Abstract: The present invention concerns fragments and variants of the HYD1 peptide; polynucleotides encoding the peptides; host cells genetically modified with the polynucleotides; vectors comprising the polynucleotides; compositions containing these peptides, polynucleotides, vectors, or host cells; and methods of using the peptides, polynucleotides, vectors, and host cells as inhibitors of aberrant cell growth in vitro or in vivo, e.g., as anti-cancer agents for treatment of cancer, such as myeloma. The present invention further includes a method of increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, comprising administering an agent that binds ?1 integrin to a patient in need thereof. In one embodiment, the ?1 integrin binding agent is the HYD1 peptide, or a functional fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: Peptides and methods of their use for inhibiting drug and radiation-therapy resistance in cancerous cells in which efficacy of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy of a patient is enhanced by administration of an effective amount of a peptide that inhibits cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Preferably, the peptide comprises D-amino acids having the sequence: kmviywkag (RZ-3) or is a variant or modified version thereof. The peptide is preferably administered to the patient prior to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Inhibition of cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) by RZ-3 in multiple myeloma cells is disclosed.

Abstract: Peptides and methods of their use for inhibiting drug and radiation-therapy resistance in cancerous cells in which efficacy of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy of a patient is enhanced by administration of an effective amount of a peptide that inhibits cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Preferably, the peptide comprises D-amino acids having the sequence: kmviywkag (RZ-3) or is a variant or modified version thereof. The peptide is preferably administered to the patient prior to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Inhibition of cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) by RZ-3 in multiple myeloma cells is disclosed.