The present invention relates generally to the field of prophylaxis and
therapy for inflammatory and/or fibrotic diseases which include responses
to injuries. In particular, the present invention is related to agents
that can bind or complex copper such as thiomolybdate, and to the use of
these agents in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory and/or
fibrotic diseases. Exemplary thiomolybdates include mono-, di-, tri- and
tetrathiomolybdate; these agents are administered to patients to prevent
and/or treat inflammatory and/or fibrotic diseases, such as pulmonary
disease including pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory distress
syndrome, liver disease including liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C, kidney
disease including renal interstitial fibrosis, scleroderma, cystic
fibrosis, pancreatic fibrosis, keloid, secondary fibrosis in the
gastrointestinal tract, hypertrophic burn scars, myocardial fibrosis,
Alzheimer's disease, retinal detachment inflammation and/or fibrosis
resulting after surgery, and graft versus host and host versus graft
rejections.