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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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.

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.

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.

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: This invention relates to a method for the active or passive immunization of a vertebrate against ectoparasites and endoparasites, and a method of treating a vertebrate host infected by ectoparasites or endoparasites, comprising administering to the vertebrate an immunogen comprising one or more endocrine products of ectoparasites and endoparasites, coupled with an immunogenic carrier, or administering to the vertebrate, monoclonal antibodies capable of binding to the native form of the endocrine product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the active or passive immunization of a vertebrate against ectoparasites and endoparasites, and a method of treating a vertebrate host infected by ectoparasites or endoparasites, comprising administering to the vertebrate an immunogen comprising one or more endocrine products of ectoparasites and endoparasites, coupled with an immunogenic carrier, or administering to the vertebrate, monoclonal antibodies formed to said immunogen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for contraception comprising the active immunization of a female mammal against zona pellucida using a composition comprising an effective amount of anti-idiotypic antibodies formed against anti-zona pellucida antibodies, which anti-idiotypic antibodies express internal images of zona pellucida antigenic determinants capable of eliciting a contraceptive response.