Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of prostate cancer and metastases thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to immunogenic polypeptides comprising at least a portion of a prostatic tumor cell-associated protein or immunologically active variants thereof and to nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and to the use thereof in immunotherapeutic methods of treatment of prostate cancer. Said immunogenic polypeptides are provided by the zona pellucida (ZP) (glyco)proteins. ZP (glyco)proteins and fragments thereof that can induce a CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cell response as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding them can suitably be used in the present immunotherapeutic strategies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing estrogen-suppressed tumours in a mammal, said method comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an estrogenic component to said mammal, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. The estrogenic component according to the invention is particularly useful in the treatment or prevention of colorectal and prostate cancer and, unlike commonly used estrogens, does not simultaneously enhance the risk of estrogen-stimulated cancers such as breast cancer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a cosmetic method of treating human skin by delivering an estrogenic component to said skin. The method comprises applying to the skin a composition containing: (i) at least 5 ?g/g of an estrogenic component selected from the group consisting of substances represented by the following formula (I) in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors; and (ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. Other aspects of the invention relate to therapeutic methods of treating or preventing vaginal dryness or acne and a therapeutic method of promoting wound healing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing estrogen-sensitive tumors in a mammal, said method comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an estrogenic component to said mammal, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. The estrogenic component according to the invention does not have undesirable proliferative effects on breast and/or endometrial tissue and displays sufficient estrogenicity to prevent that its administration will lead to hypoestrogenism and/or climacteric complaints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing estrogen-sensitive tumours in a mammal, said method comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an estrogenic component to said mammal, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. The estrogenic component according to the invention does not have undesirable proliferative effects on breast and/or endometrial tissue and displays sufficient estrogenicity to prevent that its administration will lead to hypoestrogenism and/or climacteric complaints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing estrogen-suppressed tumors in a mammal, said method comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an estrogenic component to said mammal, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula (I) in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4, independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. The estrogenic component according to the invention is particularly useful in the treatment or prevention of colorectal and prostate cancer and, unlike commonly used estrogens, does not simultaneously enhance the risk of estrogen-stimulated cancers such as breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tablet having a weight of 30-200 mg and consisting of: 60-100 wt. % of granules consisting of: 50-90% by weight of the granules of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA); 6-35% by weight of the granules of microcrystalline cellulose; 0-20% by weight of the granules of one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable granule ingredients; and 0-40 wt. % of one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable tablet components. These tablets can suitably be used to orally administer DHEA in dosages of around 50 mg and are sufficiently small to be incorporated in, for instance, ordinary oral contraceptive blister packs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3,15?,16?,17?-tetraol (estetrol), via a silyl enol ether derivative 17-B-oxy-3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraene, wherein A is a protecting group and B is —Si(R2)3. The invention further relates to a process for the synthesis of 3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-one, wherein A is a protecting group, via said silyl enol ether derivative.

Abstract: Sampler for self-sampling of samples from a body cavity, such as cervical samples. Optimum accessibility of the cervix is achieved through the sampler comprising a rigid plastic tube which is rounded at the front side. During its introduction, the sampler can accurately be moved to the cervix. The sampler is surrounded by the vagina and can prevent leakage of flushing liquid, and it is possible to use a relatively small quantity of flushing liquid while producing a sample with a high concentration of cervical cells. It is possible to reach the sampling location in a simple and more accurate way which does not damage tissue. As a result of the tube simultaneously being designed as a cylinder for a plunger, it is possible, to flush the desired location with a solution using a cylinder-plunger and, to take the sample by drawing the plunger back.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new use of tetrahydroxylated estrogens such as estetrol (1,3,5(10)-estratrien-3,15?,16?,17?-tetrol), namely in a method of emergency contraception. The method of emergency contraception according to the invention comprises the oral administration of estetrol in a single dose within 120 hours of sexual intercourse.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of prostate cancer and metastases thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to immunogenic polypeptides comprising at least a portion of a prostatic tumor cell-associated protein or immunologically active variants thereof and to nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and to the use thereof in immunotherapeutic methods of treatment of prostate cancer. Said immunogenic polypeptides are provided by the zona pellucida (ZP) (glyco)proteins. ZP (glyco)proteins and fragments thereof that can induce a CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cell response as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding them can suitably be used in the present immunotherapeutic strategies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a steroid in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for use in the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) or fetal growth retardation, said treatment comprising administering to a female mammal a steroid selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula (formula I) in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors of such substances; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an estrogen in the treatment of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) in a newborn infant, said treatment comprising administering an effective amount of estrogen to said newborn infant within 7 days after birth. The present treatment offers the advantage that estrogens can be administered using non-invasive modes of administration, e.g. oral or rectal administration. Other aspects of the present invention relate to a suppository for use in newborn infants comprising at least 1 ?g of estrogen and to an oral applicator comprising a container holding an aqueous liquid containing micronised estetrol and a metering dispenser for metering the liquid into the oral cavity of a newborn infant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating infertility in a female mammal that involves controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. The method includes administering to the female a combination of (i) an FSH substance in an amount effective to stimulate follicular development and (ii) a steroid in an effective amount to inhibit or suppress the secretion of luteinising hormone. The steroid can be substances represented by the following formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 15 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; derivatives of the aforementioned steroid substances; or mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances or derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical kit comprising a plurality of oral dosage units which comprise a progestogen. The progestogen is levonorgestrel, norgestimate, norethisterone, drospirenone, dydrogesterone, trimegestone, dienogest, precursors thereof and mixtures thereof. The kit comprises an amount of progestogen equivalent to 30-500 mg of levonorgestrel, 1-40 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 02-100 mg dehydroepiandrosterone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing or treating benign estrogen sensitive gynecological disorders in a female mammal, wherein the method comprises the administration to said female mammal of a combination of progestogen and androgen in an amount that is therapeutically effective to prevent or reduce the symptoms of these disorders. The present method is particularly suitable for preventing or treating disorders selected from the group consisting of endrometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. Another aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical kit comprising a plurality of oral dosage units which comprise a progestogen in an amount equivalent to 3-500 ?g levonorgestrel and either 5 to 250 mg dehydroepiandrosterone or 1 to 50 mg testosterone undecanoate.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is concerned with a method of hormone replacement therapy, which method comprises administering to a person in need of such a therapy an effective amount of an estrogenic component selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alokxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; and no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method, and mixtures thereof; said composition containing virtually no progestogen or anti-progestin. Another aspect of the invention relates to a drug delivery system for enteral or parenteral administration that contains at least 1 ?g of the aforementioned estrogenic component and virtually no progestogen or anti-progestin.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of hormone replacement in mammals, which method comprises the oral administration of an estrogenic component and a progestogenic component to a mammal in an effective amount to prevent or treat symptoms of hypoestrogenism, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of substances represented by the above formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; and no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a cosmetic method of treating human skin by delivering an estrogenic component to said skin. The method comprises applying to the skin a composition containing: (i) at least 5 ?g/g of an estrogenic component selected from the group consisting of substances represented by the following formula (I) in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors; and (ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. Other aspects of the invention relate to therapeutic methods of treating or preventing vaginal dryness or acne and a therapeutic method of promoting wound healing.

Abstract: The invention relates to therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of ovarian cancer and metastases thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to immunogenic polypeptides comprising at least a portion of an ovarian tissue cell-associated protein or immunologically active variants thereof and to nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and to the use thereof in immunotherapeutic methods of treatment. Said immunogenic polypeptides are provided by the zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. ZP glycoproteins and fragments thereof that can induce a CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cell response as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding them can suitably be used in the present immunotherapeutic strategies.