Abstract: The invention provides assay methods for the detection and quantitation of gastrin hormones, including total and free gastrin hormone in a sample. ELISA-type heterogeneous phase assays suitable for use with biological fluid samples such as blood, plasma or other bodily fluids of a mammal, particularly a human subject are provided. The method provides a precise assay for the amounts of free and total G17 and G34 in biological fluid samples, as well as the amounts of free and total Gly-extended G17, and Gly-extended G34. Also provided are methods of determining suitable treatment for patient suffering from a gastrin hormone-mediated disease or condition employing gastrin hormone immunoassays.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment and/or prevention of cancerous and/or, precancerous conditions of the liver, lung and esophagus by actively and/or passively immunizing a patient against the peptide hormone gastrin and/or a gastrin receptor, e.g., the CCK-B/gastrin receptor. The immunizations of the invention may be employed as a monotherapy, an adjunctive therapy, or as part of a combination therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination therapy method for treating gastrin-dependent tumors. The method comprises the immunization of a patient with an anti-gastrin 17 immunogenic composition in combination with the administration of chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination therapy method for treating gastrin-dependent tumors. The method comprises the immunization of a patient with an anti-gastrin 17 immunogenic composition in combination with the administration of chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin.

Abstract: A combination for use in the treatment of pancreatic cancer comprising: (i) an anti-gastrin effective immunogenic composition; and, (ii) one or more chemotherapeutic agents suitable for inhibiting cancer growth.

Abstract: The invention provides assay methods for the detection and quantitation of gastrin hormones, including total and free gastrin hormone in a sample. ELISA-type heterogeneous phase assays suitable for use with biological fluid samples such as blood, plasma or other bodily fluids of a mammal, particularly a human subject are provided. The method provides a precise assay for the amounts of free and total G17 and G34 in biological fluid samples, as well as the amounts of free and total Gly-extended G17, and Gly-extended G34. Also provided are methods of determining suitable treatment for patient suffering from a gastrin hormone-mediated disease or condition employing gastrin hormone immunoassays.

Abstract: The present invention provides progastrin-binding molecules specific for progastrin that do not bind gastrin-17(G17), gastrin-34(G34), glycine-extended gastrin-17(G17-Gly), or glycine-extended gastrin-34(G34-Gly). Further, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) selective for sequences at the N-terminus and the C-terminus of the gastrin precursor molecule, progastrin and the hybridomas that produce these MAbs. Also provided are panels of MAbs useful for the detection and quantitation of progastrin and gastrin hormone species in immuno-detection and quantitation assays. These assays are useful for diagnosing and monitoring a gastrin-promoted disease or condition, or for monitoring the progress of a course of therapy. The invention further provides solid phase assays including immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays suitable for detection and visualization of gastrin species in solid samples, such as biopsy samples or tissue slices.

Abstract: Chimeric peptide epitopes can serve as effective immunogens against hormones and other small peptides or proteins. Thus, immunogenic peptides are selected from promiscuous Th epitopes and synthesized together with self antigenic peptide sequences fused with or without end to end spacer peptide interconnections. A peptide sequence which may be of the gonadotropin releasing hormone is linked with an immunogenic peptide sequence selected from a promiscuous Th-epitope of measles virus protein F, tetanus toxoid, or malaria protein CSP. Compositions of the chimeric immunogen are found effective in eliciting high and specific anti-GnRH antibody titers.

Abstract: The invention provides assay methods for the detection and quantitation of gastrin hormones, including total and free gastrin hormone in a sample. ELISA-type heterogeneous phase assays suitable for use with biological fluid samples such as blood, plasma or other bodily fluids of a mammal, particularly a human subject are provided. The method provides a precise assay for the amounts of free and total G17 and G34 in biological fluid samples, as well as the amounts of free and total Gly-extended G17, and Gly-extended G34. Also provided are methods of determining suitable treatment for patient suffering from a gastrin hormone-mediated disease or condition employing gastrin hormone immunoassays.

Abstract: The invention provides liposomal vehicles for encapsulating relatively high levels of water-soluble substances including immunogens directed against gastrin and gonadotropin releasing hormone. The liposome encapsulating large amounts of immunogens can be injected parentally to induce effective immune responses without exhibiting significant adverse tissue reactogenicity.

Abstract: The invention provides liposomal vehicles for encapsulating relatively high levels of water-soluble substances including immunogens directed against gastrin and gonadotropin releasing hormone. The liposome encapsulating large amounts of immunogens can be injected parentally to induce effective immune responses without exhibiting significant adverse tissue reactogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) selective for the N-termini and C-termini of the gastrin hormone forms, gastrin-17 (G17), glycine-extended gastrin-17 (G17-Gly), gastrin-34 (G34) and glycine-extended gastrin-34 (G34-Gly); and the hybridomas that produce these MAbs. Also provided are panels of MAbs useful for the detection and quantitation of gastrin-17 (G17), glycine-extended gastrin-17 (G17-Gly), gastrin-34 (G34) and glycine-extended gastrin-34 (G34-Gly). These assays are useful for monitoring a gastrin-mediated disease or condition, or for monitoring the progress of a course of therapy. The invention further provides solid phase assays including immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays suitable for detection and visualization of gastrin species in solid samples, such as biopsy samples or tissue slices.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens package includes a pair of shell members that are removably attached to each other and a pair of absorbent members sandwiched therebetween. The shell members are connected to each other by a hinge at one of their ends, and are pivotable relative to each other about the hinge between a closed position, in which the shell members are attached to each other, and an open position.

Abstract: A combination for use in the treatment of pancreatic cancer comprising: (i) an anti-gastrin effective immunogenic composition; and, (ii) one or more chemotherapeutic agents suitable for inhibiting cancer growth.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease comprising a combination of active immunization with an anti-gastrin immunogenic composition with an antagonist that blocks or inhibits gastric acid pump activity; or alternatively administering purified anti-gastrin antibodies with an H2 antagonist or proton pump inhibitor of the gastric acid producing enzyme system.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) selective for the N-termini and C-termini of the gastrin hormone forms, gastrin-17 (G17), glycine-extended gastrin-17 (G17-Gly), gastrin-34 (G34) and glycine-extended gastrin-34 (G34-Gly); and the hybridomas that produce these MAbs. Also provided are panels of MAbs useful for the detection and quantitation of gastrin-17 (G17), glycine-extended gastrin-17 (G17-Gly), gastrin-34 (G34) and glycine-extended gastrin-34 (G34-Gly). These assays are useful for monitoring a gastrin-mediated disease or condition, or for monitoring the progress of a course of therapy. The invention further provides solid phase assays including immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays suitable for detection and visualization of gastrin species in solid samples, such as biopsy samples or tissue slices.

Abstract: Serum-associated hypergastrinemia is treated by administration of gastrin active or passive immunization. An anti-gastrin immunogenic composition containing a gastrin G17 or G34 peptide fragment which is amino acid spacer-linked to an immunogenic carrier, is administered so as to effectively neutralize the circulating gastrin hormone, and moreover, inhibit autocrine activity by progastrin such as Gly-extended G17, and amidated G17, in patients with pernicious anemia. Moreover, the method includes administration of a therapeutically effective amount of anti-G17 or anti-G34 antibodies which may be in humanized form. Finally, the method provides ameliorating treatment of hypergastrinemic effects of proton pump inhibitors or H2 histamine receptor blocking agents or antagonists, in addition to treatment of hypergastrinemia caused by diseases such as pernicious anemia.

Abstract: The invention provides liposomal vehicles for encapsulating relatively high levels of immunogenic protein substances including immunogens directed against hormones and hormone receptors, such as gastrin and gonadotropin releasing hormone and their receptors. The liposome encapsulating large amounts of immunogens can be injected parenterally to induce effective immune responses without exhibiting significant adverse tissue reactogenicity. Methods for production of the liposomal vaccines and methods of their administration for treatment of diseases and conditions associated with the cognate hormones are also provided.

Abstract: Chimeric peptide epitopes can serve as effective immunogens against hormones and other small peptides or proteins. Thus, immunogenic peptides are selected from promiscuous Th epitopes and synthesized together with self antigenic peptide sequences fused with or without end to end spacer peptide interconnections. A peptide sequence which may be of the gonadotropin releasing hormone is linked with an immunogenic peptide sequence selected from a promiscuous Th-epitope of measles virus protein F, tetanus toxoid, or malaria protein CSP. Compositions of the chimeric immunogen are found effective in eliciting high and specific anti-GnRH antibody titers.

Abstract: Chimeric peptide epitopes can serve as effective immunogens against hormones and other small peptides or proteins. Immunogenic peptides are selected from promiscuous helper T-lymphocyte epitopes and synthesized together with self antigenic peptide sequences optionally fused through a spacer moiety. Examples of the chimeric peptide immunogens of the invention include peptide sequences which may be from any antigen, such as a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), linked with an immunogenic peptide sequence such as a promiscuous helper T-lymphocyte epitope of measles virus protein F, tetanus toxoid, or malaria protein CSP. Compositions of the chimeric immunogen are found effective in eliciting high and specific anti-GnRH antibody titers. This invention also relates to compositions and methods for synergistically enhancing or suppressing an immune response to a target antigen.