The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of subjects having or at risk of arteriosclerosis, hypertension, sickle-cell anemia, or other conditions. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide, peptides, or both. The nitric oxide and/or peptide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide and/or peptide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) may be eradicated through a novel therapeutic strategy involving, in some embodiments, FDA-approved antibiotics and dietary supplements. The present approach effectively results in the synergistic eradication of CSCs through inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis in CSCs during induced mitochondrial oxidative stress, without inhibiting normal cells. Embodiments may include a therapeutic agent that inhibits mitochondrial biogenesis and targets the large mitochondrial ribosome, a therapeutic agent that inhibits mitochondrial biogenesis and targets the small mitochondrial ribosome, and a therapeutic agent that behaves as a pro-oxidant or induces mitochondrial oxidative stress. Compositions according to the present approach inhibited CSC propagation by ˜90% in MCF7 ER(+) cell lines during preliminary studies, with confirmed reduction in mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ATP production. Some embodiments include sub-antimicrobial antibiotic concentrations, thereby minimizing antibiotic resistance concerns. In some embodiments, one or more therapeutic agents are conjugated with a targeting signal.

The present invention provides methods of treating a subject having a primary inflammatory disease or disorder comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a conjugate of an LLP2A peptidomimetic ligand and a bisphosphonate drug, wherein the composition comprising the LLP2A-bisphosphonate conjugate enhances the delivery of mesenchymal stem cells to a site of inflammation. Methods of enhancing an anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory property of mesenchymal stem cells, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the mesenchymal stem cells and a composition comprising a conjugate of an LLP2A peptidomimetic ligand and a bisphosphonate drug, are also provided.

A nanoparticle composition of buckminsterfullerene with ellagic acid is provided that becomes substantially more efficacious to maintain or re-establish benign healthy cellular homeostasis with the functionalization of at least about 10% luteolin. This composition is formulated to prevent or to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). In addition, the ability to penetrate hydrophobic malignant tissues via desulfurization is promoted with the addition of phosphonate pendant groups. This further enables the composition to penetrate fungal spores, the hydrophobic regions of uncontrolled cellular proliferation, neoplasms, degenerative malignancy, and to help treat chronic inflammatory diseases associated with or leading to induce cancer in susceptible cells. The composition can be produced at low temperatures through reactive shear milling. Delivery methods include ingestion, topical application, topical buccal application, inhalation, or injection when used as a medicament or as a food supplement.

The present invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of peptidomimetic ligands. The peptidomimetic ligands can be conjugated with phosphonate drugs. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are useful in the treatment of osteoporosis and for the promotion of bone growth due to their specificity for the α.sub.4β.sub.1 integrin on mesenchymal stem cells and for the surface of bone.

Provided herein are, inter alia, nucleic acid conjugates including a non-cell penetrating ribonucleic acid compound attached at its 3′ end to a phosphorothioate polymer. Attachment of the phosphorothioate polymer to the non-cell penetrating ribonucleic acid conveys stability to and allows for efficient intracellular delivery of the non-cell penetrating ribonucleic acid. The nucleic acid conjugates provided herein including embodiments thereof are useful, inter alia, for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disease, and pain.

Biodegradable Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (BPMO) nanomaterials and methods of making BPMOs loaded with Neutron Capture Agents are disclosed herein. Consequently, the BPMOs loaded with Neutron Capture Agents provide a method of treating cancer, immunological disorders and other disease by utilizing a Neutron Capture Therapy modality.

Described herein are bisphosphonate oxazolidinone compounds, and conjugates and pharmaceutical formulations thereof, that can include a bisphosphonate and an oxazolidinone (or an oxazolidinone antimicrobial or antibiotic agent, substituent or derivative thereof), where the oxazolidinone can be releasably coupled to the bisphosphonate. Also provided herein are methods of making and methods of using the bisphosphonate oxazolidinone compounds, conjugates and pharmaceutical formulations thereof. Also provided herein are methods of use of the compounds, conjugates and formulations for treating a bone disease or for use in preparing a formulation for the treatment a bone disease.

Peptides, salts thereof, peptide conjugates, and salts thereof having 5 to 15 amino acids and having an amino acid sequence comprising at least 5 consecutive amino acids from the amino acid sequence LSSTQAQQSX.sub.1 (SEQ ID NO:34).

The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis or the prognosis of metastasis in lung cancer which comprises determining if the c-MAF gene is amplified in a primary tumor sample. Likewise, the invention also relates to a method for the diagnosis or the prognosis of metastasis in lung cancer, as well as to a method for determining the tendency to develop bone metastasis with respect to metastasis in other organs, which comprise determining the c-MAF gene expression level. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a c-MAF inhibitor as therapeutic target for treating the lung cancer.