Abstract: A computerized decision support system and method for predicting which of one or more drugs suitable to treat a cancerous condition in a patient are the optimum drug(s), where such selection is based upon the particular patient's genotype. A PCR kit and/or a gene chip detects multiple genes, expressions and/or mutations associated with a particular cancer using a sample of the patient's tissue or blood. A detector accepts the gene chip and analyzes the patient's genotype; and a computerized system using a database which associates patient genotypes and the efficacy and toxicity of various anti-cancer drugs used in treating patients with a particular cancerous condition connected to the detector correlates the output of the detector to the database to provide a recommendation as to which drugs are optimum for treating the patient's cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a uniform dispersion in aqueous medium of droplets comprising: (a) a core comprising water, a non-toxic C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkanol, a water-soluble drug, and a surfactant, and (b) a coating surrounding the core comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable oils. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful for the oral delivery of therapeutic agents because of their potential for taste masking, prolonged action, and protection of the drug against the external environment and enzyme entrapment.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for aerosol delivery comprising a medicament, a non-chlorofluorocarbon propellant and a protective colloid, as well as a method for preparing such compositions in which the aggregation of the particles is prevented without the use of surfactants or cosolvents.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for aerosol delivery comprising (a) a medicament, (b) a non-chlorofluorocarbon propellant, and (c) a polyglycolized glyceride having a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of between and including 6 and 14, wherein the medicament is present in a concentration of between about 0.05% and about 5% by weight and the polyglycolized glyceride is present in a concentration of between about 0.001% and about 10% by weight, the nonchlorofluorocarbon propellant is selected from the group consisting of HCFC 123, HCFC 124, HCFC 141b, HCFC 225, HCFC 125, FC-C 51-12, DYMEL A, DYMEL 152a, HFC 134a and HFC 227ea in which unwanted aggregation of the medicament is prevented without the use of surfactants, protective colloids or cosolvents.

Abstract: Compositions useful for the percutaneous administration of leuprolide comprise from about 1 to about 100 mg/ml of leuprolide in its free base form, a cutaneous membrane penetration enhancing component, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The cutaneous membrane transport enhancing component comprises from about 1 percent to about 15 percent urea, from 1 percent to about 5 percent menthol, from about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent methyl salicylate, and from about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent camphor, all percentages expressed in weight/volume based upon the total volume of the composition.

Abstract: A collagen sausage casing having improved clarity and weeping properties and a method of making the casing is disclosed. The casing contains from 50 to 80% by weight of bovine collagen and from 20 to 50% by weight of an acidified brine extracted pork skin.