Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for the intracellular delivery of therapeutically, active divalent metal ions, the compositions comprising a polypeptide having (i) one or more targeting moiety conjugated thereto, (ii) an ionophore conjugated thereto via a cleavable linker, and (iii) a divalent metal ion bound thereto, and methods for preparing such compositions, and their use in therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a zinc2+ salt and a ?-polyglutamic acid carrier, and, optionally, an NF-kB inhibitor as a tumor-sensitizing agent, and methods for using such compositions to treat tumors in patients. Methods include administering a liquid dosage form or a solid dosage form of a therapeutically effective amount of a Zn(II) salt and a ?-polyglutamic acid carrier to a patient in need thereof. Methods of treating a broad spectrum of human tumors, including tumors with a drug-resistant phenotype, using the disclosed compositions are provided. Tumors that respond to the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein include neuroendocrine (neuroblastoma), gastric, uterine, and lung tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating a cancer patient comprising administering a Zn(II) agent or a Zn(II) agent/immune-oncology agent combination to provide a therapeutic benefit to the cancer patient. The methods are useful in treating a broad spectrum of human cancers, including solid tumors and blood-based cancerous cells. In particular embodiments, the treatment methods are directed to cancer types characterized by genetic instability mutations.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a zinc2+ salt and a ?-polyglutamic acid carrier, and, optionally, an NF-?B inhibitor as a tumor-sensitizing agent, and methods for using such compositions to treat tumors in patients. Methods include administering a liquid dosage form or a solid dosage form of a therapeutically effective amount of a Zn(II) salt and a ?-polyglutamic acid carrier to a patient in need thereof. Methods of treating a broad spectrum of human tumors, including tumors with a drug-resistant phenotype, using the disclosed compositions are provided. Tumors that respond to the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein include neuroendocrine (neuroblastoma), gastric, uterine, and lung tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a zinc2+ salt and a ?-polyglutamic acid carrier, and, optionally, an NF-kB inhibitor as a tumor-sensitizing agent, and methods for using such compositions to treat tumors in patients. Methods include administering a liquid dosage form or a solid dosage form of a therapeutically effective amount of a Zn(II) salt and a ?-polyglutamic acid carrier to a patient in need thereof. Methods of treating a broad spectrum of human tumors, including tumors with a drug-resistant phenotype, using the disclosed compositions are provided. Tumors that respond to the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein include neuroendocrine (neuroblastoma), gastric, uterine, and lung tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for administering zinc, including nutritional supplement compositions, comprising ?-polyglutamic acid, a zinc salt, and a gastro-resistant material for use as a dietary supplement to provide zinc to persons desiring or in need thereof, and methods for preparing such compositions as solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules, and as liquid dosage forms.

Abstract: Methods of preventing and/or treating cancer are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to the patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of a water-soluble, acid-stable organometallic nanoparticles, optionally in combination with another therapeutic agent. In particular, nanoparticles that consist of polymerized citric acid and various different types of metals including, but not limited to, iron, calcium, zinc, silver and magnesium. These nanoparticles are acid-stability and self-degradation leading to constituent metal release when pH rises closer to the neutral pH of 7 or higher.

Abstract: Among natural mechanisms of cell deaths, disease or toxicity, one of the most common method is through overloading of certain biological metals such as calcium, iron and zinc. We propose to utilize this natural mechanism of cell death against cancer by utilizing the well known phenomenon of enhanced permeation and retention effect (EPR effect) and metal-binding nanoparticle moieties that can self-degrade under certain biological conditions such as pH. More specifically, we show that one can form nanoparticles that consist of polymerized citric acid and various different types of metals including, but not limited to, iron, calcium, zinc, silver and magnesium, displaying acid-stability and self-degradation leading to constituent metal release when pH rises closer to the neutral pH of 7 or higher.