Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition and method for treating uro-genital conditions. One embodiment disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of uro-genital conditions wherein said composition comprises a KPV dimer, a first preservative agent, a solvent, an alkalizer, an acrylic acid-based polymer, a second preservative agent and a gelatinizing agent. Another embodiment of the invention is disclosed wherein the composition comprises CKPV (SEQ ID NO: 5) dimer, API, Carbopol®, NF, propylparaben, NF; methylparaben, NF; propylene glycol, USP; edetic acid (EDTA), USP; 2 M sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH); and sterile water for injection, USP. Also disclosed are methods and indications for use of the disclosed composition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treating an ophthalmic infection by administering to a vertebrate inflicted with the ophthalmic infection an ophthalmologically effective amount of an antimicrobial peptide which is derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (?-MSH) and biologically functional equivalents thereof. Specifically, the antimicrobial peptides derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (?-MSH) include ?-MSH (1–13) which is SYSMEHFRWGKPV, ?-MSH (4–10) which is MEHFRWG, ?-MSH (6–13) which is HFRWGKPV, ?-MSH (11–13) which is KPV, and a KPV dimer. The ophthalmic infection can be caused by a microorganism which include a bacteria, a fungi or a virus. The vertebrate includes a bird and a mammal. The antimicrobial peptide has anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiviral property and therefore can be administered at the onset of the ophthalmic infection before the microorganism causing the infection is determined as well as thereafter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prevention and treatment for dermatological disorders. One aspect of this invention involves a dermatological treatment comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4) for the treatment and prevention of dermatological disorders. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the cutaneous inflammation and are carried by a carrier. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: Novel peptides with antimicrobial activity are disclosed. The novel peptides are octomeric peptides modified from ?-MSH. The modified ?-MSH antimicrobial peptides disclosed herein may have enhanced activity against microbes over ?-MSH due to modifications in peptide sequence and chirality of amino acids. Due an identified mechanism of action for antimicrobial activity in which cAMP accumulates in the microbial cell, it may be that microbes will not generate resistance to these modified ?-MSH antimicrobial peptides.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition and method of treatment of sinusitis. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a composition for treatment of sinusitis comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more peptides selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV (SEQ ID NO:1), HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:2), and SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:3) used in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an antihistamine/decongestant, corticosteroid, fungicide and/or antibiotic. In yet another embodiment of the invention, one or one or more peptides selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV (SEQ ID NO:1), HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:2), and SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:3), which may or may not be in combination with therapeutically effective amounts of antibiotics, corticosteroids and/or antihistamine/decongestants, are topically or systemically applied to treat sinusitis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treatment for animal pruritus. One aspect of this invention involves a treatment for animal pruritus comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ ID NO: 1), VKP-Ac-CC-Ac-KPV (SEQ ID NO: 5), MEHFRWG (SEQ ID NO: 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 3) or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 4) for animal pruritus caused by exposure to any number of agents or causes. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the animal pruritus and are combined with a shampoo. Other combinations include the polypeptides at a level to effectively treat animal pruritus combined with a shampoo and an antibiotic, antifungal and/or and anti-inflammatory. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treatment for animal pruritis. One aspect of this invention involves a treatment for animal pruritis comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence KPV (SEQ ID NO:1), VPK-AC-CC-AC-KPV, HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:3), SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:4) for animal pruritis caused by exposure to any number of agents or causes. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the animal pruritis and are combined with a shampoo. Other combinations include the polypeptides at a level to effectively treat animal pruritis combined with a shampoo and an antibiotic, antifungal and/or and anti-inflammatory. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prevention and treatment for dermatological disorders. One aspect of this invention involves a dermatological treatment comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4) for the treatment and prevention of dermatological disorders. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the cutaneous inflammation and are carried by a carrier. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and pharmaceuticals for treating HIV and secondary infection. One aspect of this invention involves the use of one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV, MEHFRWG, HFRWGKPV, or SYSMEHFRWGKPV for treatment of HIV. HIV is accompanied by infections, inflammation or both. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are used for treatment of HIV itself via medication taken orally or parentally. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the treatment is for secondary infections arising from Staphylococcus aureus and Candidia albicans and can be taken either orally or parentally. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, treatment is carried out by local application of the polypeptides through a carrier onto the site of S. aureus or C. albicans infection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Lys-Pro-Val dimer, formulations containing the dimer and dimer applicators. The Lys-Pro-Val dimer is an effective anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. The Lys-Pro-Val dimer is effective in treating fungal, bacterial and viral infections.

Abstract: The broadest aspect of the invention is a composition and method of treatment of fungal pathologies of the oral cavity or fungal growth on the surface of dentures. A preferred embodiment of the is a pharmacologically effective amount of a peptide selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV(SEQ ID NO: 1), HFRWGKPV(SEQ ID NO: 3), and SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 4) in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: itraconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, imconazole and fluconazole.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is the use alpha-MSH and/or its derivatives as an adjunct to gene therapy. In one aspect, the gene therapy vector includes nucleic acids that expresses alpha-MSH and/or its derivatives. Inflammatory or immune response gene promoter may control the expression of alpha-MSH and/or its derivatives. The sequences may also be expressed together with a therapeutic gene using an internal ribosomal entry site sequence. In another aspect, pharmacologically effective amount of alpha-MSH and/or its derivatives may be administered before, after, or concurrently with the gene therapy vector carrying the appropriate gene.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treating an ophthalmic infection by administering to a vertebrate inflicted with the ophthalmic infection an ophthalmologically effective amount of an antimicrobial peptide which is derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (&agr;-MSH) and biologically functional equivalents thereof. Specifically, the antimicrobial peptides derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (&agr;-MSH) include &agr;-MSH (1-13) which is SYSMEHFRWGKPV, &agr;-MSH (4-10) which is MEHFRWG, &agr;-MSH (6-13) which is HFRWGKPV, &agr;-MSH (11-13) which is KPV, and a KPV dimer. The ophthalmic infection can be caused by a microorganism which include a bacteria, a fungi or a virus. The vertebrate includes a bird and a mammal. The antimicrobial peptide has anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiviral property and therefore can be administered at the onset of the ophthalmic infection before the microorganism causing the infection is determined as well as thereafter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for treating uro-genital conditions. One aspect of this invention involves the treatment system comprising one or more polypeptides with a amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWG (SEQ. ID. NO. 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4), for treatment of uro-genital conditions. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above. Uro-genital conditions can include infections, inflammation, or both. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the uro-genital condition includes infection and/or inflammation of the vagina, vulva, urinary tract, penis, and/or the rectum. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are dissolved in a carrier. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are associated with a tampon for preventing toxic shock syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treatment for animal pruritus. One aspect of this invention involves a treatment for animal pruritus comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ ID NO: 1), VKP-Ac-CC-Ac-KPV (SEQ ID NO: 5), MEHFRWG (SEQ ID NO: 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 3) or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 4) for animal pruritus caused by exposure to any number of agents or causes. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the animal pruritus and are combined with a shampoo. Other combinations include the polypeptides at a level to effectively treat animal pruritus combined with a shampoo and an antibiotic, antifungal and/or and anti-inflammatory. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for treating uro-genital conditions. One aspect of this invention involves the treatment system comprising one or more polypeptides with a amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWG (SEQ. ID. NO. 2) HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4), for treatment of uro-genital conditions. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above. Uro-genital conditions can include infections, inflammation, or both. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the uro-genital condition includes infection and/or inflammation of the vagina, vulva, urinary tract, penis, and/or the rectum. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are dissolved in a carrier. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are associated with a tampon for preventing toxic shock syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treatment for animal pruritis. One aspect of this invention involves a treatment for animal pruritis comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV, VKP-AC-CC-AC-KPV, MEHFRWG, HFRWGKPV or SYSMEHFRWGKPV for animal pruritis caused by exposure to any number of agents or causes. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the animal pruritis and are combined with a shampoo. Other combinations include the polypeptides at a level to effectively treat animal pruritis combined with a shampoo and an antibiotic, antifungal and/or and anti-inflammatory. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition and method of treatment of sinusitis. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a composition for treatment of sinusitis comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more peptides selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV, HFRWGKPV, and SYSMEHFRWGKPV used in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an antihistamine/decongestant, corticosteroid, fungicide and/or antibiotic.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for combating cancer. In vitro studies have shown that &agr;-MSH inhibits the proliferation of various mesothelioma cell lines. The invention is directed to a system and method for combating cancer and, in a specific embodiment, mesothelioma. Use of a therapeutic composition containing &agr;-MSH and/or derivatives of &agr;-MSH is disclosed for treatments including but not limited to parenteral administrations, direct targeting of cancer cells, gene therapy and local administrations using a cannula. Certain derivatives of &agr;-MSH, NDP-&agr;-MSH for example, are particularly effective in combating growth in mesothelioma cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prevention and treatment for dermatological disorders. One aspect of this invention involves a dermatological treatment comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4) for the treatment and prevention of dermatological disorders. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the cutaneous inflammation and are carried by a carrier. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.