Abstract: A method of treating cancer through use of guanosine 3?,5?-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP). Cyclic GMP decreases the number of human breast cancer and prostate adenocarcinoma as well as small-cell and squamous lung cells in culture by 30% (1 ?M), 84% (1 mM), 31% (1 ?M), and 30% (1 ?M), respectively. Cyclic GMP decreases DNA synthesis in human pancreatic, breast, and prostate adenocarcinomas as well as small-cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the lung at its 1 ?M concentration by 51%, 54%, 56%, 50% and 52%, respectively. Cyclic GMP when infused for one week decreases the tumor volume of human pancreatic adenocarcinomas in athymic mice 95% compared to untreated animals with human pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Abstract: The present invention relates among other things to a composition comprising at least two (2) human BNP fragments, wherein each of the human BNP fragments of the composition are cross-linked to at least one of the other human BNP fragments of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and means for diagnosing or risk stratification of co-morbidities, particularly cardiovascular complications in diabetes patients. The invention particularly relates to a method for diagnosing whether a diabetes patient is suffering from a cardiovascular complication or is at risk of suffering from a cardiovascular complication, said method comprising the steps of (a) measuring, preferably in vitro, the level(s) of at least one cardiac hormone or a variant thereof in a sample from the patient, and (b) diagnosing the cardiovascular complication or the risk of suffering from cardiovascular complication by comparing the measured level(s) to known level(s) associated with the cardiovascular complication or risk. The present invention also relates to combining the measurement of markers comprising cardiac hormones, natriuretic peptides, inflammation-associated markers, angiogenesis-markers, and markers for platelet activation.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for local renal delivery of agents to subjects that are at risk for congestive heart failure and other conditions. The invention encompasses devices for renal drug delivery and methods of use.

Abstract: Disclosed are lanthionine bridged peptides having the structure methods of their preparation and their use as pharmacologically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor and alleleic variant thereof are provided by the invention. The invention also includes recombinant eukaryotic expression constructs capable of expressing the human D4 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells. The invention provides cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize the human D4 dopamine receptor, and methods for characterizing novel psychotropic compounds using such cultures.

Abstract: Purified native Atrial Naturetic Peptide (ANP) receptor protein is provided, as well as synthetic ANP receptor and methods of making and using ANP receptor protein and antibodies.

Abstract: Described are derivatives of the precursor peptide of the cardiodilatin/atrial sodiuretic factor (CDD-ANF) or fragments thereof which comprise at least the amino acid sequence of alpha-hANaP. The derivatives according to the present invention are compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## X is a phosphate or thiophosphate group. R is NH.sub.2 or a peptide fragment from the amino acid sequence of gamma-hANaP. Radio-labelled derivatives are also possible. A method for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of peptides containing the sequence of alpha-hANaP and a use of the compounds having the formula (I) as medicaments for various vaso- and renal related disorders are further described.