Methods of treating pruritis (e.g., associated with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis) are described. The methods can involve administering to a subject in need of treatment an antagonist of integrin α.sub.vβ.sub.3. The antagonist can block periostin-integrin signalling. The antagonist can be, for example, an antibody, a peptide having a RGD or SVD sequence, a peptidomimetic, an amine salt, a phosphoric acid salt, or a small molecule.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a novel peptide that can be used to treat, prevent, or ameliorate mood disorders. The present invention provides a peptide that has an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 and is 3 to 5 (inclusive) amino acids long. The peptide may consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a novel peptide that can be used to treat, prevent, or ameliorate mood disorders. The present invention provides a peptide that has an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 and is 3 to 5 (inclusive) amino acids long. The peptide may consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4.

Compounds having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity are disclosed. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions having the structure: (T)-(L)-(D), wherein (T) is a targeting moiety, (L) is an optional linker, and (D) is a compound having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity.

Compounds having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity are disclosed. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions having the structure: (T)-(L)-(D), wherein (T) is a targeting moiety, (L) is an optional linker, and (D) is a compound having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity.

Methods for treating a neoplasia are provided. Further provided are novel targets for cancer chemotherapy including ORF2p Protein and methods for increasing expression of ORF2p in neoplasias. Monoclonal antibodies are also provided to various epitopes of ORF2p and their use in research and diagnostivds.

Methods for treating a neoplasia are provided. Further provided are novel targets for cancer chemotherapy including ORF2p Protein and methods for increasing expression of ORF2p in neoplasias. Monoclonal antibodies are also provided to various epitopes of ORF2p and their use in research and diagnostivds.

Use of a TNFR1-FADD-caspase8-caspase3 pathway inhibitor in preparation of a medicament for treating an immune system related disease caused by autoinducer, a method for screening a medicament for treating an immune system related disease caused by autoinducer and a method for treating an immune system related disease.

There is provided a compound of formula I or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: for use in the treatment of a brain cancer selected from a MGMT positive astrocytic brain tumour, a metastatic brain cancer and primary CNS lymphoma and a method of treating said brain cancers in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient said compound of formula I or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

There is provided a compound of formula I or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: for use in the treatment of a brain cancer selected from a MGMT positive astrocytic brain tumour, a metastatic brain cancer and primary CNS lymphoma and a method of treating said brain cancers in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient said compound of formula I or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.