Abstract: This invention relates to immunogenic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides that lead to suppression of LHRH activity in males or females. These peptides are useful for inducing infertility and for treating prostatic hyperplasia, androgen-dependent carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma and testicular carcinoma in males. In females, the peptides are useful for treating endometriosis, benign uterine tumors, recurrent functional ovarian cysts and (severe) premenstrual syndrome as well as prevention or treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The subject peptides contain a helper T cell epitope and have LHRH at the C terminus. The helper T cell epitope aids in stimulating the immune response against LHRH. The peptides, optionally contain an invasin domain which acts as a general immune stimulator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method using synthetic peptides as the solid phase immunoadsorbent for the detection and elicitation of antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) gp120, and, in particular, antibodies having HIV neutralizing capabilities. The amino acid sequences of the peptides correspond to segments of the external envelope protein gp120 of HIV. These peptides have been found to be highly immunogenic, and are reactive with antibodies in sera of patients with AIDS, ARC or HIV infected individuals. They can also be used to elicit the production of neutralizing antibodies to HIV. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of a synthetic peptide selected from the groups consisting of peptides containing thirty-three amino acids in a prescribed sequence derived from the HIV-gp120 external protein, analogues, mixtures and poly-L-lysine polymers thereof, for the detection and elicitation of antibodies to HIV-gp120.

Abstract: This invention relates to immunogenic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides that lead to suppression of LHRH activity in males or females. When male rats are immunized with these peptides, serum testosterone drops and androgen-dependent organs atrophy significantly. These peptides are useful for inducing infertility and for treating prostatic hyperplasia, androgen-dependent carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma and testicular carcinoma in males. In females, the peptides are useful for treating endometriosis, benign uterine tumors, recurrent functional ovarian cysts and (severe) premenstrual syndrome as well as prevention or treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The subject peptides contain a helper T cell epitope and have LHRH at the C terminus. The helper T cell epitope aids in stimulating the immune response against LHRH. The peptides, optionally contain an invasin domain which acts as a general immune stimulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which are immunoreactive to antibodies to HCV or NANBHV and a method of detecting the presence of HCV or NANBHV antibodies in body fluids by using the peptides as the antigen. The peptides are selected from both the envelope and non-structural protein regions of the HCV or NANBHV. The detection method includes enzyme linked immunosorbent assay or other immunoassay procedures. The peptides and conjugates or polymers thereof are also useful as immunogens in generating high titer antibodies to HCV or in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel linear and branched peptides specific for the diagnosis and prevention of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. More particularly, the present invention is directed to linear and branched synthetic peptides containing at least one antigenic site which is effective for detecting HCV-associated antibodies in patients using immunoassay techniques. In some cases, these peptides are also library peptides with degenerate amino acid positions. Preferred mixtures for detection of HCV antibodies are provided as well as a novel spliced peptide useful for blocking the non-specific reactivity of certain NS-3 conformational epitopes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant proteins encoding at least two antigenic epitopes joined by flexible hinge domains. Proteins of this design enable presentation of each epitope to the immune system and are particularly useful as vaccines against infectious agents, such as viruses, when many variants of that agent exist. Moreover, the recombinant proteins of the invention are useful as a single vaccine composition effective against diverse infectious agents since the subject proteins can have antigenic epitopes from different infectious agents. The invention further provides nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells and methods for production of the subject recombinant proteins as well as vaccines and methods for treating HIV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II reactive antibodies and diagnosis of ATL (adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma) condition by the use of chemically synthesized peptide compositions. The peptide compositions comprise peptides having amino acid sequences corresponding to transmembrane and external segments of the envelope protein of HTLV-I/HTLV-II and mixtures thereof. The peptide compositions are highly immunoreactive with antibodies to HTLV in sera. The present invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous detection and diagnosis of ATL, HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by the use of chemically synthesized HTLV peptide compositions in conjunction with a chemically synthesized HIV (1 and 2) peptide composition. The present invention also provides a simple method to differentiate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel linear and branched peptides specific for the diagnosis and prevention of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH), as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. More particularly, the present invention is directed to linear peptides diagnostic for NS-3 of HCV as well as branched synthetic substituted and hybrid peptides containing at least one epitope which is effective in detecting NANBH-associated antibodies in patients with NANBH using immunoassay techniques. In addition, this invention provides immunoassays for the detection and diagnosis of NANBH using the subject peptides, vaccine compositions for prevention and treatment of NANBH or HCV infection as well as a method of treating or preventing NANBH and HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a bioassay consisting of an electrophysiological method and a cell culture system of dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons to screen and identify opioids with a high potential for use as "low- or non-addictive" analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to a specific group of opioid alkaloids and analogues thereof identified by the bioassay of the invention for the unique ability to activate only inhibitory, but not excitatory, opioid receptor function, for use as low- or non-addictive analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to the specific use of etorphine or dihydroetorphine of the opioid alkaloid family as low- or non-addictive analgesics and for the treatment of opioid addiction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a bioassay consisting of an electrophysiological method and a cell culture system of dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons to screen and identify opioids with a high potential for use as "low- or non-addictive" analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to a specific group of opioid alkaloids and analogues thereof identified by the bioassay of the invention for the unique ability to activate only inhibitory, but not excitatory, opioid receptor function, for use as low- or non-addictive analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to the specific use of etorphine or dihydroetorphine of the opioid alkaloid family as low- or non-addictive analgesics and for the treatment of opioid addiction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel branched peptides specific for the diagnosis and prevention of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH), as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. More particularly, the present invention is directed to branched synthetic substituted and hybrid peptides containing at least one epitope which is effective in detecting NANBH-associated antibodies in patients with NANBH using immunoassay techniques. In addition, this invention provides immunoassays for the detection and diagnosis of NANBH using the subject peptides, vaccine compositions for prevention and treatment of NANBH or HCV infection as well as a method of treating or preventing NANBH and HCV infection.