Abstract: The invention provides a peptide or a pharmaceutical salt thereof having a length from 14 to 50 and comprising a sequence having at least a 85% of sequence identity with respect to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein “m”, “n”, “p”, and “q” represent integers and are selected from 0 and 1; the C-terminal end corresponds to —C(O)R4; and N-terminal end corresponds to —NHR5; the peptide optionally comprising a linker biradical “L” of formula (I) connecting an alpha carbon atom of an amino acid located at position “i” with an alpha carbon atom of an amino acid located at position “i+4” or “i+7” in the peptide sequence SEQ ID NO: 1. The present invention also provides fusion proteins and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides of the invention as well as their use in therapy and, particularly, in the treatment of a disease caused by an increase or reduction in VEGF levels.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treatment of melanoma comprising administering a tyrosinase expression enhancer, such as MTX, and a tyrosinase-activated prodrug, such as TMECG or TMCG, to an individual in need thereof. Also provided is a method of treating melanoma comprising administering a tyrosinase-activated prodrug and a compound for differentiating a stem-like tumor cell into a matured cell that is a tyrosinase producer to an individual in need thereof. Further provided is a method of treatment of melanoma comprising administering a tyrosinase expression enhancer and a tyrosinase-activated prodrug to an individual in need thereof, wherein the individual has a melanoma in which one or more of BRAF, NRAS, p53, GNAQ, EGFR, PDGFR, RAC or c-kit carries a mutation.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula X) or Xl) (X) (XI) wherein: each —R1, —R2 and —R3 is independently -Q1, —OH or —H, where at least one of —R1, —R2 and —R3 is not —H or —OH; each —R4 and —R5 is independently -Q2 or —H; each -Q1 is independently selected from: —F, —Cl, —RA, —ORA, —SH, —SRA, where each —RA is independently selected from methyl and ethyl, which may substituted by one or more fluoro or chloro groups; and each -Q2 is selected from: —F, —Cl, —RB, —ORB, —SH, —SRB, where each —RB is independently selected from methyl and ethyl, which may substituted by one or more fluoro or chloro groups; which are useful in the treatment of melanoma.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula X) or XI) (X) (XI) wherein: each —R1, —R2 and —R3 is independently -Q1, —OH or —H, where at least one of —R1, —R2 and —R3 is not —H or —OH; each —R4 and —R5 is independently -Q2 or —H; each -Q1 is independently selected from: —F, —Cl, —RA, —ORA, —SH, —SRA, where each —RA is independently selected from methyl and ethyl, which may substituted by one or more fluoro or chloro groups; and each -Q2 is selected from: —F, —Cl, —RB, —ORB, —SH, —SRB, where each —RB is independently selected from methyl and ethyl, which may substituted by one or more fluoro or chloro groups; which are useful in the treatment of melanoma.