Abstract: Novel methods and compositions for treating aged and environmentally damaged skin are disclosed which provide improvements in the skin's visual appearance, function and clinical/biophysical properties by activating at least one proteolytic enzyme in the skin's stratum corneum. The disclosed treatment methods involve topical application of a novel cosmetic composition containing a combination of a cationic surfactant such as N,N,-dimethyldodecyl amine oxide (DMDAO), an anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), or monoalkyl phosphate (MAP) and a chelating agent such as ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) to stimulate a chronic increase in the replacement rate of the skin's stratum corneum by means of corneum protease activation. This chronic, low level stimulation is effective to induce repair and replacement of the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis of the skin and improvements in the appearance, function, and anti-aging properties of the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging method for monitoring the efficacy of interventional therapies. The contrast agents useful in this method comprise an image-enhancing moiety (IEM) and a state-dependent tissue binding moiety (SDTBM). These contrast agents exhibit state-dependent binding to one or more components of a targeted tissue or tissue component and provide a detectable change in the signal characteristics of the agent once bound to the targeted tissue. As a result, these agents exhibit a binding affinity for, and thus image contrast of, the targeted tissue which changes as the tissue-state changes during therapy.

Abstract: The use of radio-labeled antitumor drugs in the treatment of solid tumors by the method of administering a radio-labeled anticancer drug to a patient and imaging at least a part of the patient using Positron Emission Tomography imaging is described. The method can be used to monitor delivery of antitumor drugs to tumors, to predict the effectiveness of therapy with a particular antitumor drug or combination of antitumor drugs, to assess the effectiveness of modulators of cellular accumulation, to individualize therapy and to evaluate the effectiveness of antitumor drugs with respect to particular cancers. Particularly preferred drugs are labeled taxanes, e.g., 11C-paclitaxel and 11C-docetaxel, labeled anthracyclines, e.g., 11C-doxorubicin and 11C-epirubicin, and other radiolabeled drugs, e.g. 11C-topotecan, 11C-SN-38, and 11C-imatinib. The invention further describes antitumor drugs labeled with the radioactive label 11C and methods of preparing radio-labeled drugs.

Abstract: Radiolabeled epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) irreversible inhibitors and their use as biomarkers for medicinal radioimaging such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and as radiopharmaceuticals for radiotherapy are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a composition that comprises a radioactive [18F], [123I], [125I], or [131I]-N-radiohaloaryl-alkylcarboxamide molecule. The composition binds to the transient receptor potential-M8 (TRP-M8) receptor of cells. The TRP-M8 receptor is selectively expressed in sensory neurons and in malignant tissues such as prostate cancer cells. The [18F], [123I], [125I], or [131I]-N-radiohaloaryl-alkylcarboxamide ligand may be used for radioreceptor binding studies, for diagnostic studies, and for radiotherapy of cancerous tissues. Affinity of the [125I] or [131I]-N-radiohaloaryl-alkylcarboxamide ligand for the TRP-M8 receptor confers selectivity and specificity in delivering lethal radiation to the diseased cells.

Abstract: The invention is a method and related precursor for preparing 18F-FLT. The precursor has a butoxycarbonyl protecting group at the 5?-position that results in low amounts of chromophoric byproducts being formed during deprotection. The method for preparing 18F-FLT is efficient and makes the final purification step less complicated.

Abstract: A 99mcTc labeled metal transport protein, products and uses thereof in imaging and especially detecting the presence of high energy/iron uptake tissues such as a tumour within a mammalian body are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of screening for inhibitors of beta-amyloid production, and thereby identifying such inhibitors as therapeutics for neurological and other disorders involving APP processing and beta-amyloid production. This invention also relates to identifying macromolecules involved in APP processing and beta-amyloid production. Furthermore, inhibitors identified by the screening method of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, which involve elevated levels of A? peptides.

Abstract: This invention relates to a particulate material comprising an inorganic low density, radiation tolerant core coated with a radionuclide, processes for its production and a method of radiation therapy utilizing the particulate material.

Abstract: A compound for use as a therapeutic or diagnostic radiopharmaceutical includes a group capable of complexing a medically useful metal attached to a moiety which is capable of binding to a gastrin releasing peptide receptor. A method for treating a subject having a neoplastic disease includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a radiopharmaceutical having a metal chelated with a chelating group attached to a moiety capable of binding to a gastrin releasing peptide receptor expressed on tumor cells with subsequent internalization inside of the cell. A method of forming a therapeutic or diagnostic compound includes reacting a metal synthon with a chelating group covalently linked with a moiety capable of binding a gastrin releasing peptide receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved diagnostic agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and optical imaging. In particular, this invention relates to MRI and optical imaging agents that allow for the sensitive detection of a specific bioactivity within a tissue. These agents are prodrug contrast agents which are bioactivated in vivo in the presence of the specific bioactivity. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these agents and to methods of using the agents and compositions comprising the agents.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of radio-labeled antitumor drugs in the treatment of solid tumors by the method of administering a radio-labelled anticancer drug to a patient and imaging at least a part of the patient using Positron Emission Tomography imaging. The method is used to monitor delivery of antitumor drugs to tumors and may be used to predict the effectiveness of therapy with a particular antitumor drug or combination of antitumor drugs, to assess the effectiveness of modulators of cellular accumulation, to individualize therapy and to evaluate the effectiveness of antitumor drugs with respect to particular cancers. Particularly preferred drugs are labeled taxanes, e.g., 11C-paclitaxel and 11C-docetaxel, labeled anthracyclines, e.g., 11C-doxorubicin and 11C-epirubicin, and other radio-labeled drug, e.g. 11C-topotecan and 11C-mitoxantrone. The invention further describes antitumor drugs labeled with the radioactive label 11C and methods of preparing radio-labeled drugs.

Abstract: Water-soluble discrete multi-biotin-containing compounds with at least three (3) biotin moieties are disclosed. The water-soluble biotin-containing compounds may additionally comprise one or more moieties that confer resistance to cleavage by biotinidase or that is cleavable in vitro or in vivo. The discrete multi-biotin-containing compounds may include a reactive moiety that provides a site for reaction with yet another moiety, such as a targeting, diagnostic or therapeutic functional moiety. Biotinylation reagents comprising water-soluble linker moieties are also disclosed and may additionally comprise a biotinidase protective group. Methods for amplifying the number of sites for binding biotin-binding proteins at a selected target using multi-biotin compounds also are disclosed.

Abstract: A compound useful for in vivo imaging of organs and tumors is provided of formula: wherein is a cobalamin, is derived from a corrin carboxylic acid group of said cobalamin, Y is a linking group and X is a chelating group, optionally comprising a detectable radionuclide or a paramagnetic metal ion, and n is 1–3.

Abstract: In part, the present invention is directed to compositions comprising a carrier with a metal binding domain, a metal ion, and an active agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are water soluble compositions of paclitaxel and docetaxel formed by conjugating the paclitaxel or docetaxel to a water soluble polymer such as poly-glutamic acid, poly-aspartic acid or poly-lysine. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions for treatment of tumors, auto-immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Other embodiments include the coating of implantable stents for prevention of restenosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inhibiting growth of a bacterium which consists essentially of contacting the bacterium with gemfibrozil, or a related compound, in a concentration effective to inhibit growth of the bacterium. This invention also provides related screening and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Novel tumor specific phototherapeutic and photodiagnostic agents are disclosed. The compounds consist of a carbocyanine dye for visualization, photosensitizer for photodynamic treatment, and tumor receptor-avid peptide for site-specific delivery of the probe and phototoxic agent to diseased tissues. A combination of these elements takes full advantage of the unique and efficient properties of each component for an effective patient care management.

Abstract: The use of contrast agents of molecular weight lower than 5000 Dalton and including at least one residue of a biliary acid for the preparation of diagnostic contrast compositions for the microvascular permeability assessment is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds and methods for targeting radionuclide-based imaging agents to cells having receptors for a vitamin, or vitamin receptor binding derivative or analog thereof, by using such a vitamin as the targeting ligand for the imaging agent. The invention provides a compound of the formula for use in such methods. In the compound, V is a vitamin that is a substrate for receptor-mediated transmembrane transport in vivo, or a vitamin receptor binding derivative or analog thereof, L is a divalent linker, R is a side chain of an amino acid, M is a cation of a radionuclide, n is 1 or 0, K is 1 or 0, and the compound can be in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. The vitamin-based compounds can be used to target radionuclides to cells, such as a variety of tumor cell types, for use in diagnostic imaging of the targeted cells.