Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a sensor for tumor tissue and a local release system for releasing therapeutic agents/diagnostic agents for targeted tumor therapy and diagnosis. More specifically, the invention relates to a cation-stabilised biopolymer gel, in particular an alginate gel, for use as a carrier matrix for a tumor therapeutic agent and/or tumor diagnostic agent, characterised in that the gel destabilises in the presence of a stimulus, in particular lysyl oxidase (LOX), generated by tumor cells or tumor tissue and the tumor therapeutic agent and/or tumor diagnostic agent can be released, and a pharmaceutical composition that comprises this cation-stabilised biopolymer gel with incorporated tumor therapeutic agent and/or tumor diagnostic agent and optionally an additional reporter substance.

Abstract: Compositions, which are stable in storage, and a method of production of pharmaceutical based nanoparticulate formulations for photodynamic therapy comprising a hydrophobic photosensitizer, human serum albumin (HSA) and stabilizing agent are provided. These nanoparticulate formulations provide therapeutically effective amounts of photosensitizer (PS) for parenteral administration. In particular, tetrapyrrole derivatives can be used as photosensitizers whose efficacy and safety are enhanced by such nanoparticulate formulations. A method of preparing the HSA-based nanoparticles under sterile conditions is also provided. In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention temoporfin, a hydrophobic PS, is formulated as a nanoparticle for parenteral administration. The formulations are useful for treating hyperplasic and neoplasic conditions, inflammatory problems, and more specifically to target tumor cells.

Abstract: A targeted cultivation phase adjustment is provided in a process for the cultivation of cells in which biological cells are cultivated on at least one boundary surface between different, non-solid cultivation phases so that pre-determined cultivation conditions are given. A cultivation apparatus (100) for biological cells is also provided that includes a culture container (10) with different, non-solid cultivation phases (20) between which at least one boundary surface is formed.

Abstract: An adapter device includes a receptacle including at least one receiving element that detachably secures a sample chamber for cryoconservation of a biological sample, and a coupling device that connects the receptacle to a base section which can be secured in a cooling device, wherein the receiving element is 1) immobile in a holding state at a cryoconservation temperature and secures the sample chamber and 2) at least one of deformable and movable in a release state at a temperature above the cryoconservation temperature so that the sample chamber is detachable from the adapter device or can be inserted into the adapter device.

Abstract: The invention relates to anti-integrin antibodies which are covalently linked to nanoparticles, wherein these nanoparticles were prior loaded with chemotherapeutic/cytotoxic agents. The antibody-chemotherapeutic agent-nanoparticle conjugates according to the invention, especially wherein the antibody is MAb DI17E6 and the cytotoxic agent is doxorubicin show a significant increase of tumor cell toxicity.

Abstract: An adapter device includes a receptacle including at least one receiving element that detachably secures a sample chamber for cryoconservation of a biological sample, and a coupling device that connects the receptacle to a base section which can be secured in a cooling device, wherein the receiving element is 1) immobile in a holding state at a cryoconservation temperature and secures the sample chamber and 2) at least one of deformable and movable in a release state at a temperature above the cryoconservation temperature so that the sample chamber is detachable from the adapter device or can be inserted into the adapter device.

Abstract: Compositions, which are stable in storage, and a method of production of pharmaceutical based nanoparticulate formulations for clinical use in photodynamic therapy comprising a hydrophobic photosensitizer, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and stabilizing agents are provided. These nanoparticulate pharmaceutical formulations provide therapeutically effective amounts of photosensitizer for parenteral administration. In particular, tetrapyrrole derivatives can be used as photosensitizers, whose efficacy and safety are enhanced by such nanoparticulate formulations. It also teaches the method of preparing PLGA-based nanoparticles under sterile conditions. In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention PLGA-based nanoparticles have a mean particle size less than 500 nm and the photosensitizer is temoporfin, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-hydroxyphenyl)-chlorin (mTHPC).

Abstract: Compositions, which are stable in storage, and a method of production of pharmaceutical based nanoparticulate formulations for photodynamic therapy comprising a hydrophobic photosensitizer, human serum albumin (HSA) and stabilizing agent are provided. These nanoparticulate formulations provide therapeutically effective amounts of photosensitizer (PS) for parenteral administration. In particular, tetrapyrrole derivatives can be used as photosensitizers whose efficacy and safety are enhanced by such nanoparticulate formulations. A method of preparing the HSA-based nanoparticles under sterile conditions is also provided. In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention temoporfin, a hydrophobic PS, is formulated as a nanoparticle for parenteral administration. The formulations are useful for treating hyperplasic and neoplasic conditions, inflammatory problems, and more specifically to target tumor cells.

Abstract: A targeted cultivation phase adjustment is provided in a process for the cultivation of cells in which biological cells are cultivated on at least one boundary surface between different, non-solid cultivation phases so that pre-determined cultivation conditions are given. A cultivation apparatus (100) for biological cells is also provided that includes a culture container (10) with different, non-solid cultivation phases (20) between which at least one boundary surface is formed.

Abstract: A carrier system in the form of protein-based nanoparticles for the cell-specific, intracellular enrichment of at least one pharmacologically active substance. The system has structures that are coupled by reactive groups. The structures enable a cell-specific attachment and cellular absorption of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Three new HIV-1 isolates HIV-1 D747(ECACC V92082718), HIV-1 D757(ECACC V92082719) and HIV-1 D760(ECACC V92082720) are disclosed, which represent a further independent subtype of the HIV-1 family and have been recovered from Indian patients which at the time when the virus was isolated showed no typical AIDS symptoms. Also disclosed are vaccines against HIV-1 infections by this subtype and a process for producing the same, as well as the use of the HIV-1 infection, as well as for differential diagnosis.

Abstract: Three new HIV-1 isolates HIV-1 D747(ECACC V92082718), HIV-1 D757(ECACC V92082719) and HIV-1 D760(ECACC V92082720) are disclosed, which represent a further independent subtype of the HIV-1 family and have been recovered from Indian patients which at the time when the virus was isolated showed no typical AIDS symptoms. Also disclosed are vaccines against HIV-1 infections by this subtype and a process for producing the same, as well as the use of the HIV-1 infection, as well as for differential diagnosis.

Abstract: Vaccine for protection against HIV infections, therapeutic agents for treatment subsequent to HIV infections, process for their preparation and their use; procedure for differentiation between HIV-2.sub.ALT type infections and HIV-2 infections defined by the prototype HIV-2.sub.ROD.Subject matter of the present invention are the virus HIV-2.sub.D205 as well as HIV-2 variants distinguishing from the HIV-2 prototypes of the type HIV-2.sub.ROD in that nucleotide sequence homology is less than 77%. Further, proteins and nucleic acids of HIV-2.sub.D205 and its variants for utilization as vaccines for protection against HIV infections, for geno- or immunotherapy, for establishing an animal model, and for differential diagnostics are part of this invention. Furthermore, the processes for preparing these vaccines, immunotherapeutic and diagnostic agents as well as their use are part of this invention.

Abstract: HIV-2 virus variants, namely virus HIV D194 and virus HIV D205, which can be cloned from the corresponding virus isolate HIV D194 (ECACC V 87122303) or from the infected cell line HUT 194 (ECACC V 87122306) or from the virus isolate HIV D205 (ECACC V 87122304), respectively, and their RNA or RNA-fragments and DNA and DNA-fragments derived therefrom and/or proteins and the use thereof for diagnostics and therapy.

Abstract: HIV-2 virus variants, namely virus HIV D194 and virus HIV D205, which can be cloned from the corresponding virus isolate HIV D194 (ECACC V 87122303) or from the infected cell line HUT 194 (ECACC V 87122306) or from the virus isolate HIV D205 (ECACC V 87122304), respectively, and their RNA or RNA-fragments and DNA and DNA-fragments derived therefrom and/or proteins and the use thereof for diagnostics and therapy.