Merck + Co., Inc.

Steven M Stirdivant

Mark W Riemen

Allen I Oliff

David C Heimbrook

Janet Ahern

Psuedomonas exotoxin 40 is modified by deleting or substituting one or more cysteine residues. Such a modified protein may be incorporated into a fusion protein with TGF.alpha.. The resulting fusion protein exhibits altered biological activities from unmodified TGF.alpha.-PE.sub.40, including decreased cell killing activity and increase receptor-binding activity.

Modified pseudomonas exotoxin PE.sub.40

Methods and compositions for treating bladder cancer using TGF-alpha or EGF fused to PE.sub.40 or cysteine modified derivatives are taught. Also, a method of producing TGF-alpha-PE.sub.40 derivatives of enhanced potency is described.

Method of treating bladder cancer cells

Pseudomonas exotoxin 40 is modified by deleting or substituting one or more cysteine residues. Such a modified protein, when hybridized to TGF.alpha., exhibits altered biological activities from unmodified TGF.alpha. PE.sub.40, including decreased cell killing activity and increased receptor-binding activity.

Growing community of inventors

Warrington, PA, United States of America

Steven M Stirdivant