The present invention relates to methods for treatment or prevention of asthma, mild intermittent asthma, mild persistent asthma, moderate persistent asthma, severe persistent asthma, eosinophilic asthma, neutrophilic asthma, steroid refractory asthma, status asthmaticus, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, COPD, sarcoidosis, and lung cancer based on reducing airway hyper responsiveness, increasing pulmonary compliance, reducing lung inflammation, reducing inflammatory cell count in bronchoalveolar fluid and reducing cytokine production by administration of a mammalian α- and/or β-defensin.

Provided in this disclosure are pharmaceutical formulations comprising antimicrobial peptides with enhanced stability. Further provided herein are methods of treating or preventing an infection comprising administering pharmaceutical formulations comprising antimicrobial peptides when administered to a subject.

The present invention provides a compound, preferably a peptide, having the following characteristics: a) consisting of 9 amino acids in a linear arrangement; b) of those 9 amino acids, 5 are cationic and 4 have a lipophilic R group; c) at least one of said 9 amino acids is a non-genetically coded amino acid (e.g. a modified derivative of a genetically coded amino acid); and optionally d) the lipophilic and cationic residues are arranged such that there are no more than two of either type of residue adjacent to one another; and further optionally e) the molecule comprises two pairs of adjacent cationic amino acids and one or two pairs of adjacent lipophilic residues;
for use in the treatment of a tumour by combined, sequential or separate administration with an immune checkpoint inhibitor. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical packs or compositions comprising these active agents and methods of treating a tumour comprising administration of these active agents. Also provided are the peptidic compounds as defined above for use in the destabilisation of a mitochondrial membrane, and a peptidic compound as defined above and an immunotherapeutic agent as a combined preparation for separate, simultaneous or sequential use in treating tumours.

A pharmaceutical or cosmetic carrier for topical administration substantially consists of phosphatidylcholine, monoglyceride, fatty acid ester of C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alcohol; volatile solvent selected from ethanol and its combinations with C.sub.3-C.sub.4 alcohol and/or volatile silicone oil. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions comprising the carrier and pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent(s).

Treatment of an inflammatory bowel disease in a subject in need thereof by simultaneous or successive parenteral and oral administration of a mammalian beta defensin is described. Oral administration of mammalian beta defensin to a subject during remission to keep said subject suffering from IBD in remission, prolong remission in said subject suffering from IBD, to reduce the occurrence of relapse in said subject suffering from IBD, or any combination thereof, is also described.

Broad spectrum antiviral peptides and composition including therapeutically effective amounts of the antiviral peptides along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are provided. The antiviral compositions show a strong broad spectrum antiviral effect, without resulting to viral resistance. The antiviral compositions are useful for treatment of diseases caused by viral infections, particularly respiratory viruses such as enveloped coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV), the pandemic A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, and the non-enveloped rhinovirus.

Compositions and methods for topical treatment of hair loss in otherwise normal skin that is affected by alopecia are presented. Such compositions include defensins in concentrations that are below those that exhibit antimicrobial activity, and can be in the form of a topically applied gel, lotion, wash, shampoo, cream, or mask. Various formulations for such compositions, which can include various pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizers, emollients, and fragrances, are provided. Such compositions and methods can be used in conjunction with traditional methods for treatment of hair loss.

Compositions and methods for topical treatment of hair loss in otherwise normal skin that is affected by alopecia are presented. Such compositions include defensins in concentrations that are below those that exhibit antimicrobial activity, and can be in the form of a topically applied gel, lotion, wash, shampoo, cream, or mask. Various formulations for such compositions, which can include various pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizers, emollients, and fragrances, are provided. Such compositions and methods can be used in conjunction with traditional methods for treatment of hair loss.

A method of treating or preventing a microbial infection in a patient is provided, along with a wound irrigation system and a composition in the form of an irrigation liquid for reducing microbial load or preventing microbial infection in a wound.

A method of antibiotic treatment combines a pore-forming agent with histones, which stabilize the pores and inhibit transcription. This combination has a significant and complete effect on eliminating bacterial growth. A composition comprising a pore-forming agent and a histone, and optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The pore-forming agents can include LL-37, magainin, or polymyxin B. Examples of a histone include H2A and H3. A method for killing bacteria comprises contacting bacteria with a pore-forming agent and a histone, or with a composition of the invention. Also provided is a method for treating a bacterial infection in a subject, the method comprising administering a pore-forming agent and a histone to the subject, such as in the form of a composition of the invention. In some embodiments, the bacteria comprise Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and/or Staphylococcus aureus.