The invention provides methods of diagnosing and treating multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, including methods of identifying and treating multiple sclerosis patients who are at increased risk of developing a secondary autoimmune disease following lymphocyte depletion, caused, e.g., by treatment with an anti-CD52 antibody. The increased risk may be linked to certain single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes that are indicative of elevated IL-21 levels. Also embraced are methods of selecting treatment regimens for MS patients, and reagents useful in the above methods.

Recombinant immunotoxins containing a cytotoxic RNAse fused to an antibody or antibody fragment may be produced in mammalian cell culture. Surprisingly, immunotoxins containing a cytotoxic RNAse fused to the N-terminus of one antibody variable domain can be prepared and retain the ability to specifically bind antigen. The immunotoxins may be used in a variety of therapeutic methods for treating diseases or syndromes associated with unwanted or inappropriate cell proliferation or activation.

The present invention relates to compounds according to Formula I (Formula I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof. Such compounds can be used in the treatment of RORgammaT-mediated diseases or conditions. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to mixtures comprising: i) at least one lipid and/or at least one oil; and ii) an alkyl ammonium EDTA salt; wherein the mixture has a water content in the range of 0 to 1.0 wt %. The invention further relates to mixtures which are pre-formulations, methods of treatment comprising administration of such pre-formulations, to pre-filled administration devices and kits containing the formulations, to the use of an alkylammonium EDTA salt to reduce the decomposition of the lipid components and/or any active agent contained within the pre-formulation, and to alkyl ammonium EDTA salts as described herein.

Adeno-associated virus rh.20 sequences, vectors containing same, and methods of use are provided.

New administration regimens of the T4 thyroid hormone are described, characterized by the use of alcohol-free, water-glycerol solutions of said hormone, administered at short temporal distance, i.e. within less than 30 minutes, typically between 15 and less than 30 minutes, from the closest consumed meal.

New administration regimens of the T4 thyroid hormone are described, characterized by the use of alcohol-free, water-glycerol solutions of said hormone, administered at short temporal distance, i.e. within less than 30 minutes, typically between 15 and less than 30 minutes, from the closest consumed meal.

The present invention relates to a method of cultivating stem/progenitor cells of the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord that comprises obtaining a tissue explant from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and cultivating the tissue explant in suitable cultivation media and cultivation conditions over a suitable period of time. The method may include isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The stem cells may be epithelial or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. The isolated stem cell cells can have embryonic stem cell-like properties and can be used for various therapeutic purposes.

A serum-stable mixture of lipids capable of encapsulating an active agent to form a liposome, said mixture comprising phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in a ratio in the range of about 0.5 to about 8. The mixture may also include pH sensitive anionic and cationic amphiphiles, such that the mixture is amphoteric, being negatively charged or neutral at pH 7.4 and positively charged at pH 4. Amphoteric liposomes comprising such a mixture may be used for encapsulating nucleic acid therapeutics, such as oligonucleotides and DNA plasmids. The drug/lipid ratio may be adjusted to target the liposomes to particular organs or other sites in the body.

Provided herein are stable peptide analogs of the native alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) having selectivity for the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Also provided herein are pharmaceutical preparations of the α-MSH peptide analogs, as well as methods of using these analogs in the treatment of medical and veterinary conditions involving MC1R.