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: Human pancreatic cancer cells possess a distinct plasma membrane CCK receptor variant that can be differentiated from the classic CCK-B receptor with selective monoclonal antibodies. Use of this receptor may be helpful in early detection or treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Non-aggregating resorbable calcium phosphosilicate nanoparticles (CPNPs) are bioconjugated to targeting molecules that are specific for particular cells. The CPNPs are stable particles at normal physiological pH. Chemotherapy and imaging agents may be integrally formed with the CPNPs so that they are compartmentalized within the CPNPs. In this manner, the agents are protected from interaction with the environment at normal physiological pH. However, once the CPNPs have been taken up, at intracellular pH, the CPNPs dissolve releasing the agent. Thus, chemotherapeutic or imaging agents are delivered to specific cells and permit the treatment and/or imaging of those cells. Use of the bioconjugated CPNPs both limits the amount of systemic exposure to the agent and delivers a higher concentration of the agent to the cell. The methods and principals of bioconjugating CPNPs are taught by examples of bioconjugation of targeting molecules for breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia.

Abstract: Gastrin mRNA down-regulation using either stable transfection of an antisense gastrin cDNA or one of three shRNA (short hairpin RNA) constructs achieves significant reduction in growth of human pancreatic cancer. Tumor growth rate and incidence of metastases in both wild type and transfected pancreatic cancer cells is directly proportional to the degrees of gastrin mRNA expression. In order to avoid rapid degradation of injected siRNA, nanoliposomes can be loaded with gastrin siRNA and used to deliver the siRNA to the tumors. Significant reduction of tumors in mice using siRNA loaded nanoliposomes is achieved. Uptake of pegylated nanoliposomes by tumor cells depends upon the pegylation percentage.

Abstract: Human pancreatic cancer cells possess a distinct plasma membrane CCK receptor variant that can be differentiated from the classic CCK-B receptor with selective monoclonal antibodies. Use of this receptor may be helpful in early detection or treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.

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: Non-aggregating resorbable calcium phosphosilicate nanoparticles (CPNPs) are bioconjugated to targeting molecules that are specific for particular cells. The CPNPs are stable particles at normal physiological pH. Chemotherapy and imaging agents may be integrally formed with the CPNPs so that they are compartmentalized within the CPNPs. In this manner, the agents are protected from interaction with the environment at normal physiological pH. However, once the CPNPs have been taken up, at intracellular pH, the CPNPs dissolve releasing the agent. Thus, chemotherapeutic or imaging agents are delivered to specific cells and permit the treatment and/or imaging of those cells. Use of the bioconjugated CPNPs both limits the amount of systemic exposure to the agent and delivers a higher concentration of the agent to the cell. The methods and principals of bioconjugating CPNPs are taught by examples of bioconjugation of targeting molecules for breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia.

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: Human pancreatic cancer cells possess a distinct plasma membrane CCK receptor variant that can be differentiated from the classic CCK-B receptor with selective monoclonal antibodies. Use of this receptor may be helpful in early detection or treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.

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: 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.

Abstract: Methods for treating patients with viral infection with pharmaceutical agents are disclosed. In one embodiment, the virus is Hepatitis C and the pharmaceutical agent is amantadine. The methods of the present invention can be used in patients that have not responded to or cannot tolerate interferon treatment, as well as patients under the age of eighteen.