Abstract: Methods for treating treatment-naive as well as treatment-experienced patients having melanoma to increase the progression-free survival time involving administering a therapeutically effective amount of pegylated interferon-alpha, e.g., preferably pegylated interferon alpha-2b, as adjuvant therapy to definitive surgery are disclosed.

Abstract: Use of the cytokine designated IL-174 to treat infectious diseases such as helminth infections.

Abstract: Methods for treating treatment-naive as well as treatment-experienced adult and pediatric patients having HIV-1 infections as well as patients co-infected with HIV-1 and HCV involving administering a therapeutically effective amount of pegylated interferon-alfa, e.g., pegylated interferon alfa-2b, in association with a therapeutically effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist or preferably further in association with a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of ribavirin, IL-2, IL-12, pentafuside alone or in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-HIV-1 drug therapy, e.g., HAART are disclosed.

Abstract: Ribavirin derivatives represented by the formula V, pharmaceutical compositions containing them as well as the use of the ribavirin derivatives represented by the formula V for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of susceptible viral infections, for example, chronic hepatitis C infections administrating, the ribavirin derivatives being represented by formula V are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel polymorphic site in the 5? leader cistron of the ?2-adrenergic receptor (?2AR) gene is disclosed. The polymorphisms present at this site result in different levels of inhibition of translation of ?2AR mRNA. Compositions and methods for genotyping this polymorphic site as disclosed. In addition, methods for using this genotype information are disclosed, including predicting genetic predisposition to a disease modified by ?2AR expression and predicting a patient's bronchodilating response to ?2-agonists.

Abstract: A method for predicting an individual's response to the &bgr;-agonists salmeterol, albuterol, metaproterenol, terbutaline and formoterol is disclosed. Individuals expressing the Ile164 &bgr;2AR variant are likely to exhibit a reduced response as compared to individuals expressing the Thr164 &bgr;2AR variant. The method is useful for making treatment decisions for patients suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Abstract: Genotypes and haplotypes for thirteen polymorphic sites in the &bgr;2-adrenergic receptor (&bgr;2AR) gene are disclosed. Compositions and methods for predicting genetic predisposition to disease associated with polymorphic sites in the (&bgr;2AR) gene, as well as for predicting response to &bgr;-agonists, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel genetic variants of the Angiotensin Receptor 1 (AGTR1) gene are described. Various genotypes, haplotypes, and haplotype pairs that exist in the general United States population are disclosed for the AGTR1 gene. Compositions and methods for haplotyping and/or genotyping the AGTR1 gene in an individual are also disclosed. Polynucleotides defined by the sequence of the haplotypes disclosed herein are also described.