Described are RNAi agents, compositions that include RNAi agents, and methods for inhibition of an alpha-ENaC (SCNN1A) gene. The alpha-ENaC RNAi agents and RNAi agent conjugates disclosed herein inhibit the expression of an alpha-ENaC gene. Pharmaceutical compositions that include one or more alpha-ENaC RNAi agents, optionally with one or more additional therapeutics, are also described. Delivery of the described alpha-ENaC RNAi agents to epithelial cells, such as pulmonary epithelial cells, in vivo, provides for inhibition of alpha-ENaC gene expression and a reduction in ENaC activity, which can provide a therapeutic benefit to subjects, including human subjects.

An inhalable dry powder formulation containing SAE-CD and an active agent is provided. The formulation is adapted for administration by DPI. The SAE-CD serves as a carrier rather than as an absorption enhancer. The average particle size of the SAE-CD is large enough to preclude (for the most part) pulmonary deposition thereof. Following release from the DPI device, the SAE-CD-containing particles dissociate from the active agent-containing particles in the buccal cavity or throat, after which the active agent-containing particles continue deeper into the respiratory tract. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the SAE-CD are easily modified to permit optimization of active agent and carrier interactions. Drugs having a positive, neutral or negative electrostatic charge can be delivered by DPI when SAE-CD is used as a carrier.

Methods of inducing T cell proliferation and expansion in vivo for treating conditions wherein antigen-specific T cell immune response are therapeutically desirable such as cancer, infection, inflammation, allergy and autoimmunity and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines are provided. These methods comprise the administration of at least one CD27 agonist, preferably an agonistic CD27 antibody, alone or in association with another moiety such as immune stimulant or immune modulator such as an anti-CD40, OX-40, 4-1BB, or CTLA-4 antibody or an agent that depletes regulatory cells, or a cytokine. These mono and combination therapies may also optionally include the administration of a desired antigen such as a tumor antigen, an allergen, an autoantigen, or an antigen specific to an infectious agent or pathogen against which a T cell response (often CD8+) is desirably elicited.

The present invention relates to novel methods of using microporous zirconium silicate to reduce the risk of hyperkalemia and to lower aldosterone levels in the treatment of chronic kidney disease and/or chronic heart disease with therapies comprising diuretics. The invention provides a safe way to reduce the risk of hyperkalemia and to lower aldosterone. The invention also relates to treatment of other conditions that can occur either alone or in connection with hyperkalemia, chronic kidney disease, and/or chronic heart disease.

Antibody polypeptides that specifically bind a novel epitope of human CD40 are provided. The antibody polypeptides do not exhibit CD40 agonist activity. The antibody polypeptides are useful in the treatment of diseases involving CD40 activation, such as autoimmune diseases. The antibody polypeptides may be domain antibodies (dAbs) comprising a single V.sub.L or V.sub.H domain. The half-life of the antibody polypeptides may be increased by modifying the antibody polypeptides to be dual specific reagents that can also bind human serum albumin (HSA).

The present invention features antibodies that have high binding affinity to human neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). These anti-FcRn antibodies are useful, e.g., to promote clearance of autoantibodies in a subject, to suppress antigen presentation in a subject, to block an immune response, e.g., block an immune complex-based activation of the immune response in a subject, and to treat immunological diseases (e.g., autoimmune diseases) in a subject.

An inhalable dry powder formulation containing SAE-CD and an active agent is provided. The formulation is adapted for administration by DPI. The SAE-CD serves as a carrier rather than as an absorption enhancer. The average particle size of the SAE-CD is large enough to preclude (for the most part) pulmonary deposition thereof. Following release from the DPI device, the SAE-CD-containing particles dissociate from the active agent-containing particles in the buccal cavity or throat, after which the active agent-containing particles continue deeper into the respiratory tract. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the SAE-CD are easily modified to permit optimization of active agent and carrier interactions. Drugs having a positive, neutral or negative electrostatic charge can be delivered by DPI when SAE-CD is used as a carrier.

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (3Z,5S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-[(2-methyl-1,1-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]pyrrolidin-3-one O-meth19243yloxime, and/or an active metabolite thereof having antagonist action at the oxytocin receptor and/or vasopressin V1a receptor, to processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use.

Described are RNAi agents, compositions that include RNAi agents, and methods for inhibition of an alpha-ENaC (SCNN1A) gene. The alpha-ENaC RNAi agents and RNAi agent conjugates disclosed herein inhibit the expression of an alpha-ENaC gene. Pharmaceutical compositions that include one or more alpha-ENaC RNAi agents, optionally with one or more additional therapeutics, are also described. Delivery of the described alpha-ENaC RNAi agents to epithelial cells, such as pulmonary epithelial cells, in vivo, provides for inhibition of alpha-ENaC gene expression and a reduction in ENaC activity, which can provide a therapeutic benefit to subjects, including human subjects.

Described are RNAi agents, compositions that include RNAi agents, and methods for inhibition of an alpha-ENaC (SCNN1A) gene. The alpha-ENaC RNAi agents and RNAi agent conjugates disclosed herein inhibit the expression of an alpha-ENaC gene. Pharmaceutical compositions that include one or more alpha-ENaC RNAi agents, optionally with one or more additional therapeutics, are also described. Delivery of the described alpha-ENaC RNAi agents to epithelial cells, such as pulmonary epithelial cells, in vivo, provides for inhibition of alpha-ENaC gene expression and a reduction in ENaC activity, which can provide a therapeutic benefit to subjects, including human subjects.