Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the enhancement of transfer of a therapeutic agent to a cell wherein the therapeutic agent is formulated in a buffer comprising a compound of Formula I: wherein: n is an integer from 2-8; X1 is a cholic acid group or deoxycholic acid group; and X2 and X3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a cholic acid group, a deoxycholic acid group, and a saccharide group, wherein the saccharide group is selected from the group consisting of pentose monosaccharide groups, hexose monosaccharide groups, pentose-pentose disaccharide groups, hexose-hexose disaccharide groups, pentose-hexose disaccharide groups, and hexose-pentose disaccharide groups; and wherein at least one of X2 and X3 is a saccharide group.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer using a gene delivery system, such as a viral vector delivery system, comprising a therapeutic gene such as p53 or a retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene wherein the gene delivery system is formulated in a buffer comprising a delivery-enhancing agent such as ethanol or a detergent.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the enhancement of transfer of a therapeutic agent to a cell wherein the therapeutic agent is formulated in a buffer comprising a compound of Formula I: wherein: n is an integer from 2-8; X1 is a cholic acid group or deoxycholic acid group; and X2 and X3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a cholic acid group, a deoxycholic acid group, and a saccharide group, wherein the saccharide group is selected from the group consisting of pentose monosaccharide groups, hexose monosaccharide groups, pentose-pentose disaccharide groups, hexose-hexose disaccharide groups, pentose-hexose disaccharide groups, and hexose-pentose disaccharide groups; and wherein at least one of X2 and X3 is a saccharide group.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the enhancement of transfer of a therapeutic agent to a cell wherein the therapeutic agent is formulated in a buffer comprising a compound of Formula I: wherein: n is an integer from 2-8; X1 is a cholic acid group or deoxycholic acid group; and X2 and X3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a cholic acid group, a deoxycholic acid group, and a saccharide group, wherein the saccharide group is selected from the group consisting of pentose monosaccharide groups, hexose monosaccharide groups, pentose-pentose disaccharide groups, hexose-hexose disaccharide groups, pentose-hexose disaccharide groups, and hexose-pentose disaccharide groups; and wherein at least one of X2 and X3 is a saccharide group.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing transfer of an agent into a cell. The agents can include polypeptides, polynucleotides such as genes and antisense nucleic acids, and other molecules. In some embodiments, the agents are modulating agents that can modulate a cellular activity or function when introduced into the cell. The methods and compositions are useful for introducing agents into individual cells, as well as cells that are present as a tissue or organ.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer using a gene delivery system, such as a viral vector delivery system, comprising a therapeutic gene such as p53 or a retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene wherein the gene delivery system is formulated in a buffer comprising a delivery-enhancing agent such as ethanol or a detergent.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations and methods to enhance the delivery of nucleic acids to cells. Formulations comprising dextrin polymers in combination with sugars provide enhanced delivery of nucleic acids, particularly eucaryotic expression vectors, demonstrate enhanced delivery of nucleic acids to cells in vivo. The present invention also provides methods of treatment in combination with such formulations.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the enhancement of transfer of a therapeutic agent to a cell wherein the therapeutic agent is formulated in a buffer comprising a compound of Formula I: wherein: n is an integer from 2-8; X1 is a cholic acid group or deoxycholic acid group; and X2 and X3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a cholic acid group, a deoxycholic acid group, and a saccharide group, wherein the saccharide group is selected from the group consisting of pentose monosaccharide groups, hexose monosaccharide groups, pentose-pentose disaccharide groups, hexose-hexose disaccharide groups, pentose-hexose disaccharide groups, and hexose-pentose disaccharide groups; and wherein at least one of X2 and X3 is a saccharide group.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods of treating cancer by gene therapy using a therapeutic gene formulated in a buffer comprising a delivery-enhancing agent. The delivery-enhancing agents of the invention can be used to formulate therapeutic or diagnostic agents, such as proteins, nucleic acids, antisense RNA, small molecules, etc., for administration to any tissue or organ having an epithelial membrane. The delivery-enhancing agents include detergents, alcohols, surfactants and other molecules.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for administering protein or gene therapy to tissues or organs having an epithelial cell layer are provided. A protein or nucleic acid encoding the protein is administered to the target tissue or organ in combination with treatment with a delivery enhancing agent which increases the delivery of the interferon or nucleic acid to the cells of the target tissues or organs. The methods and combinations are particularly useful in the treatment of cancers and other conditions responsive to interferon therapy. An exemplary method comprises the transurethral intravesical administration to the bladder of a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an alpha-interferon or a gene delivery system encoding the interferon and SYN3 or a SYN3 homolog or analog.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations and methods to enhance the delivery of nucleic acids to cells. Formulations comprising dextrin polymers in combination with sugars provide enhanced delivery of nucleic acids, particularly eucaryotic expression vectors, demonstrate enhanced delivery of nucleic acids to cells in vivo. The present invention also provides methods of treatment in combination with such formulations.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for administering interferon therapy to tissues or organs having an epithelial cell layer are provided. A recombinant adenoviral vector encoding an interferon gene is administered to the target tissue or organ in combination with treatment with a delivery enhancing agent which increases the transduction of the cells of the target tissues or organs by the vector. The methods and combinations are useful in the treatment of cancers and other conditions responsive to interferon therapy. An exemplary method comprises the transurethral intravesical administration to the bladder of a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an adenoviral vector encoding alpha-interferon and SYN3 or a SYN3 homolog or analog. In the urinary bladder, as much as a 1,000 to 10,000 fold increase in interferon gene expression has been achieved by use of the combination of SYN3 with the recombinant adenoviral vector as compared to the use of the vector without SYN3.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer using a gene delivery system, such as a viral vector delivery system, comprising a therapeutic gene such as p53 or a retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene wherein the gene delivery system is formulated in a buffer comprising a delivery-enhancing agent such as ethanol or a detergent.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing transfer of an agent into a cell. The agents can include polypeptides, polynucleotides such as genes and antisense nucleic acids, and other molecules. In some embodiments, the agents are modulating agents that can modulate a cellular activity or function when introduced into the cell. The methods and compositions are useful for introducing agents into individual cells, as well as cells that are present as a tissue or organ.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations and methods to enhance the delivery of nucleic acids to cells. Formulations comprising dextrin polymers in combination with sugars provide enhanced delivery of nucleic acids, particularly eucaryotic expression vectors, demonstrate enhanced delivery of nucleic acids to cells in vivo. The present invention also provides methods of treatment in combination with such formulations.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing transfer of an agent into a cell. The agents can include polypeptides, polynucleotides such as genes and antisense nucleic acids, and other molecules. In some embodiments, the agents are modulating agents that can modulate a cellular activity or function when introduced into the cell. The methods and compositions are useful for introducing agents into individual cells, as well as cells that are present as a tissue or organ.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer using a gene delivery system, such as a viral vector delivery system, comprising a therapeutic gene wherein the gene delivery system is formulated in a buffer comprising a delivery-enhancing agent such as ethanol.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing transfer of an agent into a cell. The agents can include polypeptides, polynucleotides such as genes and antisense nucleic acids, and other molecules. In some embodiments, the agents are modulating agents that can modulate a cellular activity or function when introduced into the cell. The methods and compositions are useful for introducing agents into individual cells, as well as cells that are present as a tissue or organ.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer using a gene delivery system, such as a viral vector delivery system, comprising a therapeutic gene such as p53 or a retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene wherein the gene delivery system is formulated in a buffer comprising a delivery-enhancing agent such as ethanol or a detergent.

Abstract: A new imidazolyl propyl guanidine derivative corresponding to formula I ##STR1## is described, which is distinguished by a combination of particularly advantageous properties for the treatment of diseases of the heart and circulation.