Abstract: The present invention provides a method of decreasing side effects in a human or animal cancer patient due to radiation therapy or chemotherapy. With this method, methionine enkephalin is administered to the patient at least one time per week for a first time period, where the first time period is at least three weeks. In one embodiment, the first time period is one or two months. Methionine enkephalin is then administered to the patient one time per month for a second time period, where the second time period is at least one month, and where the second time period is consecutive to the first time period. In one embodiment, the total term of methionine enkephalin treatment is at least six months. Methionine enkephalin may be administered to the patient at the same time as, before, or after administration of radiation or chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating dendritic cells, comprising contacting the dendritic cells with methionine enkephalin. The present invention also provides methods of enhancing an immune response to an antigen in a mammal. In a first method, dendritic cells are isolated from the mammal. The dendritic cells are then contacted with methionine enkephalin for a time sufficient to stimulate the cells. Next, the stimulated dendritic cells are contacted with the antigen of interest for a time sufficient for the cells to process the antigen. The dendritic cells are then injected into the mammal. The dendritic cells may be injected into the animal either on their own, or along with methionine enkephalin and/or the antigen. In a second method, the antigen of interest and methionine enkephalin are administered to the mammal. The present invention also provides compositions for administration to a mammalian subject having a tumor.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for assaying binding of compounds to the hERG K+ channel. According to a method of the present invention, a compound of interest is added to the hERG K+ channel in the presence of a selenium analog of a competitive inhibitor of the hERG K+ channel. Next, the amount of the selenium analog of the competitive inhibitor that bound to the hERG K+ channel is quantified using mass spectrometry. The quantified amount can then be used to determine the amount of the compound of interest that bound to the hERG K+ channel. A selenium analog of any competitive inhibitor of the hERG K+ channel may be used according to the present invention, including but not limited to selenium analogs of the small molecule dofetilide; the peptide BeKm-1; or a combination of both.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for assaying binding of compounds to the hERG K+ channel. According to a method of the present invention, a compound of interest is added to the hERG K+ channel in the presence of a selenium analog of a competitive inhibitor of the hERG K+ channel. Next, the amount of the selenium analog of the competitive inhibitor that bound to the hERG K+ channel is quantified using mass spectrometry. The quantified amount can then be used to determine the amount of the compound of interest that bound to the hERG K+ channel. A selenium analog of any competitive inhibitor of the hERG K+ channel may be used according to the present invention, including but not limited to selenium analogs of the small molecule dofetilide; the peptide BeKm-1; or a combination of both.