The present disclosure provides biomaterials and methods for preventing and minimizing progression of cartilage and/or connective tissue damage. Also provided herein are biomaterials and methods for alleviating and/or reducing the risk for developing arthritis (e.g., osteoarthritis) associated with joint injury and/or joint surgery.

The present disclosure provides pro-angiogenic proteoglycan mimetics that can provide a provisional, pro-angiogenic scaffold to support tissue regeneration while limiting systemic exposure to VEGF activity. These mimetics can protect a collagen matrix from rapid degradation, and in conjunction with EPCs promote angiogenesis in order to accelerate ischemic wound healing. For example, the provided compounds can be delivered from the end of a catheter following balloon angioplasty to coat the collagen exposed areas, prevent platelet binding and thrombosis, support capture of EPCs from blood to facilitate reendothelialization, and reduce late-lumen loss (neointimal hyperplasia).

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the treatment of cancer involving activation of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand receptor (TRAILR) pathway. In particular, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the identification of genes conferring TRAIL resistance, and the development of rational drug combinations targeting these genes. The therapeutic drug combinations of the present disclosure function synergistically to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-resistant cancers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the treatment of cancer involving activation of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand receptor (TRAILR) pathway. In particular, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the identification of genes conferring TRAIL resistance, and the development of rational drug combinations targeting these genes. The therapeutic drug combinations of the present disclosure function synergistically to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-resistant cancers.

[Problem] To provide novel anti-tumor agents and combination drugs.

[Means to solve] To provide an anti-tumor agent containing, as an active ingredient, a glutathione level reducer or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor, the anti-tumor agent being adapted to be administered simultaneously with an effective amount of a compound (II); an anti-tumor agent including a compound (II) as an active ingredient, the anti-tumor agent being adapted to be administered simultaneously with an effective amount of a glutathione level reducer or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor; or an anti-tumor agent containing, as active ingredients, a compound (II) and a glutathione level reducer or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor, where R.sup.5 is a linear or branched C1-6 alkyl group, R.sup.6 is hydrogen or halogen, R.sup.7 is a linear or branched C1-6 alkyl group optionally substituted with a substituent, the substituent being hydroxy or phenyl, and R.sup.8 is hydrogen or halogen.

[Problem] To provide novel anti-tumor agents and combination drugs.

[Means to solve] To provide an anti-tumor agent containing, as an active ingredient, a glutathione level reducer or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor, the anti-tumor agent being adapted to be administered simultaneously with an effective amount of a compound (II); an anti-tumor agent including a compound (II) as an active ingredient, the anti-tumor agent being adapted to be administered simultaneously with an effective amount of a glutathione level reducer or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor; or an anti-tumor agent containing, as active ingredients, a compound (II) and a glutathione level reducer or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor, where R.sup.5 is a linear or branched C1-6 alkyl group, R.sup.6 is hydrogen or halogen, R.sup.7 is a linear or branched C1-6 alkyl group optionally substituted with a substituent, the substituent being hydroxy or phenyl, and R.sup.8 is hydrogen or halogen.

The present invention provides methods for treating tumors in subjects by using a recombinant interferon (rSIFN-co), and optionally, methods for treating solid tumors, such as lung cancer, among others, with or without prior surgery, and as a first line or second line monotherapy or in combination with one or more other anti-tumor therapies. The present invention further provides non-surgical methods for eliminating tumors or reducing tumor sizes in subjects, and/or preventing postoperative tumor recurrence and/or metastases in subjects by using the recombinant interferon (rSIFN-co) which comprises a unique spatial configuration, alone or in conjunction with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or one or more anti-tumor drugs such as biological agents, targeted drugs, small molecules, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the like.

The present invention provides methods for treating tumors in subjects by using a recombinant interferon (rSIFN-co), and optionally, methods for treating solid tumors, such as lung cancer, among others, with or without prior surgery, and as a first line or second line monotherapy or in combination with one or more other anti-tumor therapies. The present invention further provides non-surgical methods for eliminating tumors or reducing tumor sizes in subjects, and/or preventing postoperative tumor recurrence and/or metastases in subjects by using the recombinant interferon (rSIFN-co) which comprises a unique spatial configuration, alone or in conjunction with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or one or more anti-tumor drugs such as biological agents, targeted drugs, small molecules, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the like.

The present invention pertains to novel bone graft substitute materials. These materials are porous, homogenously dispersed solid mixtures of calcium phosphate and pro-regenerative extracellular matrix (ECM)—and potentially any pharmaceutical agent and/or mineral—that have been infused with polydopamine. In some embodiments the bone graft materials have osteoinductive factors incorporated within them.

The present invention pertains to novel bone graft substitute materials. These materials are porous, homogenously dispersed solid mixtures of calcium phosphate and pro-regenerative extracellular matrix (ECM)—and potentially any pharmaceutical agent and/or mineral—that have been infused with polydopamine. In some embodiments the bone graft materials have osteoinductive factors incorporated within them.