The present invention relates to a liquid collagenase solution which will generate the pre-conditioning of the tissues covering peritoneal tumors by means of washing with said solution for a predetermined time and at a predetermined concentration for use as cytotoxic drug-enhancing or adjuvant treatment in the treatment of solid peritoneal tumors. Throughout the present invention, said solution will be used for administration to or for irrigating the tumor directly at a concentration and for a time such that it causes thinning of the mesothelial layer covering the intestinal tract without the involvement of intermediate or internal layers.

Methods and combinations are provided for controlling the duration of action, in vivo, of matrix-degrading enzymes. The methods and combinations permit temporary in-vivo activation of matrix-degrading enzymes upon administration to the extra cellular matrix (or “ECM”). Matrix-degrading enzymes having a controlled duration of action can be used to treat ECM-mediated diseases or disorders characterized by increased deposition or accumulation of one or more ECM components.

Biomarkers tests which can be used to predict a positive or negative risk of preeclampsia are described. More specifically, a panel of biomarkers including MMP-7 and gpIIbIIIa, described. The test is useful to predict preeclampsia when a biological sample is obtained between the 16th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Prediction later in pregnancy can be achieved by a combination of Siglec-6, Activin A, ALCAM, and/or FCN2.

The present invention claims a novel process for the production and purification of microbial collagenase (Microbial Collagenase EC 3.4.24.3) produced by the non-pathogenic aerobic bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus chemovar. iophagus (NCIMB Number: 1 1038, synonym LMG 3418, hereinafter called Vibrio alginolyticus), which said process provides high production levels of collagenase with a stable, reproducible, cheap fermentation process. The collagenase produced from Vibrio alginolyticus according to the process described herein also presents a specific activity superior to that of other microbial collagenases, is stable in aqueous solution, and can be frozen without significant damage. A further subject of the present invention is pharmaceutical compositions containing collagenase obtained according to the production and purification process described, for the purpose of therapeutic treatment of disorders characterized by collagen accumulation or for the treatment of blemishes/imperfections that benefit from reducing local collagen accumulations.

Disclosed herein are improved collagenase-containing formulations and methods of preparing the same. The collagenase-containing formulations comprise a collagenase, about 30 mM to about 240 mM of a disaccharide, about 50 mM to about 800 mM of mannitol, and about 6 mM to about 10 mM of a Tris-HCl. Lyophilized and reconstituted formulations are also provided.

Disclosed embodiments include devices and methods for shaping, bending, and/or volumetrically reducing rigid cartilaginous structures, such as hyaline cartilage in the septum. In the case of septal cartilage, shaping, bending, or reducing the cartilage would be useful for reducing nasal obstruction or to improve the cosmetic appearance of the nose.

Recombinant collagenases with a stable specific activity and enzyme agents for cell and tissue dissociation such a recombinant are provided. The recombinant collagenase is derived from Grimontia hollisae-derived collagenase is characterized by having, from the N terminus to the C terminus, a collagenase catalytic domain, a linker region sequence, and a prepeptidase C terminal domain, which Grimontia hollisae-derived recombinant collagenase does not comprise at least the prepeptidase C terminal domain. The obtained recombinant collagenase has a high and stable specific activity.

A method of treating or preventing a disorder, or a complication of a disorder, of an eye of a subject comprising contacting a vitreous and/or aqueous humor with a composition comprising a truncated form of plasmin comprising a catalytic domain of plasmin (TPCD). TPCDs include, but are not limited to, miniplasmin, microplasmin and derivatives and variants thereof. The methods of the invention can be used to reduce the viscosity of the vitreous, liquefy the vitreous, induce posterior vitreous detachment, reduce hemorrhagic blood from the eye, clear or reduce materials toxic to the eye, clear or reduce intraocular foreign substances from the eye, increase diffusion of a composition administered to an eye, reduce extraretinal neovascularization and any combinations thereof. The method can be used in the absence of, or as an adjunct to, vitrectomy.

One complementary DNA (cDNA) encodes a collagenase enzyme of Lucilia sericata that includes an identified sequence. Optionally, the cDNA is applied to wound healing.

A method for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue includes: a) treating a tissue sample with a protease and b) testing the protease-treated tissue sample for the presence of protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen. Methods can be carried out for preparing a cartilage cell culture, and for preparing a cartilage cell-loaded implant. Protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen can be used for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue. A kit can be used for carrying out the methods.