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.

Melanocortin receptor-specific peptides with a C-terminal naphthylalanine of the formula: ##STR00001##
where R.sub.4, R.sub.7, R.sub.9, R.sub.11, R.sub.18, R.sub.20, R.sub.21a, R.sub.21b, R.sub.21c and R.sub.22 are as defined in the claims, compositions and formulations including the peptides of the foregoing formula or salts thereof, and methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating melanocortin receptor-mediated or responsive diseases, indications, conditions and syndromes.

Melanocortin receptor-specific peptides with a C-terminal naphthylalanine of the formula: ##STR00001##
where R.sub.4, R.sub.7, R.sub.9, R.sub.11, R.sub.18, R.sub.20, R.sub.21a, R.sub.21b, R.sub.21c and R.sub.22 are as defined in the claims, compositions and formulations including the peptides of the foregoing formula or salts thereof, and methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating melanocortin receptor-mediated or responsive diseases, indications, conditions and syndromes.

Compositions and methods for treating a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder in a subject in need of such treatment are described. A therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising compound PG-20N in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is described. According to another embodiment, the subject disclosure features method of treating a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder in a subject in need of such treatment. The method may comprise administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising PG-20N. ##STR00001##

The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools/compounds to image cancers, especially, melanoma, including metastatic melanoma in vivo. The present compounds exhibit enhanced uptake in cancerous cells and tissue and decreased renal uptake in kidney, evidencing favorable pharmacokinetics of compounds of the present invention. The compounds according to the present invention represent an advance in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, including metastatic melanoma using non-invasive molecular imaging techniques. The novel probes of the present invention are also useful for initiating therapy for melanoma as well as monitor patients' response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of melanoma/metastatic melanoma. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states.

The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools/compounds to image cancers, especially, melanoma, including metastatic melanoma in vivo. The present compounds exhibit enhanced uptake in cancerous cells and tissue and decreased renal uptake in kidney, evidencing favorable pharmacokinetics of compounds of the present invention. The compounds according to the present invention represent an advance in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, including metastatic melanoma using non-invasive molecular imaging techniques. The novel probes of the present invention are also useful for initiating therapy for melanoma as well as monitor patients' response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of melanoma/metastatic melanoma. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states.

Compositions and methods of treating a central nervous system (CNS) disorder or mood disorder in a subject in need of such treatment are described. A therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) peptide ligand in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is administered to the subject. The MCSR peptide ligand is a selective MCSR antagonist, in which administration thereof to the subject can treat the CNS disorder or mood disorder with clinical improvement observed in a relatively short time.

Compositions and methods of treating a central nervous system (CNS) disorder or mood disorder in a subject in need of such treatment are described. A therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) peptide ligand in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is administered to the subject. The MCSR peptide ligand is a selective MCSR antagonist, in which administration thereof to the subject can treat the CNS disorder or mood disorder with clinical improvement observed in a relatively short time.

A method of treating a disorder in a subject. The method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of an agonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). The subject is a heterozygous carrier of an MC4R mutation, and the disorder results from an attenuated response of MC4R to -melanocortin stimulating hormone (-MSH).

A method of treating a disorder in a subject. The method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of an agonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). The subject is a heterozygous carrier of an MC4R mutation, and the disorder results from an attenuated response of MC4R to -melanocortin stimulating hormone (-MSH).