Abstract: HIV-protease inhibitors, particularly saquinavir, showed strong anticancer activity but numerous side effects limited its application. In order to overcome its toxicity original compounds were modified by covalent attachment of NO. The efficacy of parental and NO-modified drug was compared in vitro and in vivo. Anticancer activities of NO-modified saquinavir (Saq-NO) was monitored in vitro using assay for cell viability, proliferation, necrotic, autophagic and apoptotic cell death, differentiation, expression of intracellular molecules such as cyclin D3, p53 and Akt. Antitumor properties and toxicity of the compound was estimated in vivo. Saq-NO abrogated the viability of large spectrum of human and rodent tumor cell lines with IC50 significantly lower than parental drug and expressed strong antimelanoma action in vivo. In contrast to saquinavir, there was no detectable toxicity against primary cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present Invention provides novel methods for immortalizing cells that secrete antibodies of one or more specific isotypes. Polyclonal, oligoclonal, and monoclonal populations of cells obtained using the methods of the Invention can be screened on the basis of the functional and/or binding activities of the antibodies they secrete, for example directed to antigens of human or viral origin having medical interest, in cell culture conditions. Using these methods, human B cells that secrete antibodies binding human Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus, or HSP60 protein have been efficiently immortalized with Epstein-Barr virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isoxazole derivative, the compound of formula (I) herein after referred to as GIT27-NO, which is the NO-donating structurally modified form of (S,R)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazole acetic acid, herein after referred to as VGX-1027. Treatment of three tumor cell lines, rat astrocytoma C6, mouse fibrosarcoma L929, and mouse melanoma B16 cells with GIT27-NO resulted in a significant reduction of cell respiration and of number of viable cells, while VGX-1027 was completely ineffective. Hemoglobin, which act as NO-scavenger, restored cell viability, thus indicating the NO-mediated tumoricidal effect of compound (I). GIT27-NO triggered apoptotic cell death in L929 cell cultures, while autophagic cell death is mainly responsible for the diminished viability of C6 and B16 cells.

Abstract: HIV-protease inhibitors, particularly saquinavir, showed strong anticancer activity but numerous side effects limited its application. In order to overcome its toxicity original compounds were modified by covalent attachment of NO. The efficacy of parental and NO-modified drug was compared in vitro and in vivo. Anticancer activities of NO-modified saquinavir (Saq-NO) was monitored in vitro using assay for cell viability, proliferation, necrotic, autophagic and apoptotic cell death, differentiation, expression of intracellular molecules such as cyclin D3, p53 and Akt. Antitumor properties and toxicity of the compound was estimated in vivo. Saq-NO abrogated the viability of large spectrum of human and rodent tumor cell lines with IC50 significantly lower than parental drug and expressed strong antimelanoma action in vivo. In contrast to saquinavir, there was no detectable toxicity against primary cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isoxazole derivative, the compound of formula (I) herein after referred to as GIT27-NO, which is the NO-donating structurally modified form of (S,R)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazole acetic acid, herein after referred to as VGX-1027. Treatment of three tumor cell lines, rat astrocytoma C6, mouse fibrosarcoma L929, and mouse melanoma B16 cells with GIT27-NO resulted in a significant reduction of cell respiration and of number of viable cells, while VGX-1027 was completely ineffective. Hemoglobin, which act as NO-scavenger, restored cell viability, thus indicating the NO-mediated tumoricidal effect of compound (I). GIT27-NO triggered apoptotic cell death in L929 cell cultures, while autophagic cell death is mainly responsible for the diminished viability of C6 and B16 cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-6 in liver cirrhosis.

Abstract: The present Invention provides novel methods for immortalizing cells that secrete antibodies of one or more specific isotypes. Polyclonal, oligoclonal, and monoclonal populations of cells obtained using the methods of the Invention can be screened on the basis of the functional and/or binding activities of the antibodies they secrete, for example directed to antigens of human or viral origin having medical interest, in cell culture conditions. Using these methods, human B cells that secrete antibodies binding human Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus, or HSP60 protein have been efficiently immortalized with Epstein-Barr virus.