Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: The peptides and precursors thereof, inclusive salts thereof, of the present invention are useful as a pharmaceutical composition, for example as therapeutic or prophylactic agents for hormone-producing tumors, acromegaly, gigantism, dementia, gastric ulcer and the like, hormone secretion inhibitors, tumor growth inhibitors, neural activity or sleep modulators, etc. The DNAs coding for the peptides or precursors of the invention are useful as a pharmaceutical composition, for example as agents for the gene therapy or prevention of hormone-producing tumors, acromegaly, gigantism, dementia, gastric ulcer and the like, hormone secretion inhibitors, tumor growth inhibitors, neural activity or sleep modulators, etc. Furthermore, the DNAs coding for the peptides or precursors of the invention are useful as agents for the gene diagnosis of various diseases, for example, hormone-producing tumors, acromegaly, gigantism, dementia, gastric ulcer, etc.

Abstract: Analogs of SRIF which are selective for SSTR3 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors. These analogs are useful in determining the tissue and cellular expression of the receptor SSTR3 and its biological role in the endocrine, exocrine and nervous system, as well as in regulating tumor growth. SRIF analog peptides, such as des-AA1,2,4,5,12,13[N&bgr;MeD-Agl8(2-naphthoyl) ]-SRIF and counterparts incorporating D-Cys3 and/or Tyr7, inhibit the binding of a universal SRIF radioligand to the cloned human receptor SSTR3, but they do not bind with significant affinity to human SSTR1, SSTR2, SSTR4 or SSTR5. By incorporating an iodinated tyrosine in position-2 or in position-11 in these SSTR3-selective SRIF analogs, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided. Because the N-terminus accommodates bulky moieties without loss of selectivity, a cytotoxin or a complexing agent to accept a radioactive nuclide may be present at the N-terminus.

Abstract: A stable pharmaceutical formulation for intravenous or intramuscular administration of Octreotide, which is characterized in that the vehicle for injection of the peptide or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof contains glycine in concentrations ranging from 10 to 60 mM and aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid in sufficient quantity to adjust the pH of the formulation to values between 3.0 and 4.2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new pharmaceutical use of somatostatin peptides comprising on the terminal amino group a polyamino polycarboxylic group, in free form or in a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, particularly in the manufacture of a medicament for treating disorders with an aetiology comprising or associated with excess of GH-secretion.

Abstract: Relatively small cyclic peptides that mimic the biological and/or chemical activity of larger cyclic peptide such as somatostatin, as well as synthetic methods therefor. In certain embodiments, cyclic peptides of the invention have structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.NP1 is H, an amine protecting group, or a solid support and R.sub.NP2 is H or an amine protecting group.

Abstract: Relatively small cyclic peptides that mimic the biological and/or chemical activity of larger cyclic peptide such as somatostatin, as well as synthetic methods therefor. In certain embodiments, cyclic peptides of the invention have structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.NP1 is H, an amine protecting group, or a solid support and R.sub.NP2 is H or an amine protecting group.

Abstract: This invention relates to therapeutic reagents and peptides, radiodiagnostic reagents and peptides, and methods for producing labeled radiodiagnostic agents. Specifically, the invention relates to peptide derivatives and analogs of somatostatin, and embodiments of such peptides labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m), as well as methods and kits for making, radiolabeling and using such peptides to image sites in a mammalian body. The invention also relates to peptide derivatives and analogues of somatostatin labeled with rhemium-186 (.sup.186 Re) and rhenium-188 (.sup.188 Re), and methods and kits for making, radiolabeling and using such peptides therapeutically in a mammalian body.

Abstract: This invention relates to therapeutic reagents and peptides, radiodiagnostic reagents and peptides, and methods for producing labeled radiodiagnostic agents. Specifically, the invention relates to peptide derivatives and analogs of somatostatin, and embodiments of such peptides labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m), as well as methods and kits for making, radiolabeling and using such peptides to image sites in a mammalian body. The invention also relates to peptide derivatives and analogues of somatostatin labeled with rhemium-186 (.sup.186 Re) and rhenium-188 (.sup.188 Re), and methods and kits for making, radiolabeling and using such peptides therapeutically in a mammalian body.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing a somatostatin analogue, and its use in the treatment of breast cancer. The pharmaceutical composition preferably contains lactic acid in addition to the somatostatin analogue and is better tolerated when administered by injection.

Abstract: A cyclic peptide analog of somatostatin wherein a disulfide bond links the N-terminus residue and the C-terminus residue.

Abstract: Relatively small cyclic peptides that mimic the biological and/or chemical activity of larger cyclic peptide such as somatostatin, as well as synthetic methods therefor. In certain embodiments, cyclic peptides of the invention have structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.NP1 is H, an amine protecting group, or a solid support and R.sub.NP2 is H or an amine protecting group.

Abstract: Linear peptide analogs of somatostatin having the formula: ##STR1## As an example, D-Phe-Phe-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr is covered by the above formula (i.e., R.sub.1 is H, R.sub.2 is H, A.sup.1 is D-Phe, A.sup.2 is Phe, A.sup.3 is Phe, A.sup.6 is Thr, A.sup.7 is Phe, A.sup.8 is Thr, and R.sub.3 is NH.sub.2).

Abstract: Technetium or rhenium radionuclide labelled chelate-hexapeptide complexes are useful for the selective detection or treatment of tumors with somatostatin receptors. In particular, compounds of formula: ##STR1## (wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and A are as defined herein) incorporating an N3S2 chelate may be labelled with a radionuclide. The resulting complexes are useful as radioimaging agents or as radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of certain tumors.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each A.sub.1 and A.sub.2, independently, is H, C.sub.1-12 alkyl, C.sub.7-10 phenylalkyl, R.sub.1 CO (where R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-20 alkyl, C.sub.3-20 alkenyl, C.sub.3-20 alkinyl, phenyl, naphthyl, or C.sub.7-10 phenylalkyl), or R.sub.2 OCO (where R.sub.2 is C.sub.1-10 alkyl or C.sub.7-10 phenylalkyl), provided that when one of A.sub.1 or A.sub.2 is R.sub.1 CO or R.sub.2 OCO, the other must be H;each X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, independently, is H, F, Cl, Br, OH, CH.sub.3, or CF.sub.3, provided that at least one of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 must be H;A.sub.3 is Phe or Tyr; andA.sub.4 is OH, NH.sub.2, or NH-R.sub.3 (wherein R.sub.3 is a saturated aliphatic C.sub.1-8 alkyl);or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A therapeutic composition containing the compound of the present invention and a method of using the same are also described.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is prepared in the form of microparticles or of an implant comprising a biodegradable polymer selected from poly-1,4-butylene succinate, poly-2,3-butylene succinate, poly-1,4-butylene fumarate and poly-2,3-butylene succinate, incorporating as the active substance the pamoate, tannate, stearate or palmitate of a natural or of a synthetic peptide comprising 3 to 45 amino acids, such as LH-RH, somatostatin, GH-RH or calcitonin, or one of their synthetic analogues or homologues. The preparation comprises dry blending the ingredients in the form of powders, pre-compressing and preheating the mixture and then extruding the pre-compressed and pre-heated mixture. The product resulting from the extrusion step can then be comminuted and finally sieved.