Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of osteosarcoma. Antisense to certain microRNA (miRNA) found to be associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) of osteosarcoma are useful to suppress tumor growth and metastasis, and prolong survival. Antisense oligonucleotides to miR-133a are synergistic in combination with standard chemotherapy such as cisplatin in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Abstract: Provided is a cell cultivation method in which the cell is cultured using a peptide hydrogel as a scaffold, for carrying out high-dimensional culture of a cell such as porcine hepatocyte, human hepatocyte, porcine pancreatic islet or human pancreatic islet for a long period under conditions where cell survival, cell morphology and cell functions are maintained. Also provided are a cell culture including a cell and a peptide hydrogel obtained by the above-described cultivation method, a bioreactor including the cell culture, and a cell preparation including the cell culture.

Abstract: Provided is a cell cultivation method in which the cell is cultured using a peptide hydrogel as a scaffold, for carrying out high-dimensional culture of a cell such as porcine hepatocyte, human hepatocyte, porcine pancreatic islet or human pancreatic islet for a long period under conditions where cell survival, cell morphology and cell functions are maintained. Also provided are a cell culture including a cell and a peptide hydrogel obtained by the above-described cultivation method, a bioreactor including the cell culture, and a cell preparation including the cell culture.

Abstract: There is provided a bioabsorbable peptide tissue occluding agent that can be applied to large mammals including humans, the peptide tissue occluding agent being obtained by artificial synthesis to avoid concerns of infection by viruses and the like. The tissue occluding agent contains a peptide, wherein the peptide is an amphiphilic peptide having 8-200 amino acid residues with the hydrophilic amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids alternately bonded, and is a self-assembling peptide exhibiting a ?-structure in aqueous solution in the presence of physiological pH and/or a cation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and composition for the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of cancer containing or derived from cancer stem cells.

Abstract: There is provided a bioabsorbable peptide tissue occluding agent that can be applied to large mammals including humans, the peptide tissue occluding agent being obtained by artificial synthesis to avoid concerns of infection by viruses and the like. The tissue occluding agent contains a peptide, wherein the peptide is an amphiphilic peptide having 8-200 amino acid residues with the hydrophilic amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids alternately bonded, and is a self-assembling peptide exhibiting a ?-structure in aqueous solution in the presence of physiological pH and/or a cation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for wound healing and skin reconstruction containing a peptide, wherein the peptide is a self-assembling peptide which is an amphiphilic peptide having 8 to 200 amino acid residues with periodic repeats of alternating hydrophilic amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids, and forms a stable ?-sheet structure in an aqueous solution in the presence of a monovalent ion. The material for wound healing and skin reconstruction of the present invention is capable of healing a wound area of mammals quicker than spontaneous recovery without leaving any scars, wherein the material has no potential risk of infectious disease such as virus transmission.