Abstract: Methods for the treatment of inflammatory and ulcerative diseases of the bowel (e.g., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) with low dose opioid antagonists (e.g., naltrexone, nalmefene or naloxone), pharmaceutical compositions for use in such methods, and methods for the manufacture of such pharmaceutical compositions. 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: 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 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 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.