MODULATORS OF EPHA2 AND EPHRINA1 FOR THE TREATMENT OF FIBROSIS-RELATED DISEASE

The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, prevention and/or amelioration of non-neoplastic hyperproliferative epithelial and/or endothelial cell disorders, including but not limited to disorders associated with increased deposition of extracellular matrix components (e.g., collagen, proteoglycans, tenascin and fibronectin) and/or aberrant angiogenesis. Non-limiting examples of such disorders include cirrhosis, fibrosis (e.g., fibrosis of the liver, kidney, lungs, heart, retina and other viscera), asthma, ischemia, atherosclerosis, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, vascular restenosis, macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, infantile hemangioma, verruca vulgaris, Kaposi's sarcoma, neurofibromatosis, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus, Reiter's syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, endometriosis, preeclampsia, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, psoriatic arthropathy and psoriasis. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more agents that are modulators of EphA2 and/or its endogenous ligand, EphrinAl. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more EphA2/EphrinAl Modulators of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other agents useful for therapy for such non­neoplastic hyperproliferative epithelial and/or endothelial disorders. Diagnostic methods and methods for screening for EphA2/EphrinAl Modulators are also provided.