Abstract: Disclosed herein are new oral pharmaceutical compositions of MGBG and related polyamine analogs, polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, polyamine inhibitors of AMD-I and regulators of osteopontin, and their application for the treatment of disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are new oral pharmaceutical compositions of MGBG and related polyamine analogs, polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, polyamine inhibitors of AMD-I and regulators of osteopontin, and their application for the treatment of disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of monitoring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease development or progression and monitoring an ALS therapy by determining the level of HLA-DR expression by CD14+ monocytes and/or the percentage of CD16+ cells in the population of CD14+ cells and/or the number of CD14+/CD16+ cells in peripheral blood of an individual with ALS. The invention is also directed to methods for decreasing the number of circulating CD14+ monocytes and/or the population of CD14+/CD16+ cells and/or the number of CD14+/CD16+ cells in an individual with ALS. The invention is also directed to methods of screening for agents which decrease the population of CD14+ monocytes with elevated HLA-DR expression and/or the population of CD14+/CD16+ cells and/or the number of CD14+/CD16+ cells in an individual with ALS.