Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the effect of glucocorticoids, particularly dexamethasone, which suppress growth hormone secretion, by administering ghrelin or a ghrelin analogue, for example, [Aib2, Glu3(NH-hexyl)]hGhrelin(1-28)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:2) or other suitable ghrelin agonist, to counteract the catabolic effects of said dexamethasone and other natural glucocorticoids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of decreasing the rate of proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells which comprises contacting medullary thyroid carcinoma cells with one or more SSTR2 agonist. A preferred selective somatostatin receptor type-2 (SSTR-2) agonist cyclo[Tic-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Abu-Phe] is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of ameliorating inflammation, inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine and/or chemokine expression and treating various diseases and/or conditions incidental to the onset of inflammation, in a subject in need of treatment for such conditions, by administering select analogues of native hGhrelin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melanocortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as insulin resistance.

Abstract: The invention features targeted cytotoxic compounds and methods relating to their therapeutic use for the treatment of neoplasia and other conditions.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the effect of glucocorticoids, particularly dexamethasone, which suppress growth hormone secretion, by administering ghrelin or a ghrelin analogue, for example, [Aib2, Glu3(NH-hexyl)]hGhrelin(1-28)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:2) or other suitable ghrelin agonist, to counteract the catabolic effects of said dexamethasone and other natured glucocorticoids.

Abstract: The invention comprises peptidyl analogs according to formulae (I) or (II) as depicted below: (R2R3)-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9-A10-A11-A12-A13- A14-A15-A16-A17-A18-A19-A20-A21-A22-A23-A24-A25- A-26-A27-A28-R1 wherein the definitions of A1 to A28 and R1 to R3 are provided for in the specification for each of formulae (I) and (II), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), that possess agonist or antagonist ghrelin activity, along with therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of determining a treatment to effectively combat medullary thyroid carcinoma and to suppress the secretion of calcitonin from medullary thyroid carcinoma cells. The present invention also provides a method of suppressing the secretion of calcitonin from medullary thyroid carcinoma cells and decreasing the rate of proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells which comprises contacting medullary thyroid carcinoma cells with one or more somatostatin agonists.

Abstract: The invention features somatostatin-dopamine chimeric analogs and methods relating to their therapeutic use for the treatment of neoplasia, acromegaly, and other conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating vascular proliferation in a patient in need thereof. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a type-1 somatostatin agonist to said patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of decreasing the rate of proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells which comprises contacting medullary thyroid carcinoma cells with one or more SSTR2 agonist.