Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering a taxane composition for the treatment of cancer. In one aspect, the compositions are not diluted prior to administration. Some embodiments provide methods for administering a taxane as a bolus injection or an intravenous infusion in less than about 30 minutes. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for administering a taxane to provide high concentrations of the taxane in blood or in tumors. Another aspect provides methods for administering a taxane to provide anti-tumor activities against solid tumors. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against tumors that were resistant to conventional taxane administration methods. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against colorectal tumors.

Abstract: Tocol-based compositions of charged amphiphilic and water soluble pharmaceutically active compounds or their charged precursors are prepared by forming a tocol-soluble ion pair with an oppositely charged ion-pair forming compound capable of forming a tocol-soluble ion-pair with the active compound.

Abstract: Tocopherol derivatives are provided. In one embodiment, the tocopherol derivative includes a tocopherol moiety covalently coupled to branched hydrophilic moiety. In another embodiment, the tocopherol derivative includes a first tocopherol moiety covalently coupled to a second tocopherol moiety through a hydrophilic moiety. In other embodiments, the derivative includes three or more tocopherol moieties.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of tocopherol incorporating a co-solvent and, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans by various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Metformin salts of lipophilic acids, their pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of administrating the metformin salts for the treatment of hyperglycemia.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Tocopherol derivatives are provided. In one embodiment, the tocopherol derivative includes a tocopherol moiety covalently coupled to branched hydrophilic moiety. In another embodiment, the tocopherol derivative includes a first tocopherol moiety covalently coupled to a second tocopherol moiety through a hydrophilic moiety. In other embodiments, the derivative includes three or more tocopherol moieties.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by b ocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of tocopherol incorporating a co-solvent and, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans by various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering a taxane composition for the treatment of cancer. In one aspect, the compositions are not diluted prior to administration. Some embodiments provide methods for administering a taxane as a bolus injection or an intravenous infusion in less than about 30 minutes. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for administering a taxane to provide high concentrations of the taxane in blood or in tumors. Another aspect provides methods for administering a taxane to provide anti-tumor activities against solid tumors. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against tumors that were resistant to conventional taxane administration methods. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against colorectal tumors, bladder carcinoma, or gastrointestinal tumors.

Abstract: A method of making an emulsion of tocopherol incorporating a co-solvent and, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans by various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Tocol-based compositions of charged amphiphilic and water soluble pharmaceutically active compounds or their charged precursors are prepared by forming a tocol-soluble ion pair with an oppositely charged ion-pair forming compound capable of forming a tocol-soluble ion-pair with the active compound. Also disclosed are novel compounds tocopherolsuccinate-aspartate and tocopherolsuccinate-glutamate, which are useful as ion-pair forming compounds.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a liquid having a boiling point below the temperature of the animal to be imaged and which therefore undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to the animal. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or "microbubbles," comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.

Abstract: A method of activating an ultrasound contrast agent such that an increased number of microbubbles are produced and subsequent ultrasound images using the activated agent is enhanced. Hypobaric methods are disclosed which provide significant increases in bubble population per unit volume over unactivated solutions. The method is particularly useful for the activation of the dispersed phase in a gas or liquid in liquid emulsion.

Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a high vapor pressure chemical which undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to an organism. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.