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: Immmunogenic compositions useful for the treatment of ulcers or tumors whose growth is dependent on or stimulated by gastrin hormones are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions induce antibodies in a subject which selectively neutralize the specific hormones. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising effective amounts of the immunogenic compositions and methods of treatment using the compositions are disclosed. A method of reversing the inventive treatments by neutralizing the antibodies induced in vivo is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating gastrointestinal cancers dependent on the prohormones amidated gastrin-17 and glycine extended G-17, comprising the administration to the patient of an anti-gastrin 17 immunogen which induces antibodies which bind and neutralize amidated and glycine-extended gastrin-17.

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: 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 concerns immunogens, immunogenic compositions and method for the treatment of gastrin-dependent tumors. The immunogens comprise a gastrin receptor immunomimic peptide conjugated to an immunogenic carrier. The immunogens are capable of inducing antibodies in vivo which bind to the gastrin-receptor (GR) in gastrin responsive malignant or premalignant tumor, thereby preventing growth stimulating peptide hormones from binding to the receptors, and inhibiting tumor cell growth. The invention also comprises specific antibodies against the gastrin-receptor for passive immunization. Furthermore, the invention comprises cytotoxic molecule derivatized anti-GR antibodies. The invention also concerns diagnostic methods for detecting gastrin-dependent tumors in vivo or from a tissue biopsy using the antibodies of the invention. Active and passive immunization can be combined providing an immune response against GR, G17 and/or G17-Gly.

Abstract: A combination for use in the treatment of pancreatic cancer comprising:

Abstract: The invention concerns immunogens, immunogenic compositions and method for the treatment of gastrin-dependent tumors. The immunogens comprise a peptide from the CCK-B/gastrin-receptor conjugated to a spacer and to an immunogenic carrier. The immunogens are capable of inducing antibodies in vivo which bind to the CCK-B/gastrin-receptor in tumor cells, thereby preventing growth stimulating peptide hormones from binding to the receptors, and inhibiting tumor cell growth. The immunogens also comprise antibodies against the CCK-B/gastrin-receptor for passive immunization. The invention also concerns diagnostic methods for detecting gastrin-dependent tumors in vivo or from a tissue biopsy using the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns immunogens, immunogenic compositions and method for the treatment of gastrin-dependent tumors. The immunogens comprise a peptide from the CCK-B/gastrin-receptor conjugated to a spacer and to an immunogenic carrier. The immunogens are capable of inducing antibodies in vivo which bind to the CCK-B/gastrin-receptor in tumor cells, thereby preventing growth stimulating peptide hormones from binding to the receptors, and inhibiting tumor cell growth. The immunogens also comprise antibodies against the CCK-B/gastrin-receptor for passive immunization. The invention also concerns diagnostic methods for detecting gastrin-dependent tumors in vivo or from a tissue biopsy using the antibodies of the invention.

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 which blocks or inhibits the gastric acid pump activity; or alternatively administering purified anti-gastrin antibodies with a H2 antagonist or proton pump inhibitor of the gastric acid producing enzyme system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment and/or prevention of cancerous and/or pre-cancerous 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: A system is described for conjugating, isolating, and purifying proteins. The system contains an ultrafiltration apparatus which is connected with a reaction vessel reservoir.

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: An injectable vaccine composition comprising an immunogenic conjugate in an emulsion containing advantageous oily vehicles is disclosed as suitable for frozen storage; moreover, a water-in-oil emulsion composition is found to enhance immunogenicity after storage at about −18° C.

Abstract: A system is described for conjugating, isolating, and purifying proteins. The system contains an ultrafiltration apparatus which is connected with a reaction vessel reservoir.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions capable of generating an immune response in mammals against GnRH are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions are effective in methods of treating gonadotropin and gonadal steroid hormone dependent diseases and immunological contraception of mammals.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions capable of generating an immune response in mammals against GnRH are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions are effective in methods of treating gonadotropin and gonadal steroid hormone dependent diseases and immunological contraception of mammals.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions useful for the treatment or prevention of gastric or duodenal ulcer disease are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions effectively operate by inducing antibodies in a subject which selectively neutralize specific peptide gastric hormones and inhibit the binding of the hormones to physiological receptors thus limiting the secretion of stomach acid. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising effective amounts of the immunogenic compositions and methods of treatment using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions useful for the treatment of ulcers or tumors whose growth is dependent on or stimulated by gastrin hormones are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions induce antibodies in a subject which selectively neutralize the specific hormones. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising effective amounts of the immunogenic compositions and methods of treatment using the compositions are disclosed. A method of reversing the inventive treatments by neutralizing the antibodies induced in vivo is also disclosed.