Abstract: This invention relates to compositions for inhibiting apoptosis, containing one to all components of: (a) an APO-1-inhibiting compound; (b) a compound inhibiting and catching, respectively, the APO-1 ligand; and (c) a compound inhibiting the intracellular APO-1 signalling pathway, the component(s) being not considered foreign in an individual, as well as conventional excipients. Furthermore, this invention relates to compounds suitable for inhibiting apoptosis and having at least one extracellular APO-1 domain and a carrier, the domain(s) and the carrier being not considered foreign in an individual.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the JNK/SAPK activity which is based on the implemation of a kinase reaction with JNK/SAPKs which are obtained from a cell lysate and preferably isolated by immune precipitation in the presence of ATP and GST transcription factors (preferably: GST-c-Jun), and subsequently measuring the amount of phosphorylate GST transcription factors (preferably: p-GST-c-Jun) according to the specific binding of an anti-p-GST transcription factor antibody (preferably: anti-p-GST-c-Jun-antibody).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of detecting the release of substances from cell organelles by means of flow cytometry, comprising the steps of: fixing cells to be studied; permeabilizing the outer cell membrane; staining the cells with a fluorochrome compound which binds specifically to at least one substance to be studied; measuring the individual cells by means of flow cytometry while stimulating the fluorochrome compound; and determining the fluorescent strength of the cells.

Abstract: The present invention is, generally, directed to the use of betulinic acid and derivatives thereof for the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors. The present invention is based on the discovery that betulinic acid and its derivatives are potent anti-neuroectodermal agents. As disclosed herein, betulinic acid and its derivatives are useful for the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors, including, due to its distinct mechanism of action, neuroectodermal tumors that are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutical agents. In addition to the new use of known compounds, the invention discloses novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for quantitatively determining CD95 ligand, comprising the following processing steps:(a) isolation of total RNA from cells,(b) transcription the total RNA from (a) into cDNA by reverse transcription, and(c) amplification of the cDNA from (b) and a CD95 ligand competitor fragment by CD95 ligand-specific primers in a PCR reaction.The process is suitable for determining the extent and/or course of apoptosis.

Abstract: The APO-1 cellular membrane antigen, an about 50 kDa antigen associated with cellular apoptosis, and purified cDNA encoding same is described. The antigen is expressed by numerous normal and malignant cells, including activated and malignant lymphoid cells. Also disclosed are antibodies which bind the antigen, and which induce growth inhibition and apoptosis.