Abstract: Soluble recombinant CD44 hyaluronic acid binding domain (CD44HABD) inhibits angiogenesis in vivo in chick and mouse and thereby inhibits human tumor growth of various origins. The anti-angiogenic effect of CD44-HABD is independent of hyaluronic acid (HA) binding, since non-HA-binding mutants of CD44HABD still maintain anti-angiogenic properties. The invention discloses soluble non glycosylated CD44 recombinant proteins as a novel class of angiogenesis inhibitors based on targeting of vascular cell surface receptor. A method of block of angiogenesis and treatment of human tumors using recombinant CD44 proteins as well as their analogues is disclosed. As a further embodiment of the invention, methods for screening for new drug targets using CD44 recombinant proteins and their analogues are presented.

Abstract: Soluble recombinant CD44 hyaluronic acid binding domain (CD44HABD) inhibits angiogenesis in vivo in chick and mouse and thereby inhibits human tumor growth of various origins. The anti-angiogenic effect of CD44-HABD is independent of hyaluronic acid (HA) binding, since non-HA-binding mutants of CD44HABD still maintain anti-angiogenic properties. The invention discloses soluble non glycosylated CD44 recombinant proteins as a novel class of angiogenesis inhibitors based on targeting of vascular cell surface receptor. A method of block of angiogenesis and treatment of human tumors using recombinant CD44 proteins as well as their analogues is disclosed. As a further embodiment of the invention, methods for screening for new drug targets using CD44 recombinant proteins and their analogues are presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes, capable of transferring wild type p53 from an inactive and non-functional conformation into an active conformation, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating medical compositions wherein wt p53 exists in an inactive state defined herein, especially malignant melanoma and conditions involving undesired angiogenesis. The inven-tion also relates to methods of in vivo and in vitro testing of compounds for the above-mentioned ability, wherein inactive wt p53 is monitored or detected.

Abstract: CD44, the receptor for hyaluronic acid, has complex functions in cellular physiology, cell migration and tumour metastasis. The inventors have previously found that human CD44 receptor overexpression in mouse fibrosarcoma cells inhibits subcutaneous tumour growth in mice [Kogerman et al., Oncogene 1997; 15:1407-16; Kogerman et al., Clin Exp Metastasis 1998; 16:83-93]. Here it is demonstrated that a tumour growth inhibitory effect of CD44 is caused by block of angiogenesis. Furthermore, the inventors have found that soluble recombinant CD44 hyaluronic acid binding domain (CD44HABD) inhibits angiogenesis in vivo in cLick and mouse and thereby inhibits human tumour growth of various origins. The anti-angiogenic effect of CD44-HABD is independent of hyaluronic acid (HA) binding, since non-HA-binding mutants of CD44HABD still maintain anti-angiogenic properties.