Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, methods utilizing fructose and other monosaccharides for the diagnosis of cancer. Cancer cells have shown a higher level of fructose utilization as compared to glucose. Further, cancer cells have shown a preferential use of fructose for nucleic acid synthesis. The present invention takes advantage of these features and provides for fructose or fructose-based compositions for the diagnosis of cancer using imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography.

Abstract: The methods and compositions of the invention are based on the preferential utilization of fructose by cancer cells. This invention relates to compositions, methods and kits utilizing fructose and other monosaccharides for the treatment of cancer. This invention also relates to methods and kits for using compositions to mimic or corrupt metabolic pathways of fructose and/or signal transduction pathways related to cancer cells for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, methods utilizing fructose and other monosaccharides for the diagnosis of cancer. Cancer cells have shown a higher level of fructose utilization as compared to glucose. Further, cancer cells have shown a preferential use of fructose for nucleic acid synthesis. The present invention takes advantage of these features and provides for fructose or fructose-based compositions for the diagnosis of cancer using imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cells that secrete insulin in a glucose-dependent manner. The cell line comprises insulin-secreting cells that have been transfected with a minigene construct comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In preferred embodiments, the minigene construct is operatively associated with a promoter. The cell line may be used to treat diabetes or other conditions in which delivering insulin in a glucose-dependent manner would be advantageous, to investigate the function and development of pancreatic cells, and to test the efficacy of drugs that stimulate insulin secretion. The cells may be implanted in a mammal, or may be included in a device that resides exterior to the mammal, yet which delivers insulin to the mammal in response to the glucose level of a body fluid in contact therewith. The minigene construct may also be implemented in conjunction with an in vivo gene transfer approach.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cells that secrete insulin in a glucose-dependent manner. The cell line comprises insulin-secreting cells that have been transfected with a minigene construct comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In preferred embodiments, the minigene construct is operatively associated with a promoter. The cell line may be used to treat diabetes or other conditions in which delivering insulin in a glucose-dependent manner would be advantageous, to investigate the function and development of pancreatic cells, and to test the efficacy of drugs that stimulate insulin secretion. The cells may be implanted in a mammal, or may be included in a device that resides exterior to the mammal, yet which delivers insulin to the mammal in response to the glucose level of a body fluid in contact therewith. The minigene construct may also be implemented in conjunction with an in vivo gene transfer approach.