Variant peptides of calcitonin gene-related peptide alpha (CGRP), calcitonin gene-related peptide beta (CGRP), and adrenomedullin (AM) are disclosed, wherein the variant peptides have high binding affinity and agonistic or antagonistic activity for at least one receptor complex of CLR:RAMP1, CLR:RAMP2, and CLR:RAMP3. Also disclosed are methods of use of the variant peptides in therapeutic treatments.

Analogs for CLR/RAMP receptor ligands are provided that have agonist, superagonist, antagonist, super-antagonist, or multiple receptor modulatng activity. The analogs can be selective for one or more CLR/RAMP receptors, or can be pan-specific for multiple G protein-coupled receptors.

The present invention provides compositions, and methods for local administration of certain peptides or combination with certain small molecules that produce analgesia and anti-inflammation in a mammal. Exemplary polypeptides provide peripheral analgesia and anti-inflammation when administered via local topical, subcutaneous, intradermal, or intranasal administration, to provide analgesia and anti-inflammation. Through antagonism of peripheral CGRP receptors alone, or in combination with inhibition of sensory sodium channels or anti-inflammation, the compositions of the invention provide local therapeutic pain relief with minimal undesired systemic side effects in a subject. Also provided are improved peptide delivery techniques including microneedle unit dose administering apparatus and methods. Also provided are hydrogel formulations for sustained local delivery to a subject of one or more of the compositions according to the invention in a therapeutically effective amount, thereby providing local pain relief and/or reducing associated inflammation.

Methods of diagnosing infections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of each of the polypeptides TRAIL, CRP, IP10 and at least one additional polypeptide selected from the group consisting of IL-6 and PCT.

Methods of diagnosing infections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of each of the polypeptides TRAIL, CRP, IP10 and at least one additional polypeptide selected from the group consisting of IL-6 and PCT.

Analogs for CLR/RAMP receptor ligands are provided that have agonist, superagonist, antagonist or superantagonist activity. The analogs can be selective for one or more CLR/RAMP receptors, or can be pan-specific.

Provided herein are treatment methods, including methods of treating nerve damage, methods of neuroprotection, methods of treating glaucoma and methods of lowering LDL levels. The methods generally involve administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a CGRP receptor antagonist peptide or composition.

Analogs for CLR/RAMP receptor ligands are provided that have agonist, superagonist, antagonist, super-antagonist, or multiple receptor modulating activity. The analogs can be selective for one or more CLR/RAMP receptors, or can be pan-specific for multiple G protein-coupled receptors.

The present invention relates to the identification of certain biomarkers for use in identifying patients who have, or are likely to develop an IL-33 mediated disease or disorder and who are more likely to respond to therapy with an IL-33 antagonist. The invention also relates to methods of treatment of an IL-33-mediated disease or disorder in a patient by administering an IL-33 antagonist to the patient in need thereof and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy using the biomarkers described herein. Also provided are methods for decreasing the level of at least one biomarker in a subject suffering from an IL-33-mediated disease or disorder, and methods for treating such diseases or disorders according to the expression levels of one or more biomarkers. The methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising an interleukin-33 antagonist.

The present invention relates to a method for prognosis of an outcome or assessing the risk of a patient having suffered a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, comprising the determination of the level of at least one marker peptide in said sample said marker peptide selected from the group comprising ANP, AVP, ADM, ET-1, troponin, CRP, calcitonin and hGH or fragments thereof or its precursor or fragments thereof and attributing the level of said at least one marker peptides its precursor or fragments thereof with the prognosis of an outcome or assessing the risk for said patient.