Abstract: This invention provides an antisense oligonucleotide or analog thereof comprising 10 or more contiguous bases or base analogs from the sequence of bases of sequence A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, or M of FIG. 1. This invention also provides the above-described antisense oligonucleotides, wherein the nucleotide sequence comprises nucleotide sequence A, A?, B, C, C?, D, E, E, E?, F, G, G?, H, H?, I, I?, J, K, K?, L, L?, M, or M? of FIGS. 2A and 2B. This invention also provides the above-described antisense oligonucleotides, wherein the oligonucleotide is encapsulated in a liposome or nanoparticle. This invention also provides the above-described antisense oligonucleotides, wherein the phosphate backbone comprises phosphorothioate bonds. In addition, this invention provides a method of treating cancer, comprising introducing into a tumor cell an effective amount of the the above-described antisense oligonucleotide, thereby reducing the levels of bcl-xL protein produced and treating cancer.

Abstract: A method of treating a urinary tract fungal infection in a human comprising systemically administering a therapeutically effective amount of a liposomal polyene including nystatin and amphotericin wherein the fungal infection is selected from the group consisting of aspergillosis, candidiasis (e.g., C. parapsilosis, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. lusitaniae), zygomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, cladosporiosis, fusariosis, Bipolaris hawaiiensis, Dactylaria gallopava, torulopsosis, Acremonium kiliense, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum.

Abstract: A method of inducing chronic remission of HRPC as well as progressive metastatic disease in a human comprising the method of administering liposomal ATRA at a dosage of at least about 100 mg/m2 at least about 2 or 3 days per week for a treatment cycle of at least about 25 to about 35 days for at least about 5 or 6 treatment cycles.

Abstract: A method and compositions for treating viral infection (IV) vitro and in vivo using a guanosine-rich oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotides have sufficient guanosine to form a guanosine tetrad. Also provided are oligonucleotides of at least two runs of at least two guanosines. Also provided are guanosine-rich oligonucleotides and methods for treating viral infections in humans, and a method for designing guanosine-rich oligonucleotides having anti-viral activity and integrase inhibition activity.

Abstract: Alfa interferon (&agr;-IFN or alpha-interferon) and liposomal all-trans retinoic acid is useful in cancer treatment with particular reference to renal cancer. Optionally, a regimen of &agr;-interferon from about 3 to about 5 million units sc daily and liposomal all-trans retinoic acid at from about 15 mg/m2 to about 90 mg/m2, or about 140 mg/m2, or about 300 mg/m2 or more. Dosage periodicity of about three times per week for both drugs in about 8 week cycles is useful.

Abstract: Guanosine-rich oligonucleotides having sequences that favor the formation under physiological conditions of a stable four-stranded structure containing two stacked guanosine quartets (G4s) are disclosed. These oligonucleotides demonstrate enhanced nuclease resistance, cellular uptake and biological efficacy. Methods and composition for treating viral infection using these guanosine-rich oligonucleotides are also disclosed. Certain embodiments of the new oligonucleotides are 16-17 nucleotides long and contain at least one C-5 propynyl dU substitution. A method for designing anti-viral oligonucleotides is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reduced-toxicity formulation of carotenoids is disclosed which is stable in an aqueous environment. The formulation includes a carotenoid, lipid arrier particles (such as liposomes), and an intercalation promoter agent (such as a triglyceride), which causes the carotenoid to be substantially uniformly distributed with the lipid in the lipid carrier particles. The molar ratio of carotenoid to lipid is greater than about 1:10. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, which comprises administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition as described above.

Abstract: The oligonucleotides have sufficient guanosine to form a guanosine tetrad and can be composed of at least about 40% guanosine nucleotides, the nucleotide sequence containing at least two runs of at least two guanosines. Some of the new oligonucleotides also contain phosphorothioate backbones and 3′ end modifications. Representative guanosine-rich oligonucleotides of the present invention demonstrate anti-viral activity in tissue culture against HSV-2, HIV-1, HCMV and FMLV, and show specific inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase enzymes T7 and T3, the FMLV and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase enzyme and eukaryotic RNA polymerase.

Abstract: A method and compositions for treating viral infection in vitro and in vivo using a guanosine-rich oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides have sufficient guanosine to form a guanosine tetrad. They can be composed of at least about 40% guanosine nucleotides. Also provided are oligonucleotides of at least two runs of at least two guanosines. Also provided are guanosine-rich oligonucleotides and methods for treating viral infections in humans, and a method for designing guanosine-rich oligonucleotides having anti-viral activity.

Abstract: A series of guanine analogs and physiological salts thereof, which are useful as virus inhibitors and as antiviral agents in the treatment of viral disease, having the basic structures of: ##STR1## wherein B is H, CH.sub.3 or NH.sub.2 ; C is NH.sub.2 or SCH.sub.3 ; D is N or CH; E is O, S or Se; and G is selected from a group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, ethers, esters, hydrocarbons, amines and heterocyclic compounds, is herein disclosed. In I and III, A is O, S or Se while in II, A is NH.sub.2, OH, NHOH, OCH.sub.3 or SCH.sub.3. In I and II, F is 0, S or Se, while in III, F is F is 0, S, Se or NH. These compounds may be formulated with a physiological carrier, and used either alone or in combination with, for example, acyclovir or ganciclovir or another therapeutic agent, for the treatment of conditions resulting from viral infections.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a stable preliposomal powder which, when reconstituted with water or saline solution, forms a suspension of liposomes containing a polyene drug, such as nystatin. The method involves the steps of combining at least one phospholipid with a first organic solvent to form a first solution, adding a clarifying amount of water to the first solution, combining a polyene with a second organic solvent to form a second solution, combining the first and second solutions to produce a substantially clear combined solution, and then removing the organic solvents, leaving a powder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a stable preliposomal powder which, when reconstituted with water or saline solution, forms a suspension of liposomes containing a polyene drug, such as nystatin. The method involves the steps of combining at least one phospholipid with a first organic solvent to form a first solution, adding a clarifying amount of water to the first solution, combining a polyene with a second organic solvent to form a second solution, combining the first and second solutions to produce a substantially clear combined solution, and then removing the organic solvents, leaving a powder.

Abstract: A reduced-toxicity formulation of carotenoids is disclosed which is stable in an aqueous environment. The formulation includes a carotenoid, lipid carrier particles (such as liposomes), and an intercalation promoter agent (such as a triglyceride), which causes the carotenoid to be substantially uniformly distributed with the lipid in the lipid carrier particles. The molar ratio of carotenoid to lipid is greater than about 1:10. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, which comprises administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition as described above.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel cationic lipid acid salt of 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol. This invention further discloses a transmembrane compatible body suitable for transfection of animals and animal cells with nucleotides such as DNA, RNA, and synthetic nucleotides. Such transmembrane compatible bodies arise from hydratable non-liposomal halogenated solvent-free lyophilate comprising 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol and DOPE. This invention yet further discloses a halogenated solvent-free aqueous solution, suitable for lyophilization into a preliposomal powder, wherein the solution comprises 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol wherein substantially all 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol is dissolved.

Abstract: A nucleic acid transporter to deliver a nucleic acids into cells, comprising a cationic compound having a cationic head group for binding the nucleic acid and a lipid tail for association with the membrane. A cationic compound usually is a polyamine or a short basic peptide. The lipid tail is usually selected from the group consisting of plant steroid, animal steroid, isoprenoid compound, aliphatic lipid, pore forming protein, pore forming peptides and fusogenic peptides. The cationic head and the lipid tail are linked through a carbamate linkage. When polyamine is used, it is preferably either spermidine or spermine and the nucleic acid can be any of a variety, including triplex forming oligonucleotides, antisense oligonucleotide, aptamers, ribozymes, plasmids and DNA for gene therapy. Also described is a method for treating individuals using the transporter linked to a therapeutic nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibodies, in particular monoclonal and single chain antibodies derived therefrom which specifically bind to erbB-2, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic uses thereof. The present invention also relates to a combination of at least two erbB-2 specific antibodies which are capable of preventing and treating human malignancies wherein the malignant cells overexpress gp185.sup.erbB-2. The monoclonal antibodies of the combination preferably recognize different epitopes of the gp185 expression product of erbB-2, therefore, the antibodies do not cross react with each other. Preferably, the combination will provide for synergistic decrease in the expression of the erbB-2 gene product.

Abstract: A method and compositions for treating viral infection in vitro and in vivo using a guanosine-rich oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides are composed of at least about 50% guanosine nucleotides. Also provided are guanosine-rich oligonucleotides and methods for treating viral infections in humans, and a method for designing guanosine-rich oligonucleotides having anti-viral activity.