Cedars-sinai Medical Center

Anthony P Heaney

Shlomo Melmed

Hongxiang Hui

Toni Rita Prezant

Alan Waxman

This invention relates to compositions, methods utilizing fructose and other monosaccharides for the diagnosis of cancer. Cancer cells have shown a higher level of fructose utilization as compared to glucose. Further, cancer cells have shown a preferential use of fructose for nucleic acid synthesis. The present invention takes advantage of these features and provides for fructose or fructose-based compositions for the diagnosis of cancer using imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography.

Use of fructose-based compounds for the diagnosis of cancer

Described are cells transfected with expression vectors containing pituitary tumor transfer gene (PTTG) and uses therefor. The PTTG nucleic acids may be operatively linked to a vector, optionally provided with control and expression sequences, and/or may be carried by a host cell. The host cell may be a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-sensitive cell transfected with an expression vector comprising a DNA segment encoding functional PTTG, wherein the cell overexpresses PTTG in response to TSH. Also described is an in vitro cell model used to study biological processes mediated by PTTG and a method for evaluating a compound for its ability to modulate PTTG expression.

Transgenic cells transfected with pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG)) expression vectors and uses therefor

Disclosed is a method of inhibiting neoplastic cellular proliferation and/or transformation of mammalian breast or ovarian cells, including cells of human origin, in vitro or in vivo. The inventive method involves the use of a pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG)2 peptide, which has the ability to regulate endogenous PTTG1 expression and/or function in a dominant negative manner. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to gene-based treatments that deliver PTTG2-encoding polynucleotides to mammalian cells, whether in vitro or in vivo, to inhibit the endogenous expression of PTTG1. Other embodiments are directed to peptide-based treatments that deliver PTTG2 peptide molecules to the cells, which inhibit endogenous PTTG1 expression and/or PTTG1 function. Kits useful in practicing the inventive method are also disclosed.

Method of regulating biological activity of pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG)1 using PTTG2

Disclosed is a method for treating a pituitary tumor in a mammal, employing the administration of a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma ligand (also known as &ldquo;peroxisome proliferating-activator receptor gamma&rdquo; or &ldquo;PPAR-&ggr;&rdquo;). In some embodiments, the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma ligand is a thiazolidinedione compound. Also disclosed are methods for preventing the formation of a pituitary tumor in a mammal and for preventing the recurrence of a pituitary tumor in a mammal. Further disclosed is a method for treating a mammal exhibiting one or more symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.

Use of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-&ggr; ligands as a treatment for pituitary tumors and associated conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Anthony P Heaney