Abstract: Methods for detecting a starch in a sample are provided. The methods include the steps of initially incubating the sample in the presence of an amylase-containing medium and subsequently subjecting the sample to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect ions characteristic of the starch in the sample. The amylase-containing medium can include an amylase and blood plasma or the amylase-containing medium can include an amylase and a component selected from the group consisting of about 90-92% water or buffered water, about 8% protein, about 0.9% salt, and/or about 1.1% organic substances. The incubating step can be done in conditions that permit digestion of the starch by the amylase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solution, in particular a pharmaceutically acceptable solution, comprising icodextrin and hydroxyalkyl starch (HAS) that can be used in methods of preventing metastasis formation and/or relapse by administration to a body cavity of a subject afflicted with cancer. Also disclosed is a kit comprising icodextrin and HAS in pre-weighed amounts and a pharmaceutically acceptable means of dissolving the same. Also disclosed is a device comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable solution and means for administering the same.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for the detection of a starch in a sample. The methods comprise the steps of initially incubating the sample in the presence of an amylase and subsequently subjecting the sample to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect ions characteristic of the starch in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polysaccharide comprising, optionally substituted, monosaccharide units linked via alpha-glycosidic bonds for use in preventing metastasis formation and/or relapse by administration to a body cavity of a subject afflicted with cancer. The present invention further relates to a method for preventing metastasis formation in a subject afflicted with cancer, comprising administering said composition to a body cavity of said subject, and thereby preventing metastasis formation in said subject. The present invention also relates to a composition and to a kit comprising a polysaccharide and a pharmaceutically acceptable means of solubilizing the same and to a device comprising a polysaccharide and means for administering the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate and a method for preparing the same, said hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate comprising a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative and a cytotoxic agent, the cytotoxic agent comprising at least one secondary hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch is linked via said secondary hydroxyl group to the cytotoxic agent. The conjugate according to the present invention has a structure according to the following formula HAS?(-L-M)n wherein M is a residue of the cytotoxic agent, L is a linking moiety, HAS? is the residue of the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative, and n is greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative has a mean molecular weight (MW) above the renal threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ex vivo method for increasing the effectiveness of antibodies and Fc? receptor-binding active ingredients, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a blood sample of a patient; b) subjecting the blood sample to an immunoapheresis; c) administering a therapeutically effective antibody or an Fc? receptor-binding active ingredient to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate and a method for preparing the same, said hydroxy-yalkyl starch conjugate comprising a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative and a cytotoxic agent, the cytotoxic agent comprising at least one secondary hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch is linked via said secondary hydroxyl group to the cytotoxic agent. The conjugate according to the present invention has a structure according to the following formula HAS?(-L-M)n wherein M is a residue of the cytotoxic agent, L is a linking moiety, HAS? is the residue of the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative, and n is greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative has a mean molecular weight (MW) above the renal threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate and a method for preparing the same, said hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate comprising a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative and a cytotoxic agent, the cytotoxic agent comprising at least one secondary hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch is linked via said secondary hydroxyl group to the cytotoxic agent. The conjugate according to the present invention has a structure according to the following formula HAS?(-L-M)n wherein M is a residue of the cytotoxic agent, L is a linking moiety, HAS? is the residue of the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative, and n is greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative has a mean molecular weight (MW) above the renal threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydroxyalkyl starch conjugates, a method for preparing the same, the hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate comprising a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative and a cytotoxic agent and the cytotoxic agent comprising at least one tertiary hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch is linked via said tertiary hydroxyl group to the cytotoxic agent. The conjugates according to the present invention have a structure according to the following formula HAS?(-L-M)n wherein M is a residue of the cytotoxic agent, L is a linking moiety, HAS? is the residue of the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative, and n is greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative has a mean molecular weight (MW) above the renal threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate and a method for preparing the same, said hydroxy-yalkyl starch conjugate comprising a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative and a cytotoxic agent, the cytotoxic agent comprising at least one secondary hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch is linked via said secondary hydroxyl group to the cytotoxic agent. The conjugate according to the present invention has a structure according to the following formula HAS?(-L-M)n wherein M is a residue of the cytotoxic agent, L is a linking moiety, HAS? is the residue of the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative, and n is greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative has a mean molecular weight (MW) above the renal threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydroxyalkyl starch conjugates, a method for preparing the same, the hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate comprising a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative and a cytotoxic agent and the cytotoxic agent comprising at least one tertiary hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch is linked via said tertiary hydroxyl group to the cytotoxic agent. The conjugates according to the present invention have a structure according to the following formula HAS?(-L-M)n wherein M is a residue of the cytotoxic agent, L is a linking moiety, HAS? is the residue of the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative, and n is greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative has a mean molecular weight (MW) above the renal threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate and a method for preparing the same, said hydroxyalkyl starch conjugate comprising a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative and a cytotoxic agent, the cytotoxic agent comprising at least one secondary hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch is linked via said secondary hydroxyl group to the cytotoxic agent. The conjugate according to the present invention has a structure according to the following formula HAS?(-L-M)n wherein M is a residue of the cytotoxic agent, L is a linking moiety, HAS? is the residue of the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative, and n is greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative has a mean molecular weight (MW) above the renal threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ex vivo method for increasing the effectiveness of antibodies and Fc? receptor-binding active ingredients, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a blood sample of a patient; b) subjecting the blood sample to an immunoapheresis; c) administering a therapeutically effective antibody or an Fc? receptor-binding active ingredient to the patient.