The invention relates, in part, to compounds, compositions, and methods useful to treat cancer in cells and subjects. In some aspects the invention includes compounds and methods that increase chemo-sensitivity and/or reduce chemo-resistance in a cancer cell. In certain aspects the invention includes compounds and methods useful to kill cancer cells.

The present invention relates to ultrashort depsipeptides which are capable of self-assembling into hydrogels. One preferred embodiment is of Ac-ILVaGK-NH.sub.2, where a represents lactic acid. The invention also relates to the use of these depsipeptides in formulating hydrogels, co-gels or co-hydrogels, and pharmaceutical compositions or biomedical device or surgical implants or kits comprising these depsipeptides for various therapeutic applications such as regenerative medicine, tissue regeneration and tissue re-placement.

The present invention relates to ultrashort depsipeptides which are capable of self-assembling into hydrogels. One preferred embodiment is of Ac-ILVaGK-NH.sub.2, where a represents lactic acid. The invention also relates to the use of these depsipeptides in formulating hydrogels, co-gels or co-hydrogels, and pharmaceutical compositions or biomedical device or surgical implants or kits comprising these depsipeptides for various therapeutic applications such as regenerative medicine, tissue regeneration and tissue re-placement.

The invention relates to modified antibiotic peptides, in particular derivatives of apidaecin and oncocin, preferably having increased stability, reduced immunoreaction, and improved pharmacokinetics. In the invention, the peptide antibiotics are reversibly protected by means of a linker having the polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG). The peptide linker contains a recognition sequence for trypsin-like serum proteases. In the apidaecin derivatives, the linker and the PEG are bonded to a side chain. In the serum, the linker is cut by serum proteases and PEG is separated off. The released peptide still contains remnants of the linker, which are still bonded to the amino group in the side chain. Astonishingly, said remaining remnants of the linker impair the activity of the antimicrobial peptide only a little or not at all.

A vaccine construct comprising an antigenic PCSK9 peptide and an immunogenic carrier, and methods of using the same that are effective to lower blood cholesterol levels in a mammal and treat dyslipidemias and related disease states in a mammal without the frequency of administration required by passive immunity strategies.

Processes for preparing compounds of Formula (1) and Formula (2) are described, wherein X, Y, Z, R.sub.1-R.sub.7, L and n are defined herein. Intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds of Formula (1) and Formula (2) are also described.

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The invention relates to modified antibiotic peptides, in particular derivatives of apidaecin and oncocin, preferably having increased stability, reduced immunoreaction, and improved pharmacokinetics. In the invention, the peptide antibiotics are reversibly protected by means of a linker having the polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG). The peptide linker contains a recognition sequence for trypsin-like serum proteases. In the apidaecin derivatives, the linker and the PEG are bonded to a side chain. In the serum, the linker is cut by serum proteases and PEG is separated off. The released peptide still contains remnants of the linker, which are still bonded to the amino group in the side chain. Astonishingly, said remaining remnants of the linker impair the activity of the antimicrobial peptide only a little or not at all.

Provided is a new polypeptide. The new polypeptide shows a significant effect of relieving intestinal lumen distension in pharmacodynamic tests of a Brachydanio Rerio inflammatory bowel disease model and a rat inflammatory bowel disease model, and can be used for preparing a drug for treating enteritis, especially ulcerative colitis.

Processes for preparing compounds of Formula (1) and Formula (2) are described, wherein X, Y, Z, R.sub.1-R.sub.7, L and n are defined herein. Intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds of Formula (1) and Formula (2) are also described. ##STR00001##

Processes for preparing compounds of Formula (1) and Formula (2) are described, wherein X, Y, Z, R.sub.1-R.sub.7, L and n are defined herein. Intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds of Formula (1) and Formula (2) are also described. ##STR00001##