Abstract: Compositions and methods effective for eliciting an immune response for inhibiting abnormal or undesirable cell proliferation, particularly endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis related to neovascularization and tumor growth are provided. The compositions comprise a naturally occurring or synthetic protein, peptide, or protein fragment containing all or an active portion of a growth factor in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The preferred growth factors comprise basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. The methods involve administering to a human or animal the compositions described herein in a dosage sufficient to elicit an immune response. The methods are useful for treating diseases and processes mediated by undesired and uncontrolled cell proliferation, such as cancer, particularly where uncontrolled cell proliferation is influenced by the presence of growth factors.

Abstract: Compositions and methods effective for eliciting an immune response for inhibiting abnormal or undesirable cell proliferation, particularly endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis related to neovascularization and tumor growth are provided. The compositions comprise a naturally occurring or synthetic protein, peptide, or protein fragment containing all or an active portion of a growth factor in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The preferred growth factors comprise basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. The methods involve administering to a human or animal the compositions described herein in a dosage sufficient to elicit an- immune response. The methods are useful for treating diseases and processes mediated by undesired and uncontrolled cell proliferation, such as cancer, particularly where uncontrolled cell proliferation is influenced by the presence of growth factors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations in blood by electroporation to achieve therapeutically desirable changes in the physical characteristics of the various cell populations in blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of substances and drugs into cells and platelets. The present invention is also related to the incorporation of thrombus dissolving drugs, such as tissue plasminogen activator and streptokinase into platelets using the apparatus described herein. The treated platelets can then be used to treat patients suffering from a thrombus blocking a blood vessel. The present invention is also related to a preparation of red blood cells that has a stable right shift of the oxygen dissociation curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations in blood by electroporation to achieve therapeutically desirable changes in the physical characteristics of the various cell populations in blood.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for regulating angiogenic activity wherein the compositions comprise cancer markers including kallikreins such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), serine protease homologs, or active fragments thereof are provided. Serine proteases and kallikreins exhibit potent antiangiogenic activity on human and other animal cells, particularly endothelial cells. More particularly, PSA, PSA homologs, and inhibitory fragments thereof may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier and used to inhibit angiogenesis and angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations in blood by electroporation to achieve therapeutically desirable changes in the physical characteristics of the various cell populations in blood.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for regulating angiogenesis wherein the compositions comprise cancer markers are provided. Serine proteases and kallikreins exhibit potent antiangiogenic activity on human and other animal cells, particularly endothelial cells. More particularly, the use of a cancer marker, such as PSA, CEA, HCG, NSE, or CA19-9, to inhibit or ameliorate angiogenesis and angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy is disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for regulating angiogenic activity wherein the compositions comprise cancer markers including kallikreins such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), serine protease homologs, or active fragments thereof are provided. Serine proteases and kallikreins exhibit potent antiangiogenic activity on human and other animal cells, particularly endothelial cells. More particularly, PSA, PSA homologs, and inhibitory fragments thereof may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier and used to inhibit angiogenesis and angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for regulating angiogenic activity wherein the compositions comprise cancer markers including kallikreins such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), serine protease homologs, or active fragments thereof are provided. Serine proteases and kallikreins exhibit potent antiangiogenic activity on human and other animal cells, particularly endothelial cells. More particularly, PSA, PSA homologs, and inhibitory fragments thereof may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier and used to inhibit angiogenesis and angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compositions and methods for the modulation of angiogenesis. In particular, the present invention includes Angiostatin and Endostatin binding peptides and proteins and methods of using the same. The present invention identifies tropomyosin protein as an Endostatin binding protein and a laminin beta-1 chain as an Angiostatin binding protein. The present invention also provides methods of inhibiting angiogenesis in an individual comprising administering to the individual a tropomyosin binding compound and/or an actin cytoskeleton disrupting compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of substances into cells and platelets. The present invention is also related to the incorporation of thrombus dissolving drugs, such as tissue plasminogen activator and streptokinase into platelets using the apparatus described herein. The treated platelets can then be used to treat patients suffering from a thrombus blocking blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods for reducing or inhibiting growth factor in cancer cells and tissues. More particularly immunogenic growth factor-containing compositions are administered to a human or animal with a cancer or tumor. The immunogenic compositions elicit the production of antibodies specific for growth factor which reduce the level of circulating growth factor, thus reducing or eliminating the proliferation of cancer. The present invention encompasses growth factor-containing liposomes and vesicles having portions of growth factor externally presented on their surfaces. The present invention also includes antibodies specific for growth factor. Thus, according to the present invention, growth factor levels are reduced either by active immunization of an individual using immunogenic growth factor-containing compositions or by passive immunization via administering to the individual an antibody or a group of antibodies specific for growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for affecting the immune system in animals and humans. The methods and compositions include the administration of prolactin agonists to an immunosuppressed animal or human thereby stimulating the immune system. In addition, the present invention includes a vaccine adjuvant comprising the administration of a prolactin agonist with the vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for lowering serum levels of Lp(a), thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerotic disease. Specifically, the present invention comprises administering an effective amount of a N,S-diacyl-L-cysteine to a human or animal with elevated serum levels of Lp(a). The N,S-diacyl-L-cysteines comprise a compound selected from the group having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R' is selected from the group consisting of acetyl, benzoly, thenoyl, 2-chromone-carbonyl and succinyl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The use of narcotic antagonists (e.g., naloxone) in shock therapy is disclosed.

Abstract: The therapeutic use of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), its analogs aor metabolites in the treatment of circulatory shock and/or central nervous system (CNS) ischemic damage is disclosed. Additional evidence of the utility of TRH as a CNS stimulant is revealed.

Abstract: The use of narcotic antagonists (e.g., naloxone) in shock therapy is disced.