Abstract: Methods are provided for treating diseases associated with abnormal activity of kinases. The method comprises: administering a DNA methylation inhibitor to the patient in therapeutically effective amount; and administering a kinase inhibitor to the patient in therapeutically effective amount, such that the in vivo activity of the kinase is reduced relative to that prior to the treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a patient having a disease associated with undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation, the method comprising: administering to the patient a 20(S)-camptothecin for a period of time during which a pyrimidine base analog is not being administered to the patient; and administering a pyrimidine base analog to the patient.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating diseases associated with abnormal activity of kinases. The method comprises: administering a DNA methylation inhibitor to the patient in therapeutically effective amount; and administering a kinase inhibitor to the patient in therapeutically effective amount, such that the in vivo activity of the kinase is reduced relative to that prior to the treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a patient having a disease associated with undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation, the method comprising: administering to the patient a 20(S)-camptothecin for a period of time during which a pyrimidine base analog is not being administered to the patient; and administering a pyrimidine base analog to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions that include a camptothecin and an amorphous cyclodextrin. The camptothecin may be substituted or unsubstituted. Also disclosed are methods of treating undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation by administering the inventive compositions. Finally, implants including an implant structure and the inventive composition are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having a disease associated with undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation such as cancer and restenosis is provided. The method comprises: delivering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of 9-nitro-20(S)-camptothecin in combination with an effective amount of an antimetabolite such as 5-fluorouracil.

Abstract: A method for treating diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation comprises delivering to a patient in need of treatment a compound selected from the group consisting of 20(S)-camptothecin, analog of 20(S)-camptothecin, derivative of 20(S)-camptothecin, prodrug of 20(S)-camptothecin, and pharmaceutically active metabolite of 20(S)-camptothecin, in combination with an effective amount of one or more agents selected from the group consisting of alkylating agent, antibiotic agent, an alkylating agent, antibiotic agent, antimetabolic agent, hormonal agent, plant-derived agent, anti-angiogenesis agent and biologic agent. The method can be used to treat benign tumors, malignant or metastatic tumors, leukemia and diseases associated with abnormal angiogenesis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treatment of conditions related to the overexpression of EZH2, such as late stage prostate cancer, using a DNA methylation inhibitor and/or a histone deacetylase inhibitor, optionally in combination with an EZH2 antagonist and/or an antineoplastic agent, to specifically target diseases associated with EZH2 over-expression. Further provided are reagents and kits for treatment of EZH2 overexpression.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising a substituted cyclodextrin and cytotoxic compound, especially cytotoxic drugs such as antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-neoplastic, drugs are claimed. The compositions cause significantly less ulceration compared to the same formulation of cytotoxic compound without cyclodextrin compound when extravasated. The compositions may also cause less vascular irritation compared to the same formulation of cytotoxic compound without cyclodextrin when administered intravenously without extravasation. Compositions of matter comprising watersoluble cytotoxic agents, especially anticancer drugs and anti-ulceration effective or anti-irritation effective amounts of cyclodextrin compounds are also claimed. Methods for reducing the likelihood of ulceration and or irritation when administering the compositions according to the invention are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using paclitaxel for treating diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation and angiogenesis. In particular, methods are provided for administration of paclitaxel formulated with vitamin E derivatives such as d-&agr;-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate to a cancer patient. By administering to a patient paclitaxel in a vehicle containing a solubilizer other than Cremophor, acute hypersensitivity caused by Cremophor can be avoided and therapeutic index of paclitaxel may also be increased through potentiation of anti-neoplastic effects by the vitamin E derivatives.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation such as cancer by storing inherent tumor-suppressing functions of neoplastic cells through DNA hypomethylation. The method comprises: delivering to a patient suffering from cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a DNA methylation inhibitor such as decitabine, in combination with an effective amount of an anti-neoplastic agent whose activity as an anti-neoplastic agent in vivo is adversely affected by aberrant DNA methylation. The anti-neoplastic agent can be an alkylating agent such as a platinum compound, an antibiotic agent, an antimetabolic agent, a retinoid, a hormonal agent, a plant-derived agent, an anti-angiogenesis agent and a biologic agent.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising: taking polyoxyethylated castor oil which if diluted 1:10 in water has a pH greater than 5 and aging the polyoxyethylated castor oil by exposing the polyoxyethylated castor oil to a gas comprising oxygen for a period of time, the exposure to the gas over the period of time causing an acidity of the polyoxyethylated castor oil to increase; and forming a pharmaceutical composition comprising the aged polyoxyethylated castor oil and a pharmaceutically active agent such as paclitaxel; wherein at least 80% of the potency of the pharmaceutically active agent is retained by the pharmaceutical composition after the pharmaceutical composition is stored for at least 7 days at 40° C.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating diseases associated with abnormal activity of kinases. The method comprises: administering a DNA methylation inhibitor to the patient in therapeutically effective amount; and administering a kinase inhibitor to the patient in therapeutically effective amount, such that the in vivo activity of the kinase is reduced relative to that prior to the treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating HIV infection using a combination therapy which includes a compound selected from the group consisting of 20(S)-camptothecin, analog of 20(S)-camptothecin, derivative of 20(S)-camptothecin, precursor of 20(S)-camptothecin and metabolite of 20(S)-camptothecin, in combination with a cocktail of antiretroviral drugs such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors and integrase inhibitors. The method comprises administering highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); and co-administering to the HIV-infected host therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 20(S)-camptothecin, analog of 20(S)-camptothecin, derivative of 20(S)-camptothecin, precursor of 20(S)-camptothecin and metabolite of 20(S)-camptothecin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation such as cancer by restoring inherent tumor-suppressing functions of neoplastic cells through DNA hypomethylation. The method comprises: delivering to a patient suffering from cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a DNA methylation inhibitor such as decitabine, in combination with an effective amount of an anti-neoplastic agent whose activity as an anti-neoplastic agent in vivo is adversely affected by aberrant DNA methylation. The anti-neoplastic agent is preferably a biologic agent such as an interleukin.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a patient having a disease associated with undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation, the method comprising: administering to the patient an anthracycline for a period of time during which a 20(S)-camptothecin is not present in a pharmacologically active form in patient's blood; and administering a 20(S)-camptothecin to the patient.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising: taking polyoxyethylated castor oil which if diluted 1:10 in water has a pH greater than 5 and aging the polyoxyethylated castor oil by exposing the polyoxyethylated castor oil to a gas comprising oxygen for a period of time, the exposure to the gas over the period of time causing an acidity of the polyoxyethylated castor oil to increase; and forming a pharmaceutical composition comprising the aged polyoxyethylated castor oil and a pharmaceutically active agent such as paclitaxel; wherein at least 80% of the potency of the pharmaceutically active agent is retained by the pharmaceutical composition after the pharmaceutical composition is stored for at least 7 days at 40° C.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation such as cancer by storing inherent tumor-suppressing functions of neoplastic cells through DNA hypomethylation. The method comprises: delivering to a patient suffering from cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a DNA methylation inhibitor such as decitabine, in combination with an effective amount of an anti-neoplastic agent whose activity as an anti-neoplastic agent in vivo is adversely affected by aberrant DNA methylation. The anti-neoplastic agent can be an alkylating agent, an antibiotic agent, an antimetabolic agent, a retinoid, a hormonal agent, a plant-derived agent, an anti-angiogenesis agent and a biologic agent such as monoclonal antibody and interferon.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising a substituted cyclodextrin and cytotoxic compound, especially cytotoxic drugs such as antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-neoplastic, drugs are claimed. The compositions cause significantly less ulceration compared to the same formulation of cytotoxic compound without cyclodextrin compound when extravasated. The compositions may also cause less vascular irritation compared to the same formulation of cytotoxic compound without cyclodextrin when administered intravenously without extravasation. Compositions of matter comprising watersoluble cytotoxic agents, especially anticancer drugs and anti-ulceration effective or anti-irritatioin effective amounts of cyclodextrin compounds are also claimed. Methods for reducing the likelihood of ulceration and or irritation when administering the compositions according to the invention are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having a disease associated with undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation such as cancer and restenosis is provided. The method comprises: delivering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of 9-nitro-20(S)-camptothecin in combination with an effective amount of an antibiotic agent such as bleomycin.