPS had very low baseline level of GM-CSF secretion, LPS (0.0125mg/m1) treatment increased GM-CSF secretion.

Treatment with P-gp inhibitor PSC833 (8 M) and dexamethasone (0.1mg/mL) reduced GM- CSF secretion in cells stimulated with LPS when compared to dexamethasonetreatment alone (Fig. 14).Example 6. P-glycoprotein Promotes Epithelial Th2 Associated Cytokine Secretion in Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is characterized by thepresence edematous polypoid mucosa and eosinophilic inflammation (Chin D, Harvey RJ., (,urr.

Opin.

Otolaryngol.

Head Neck Surg. 21: 23-30, 2013).

While multiple etiologic hypotheses have been explored, recent evidence has focused on the sinonasal epithelial cell as a primary driver of the local dysregulated immune response throughsecretion of T-helper (Th)2 promoting cytokines (Sachse F, Becker K, von Eiff C,Allergy 65:1430-7, 2010; Damm M, Quante G, Rosenbohm J, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 134:245-9, 2006).

Although a role of P-gp in the ctiopathogensis of CRSwNP has been suggested, its specific capability of modulating Th2 associated cytokines in nasal polyps has not been explored. The sinonasal epithelium functions as a barrier organ against the externalenvironment and is endowed with an array of innate and adaptive immunologic mechanisms to combat extrinsic pathogens (Lane AP, Truong-Tran QA, Schleimer RP.

Am J Rhinol. 20:138-44, 2006; Bachert C, Gevaert P, van Cauwenberge P., Allergy 57:480-7, 2002).

While these local exposures may lead to mucosalinflammation, among patients with nasal polyps, the persistence of eosinophilicdisease in the face of antimicrobial therapy suggests an alternate mechanism.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the epithelial cell is capable of independently promoting Th2 inflammation in CRSwNP (Van Crombruggen K, Zhang N, Gevaert P, et al., J Allergy Clin In munol 128:728-32, 2011).

Olze et al. demonstrated that theeosinophil chemoattractants, Eotaxins 1, 2, and 3, are upregulated in nasal polyptissue (Olze H, Forster U, Zuberbier T, Rhinology 44:145-50, 2006).

Subsequent in vitro studies have localized eotaxin to epithelial cells and have demonstrated that both34CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945eotaxin 3 and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase), another pro-Th2 mediator, are upregulated in response to exposure to chitin (Lalaker A, Nkrumah L, Lee WK, et al.

Am J Rhinol Allergy 23:8-14, 2009).

Exposure to Staphylococcus aureus has also been shown to induce IL-6 production in nasal polyp derived epithelial cells.

This ispostulated to promote Th2 activity by counteracting IL-10 induced regulatory T-cellsuppression (Sachse F, Becker K, von Eiff C, Allergy 65:1430-7, 2010; Damm M, Quante G, Rosenbohm J, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 134:245-9, 2006).While these studies suggest that epithelial cells are capable of orchestrating a local immune response, the post-translational mechanisms governing cytokinesecretion are less understood.

The classic or canonical pathway involves cytosolictrans location of cytokine precursors to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) under the direction of a signal peptide.

Non-canonical pathways have also been described which may confer greater selective control over cytokine release into the tissue microenvironment (Nickel W., Eur. J Biochem. 270:2109-19, 2003). P-gp mediated cytokine regulation represents an established non-canonicalpathway which has been reported in a variety of tissues including, T-cells (Kooij 6, Backer R, Koning JJ, PLoS One 4:e8212, 2009), Schwann cells (Marty V.

Medina C, Combe C, Glia 49:511-9, 2005), and the HCT16 and HCT116 colon carcinoma cell lines (Stein U, Walther W, Shoemaker RH., Br J Cancer 74:1384-91, 1996).

The.. previous examples demonstrate that a significant reduction in several Th2-associatedcytokines following selective P-gp inhibition in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated epithelial cultures derived from healthy mucosa; and that the epithelial P-gp was overexpressed in nasal polyps relative to control tissue.

Taken together, these findings suggest a potential role for P-gp in the etiopathogenesis of CRSwNP.

Thecapability of P-gp in modulating epithelial derived Th2 associated cytokine secretionin nasal polyps was therefore explored.Sinus mucosa] biopsies were procured from subjects who met the 2012EPOS16 criteria for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps.

Exclusion criteria included the following: use of topical/oral steroids or immunotherapy within the preceding 4weeks, aspirin sensitivity, ciliary dysfunction, autoimmune disease, cystic fibrosis, orany known immunodeficiency.CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Immediately following harvest of nasal polyp and septal mucosal samples in 4 patients, tissue explants were cut into 3x3mm cubes and incubated for 30min at 37 C in basal epithelial growth medium (BEGM) (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland) with or without 804 of the P-gp inhibitor PSC 833 (Tocris Bioscience, Bristol, UK).

Calcein Acetoxymethylester (AM) 2.5 M (BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ), a P-gpspecific substrate, was then added to each sample and incubated for an additional 15min at 37 C.

All tissue was then snap frozen, sectioned, and imaged using excitation and emission filters of 467-498nm and 513-556nm, respectively for 500ms.

The epithelial and background luminosity was calculated using Image J (v1 .45s).

Acorrected epithelial luminosity was calculated by dividing the epithelial andbackground values to normalize any variability in sample preparation or image capture.Human sinonasal nasal epithelial cell cultures (HSNECCs) from five patients were grown from nasal polyps as previously described.

Briefly, polyp samples were washed and digested in Pronase for 90 minutes at 37 C.

Cell suspensions wereseparated from particulate matter by centrifugation and resuspended in BEGM.

Cells were plated for 2 hours on standard tissue culture plates to remove contaminating fibroblasts.

Cells were then expanded for 3-5 days on collagen coated 75cm2 dishes (Coming Life Sciences, Coming, NY).

Once confluent, the 1-1SNECCs weretrypsinized and re-seeded evenly on human collagen type 1V-coated 6-well and 96-well tissue culture plates. 6-well cultures were grown to 80% confluence in BEGM prior to cytolcine and protein analysis. 96-well plates intended for the dose dependent inhibition assay were grown to 100% confluence.

Cells intended for immunohistochemistry were grown on tissue culture treated coverslips, Membrane-bound P-glycoprotein in HSNECCs was quantified as follows.After removal of media from each well, the cytoplasmic and membranous protein fractions were isolated using a two-step extraction assay (DualXtract, Bulldog Bio, Inc., Portsmouth, NH).

Membrane-bound P-gp was quantified by subjecting the membranous fraction to EL1SA (USCN Life Sciences Inc., Wuhan, .P.R.

China) andnormalized to the total cytoplasmic protein concentration using a Pierce BCA ProteinAssay Kit (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA).36CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Fluorescent immunohistochemistry (FIHC) for membranous P-gp expression was performed as described above.

Briefly cells were fixed in 4 C acetone.Following blocking, the primary antibody (monoclonal anti-P-glycoprotein clone F4, 1:250, Sigma Aldrich, St.

Louis, MO) was applied for 24h at 4 C.

The tissue was then rinsed followed by application of the secondary antibody (Anti-Mouse IgG (Fespecific) F(ab')2 fragment-FITC, 1:160, Sigma Aldrich, St.

Louis, MO) for 30 minutes at room temperature.

The coverslips were then rinsed and mounted in Vectashield containing propidium iodide (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) for nuclear counterstaining.

Negative control slides were considered those in which theprimal), antibody was omitted from the staining procedure.PSC 833 dose-dependent inhibition assay was performed as follows. PSC 833 was added to confluent HSNECC cultures in a 96-well plate at concentrations ranging from 0-1.25 M.

Following incubation for 30 minutes at 37 C, 2.5 M of calcein AM was added for an additional 15 minutes.

Cells were then washed with cold PBS and the total intracellular calcein concentration in each well was determined byfluorescent spectrophotometry (excitation 494nm, emission 517nm).

Retention of intracellular calcein relative to the uninhibited control wells was considered proportional to P-gp inhibition.The sample size was determined by a power analysis assuming a 1-13 of 80%and a significance level of p<0.05.

The significance of differences between P-gpactivity in mucosal explants, normalized cytokine secretion, and membranous P-gp expression were determined using a non-parametric, two-tailed, Mann¨Whitney U test.

The correlation between LPS stimulated cytokine secretion and membranous P-gp expression was determined using a Pearson product-moment correlationcoefficient.

The differences P-gp inhibition using PSC 833 were determined using aone tailed Mann¨Whitney U test.Following incubation of both nasal polyp and septal explants (n=4, each) in media containing calcein AM (2.5 M), no significant difference in intraepithelialcalcein retention as measured by epithelial corrected luminosity was found between sites (mean+/-SD; 2.55+/-0.62 vs. 2.32+1-0.86; respectively; p=NS).

Among theseptal explants, no significant change in calcein retention was seen following P-gp inhibition with 81.tM PSC 833 (2.22+1-0.92).

Among the nasal polyps explants, P-gp37CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945inhibition resulted in a significant increase in intraepithelial calcein retention as compared to the uninhibited samples (5.17+/-1.76; p<0.05) (Figure 16).

Thus epithelial P-gp is hyperfunctional in nasal polyps as compared to adjacent non-polypoid mucosa. These findings demonstrated a rise in intraepithelial calcein in polyp ascompared to septal explants following inhibition with a P-gp specific inhibitor PSC 833.

This suggests that P-gp activity in polyps is focally increased relative to adjacent healthy mucosa (Morjani H, Madoulet C.

Methods Mol Biol 596:433-46, 2010; Iqbal M, Gibb W, Matthews SG.

Endocrinology 152:1067-79, 2011).

Example 1 showed that the presence of membranous P-gp overexpression in CRSwNP as compared tonon-diseased subsites.

This assay therefore provides supporting evidence suggesting that this overexpression is also associated increased pump activity in nasal polyps. P-gp was detected in the membrane extract of all CRSwNP HSNECCs by ELISA (n=5).

The mean normalized concentration in cells exposed to LPS0.05mWmL (22.23+/-10.22) was significantly greater than in cells exposed to mediaalone (5.91+/-3.15, p<0.05).

The presence of membranous P-gp expression was confirmed by FIHC using a primary antibody targeted to the extracellular loop of P-gp (Figure 17).Calcein fluorescence in confluent HSNECCs (n=5) increased in a dose-dependent manner following exposure to successively higher concentrations of PSC833 (Figure 18).

The percent fluorescence relative to uninhibited control wells at 1.25uM PSC 833 (134.32+/-43.78) was significantly greater than at 0.3104 (89.07+/-28.56; p=0.04) but not at 0.63 M (102.58+/-44.32; p=NS) (Figure 18).For P-gp mediated eytokine secretion testing, HSNECC cells were exposed to0.05mWmL LPS stimulation for 23 hours with or without concomitant P-gp inhibitionusing PSC 833 (8 M), which was applied one hour prior to LPS stimulation.

Control wells were considered those exposed to culture medium alone (BEGM). A 0.4% trypan blue (Sigma, St.

Louis, MO) cell survival assay was used to ensure thestimulant and inhibitor exposures were not cytotoxic.

In all wells less than 20% ofcells were stained blue indicating greater than 80% survival.

Following the LPS andPSC 833 exposures, the media was removed from each well.

Cytokine concentrations for GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, and I1-25 in each well were determined by ELISA38CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCTMS2013/077945according to the manufacturer guidelines (GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8 eBioscience, San Diego, CA; 1L-25 Assay Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA).

Cytokineconcentrations were normalized to total media protein concentrations using a Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit. The basal secretion of GM-CSF (pcg/mL) normalized to total media protein(mcg/tnL) was 4.331-1-1.12.

Exposure to LPS 0.05mg/mL resulted in a significant increase in secretion (45.21+1-41.39; p<0.01) which was significantly inhibited by the addition of PSC 833 81Ø4 (8.47+7-3.28; p<0.01).

The concentration of LPSstimulated GM-CSF secretion was highly correlated with the degree of membranousio P-gp expression (I-0.824, p<0.05) (Figure 19).The basal secretion of IL-6 (pcg/mL) normalized to total media protein (mcg/tnL) was 71.15+/-44.93.

Exposure to LPS 0.05mg/mL did not significantly alter IL-6 secretion (63.16+1-36.37, p=NS).

The addition of PSC 833 81..tM significantly inhibited LPS stimulated IL-6 secretion (39.94+/-31.07; p<0.05).

The concentration of LPS stimulated IL-6 secretion was highly correlated with the degree ofmembranous P-gp expression (r41.833, p<0.05) (Figure 19).The basal secretion of IL-8 (pcg/mL) normalized to total media protein (mcg/mL) was 316.47+7-174.42.

Exposure to LPS 0.05mg/mL resulted in asignificant increase in secretion (1041.17 1-550.52; p<0 OS).

No inhibition of TL-8secretion was seen following the addition of PSC 833 8 M (1608.41+7-471.94).

Theconcentration of LPS stimulated IL-8 secretion did not correlate with the degree of membranous P-gp expression (r=-0.011, p=NS) (Figure 20).The basal secretion of IL-25 (pcg/mL) normalized to total media protein (mcg/mL) was 0.031+7-0.019.

Exposure to LPS 0.05mg/mL resulted in a significantincrease in secretion (0.075+/-0.039; p<0.05).

No inhibition of 1L-25 secretion wasseen following the addition of PSC 833 8p.M (0.073+7-0.038; p=NS).

Theconcentration of LPS-stimulated IL-25 secretion did not correlate with the degree of membranous P-gp expression (r41.008, p=NS) (Figure 20).The majority of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps is associated witheosinophilic infiltration and a predominantly Th2 cytokine profile (Mjosberg JM,Trifari S, Crellin NK, Nat.

Immunol. 12:1055-62, 2011).

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the respiratory epithelial cell is capable of elaborating a variety of39CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCTMS2013/077945cytokines such as 1L-6, IL-25, IL-33, TSLP, and GM-CSF which can not only activate Th2 cells (Peters AT, Kato A, Zhang N, J Allergy Clin Immunol 125:397-403, 2010; Reh DD, Wang Y, Ramanathan M Jr, Am J Rhinol Allergy 24:105-9, 2010;Wisniewski JA, Borish L.

Allergy Asthma Proc 32:83-94, 2011), but may alsostimulate the recently described type 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC) to produce T-cellindependent Th2 polarizing cytokines (Mjosberg JM, Trifari S, Crellin NK, Nat.

Immunol. 12:1055-62, 2011).

Despite these findings, a complete understanding of the mechanisms responsible for maintaining the chronic inflammation seen in CRSwNP remains elusive.

Non-canonical regulation of epithelial cytokine secretion via P-gp may represent one such mechanism.Primary sinonasal epithelial cell culture model derived from nasal polyps was utilized to further explore the immunomodulatory role of P-gp.

The FIHC and ELISA findings confirmed that membranous P-gp expression both persisted in vitro and was subject to active regulation following TLR4 stimulation with LPS.

The in vitro P-gpinhibition assay also confirmed that P-gp remained sensitive to PSC 833 in a dosedependent manner and was subject to inhibition at concentrations well below those utilized in the cytokine secretory studies.

These results validate the use of the HSNECC model in examining P-gp functionality and suggest that any changes seen in cytokine release following PSC 833 exposure may be directly attributable toimpairment of P-gp pump activity.The findings that IL-6 and GM-CSF secretion are reduced following inhibition with PSC 833 suggest that their release into the local polyp microenvironment is subject to P-gp mediated regulation.

This is further supported by the correlation between P-gp expression and secretion among these cytokines.

Interestingly, this effect seems to be cytokine specific as both IL-8 and IL-25 release occurredindependently of P-gp inhibition or expression.The presence of an in vitro correlation between P-gp expression and cytokine secretion coupled with the in vivo findings of P-gp overexpression and hyperactivity in nasal polyps suggests that P-gp may play a central role in promoting andmaintaining chronic inflammation in CRSwNP.

This is further supported by the factthat both IL-6 and GM-CSF are associated with Th2 inflammation, a key feature of CRSwNP. 11-6 has previously been reported to be elevated in CRSwNP, is known toCA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945activate Th17 cells, and may contribute to the insufficiency of regulatory T-cells in nasal polyps (Peters AT, Kato A, Zhang N, Allergy Clin.

Immunol. 125:397-403, 2010).

Similarly GM-CSF has been shown to be capable of activating cosinophils in CRSwNP leading to enhanced eosinophil chemotaxis and prolonged survival (Shim SH, Lee SH, Jeong HS, Laryngoscope 113:1374-7, 2003).While the pathogenesis of CRSwNP remains elusive, the epithelial cell has gained attention as a primary driver of the Th2 inflammation which characterizes the disease.

These data suggest that P-gp overexpression may promote non-canonical Th2 associated epithelial cytokine secretion in nasal polyps.

These findings provide aframework for maintaining chronic inflammation in CRSwNP and offer a potentialtherapeutic target.

In light of this novel role for P-gp as an upper respiratory tract immunomodulator, future efforts will be directed at elucidating the mechanism of P-gp overexpression in the setting of CRSwNP. Example 7. P-glycoprotein is a Marker of Tissue Eosinophilia andRadiographic Inflammation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Nasal Polyps Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) represents a heterogeneous group of diseaseswith a variety of pathophysiologic mechanisms. A broad division between chronic sinusitis with and without nasal polyps (CRSwNP and CRSsNP, respectively) serves as a widely accepted distinction secondary to phenotypic differences evidentclinically.

The immunologic profiles underlying these disease states suggest that a broader spectrum exists with a predominantly eosinophilic profile subtending not only patients with CRSwNP but a subset of those with CRSsNP as well.

The presence of eosinophilic chronic sinusitis (ECRS) is clinically relevant as these patients share notonly the immunologic profile of those with CRSwNP but also the propensity forgreater symptom severity and worse outcomes.Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis represents a histologic diagnosis consisting of mucosa] eosinophilia evident in biopsy specimens.

While the precise definition of ECRS may be debated, Soler has demonstrated that a cut point of >10 eosinophils perhpf provided the best correlation with patient outcomes (Soler ZM, Sauer D, Mace J,et al.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 142(1):64-71, 2010). ECRS has also been shown in multiple studies to correlate with worse symptoms (Sun DI, Joo YH, Auo al, et al.,41CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 266(7):981-6, 2009; Soler ZM, Sauer DA, Mace J, et al., Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 141(4):454-61, 2009; Lee TJ, Liang CW, Chang PH, et al., Auris Nasus Larynx. 36(6):655-60, 2009), lower airway hyperactivity (Amorim MM, Araruna A, Caetano LB, et al., Clin Exp Allergy. 2010;40(6):867-74; Han DH,Kim SW, Cho SH, et al., Allergy 64(1):118-22, 2009), and poor surgical outcomes(Soler, 2010).

These findings may be understood in the context of a shared T-helper 2 (Th2)- skewed immunologic profile as patients with frank nasal polyps (Taken S.

Hirakawa K, Ishino T.

Allergol Int. 59(3):247-56, 2010). A parsimoniousinterpretation of these findings suggests that ECRSsNP and CRSwNP may reflect different phenotypic manifestations of the same etiologic process.P-gp has been previously demonstrated to participate in non-canonical cytokine secretion in 1-cells (Drach J, Gsur A, Hamilton G, et al., Blood. 88(5):1747-54, 1996).

The overexpression of P-gp in CRSwNP coupled with its ability to promote cytokine secretion suggests that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of theeosinophilic inflammation seen in nasal polyps.

Given the relationship betweenCRSwNP and ECRS, P-gp expression in patients with ECRSsNP was compared to that in patients with CRSsNP.Sinus mucosa] biopsy samples were harvested from the anterior ethmoid sinusof patients having chronic rhinosinusitis.

Exclusion criteria included the following: use of oral steroids or immunotherapy within the preceding 4 weeks, aspirinsensitivity (ASA triad), ciliary dysfunction, autoimmune disease, cystic fibrosis or any known immunodeficiency.

Patient with focal etiologies for sinusitis including mucoceles, odontogenic sources, and fungal balls were similarly excluded from the study. Following mucosal sampling, the tissue was stained as previously described.Briefly, following blocking, the primary antibody (monoclonal anti-p-glycoprotein clone F4, 1:250, Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO) was applied for 24h at 4 C.

The tissue was then rinsed followed by application of the secondary antibody(Anti-Mouse IgG (Fc specific) F(ab')2 fragment-F1TC, 1:160, Sigma Aldrich, St.

Louis, MO) for 30minat room temperature.

Slides were then rinsed and mounted in Vectashield containingpropidium iodide (PI) for nuclear counterstaining.

Negative control slides were42CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945considered those in which the primary antibody was omitted from the staining procedure.Fluorescent staining intensity was quantified using a modification of previously described methods (Bleier BS., Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2(2):122-5, 2012).

Briefly, image capture was performed with an upright epifluorescentmicroscope following a standard 1000ms exposure.

Images were then exported into Image J (vi .45s).

The nuclear stain was used to select both the epithelium and a non-tissue bearing background region generating a staining intensity ratio.

Samples were excluded if the epithelial staining intensity in the negative control slide exceeded thatto of the adjacent stroma.

An epithelial/background staining ratio greater than or equal to3 was defined as high P-gp expression.

This threshold or cut point was derived from pilot data demonstrating P-gp expression ratios of less than 3 in nasal septal mucosa, a region with a previously described low level of basal P-gp epithelial expression.For each patient, a representative hematoxylin and eosin slide generated as.. part of their routine pathologic analysis at surgery was selected.

The number ofeosinophils per five 400x high powered fields (lipf) were recorded by twoindependent and blinded observers as previously described (Soler ZM, Sauer D, Mace J, et al.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 142(1):64-71, 2010).

The values were averaged to generate a mean eosinophil per hpf score for each patient.

Radiographicinflammation was quantified by a single blinded observer using the Lund-Mackaystaging system.P-gp expression ratios, tissue eosinophilia, and radiographic scores between the patient groups were compared with a two tailed Student's t-test using R (v2.15.2, 2012). P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant,Among the 39 patients included in the study, the epithelial/background ratio ofthe high expression group (mean+/-SD, 4.86+/-1.33, n=7 or 17.95%) was significantly greater than that of the low expression group (1.91+1-0.45, n=.32 or 82.05%, p41.001) (Figure 21A).

While there was a relative predominance of females in the high P-gp expression group, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to patient age or race (Table 1).43CA 02928035 2016-04-1.9WO 2014/106021 PCT/US2013/077945TABLE t Patient demographicsfiii)-ifV00.!`$ HOIAT000111iAge (years) 471 187 441 14.8Femata (%) 50 85,7Male .1%) 50 14,3Caucasian (%) 87.5 85,7Minority (%) 12,5 14,3Among the high P-gp expression group, all patients demonstrated greater than eosinophils/hpf with a mean of 62.38 (range 10.0-240.6).

The low P-gp expression group demonstrated a mean of 5.11 eosinophils/hpf (range 0.0-41.4) which was5 significantly lower than that of the high expression group (p-0.0003) (Figure 21B).The mean Lund-Mackay score was significantly greater among the high P-gp expression group than that of the low P-gp expression group (11,86+1-2.79 vs. 6.84+7-4.19; 1.005) (Figure 21C).Figure 22 A and B are fluorescent immunohistochemical images of mucosa10 depicting representative (A) low epithelial P-gp expression and (B) high epithelial P-gp expression.

Figure 22 C and D are matched high powered (400x) H&E stromal images depicting the absence (C) and presence (D) of naucosal eosinophilia (black arrows denote individual eosinophils).

Figure 22 E and F are coronal CT scans demonstrating increased radiographic inflammation in the patient with high P-gp expression (F) relative to the patient with low P-gp expression (E).These data demonstrate that among patients with CRSsNP, P-gpoverexpression predicts tissue eosinophilia.

While the mechanistic relationshipbetween epithelial P-gp and eosinophilic inflammation remains unclear, the common finding of upregulation in both CRSwNP and ECRS lends support to the idea that P-gp may play an etiopathologic role.

Although the clinical utility of Lund-Mackayscore may be debated, one of its strengths is that it provides an objective reflection of the degree of global inflammation present in the patient As with CRSwNP, the intraluminal disease burden seen in patients with FCRS tends to be more severe involving most if not all of the sinuses.

In non-eosinoPhilic patients, disease may be44CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945more isolated to a specific region leading to a lower overall Lund-Mackay score even if the local inflammation is quite severe.

Consequently, we chose to utilize the Lund-Mackay score as an additional surrogate marker of inflammation which served to support our histologic findings.

In summary, eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis shares a similar clinical andhistologic profile with CRSwNP, suggesting the two may represent different manifestations of the same underlying process.

In Examples 1-6, P-gp was shown to be overexpressed in CRSwNP and is capable of modulating epithelial cytokine secretion.

Here the data showed that P-gp is similarly overexpressed in ECRS and is.. associated with radiologic evidence of increased inflammation.

These findings furtherstrengthen the link between ECRS and CRSwNP and suggest the potential for an etiopathologic role for P-gp in both diseases.Example 8.

Osteitis is Associated with P-glycoprotein Overexpression in ..

Patients with Chronic Sinusitis without Nasal Polyps.Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) associated with T-helper cell type 2 (1'h2) inflammation has been increasingly recognized as a distinct phenotype characterized by eosinophilic infiltration.

The immunologic profiles underlying this disease state suggests that eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (ECRS) andchronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) may exist along a spectrum of Th2mediated mucosal inflammation.

These patients tend to manifest more severe symptoms and worse outcomes following medical and surgical management.

Example 7 showed that P-glycoprotein(P-gp) overexpression has been found in both patients with ECRS and CRSwNP and is capable of promoting Th2 associatedcytokine secretion.

Identification of patients with elevated P-gp may therefore beuseful to guide treatments directed toward this novel therapeutic target.

Radiographic osteitis scores have been previously shown to correlate with eosinophilicinflammation and thus may be useful in stratifying patients with P-gp overexpression (Snidvongs K, McLachlan R, Chin D, et al.

Rhinology 2012; 50:299-305; Snidvongs K, McLachlan R, Sacks R, et al, Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2013; 3:369-375),Examples 1-6 showed that P-gp functions as an immunomodulator capable of regulating the efflux of cytokines from its host cell, and suggested that P-gp may playCA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945a role in the pathogenesis of Th2 mediated sinonasal inflammation.

Identification of patients with altered P-gp expression may therefore provide prognostic information as well as offer a novel therapeutic target.Tissue remodeling is a molecular process of formation and resorption leadingto transient or permanent changes in structure of tissue.

In CRS, tissue remodeling isexhibited in both mucosa and bone, characterized by osteitis, mucosal hypertrophy, fibrosis, and thickening of the basement membrane.

Osteitis involves inflammatory changes in the underlying bone that lead to persistence of disease and is increasingly recognized as playing a significant role in recalcitrant CRS (Detwiller KY, Smith TL, Mace JC, et al.

Int Forum Allergy Rhino! 3:364-368, 2013).

Snidvongs et al.demonstrated that both the Kennedy Osteitis (KOS) and Global Osteitis Scores (GOS) were capable of predicting disease severity in eosinophilic inflammation (Snidvongs K, McLachlan R, Sacks R, Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 3:369-375,2013).

Thus, whether these osteitis scores can be used as a non-invasive clinical marker of P-gp overexpression in patients with CRS was examined.Sinus mucosal biopsy samples were procured from 38 patients having CRS. CRS was defmed using the established consensus diagnostic criteria.

Tissue was harvested from the anterior ethmoid sinus of each patient.

Exclusion criteria included the following: The presence of nasal polyposis, use of oral steroids or immunotherapywithin the preceding 4 weeks, aspirin sensitivity (ASA triad), ciliary dysfunction,autoimmune disease, cystic fibrosis, or any known immunodeficiency.

Patient with focal etiologies for sinusitis including mucoceles, odontogenic disease, and fungal balls were similarly excluded from the study.

Demographic data was recorded.Following mucosal sampling, the tissue was stained using quantitative fluorescent immunohistochemistry as previously described.

Briefly, followingblocking, the primary and secondary antibodies were added for 24 h and 30 minutes, respectively followed by the addition of the nuclear counterstain.

Negative control slides were considered those in which the primary antibody was omitted from the staining procedure.

Fluorescent staining intensity was quantified using previouslydescribed methods.

An epithelial/ background staining ratio? 3 was defined as highP-gp expression.

This cut point was derived from prior studies demonstrating a46CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945correlation between staining ratios > 3 and mucosal eosinophilia in the setting of CRS.For patient demographics, among the 38 patients included in study, the epithelial/background ratio of the high expression group (mean SD, 4.86 1.33; n =7; 18.42%) was significantly greater than that of the low expression group (1.93 +0.45; n = 31; 81.57%; p <0.001) (Fig. 23A).

While there was a relative predominance of females in the high P-gp expression group, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to patient age or race.

No patients in the high P-gp expression group had undergone prior surgery while seven (22.6%) patients in the low P-gp expression group were undergoing revision procedures (Table 2).Table 2 Patient DemographicsHigh P-gp expression Low P-gp expressiongroup groupAge (years) 40.43 12.07 48.52 16.43Female (%) 51.61 85.71Male (%) 14.29 48.39Caucasian (%) 85.71 87.10Minority (%) 14.29 12.9Prior surgery (%) 0 22.6Peripheral blood eosinophil counts were available in 25 patients.

Eosinophil concentrations were reported as an auto differential result (normal 0-6%) using aSysmex XS-1000i (Kobe, Japan) instrument, The methodology of the instrument forthe differential is light scatter and fluorescent emission.Serum eosinophilia was defmed as having serum percent eosinophils greaterthan 6 %.

Patients with high P-gp expression had higher median serum eosinophil counts (mean SD, 6.98 2.17) than the low P-gp expression group (2.36 1.38, p &lt;0.001) (Fig. 23B).The Kennedy osteitis score (KOS) is determined by using computed tomography (CT) to diagnose osteitis based on the thickness of bony partitions in themaxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses (Lee JT, Kennedy DW, Palmer JN, Am J47CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Rhino! 20:278-282, 2006).

Thickness of bony partitions were measured and classified into the following categories of osteitis severity: mild (<3 mm); moderate (4-5 mm); and severe (>5 mm).

This was modified to create a summary score so that comparable assessments could be made to the Global osteitis score (GOS) (Georgalas C, VidelerW, Freling N, Clin Otolaryngol 35:455-461, 2010).

All 10 sinuses (right and 16frontal, anterior ethmoid, posterior ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid) were scored as being 0 (<3 mm), 1 (3-5 mm) or 2 (>5 mm) with total scores rang'ng from 0 to 20.

Woven bone with thickened, irregular, heterogeneous lining of the sinus walls were measured rather than normal lamellar/cortical bony wall, The presence of osteitis was also scored by using the Global osteitis score(GOS) system proposed by Georgalas (Georgalas C, Videler W, Freling N, Clin Otolaryngol 35:455-461, 2010) and modified by Snidvongs (Snidvongs K, McLachlan R, Sacks R, Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2013; 3:369-375).

Osteitis was defined as loss of bone definition, hyperostosis, new bone formation, or signalheterogeneity overlying each sinus wall.

Bony walls of the paranasal sinuses werescored ranging from 0 to 4 making the total score of 0 to 40 as previously described (Lee JT, Kennedy DW, Palmer JN, et al.

Am J Rhinol 2006; 20:278-282.).

Al! CT scans were reviewed by a single observer blinded to P-gp expression and serum eosinophil levels. Global and Kennedy Osteitis scores were compared using a pearsoncorrelation coefficient.

Correlation(r) values from 0.7-1 were considered strongly correlated.

Osteitis scores and serum eosinophil concentrations between P-gp expression groups were compared using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test (two-tailed). P values &lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant, Both the GOS and KOS were significantly higher among patients with P-gpoverexpression.

Among patients with high P-gp expression, the GOS and KOS values (mean SD, 15.86 4.91 and 6.29 1.25, respectively) were significantly greater than those in the low P-gp expression group (4.55 4.33 and 2.23 1.71, p &lt;0.o01) (Fig. 24 A, B).

When the two scoring systems were compared to each other, there wasa significant correlation between KOS and GOS values (r = 0.835, p &lt;0.001 ) (Fig.24C).48CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a subtype of recalcitrant CRS characterized by a 1-helper cell type 2 skewing of the local inflammatory milieu.

While the etiology of :ECRS and Th2 inflammation is unclear, multiple studies have pointed to epithelial cell as a key participant in the inflammatory cascade (Ferguson BJ.

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 12:237-242, 2004; Mehta V, CampeauNG, Kita H, et al.

Mayo Clin Proc 83:671-678, 2008).

Examples 1-7 demonstrated that membranous epithelial P-glycoprotein is overexpressed in both CRSwNP and ECRS and is capable of promoting secretion of Th2 associated cytokines.

These findings suggest that P-gp may play an important etiopathologie role. The first large series to report on the association of disease severity andeosinophilia in CRS was published by Newman (Newman LJ, Platts¨Mills TA, Phillips CD, jAMA 271:363-367, 1994).

Multiple subsequent reports consistently demonstrated that eosinophilia is a marker for more extensive disease that is more refractory to surgical cure (Zadeh MH, Banthia V, Anand VK, Am J Rhino' 16:313-317, 2002; Szucs E, Ravandi A, Goossens A, Am J Rhino] 16:131-134, 2002).

Giventhese fmdings, a method of identifying these patients preoperatively would be of considerable value.

Osteitis as measured by the two separate scoring systems was shown to correlate with tissue eosinophilia (Snidvongs K, McLachlan R, Sacks R, Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 3:369-375, 2013).

This study was designed to determine whether osteitis could similarly predict P-gp overexpression.Figure 24C confirmed that KOS and GOS are highly correlated and thus both represent an acceptable method of quantifying osteitis.

More importantly, Figure 24A and 24B showed that a greater osteitis burden is associated with P-gp overexpression among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps.

Figure 23 showedthat patients with high P-gp expression also had higher median serum eosinophilcounts than the low expression group suggesting that Th2 skewed inflammation may be implicated as a common link of this relationship.A potential confounding factor in quantitating bony remodeling is that osteitisis likely multifactorial and previous studies have suggested that surgery itself mayplay a role in increasing the incidence of osteitis (Georgalas C.

Curr Opin OtolaryngolHead Neck Surg 21:45-49, 2013; Cho SH, Shin KS, Lee YS, Am J Rhinol 22:537-541, 2008; Georgalas C, Videler W, Freling N, Clin Otolaryngol 35:455-461, 2010).49CA 02929035 2016-04-19WO 2014/106021 PCT1US2013/077945However, all patients in the high P-gp expression group were undergoing primary surgery and thus, at least in this population, surgery can be excluded as a source of osteitic remodeling.In summary, P-glyc,oprotein overexpression in Th2 inflammation represents a recently described phenomenon which may play an important role in theetiopathogenesis of eosinophilic CRS. A method of predicting this patient population based on objective clinical criteria may be of value to help to stratify patients for the purposes of tailoring medical and surgical therapy as well as providing counseling on expectations following treatment.

The data demonstrated that increased osteitisburden among unoperated patients is associated with higher P-gp expression.

Thepresence of greater serum eosinophilia in the high P-gp expression group suggest that Th2 inflammation may play a role and further studies elaborating the mechanism by which P-gp overexpression and osteitis are associated are warranted. OTHER EMBODIMENTSIt is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope ofthe appended claims.

Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.