Abstract: Sustained delivery formulations comprising a water-insoluble complex of a peptide and a plurality of ligands are disclosed. The formulations of the invention allow for loading of high concentrations of peptide in a small volume and for delivery of a pharmaceutically active peptide for prolonged periods, e.g., one month, after administration of the complex. The complexes of the invention can be milled or crushed to a fine powder. In powdered form, the complexes form stable aqueous suspensions and dispersions, suitable for injection. Methods of making the complexes of the invention, and methods of these complexes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for treating prostate cancer are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH-R antagonist, in combination with a second therapy. In one embodiment, this second therapy is performance of a procedure that removes or destroys prostatic tumor tissue, such as a radical prostatectomy, cryosurgery or X-ray therapy (external or interstitial). In another embodiment, the second therapy is treatment with an LHRH-R agonist, either simultaneous with or subsequent to LHRH-R antagonist therapy. The methods of the invention can further involve administering an antiandrogen and/or an inhibitor of sex steroid biosynthesis to the subject in combination with the LHRH-R antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for transdermal administration. In one embodiment, the invention features methods and compositions for transdermal administration of an amine containing compound having biphasic solubility and/or an agent which enhances the activity of the amine containing compound having biphasic solubility, e.g., a muscle relaxant, to relieve pain.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate natural &bgr; amyloid peptide aggregation are provided. The modulators of the invention comprise a peptide, preferably based on a &bgr; amyloid peptide, that is comprised entirely of D-amino acids. Preferably, the peptide comprises 3-5 D-amino acid residues and includes at least two D-amino acid residues independently selected from the group consisting of D-leucine, D-phenylalanine and D-valine. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peptide is a retro-inverso isomer of a &bgr; amyloid peptide, preferably a retro-inverso isomer of A&bgr;17-21. In certain embodiments, the peptide is modified at the amino-terminus, the carboxy-terminus, or both. Preferred amino-terminal modifying groups include cyclic, heterocyclic, polycyclic and branched alkyl groups. Preferred carboxy-terminal modifying groups include an amide group, an alkyl amide group, an aryl amide group or a hydroxy group.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate natural &bgr; amyloid peptide aggregation are provided. The modulators of the invention comprise a peptide, preferably based on a &bgr; amyloid peptide, that is comprised entirely of D-amino acids. Preferably, the peptide comprises 3-5 D-amino acid residues and includes at least two D-amino acid residues independently selected from the group consisting of D-leucine, D-phenylalanine and D-valine. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peptide is a retro-inverso isomer of a &bgr; amyloid peptide, preferably a retro-inverso isomer of A&bgr;17-21. In certain embodiments, the peptide is modified at the amino-terminus, the carboxy-terminus, or both. Preferred amino-terminal modifying groups include cyclic, heterocyclic, polycyclic and branched alkyl groups. Preferred carboxy-terminal modifying groups include an amide group, an alkyl amide group, an aryl amide group or a hydroxy group.

Abstract: Improved methods for detecting lesions in dense breast tissue are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH antagonist in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to reduce the density of breast tissue prior to generating an image of the breast tissue, for example by mammography, to detect a lesion in the breast tissue. Packaged formulations for reducing breast density in a subject prior to generating an image of the subject's breast tissue, comprising an LHRH antagonist packaged with instructions for using the LHRH antagonist to reduce breast density in a subject prior to imaging the breast tissue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides peptide compounds that bind to either a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and, accordingly, are useful for modulating FGFR activity. Preferably, the FGFR is FGFR2-IIIC. Preferably, the FGF is basic FGF. Preferably the peptide compound comprises an amino acid sequence: (Y/F)-(L/F/I)-(R/D/E/S/Y/G)-(Q/L/Y)-Y-(M/L/K/R)-(L/M/D/E/N/S)-(R/L/S/T)-(L/F/M/V) (SEQ ID NO: 1). The invention further comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptide compounds of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention still further provides methods of modulating FGFR activity using the peptide compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for treating prostate cancer are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH-R antagonist, in combination with a second therapy. In one embodiment, this second therapy is performance of a procedure that removes or destroys prostatic tumor tissue, such as a radical prostatectomy, cryosurgery or X-ray therapy (external or interstitial). In another embodiment, the second therapy is treatment with an LHRH-R agonist, either simultaneous with or subsequent to LHRH-R antagonist therapy. The methods of the invention can further involve administering an antiandrogen and/or an inhibitor of sex steroid biosynthesis to the subject in combination with the LHRH-R antagonist.

Abstract: Sustained delivery formulations comprising a water-insoluble complex of a peptidic compound (e.g., a peptide, polypeptide, protein, peptidomimetic or the like) and a carrier macromolecule are disclosed. The formulations of the invention allow for loading of high concentrations of peptidic compound in a small volume and for delivery of a pharmaceutically active peptidic compound for prolonged periods, e.g., one month, after administration of the complex. The complexes of the invention can be milled or crushed to a fine powder. In powdered form, the complexes form stable aqueous suspensions and dispersions, suitable for injection. In a preferred embodiment, the peptidic compound of the complex is an LHRH analogue, preferably an LHRH antagonist, and the carrier macromolecule is an anionic polymer, preferably carboxymethylcellulose. Methods of making the complexes of the invention, and methods of using LHRH-analogue-containing complexes to treat conditions treatable with an LHRH analogue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for treating prostate cancer are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH-R antagonist, in combination with a second therapy. In one embodiment, this second therapy is performance of a procedure that removes or destroys prostatic tumor tissue, such as a radical prostatectomy, cryosurgery or X-ray therapy (external or interstitial). In another embodiment, the second therapy is treatment with an LHRH-R agonist, either simultaneous with or subsequent to LHRH-R antagonist therapy. The methods of the invention can further involve administering an antiandrogen and/or an inhibitor of sex steroid biosynthesis to the subject in combination with the LHRH-R antagonist.

Abstract: Methods for treating prostate cancer are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH-R antagonist, in combination with a second therapy. In one embodiment, this second therapy is performance of a procedure that removes or destroys prostatic tumor tissue, such as a radical prostatectomy, cryosurgery or X-ray therapy (external or interstitial). In another embodiment, the second therapy is treatment with an LHRH-R agonist, either simultaneous with or subsequent to LHRH-R antagonist therapy. The methods of the invention can further involve administering an antiandrogen and/or an inhibitor of sex steroid biosynthesis to the subject in combination with the LHRH-R antagonist.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate natural .beta. amyloid peptide aggregation are provided. The modulators of the invention comprise a peptide, preferably based on a .beta. amyloid peptide, that is comprised entirely of D-amino acids. Preferably, the peptide comprises 3-5 D-amino acid residues and includes at least two D-amino acid residues independently selected from the group consisting of D-leucine, D-phenylalanine and D-valine. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peptide is a retro-inverso isomer of a .beta. amyloid peptide, preferably a retro-inverso isomer of A.beta..sub.17-21. In certain embodiments, the peptide is modified at the amino-terminus, the carboxy-terminus, or both. Preferred amino-terminal modifying groups include cyclic, heterocyclic, polycyclic and branched alkyl groups. Preferred carboxy-terminal modifying groups include an amide group, an alkyl amide group, an aryl amide group or a hydroxy group.

Abstract: Sustained delivery formulations comprising a water-insoluble complex of a peptide and a carrier macromolecule are disclosed. The formulations of the invention allow for loading of high concentrations of peptide in a small volume and for delivery of a pharmaceutically active peptide for prolonged periods, e.g., one month, after administration of the complex. The complexes of the invention can be milled or crushed to a fine powder. In powdered form, the complexes form stable aqueous suspensions and dispersions, suitable for injection. In a preferred embodiment, the peptide of the complex is an LHRH analogue, preferably an LHRH antagonist, and the carrier macromolecule is an anionic polymer, preferably carboxymethylcellulose. Methods of making the complexes of the invention, and methods of using LHRH-analogue-containing complexes to treat conditions treatable with an LHRH analogue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins or peptides are disclosed. The modulators of the invention can promote amyloid aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural amyloid aggregation. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds modulate the aggregation of natural .beta. amyloid peptides (.beta.-AP). In a preferred embodiment, the .beta. amyloid modulator compounds of the invention are comprised of an A.beta. aggregation core domain and a modifying group coupled thereto such that the compound alters the aggregation or inhibits the neurotoxicity of natural .beta. amyloid peptides when contacted with the peptides. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural .beta.-AP aggregation when the natural .beta.-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and diagnostic and treatment methods for amyloidogenic diseases using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.