Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and method for inhibiting growth of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition includes human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes a mixture of human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof and an anticancer drug which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from, for example of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, benign prostate hyperplasia, or (BPH) gastrointestinal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the pharmacokinetics of protease inhibitors and protease inhibitor precursors and pharmaceutical composition comprising protease inhibitors or protease inhibitor precursors of formula I and a cytochrome P450 monooxigenase inhibitor; when the compound of formula I comprises an amino group, pharmaceutically acceptable ammonium salts thereof, wherein R1 may be, for example, (HO)2P(O)—, (NaO)2P(O)—, alkyl-CO— or cycloalkyl-CO—, wherein X may be, for example, F, Cl, and Br, and wherein R2 and R3 are as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and method for inhibiting growth of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition includes human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes a mixture of human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof and an anticancer drug which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from, for example of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, benign prostate hyperplasia, or (BPH) gastrointestinal cancer.

Abstract: In the serum, PSP94 occurs as a free form or is associated with a carrier protein. PSP94 in its bound form has been quantified in the blood of prostate cancer patients and these measurements have shown utility as evaluation or prognosis of prostate cancer. Diagnostic assays, methods, and kits for detecting a free form of PSP94, and reagents such as antibodies able to bind to a free form of PSP94 are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is an integral part of normal physiological and developmental processes as well as several pathologies, ranging from tumor growth and metastasis to inflammation and ocular disease. Methods and compositions are provided for controlling normal angiogenesis and for treating angiogenesis associated or mediated diseases as well as for preventing cancer progression and metastasis through the use of a prostrate secretory protein (PSP) family member.

Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in morphogenesis, angiogenesis, wound healing, and in certain disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, tumor invasion and metastasis. MMPs are thought to be regulated by a variety of cytokines, growth factors, hormones and phorbol esters. This regulation occurs on three levels; alteration of gene expression, activation of the latent zymogen and inhibition by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP). We report here a new agent that regulates the level of MMPs.

Abstract: In the serum, PSP94 occurs as a free form or is associated with a carrier protein. PSP94 in its bound form has been quantified in the blood of prostate cancer patients and these measurements have shown utility as evaluation of prognosis. The present invention identifies a carrier protein to which PSP94 is bound (named PSP94-binding protein) its purification process, its nucleic acid and amino acid sequence and to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis and prognosis of PSP94 related disease. More particularly, the present invention discloses improved diagnostic and prognostic assays as well as reagents useful for the evaluation of conditions linked with abnormal or elevated levels of PSP94, such as prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of PSP-94 for treating a patient suffering from hypercalcemia of malignancy. Prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP-94) is known to serve as prognostic marker in hormone-dependent prostate. In the current study the effect of PSP-94 on prostate cancer growth, metastases to the skeleton and hypercalcemia of malignancy was examined. A marked dose-dependent decrease in primary tumor volume was seen in experimental animals receiving PSP-94. Furthermore, while control animals routinely developed hypercalcemia due to PTHrP production, treatment with PSP-94 led to a near normalization of plasma calcium and a marked reduction in PTHrP production as determined by radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry. Results obtained demonstrate the ability of PSP-94 to be an effective treatment modality for prostate cancer. Furthermore, decrease in plasma PTHrP and calcium levels can serve as useful biochemical markers for monitoring the efficacy of this novel anti-tumor agent.

Abstract: The utility of the promoter/enhancer region (i.e. regulatory region) of the PSP94 gene in targeting expression of heterologous genes, to the prostate gland was analyzed. Three breeding lines (i.e., line A, line B and line C) of the PSP-TGMAP model described herein were established with constructs containing regulatory regions with or without additional exon/intron sequence of the PSP94 gene. These regulatory regions were operatively linked to the simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen (Tag, including both the large T and small t antigens). Histopathology evaluation of tumor grade, transgene expression, tumor responsiveness to androgen deprivation and tumor metastatic potential were analyzed and reported herein. This study indicates that regulatory regions (e.g., the promoter/enhancer with exon/intron region) of the PSP94 gene efficiently target the expression of heterologous genes to prostate tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical preparations for inhibiting in-vitro and in-vivo cancerous prostate, gastrointestinal and breast tumors. In one embodiment the pharmaceutical preparation includes human seminal prostatic inhibin which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from prostate cancer. In another embodiment the pharmaceutical preparation includes a mixture of human seminal prostatic inhibin and a anticancer drug which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from, for example gastrointestinal cancer. The anticancer drug of the latter mixture may be one selected from the group of drugs including mitomycin, idalubicin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, adriamycin and daunomycin.