Abstract: The present invention relates to glycosyl-etoposide prodrugs, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof in combination with functionalized tumor-specific enzyme conjugates for treating cancers.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs containing hybrid promoters for use in gene therapy and genetic manipulation. The invention relates to a nucleic acid construct for the precise, regulated expression of genes in host cells, which construct exhibits at least one mutation which inhibits the proper expression of the expressed gene and exhibits at least one additional second mutation which relieves the inhibition due to the first mutation, to an isolated cell which harbors the nucleic acid construct, and to the use of the nucleic acid construct for preparing pharmaceuticals and for treating diseases with excessive cell proliferation.

Abstract: Antigenic constructs which result from linkage of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens with specific carrier molecules are described. The linkage is effected N- or C-terminally by covalent bonding or, for example, in the case of non-covalent bonding by an avidin/biotin bridge. The specific carrier molecules bind selectively to target cells and are preferably monoclonal antibodies. Processes of genetic manipulation for the preparation of such constructs are indicated. Antigenic constructs according to the invention are used to damage or eliminate target cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glycosyl-etoposide prodrugs, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof in combination with functionalized tumor-specific enzyme conjugates for treating cancers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complex of specifically complex-forming proteins which are not naturally occurring, comprising the following components: a) at least one ligand specific for a target structure, b) at least one protein comprising a mutated dimerization domain, the mutated dimerization domain having been derived by mutation of a naturally occurring dimerization domain, it being possible for this mutated dimerization domain to interact specifically with component c) and the component b) being connected covalently to the component a), c) at least one protein comprising a mutated dimerization domain, the mutated dimerization domain having been derived by mutation of a naturally occurring dimerization domain, it being possible for this mutated dimerization domain to interact specifically with component b) and the component c) is linked covalently to the component d), and d) at least one effector.

Abstract: A DNA sequence is described for the gene therapy of diseases associated with the immune system.

Abstract: Self-enhancing, pharmacologically controllable expression systems The invention relates to a nucleic acid construct which constitutes a self-enhancing expression system and which comprises the following components:

Abstract: The invention relates to a complex of specifically complex-forming proteins which are not naturally occurring, comprising the following components: a) at least one ligand specific for a target structure, b) at least one protein comprising a mutated dimerization domain, the mutated dimerization domain having been derived by mutation of a naturally occurring dimerization domain, it being possible for this mutated dimerization domain to interact specifically with component c) and the component b) being connected covalently to the component a), c) at least one protein comprising a mutated dimerization domain, the mutated dimerization domain having been derived by mutation of a naturally occurring dimerization domain, it being possible for this mutated dimerization domain to interact specifically with component b) and the component c) is linked covalently to the component d), and d) at least one effector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid construct which constitutes a self-enhancing expression system and which comprises the following components: at least one first structural gene that encodes an active compound; at least one second structural gene that encodes a transcription factor protein; and at least one activation sequence comprised of at least one sequence that binds the transcription factor protein and at least one promoter sequence; wherein each activation sequence activates the expression of a structural gene and the expression of the transcription factor protein; and to the use of the nucleic acid construct for preparing a drug for treating diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glycosyl-etoposide prodrugs, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof in combination with functionalized tumor-specific enzyme conjugates for treating cancers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid construct which constitutes a self-enhancing expression system and which comprises the following components:

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs for expressing an effector gene, with the nucleic acid construct comprising a promoter I (component a) which controls the expression of a transcription factor gene (component b), a transcription factor gene (component b), a promoter II (component c) to which the gene product of the transcription factor gene binds and which controls the expression of an effector gene (component d), and effector gene (component d), wherein the activity of the gene product of the transcription factor gene depends on one or more cellular regulatory proteins which bind to this gene product and affect its activity, and isolated cells containing the nucleic acid constructs, can be used for preparing a drug for treating diseases and in methods of treating diseases.

Abstract: Expression systems comprising chimeric promoters with binding sites for recombinant transcription factors The present invention relates to a nucleic acid construct which comprises the following components:

Abstract: The invention provides a method of culturing mononuclear cells, comprising isolating mononuclear cells from the blood or cell-containing fluids of the body of a mammal; culturing the cells in a culture medium comprising one or more of gangliosides, phospholipids, glycolipids and growth factors for endothelial cells. These cells are useful, for example, for the endothelialization of injured vessels. The invention also provides a method of making cells capable of expressing a biologically active protein, comprising isolating mononuclear cells from the blood or cell-containing fluids of the body of a mammal; culturing the cells in a culture medium comprising one or more of gangliosides, phospholipids, glycolipids and growth factors for endothelial cells; optionally, before or after culturing the cells, immortalizing the cells; and transfecting the cells with a nucleic acid construct comprising a gene for the biologically active protein.

Abstract: A DNA sequence is described for the gene therapy of diseases associated with the immune system. In its essential elements, the DNA sequence is composed of an activator sequence, a promoter module and a gene for the active substance. The activator sequence is activated in a cell-specific or virus-specific manner and this activation is regulated by the promoter module in a cell cycle-specific manner. The choice of activator sequence and active substance depends on the indication area. The DNA sequence is inserted into a viral or non-viral vector which is supplemented by a ligand having affinity for the target cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid construct which constitutes a self-enhancing expression system and which comprises the following components: at least one first structural gene that encodes an active compound; at least one second structural gene that encodes a transcription factor protein; and at least one activation sequence comprised of at least one sequence that binds the transcription factor protein and at least one promoter sequence; wherein each activation sequence activates the expression of a structural gene and the expression of the transcription factor protein; and to the use of the nucleic acid construct for preparing a drug for treating diseases.

Abstract: The invention refers to a nucleic acid construct comprising at least one activator sequence, at least one chimeric promoter module comprising a nucleotide sequence which binds a protein of the E2F family and a protein of the CDF-1 family, and at least one gene, wherein said chimeric promoter module promotes expression of the gene in the cell cycle later than the B-myb promoter but earlier than the cdc25C promoter. The invention also concerns the purification and identification of CDF-1 protein, and use of this protein to develop new control systems.

Abstract: Target cell-specific, non-viral vectors for inserting genes into cells, pharmaceuticals composition comprising such vectors, and methods of their use. Target cell-specific, non-viral vectors for inserting at least one gene into cells of an organism, comprising a complex comprising the following components: a) a non-viral carrier for the gene to be inserted, b) a ligand which can bind specifically to the desired target cell, c) a fusion protein for the penetration of the vector into the cytoplasm of the target cell, and d) the gene to be introduced are disclosed. Vectors of this nature are used, for example, in gene therapy.

Abstract: A DNA sequence is disclosed for the genetic therapy of diseases of the central nervous system. The essential components for the DNA sequence are the activator sequence, the promoter module, and the active substance coding gene. The activator sequence is specifically activated in activated endothelial or glial cells. Activation is cell cycle-regulated by the promoter module. The active substance represents an inhibitor of the nerve growth factor, a dopanine metabolism enzyme, and/or a nerve cell protection factor. The disclosed DNA sequence is inserted into a viral or non-viral vector, supplemented with a ligand with affinity for the target cells.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies with specificity for membrane-associated antigens and methods of using them in detection of tumor-associated antigens arc described.