Abstract: Immunomodulators selected from: (a) a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty alcohol or an ester thereof with a C1-C6 alkanoic acid; (b) a monoester of a C2-C8 alkanediol or of Glycerol with a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty acid; and (c) a diester of glycerol with a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty acid, are useful for treatment of inflammation, particularly immunologically-mediated inflammation such as it occurs in autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Basic esters of fatty alcohols of the general formula: R1-O—CO-A or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1 is C12-C24 alkyl or C10-C24 alkenyl, and A is a residue containing at least one acyclic or cyclic amino group and/or at least one heteroaromatic ring containing a tertiary or quaternary nitrogen atom, are anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, useful in the treatment of immunologically-mediated inflammation, as adjuvants for antigens involved in both cellular and humoral responses.

Abstract: Therapeutic preparations are provided for treatment of a T-cell mediated disease or condition comprising an antigen and a carrier, wherein said antigen is an antigen recognized by inflammatory T cells associated with the pathogenesis of said T-cell mediated disease or condition, and wherein said carrier is an anti-inflammatory immunomodulator selected from: (a) a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty alcohol or an ester thereof with a C1-C6 alkanoic acid; and (b) a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty acid ester selected from a C1-C6 alkyl ester, a monoester with a C2-C6 polyol having a least two hydroxy groups, and a diester with glycerol.

Abstract: Substances comprising carboxylated and/or sulfated oligosaccharides in substantially purified form, including compositions containing same and methods of using same, are disclosed for the regulation of cytokine activity in a host. For instance, the secretion of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-&agr;) can be either inhibited or augmented selectively by administration to the host of effective amounts of substances or their compositions comprising specific oligosaccharides in substantially purified form. Thus, the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and their use for the prevention and/or treatment of pathological processes involving the induction of active cytokine secretion, such as TNF-&agr;. The invention also relates to the initiation of a desirable immune system-related response by the host to the presence of activators, including pathogens. The substances and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be daily, at very low effective doses, typically below 0.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for the regulation of cytokine activity in a subject. The composition features an effective amount of an oligosaccharide to inhibit the cytokine activity, preferably through inhibition of TNF-alpha activity. The oligosaccharide is more preferably up to four saccharide units in length, and optionally and more preferably, is N-sulfated with at least one other sulfur moeity. The compositions are useful for the treatment of various pathological conditions related to, caused by or promoted through, cytokine activity.

Abstract: A method for non invasively detecting and monitoring pancreatic pathologies preferably related to vascular changes or inflammatory processes in the pancreas, such as the onset of IDDM, by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is disclosed. The method enables the detection of IDDM prior to the appearance of clinical manifestation, by detecting early stages of IDDM such as insulitis. The disclosed method also enables correlation of different stages of pancreatic diseases with the characteristics of contrast enhancement curves. A MRI system for monitoring pancreatic pathology in a patient is also disclosed. the system comprises a single volume coil for transmitting and receiving signals from an internal body organ of a patient, such as the pancreas, or the spleen.

Abstract: A treatment for cancer, and in particular, of therapeutic compounds which block the ability of cytokines and chemokines to promote metastasis of malignant cells. The therapeutic compound comprises a carboxylated and/or sulfated oligosaccharide, preferably in a substantially purified form, which is a heparin or heparan-sulfate derived saccharide compound. In one embodiment of the present invention, the carbohydrate or oligosaccharide has a molecular weight of no more than about 3000 daltons, preferably lying in the range of about 400 to about 2000 daltons, most preferably between about 400 and about 1100 daltons. Generally, substances of the present invention inhibit tumor cell migration, as determined by biological assays, and comprise molecules of various sugar units of which the basic unit of activity is associated with a disaccharide. However, larger oligosaccharide chains of up to about 10 sugar units, containing the basic disaccharide unit of activity can also function to inhibit such activity.

Abstract: Substances comprising disaccharides and substances comprising carboxylated and/or sulfated oligosaccharides in substantially purified form, and methods of using same, are disclosed for the regulation of cytokine activity in a host. For instance, the secretion of active Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-.alpha.) can be either inhibited or augmented selectively by administration to the host of an effective amount of a substance of the invention. Thus, the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and their use for the prevention and/or treatment of pathological processes involving the induction of active cytokine secretion, such as TNF-.alpha.. The invention also relates to the initiation of a desirable immune system-related response by the host to the presence of activators, including pathogens. The substances and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered daily, at very low effective doses, typically below 0.

Abstract: Substances comprising disaccharides and substances comprising carboxylated and/or sulfated oligosaccharides in substantially purified form, and methods of using same, are disclosed for the regulation of cytokine activity in a host. For instance, the secretion of active Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-.alpha.) can be either inhibited or augmented selectively by administration to the host of an effective amount of a substance of the invention. Thus, the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and their use for the prevention and/or treatment of pathological processes involving the induction of active cytokine secretion, such as TNF-.alpha.. The invention also relates to the initiation of a desirable immune system-related response by the host to the presence of activators, including pathogens. The substances and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered daily, at very low effective doses, typically below 0.