Disclosed herein are polypeptides and fusion polypeptides that have anti-angiogenic activity that can be used to inhibit tumor growth and tumor metastasis. The polypeptide consists of 9 or less consecutive amino acid residues (e.g., 8, 7, 6, 5, or 4) comprising the active core amino acid sequence DWLP, or an amino acid substitution variant thereof. Specific amino acid substitutions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the peptide consists essentially of 4-6 mers identified as exhibiting the activity of prosaposin A. Also disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions comprising the polypeptides and fusion polypeptides, and their use in the treatment, prevention, and inhibition of angiogenesis-related diseases and disorders such as cancer and cancer metastasis.

The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepines of formula (I) and (II), in which the diazepine ring (B) is fused with a heterocyclic ring (CD), wherein the heterocyclic ring is bicyclic or a compound of formula (III), in which the diazepine ring (B) is fused with a heterocyclic ring (C), wherein the heterocyclic ring is monocyclic. The invention provides cytotoxic dimers of these compounds. The invention also provides conjugates of the monomers and the dimers. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention. The invention further relates to methods of using the compounds or conjugates for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis or treatment of mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions.

The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepines of formula (I) and (II), in which the diazepine ring (B) is fused with a heterocyclic ring (CD), wherein the heterocyclic ring is bicyclic or a compound of formula (III), in which the diazepine ring (B) is fused with a heterocyclic ring (C), wherein the heterocyclic ring is monocyclic. The invention provides cytotoxic dimers of these compounds. The invention also provides conjugates of the monomers and the dimers. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention. The invention further relates to methods of using the compounds or conjugates for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis or treatment of mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions.

The present invention concerns novel and improved antibody-conjugates for targeting CD30. The inventors found that when antibody-conjugates were prepared using a specific mode of conjugation, they exhibit an improved therapeutic index. The mode of conjugation comprises a first step (i) of contacting a glycoprotein comprising 1-4 core N-acetylglucosamine moieties with a compound of the formula S(F.sup.1).sub.x-P in the presence of a catalyst, wherein S(F.sup.1).sub.x is a sugar derivative comprising x functional groups F.sup.1 capable of reacting with a functional group Q.sup.1, x is 1 or 2 and P is a nucleoside mono- or diphosphate, and wherein the catalyst is capable of transferring the S(F.sup.1).sub.x moiety to the core-GlcNAc moiety, to obtain a modified antibody; and a second step (ii) of reacting the modified antibody with a linker-conjugate comprising a functional group Q.sup.1 capable of reacting with functional group F.sup.1 and a target molecule D connected to Q.sup.1 via a linker L.sup.2 to obtain the antibody-conjugate wherein linker L comprises S—Z.sup.3-L.sup.2 and wherein Z.sup.3 is a connecting group resulting from the reaction between Q.sup.1 and F.sup.1. The invention also relates to a use for improving the therapeutic index of an antibody-conjugate and to a method for targeting CD30-expressing cells.

The present invention concerns novel and improved antibody-conjugates for targeting CD30. The inventors found that when antibody-conjugates were prepared using a specific mode of conjugation, they exhibit an improved therapeutic index. The mode of conjugation comprises a first step (i) of contacting a glycoprotein comprising 1-4 core N-acetylglucosamine moieties with a compound of the formula S(F.sup.1).sub.x-P in the presence of a catalyst, wherein S(F.sup.1).sub.x is a sugar derivative comprising x functional groups F.sup.1 capable of reacting with a functional group Q.sup.1, x is 1 or 2 and P is a nucleoside mono- or diphosphate, and wherein the catalyst is capable of transferring the S(F.sup.1).sub.x moiety to the core-GlcNAc moiety, to obtain a modified antibody; and a second step (ii) of reacting the modified antibody with a linker-conjugate comprising a functional group Q.sup.1 capable of reacting with functional group F.sup.1 and a target molecule D connected to Q.sup.1 via a linker L.sup.2 to obtain the antibody-conjugate wherein linker L comprises S—Z.sup.3-L.sup.2 and wherein Z.sup.3 is a connecting group resulting from the reaction between Q.sup.1 and F.sup.1. The invention also relates to a use for improving the therapeutic index of an antibody-conjugate and to a method for targeting CD30-expressing cells.

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.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising specific tetrapeptides, for use in treating, preventing, minimizing, diminishing or reversing degenerative, age-related and trauma-induced disorders, particularly of the eye, are provided.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising specific tetrapeptides, for use in treating, preventing, minimizing, diminishing or reversing degenerative, age-related and trauma-induced disorders, particularly of the eye, are provided.

The present invention provides liposome compositions containing sparingly soluble drugs that are used to treat life-threatening diseases. A preferred method of encapsulating a drug inside a liposome is by remote or active loading. Remote loading of a drug into liposomes containing a transmembrane electrochemical gradient is initiated by co-mixing a liposome suspension with a solution of drug, whereby the neutral form of the compound freely enters the liposome and becomes electrostatically charged thereby preventing the reverse transfer out of the liposome. There is a continuous build-up of compound within the liposome interior until the electrochemical gradient is dissipated or all the drug is encapsulated in the liposome. However, this process as described in the literature has been limited to drugs that are freely soluble in aqueous solution or solubilized as a water-soluble complex. This invention describes compositions and methods for remote loading drugs with low water solubility (<2 mg/mL). In the preferred embodiment the drug in the solubilizing agent is mixed with the liposomes in aqueous suspension so that the concentration of solubilizing agent is lowered to below its capacity to completely solubilize the drug. This results in the drug precipitating but remote loading is capability retained. The process is scalable and the resulting drug-loaded liposomes are characterized by a high drug-to-lipid ratios and predictable drug retention when the liposome encapsulated drug is administered in patients.