Abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 receptor (IGFBP-3R) agonists and methods of their use to treat diseases involving IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-3R are provided. The agonists may be antibodies or other molecules specific for binding to and activating IGFBP-3R. The agonists are used to treat e.g. cancer, metabolic syndrome and obstructive respiratory disorders. In addition, methods of diagnosing cancer and predicting the chance of recurrence, metastasis and/or survival by measuring the level of IGFBP-3R in tumor tissue are provided.

Abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 receptor (IGFBP-3R) agonists and methods of their use to treat diseases involving IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-3R are provided. The agonists may be antibodies or other molecules specific for binding to and activating IGFBP-3R. The agonists are used to treat e.g. cancer, metabolic syndrome and obstructive respiratory disorders. In addition, methods of diagnosing cancer and predicting the chance of recurrence, metastasis and/or survival by measuring the level of IGFBP-3R in tumor tissue are provided.

Abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 receptor (IGFBP-3R) agonists and methods of their use to treat diseases involving IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-3R are provided. The agonists may be antibodies or other molecules specific for binding to and activating IGFBP-3R. The agonists are used to treat e.g. cancer, metabolic syndrome and obstructive respiratory disorders. In addition, methods of diagnosing cancer and predicting the chance of recurrence, metastasis and/or survival by measuring the level of IGFBP-3R in tumor tissue are provided.

Abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 receptor (IGFBP-3R) agonists and methods of their use to treat diseases involving IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-3R are provided. The agonists may be antibodies or other molecules specific for binding to and activating IGFBP-3R. The agonists are used to treat e.g. cancer, metabolic syndrome and obstructive respiratory disorders. In addition, methods of diagnosing cancer and predicting the chance of recurrence, metastasis and/or survival by measuring the level of IGFBP-3R in tumor tissue are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammation (obesity)-induced disorders such as insulin resistance, diabetes, cancer and various metabolic disorders, are provided. The methods and compositions detect both full-blown disease and early stage disease by detecting proteolysis, by neutrophil proteases, of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3). Levels of proteolytic fragments of IGFBP3 and/or levels of intact IGFPB-3 and/or levels/activity neutrophil proteases are detected. Agents (e.g. peptide agents) that inhibit the proteolysis of IGFPB-3 and methods of using the agents to prevent and treat chronic inflammation (obesity)-induced disorders are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising IGFBP-3 receptor agonists and methods for the treatment of metabolic syndrome, obstructive respiratory disorders, obstructive or inflammatory respiratory disease, cancers and related diseases with IGFBP-3 receptor agonists are presented. A method for interfering with the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-KB) in a cell, comprising: providing to a cell an effective amount of a composition comprising an IGFBP-3 receptor agonist; and interfering with the activity of NF-KB in the cell is included.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and compositions for treatment, inhibition or reduction of metastasis in cancers. In particular, the invention is related to compositions and methods affecting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). An aspect of the present invention comprises a method for interfering with the activity of connective tissue growth factor, comprising, administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition that inhibits production of or activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), wherein the composition interferes with the activity of CTGF or prevents the transcription of CTGF genes or translation of CTGF mRNA. For example, the composition can comprises at least one HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor compound, such as a statin.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) encoding a P4.33 polypeptide and comprising a coding region (SEQ ID NO:2) of the sequence described in SEQ ID NO:1, or a sequence having at least 90% homology with the coding region of SEQ ID NO:1. The P4.33 polypeptide functions as a specific cell-surface receptor for IGFBP-3, and undergoes nuclear translocation in combination with IGFBP-3. In particular aspects, IGFBP-3 and P4.33 (IGFBP-3R) cooperatively suppress DNA synthesis and cell growth, and induce caspase activation and apoptosis in cancer cells, indicating that P4.33 is an important mediator of IGF-independent growth inhibitory actions of IGFBP-3. The P4.33:IGFBP-3 system of the present invention can be used, inter alia, in screening and diagnostic assays, and for therapeutic methods for cancer treatment and tumor suppression.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional exemplary embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional exemplary embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) encoding a P4.33 polypeptide and comprising a coding region (SEQ ID NO:2) of the sequence described in SEQ ID NO:1, or a sequence having at least 90% homology with the coding region of SEQ ID NO:1. The P4.33 polypeptide functions as a specific cell-surface receptor for IGFBP-3, and undergoes nuclear translocation in combination with IGFBP-3. IGFBP-3 and P4.33 (IGFBP-3R) cooperatively suppress DNA synthesis and cell growth, and induce caspase activation and apoptosis in cancer cells, indicating that P4.33 is an important mediator of IGF-independent growth inhibitory actions of IGFBP-3. The P4.33:IGFBP-3 system of the present invention can be used, inter alia, in screening and diagnostic assays, and for therapeutic methods for cancer treatment and tumor suppression.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, A methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of radiation-induced fibrosis. Methods and compositions for the inhibition of CTGF are disclosed herein. Methods and compositions for treatment of neoplastic disease are disclosed herein. Inhibition of CTGF in humans or animals that have been exposed to ionizing radiation results in treatment or prevention of radiation-induced fibrosis.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, A methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: There is disclosed movel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, A methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: There is disclosed movel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, A methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) encoding a P4.33 polypeptide and comprising a coding region (SEQ ID NO:2) of the sequence described in SEQ ID NO:1, or a sequence having at least 90% homology with the coding region of SEQ ID NO:1. The P4.33 polypeptide functions as a specific cell-surface receptor for IGFBP-3, and undergoes nuclear translocation in combination with IGFBP-3. IGFBP-3 and P4.33 (IGFBP-3R) cooperatively suppress DNA synthesis and cell growth, and induce caspase activation and apoptosis in cancer cells, indicating that P4.33 is an important mediator of IGF-independent growth inhibitory actions of IGFBP-3. The P4.33:IGFBP-3 system of the present invention can be used, inter alia, in screening and diagnostic assays, and for therapeutic methods for cancer treatment and tumor suppression.