Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplasias in an animal or human comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent along with the biotherapeutic endogenous pentapeptide Met-enkephalin, referred to as opioid growth factor. Also provided are methods of treating neoplasias in an animal or human in need of such treatment, comprising the administration to the animal or human therapeutically effective amounts of a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one neoplasia-treating agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, along with opioid growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplasias in an animal or human comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent along with the biotherapeutic endogenous pentapeptide Met-enkephalin, referred to as opioid growth factor. Also provided are methods of treating neoplasias in an animal or human in need of such treatment, comprising the administration to the animal or human therapeutically effective amounts of a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one neoplasia-treating agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, along with opioid growth factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of epithelial wounds. In particular, the invention relates to methods and formulations for treating epithelial wounds based on application of an opioid antagonist such as naltrexone.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of dermal and epidermal wounds. In particular, the disclosure relates to treating dermal and epidermal wounds based on application of a composition comprising an opioid receptor antagonist, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and an enkephalinase. In some cases, the enkephalinase comprises aminopeptidase N (APN), neprilysin, dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3), carboxypeptidase A6 (CPA6), leucyl/cystinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), endothelin-converting enzyme-2 (ECE-2), a peroxin (PEX), damage induced neuronal endopeptidase (DINE), Kell protein, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplasias in an animal or human comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent along with the biotherapeutic endogenous pentapeptide Met-enkephalin, referred to as opioid growth factor. Also provided are methods of treating neoplasias in an animal or human in need of such treatment, comprising the administration to the animal or human therapeutically effective amounts of a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one neoplasia-treating agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, along with opioid growth factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of epithelial wounds. In particular, the invention relates to methods and formulations for treating epithelial wounds based on application of an opioid antagonist such as naltrexone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplasias in an animal or human comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent along with the biotherapeutic endogenous pentapeptide Met-enkephalin, referred to as opioid growth factor. Also provided are methods of treating neoplasias in an animal or human in need of such treatment, comprising the administration to the animal or human therapeutically effective amounts of a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one neoplasia-treating agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, along with opioid growth factor.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of epithelial wounds. In particular, the invention relates to methods and formulations for treating epithelial wounds based on application of an opioid antagonist such as naltrexone.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of epithelial wounds. In particular, the invention relates to methods and formulations for treating epithelial wounds based on application of an opioid antagonist such as naltrexone.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of dry eye. In particular, the invention relates to methods and formulations for treating dry eye based on topical application of opioid antagonists such as naltrexone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplasias in an animal or human comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent along with the biotherapeutic endogenous pentapeptide Met-enkephalin, referred to as opioid growth factor. Also provided are methods of treating neoplasias in an animal or human in need of such treatment, comprising the administration to the animal or human therapeutically effective amounts of a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one neoplasia-treating agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, along with opioid growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplasias in an animal or human comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent along with the biotherapeutic endogenous pentapeptide Met-enkephalin, referred to as opioid growth factor. Also provided are methods of treating neoplasias in an animal or human in need of such treatment, comprising the administration to the animal or human therapeutically effective amounts of a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one neoplasia-treating agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, along with opioid growth factor.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of inflammatory and ulcerative diseases of the bowel (e.g., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) with a therapeutically effective dose less than 50 mg. of opioid antagonists (e.g., naltrexone, nalmefene or naloxone) are disclosed. An embodiment of the invention includes a method of pharmaceutical treatment comprising orally administering to a human subject having Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis a therapeutic pharmaceutical composition once per day in the evening or at bedtime, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises form about 3 mg to about 4.5 mg of naltrexone, nalmefene, naloxone, or a hydrochloride salt thereof in an immediate release solid dosage formulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of dry eye. In particular, the invention relates to methods and formulations for treating dry eye based on topical application of opioid antagonists such as naltrexone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of cell cycle control by administering opioid growth factor (OGF), which activates opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) signaling. Particularly, the present invention provides a method for monitoring OGF modulation or treatment of a cell proliferation or growth related condition in a subject by assessing the level of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) relevant or corresponding to the condition. The present invention also provides a method for screening the eligibility of a subject for OGF modulation or treatment by assessing the level of OGF receptor (OGFr) and the relevant CKI. A method for enhancing the efficacy of OGF therapy by increasing the level of the relevant CKI and/or OGFr is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel nucleic acid molecules coding for opioid growth factor receptors. In particular, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules coding for human and rat OGF receptors. Antisense molecules, expression vectors and host cells, isolated proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, antibodies directed against such proteins, as well as pharmaceutical compositions derived therefrom are also included. The invention further provides methods of modulating cell growth by using the isolated nucleic acid molecules, the antisense molecules and the antibodies directed against the encoded proteins.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel nucleic acid molecules coding for opioid growth factor receptors. In particular, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules coding for human and rat OGF receptors. Antisense molecules, expression vectors and host cells, isolated proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, antibodies directed against such proteins, as well as pharmaceutical compositions derived therefrom are also included. The invention further provides methods of modulating cell growth by using the isolated nucleic acid molecules, the antisense molecules and the antibodies directed against the encoded proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of cell cycle control by administering opioid growth factor (OGF), which activates opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) signaling. Particularly, the present invention provides a method for monitoring OGF modulation or treatment of a cell proliferation or growth related condition in a subject by assessing the level of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) relevant or corresponding to the condition. The present invention also provides a method for screening the eligibility of a subject for OGF modulation or treatment by assessing the level of OGF receptor (OGFr) and the relevant CKI. A method for enhancing the efficacy of OGF therapy by increasing the level of the relevant CKI and/or OGFr is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel nucleic acid molecules coding for opioid growth factor receptors. In particular, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules coding for human and rat OGF receptors. Antisense molecules, expression vectors and host cells, isolated proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, antibodies directed against such proteins, as well as pharmaceutical compositions derived therefrom are also included. The invention further provides methods of modulating cell growth by using the isolated nucleic acid molecules, the antisense molecules and the antibodies directed against the encoded proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the treatment and prevention of cancer including particularly gastrointestinal cancer. More specifically, the present invention describes the use of naltrexone, naloxone and the pentapeptide growth factor [Met5]-enkephalin to inhibit and arrest the growth of cancer. Such efficiency has been discovered to be a consequence of the functional manipulation of the zeta (&zgr;) opioid receptor through endogenous [Met5]-enkephalin. This receptor has been determined to be present in growing cancers such as pancreatic and colon cancer, for example.