Smithkline Beckman Corporation

Other

Princeton University

Charles Gilvarg

William D Kingsbury

Methods of enhancing sensitivity and specificity of an assay measuring enzymatic activity in a sample by measuring enzymatic activity in the sample in the presence and absence of a specific inhibitor of the enzymatic activity are provided. Methods of measuring carboxypeptidase A levels and total carboxypeptidase A levels, wherein procarboxypeptidase A is converted to carboxypeptidase A by addition of clostripain, in a biological fluid with a carboxypeptidase A substrate, specificity of which is enhanced by addition of a carboxypeptidase A specific inhibitor are also provided. In addition, methods of diagnosing acute pancreatitis by measurement of carboxypeptidase A levels and pancreatic cancer by measurement of total carboxypeptidase A levels are also provided.

Method of detecting procarboxypeptidase A and carboxypeptidase A levels in biological fluids

Methods of measuring carboxypeptidase A levels and total carboxypeptidase A levels, wherein procarboxypeptidase A is converted to carboxypeptidase A by addition of clostripain, in a biological fluid with a carboxypeptidase A substrate, specificity of which is enhanced by addition of a carboxypeptidase A specific inhibitor are provided. In addition, methods of diagnosing acute pancreatitis by measurement of carboxypeptidase A levels and pancreatic cancer by measurement of total carboxypeptidase A levels are also provided.

Prodrugs are described whose structures have a oligopeptide chain which is substituted by a nucleophilic chemotherapeutic residue at the .alpha.-position. The products have increased cell membrane permeability and beneficial physico-chemical properties.

Oligopeptide prodrugs

A series of prodrugs is described which have improved antimicrobial activity and physico-chemical properties. The structures of the biologically active ingredients are characterized by having a selected oligopeptide backbone attached, via the .alpha.-carbon of an L-alanyl unit thereof, by means of a disulfide link to the residue of an antimicrobial mercaptan.

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Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Charles Gilvarg