Compositions and Methods For Inducing Apoptosis In Tumor Cells

Abstract

A method is described for using an E-domain peptide for the induction of apoptosis in a cancer cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods for using a-type E-domain peptide from trout IGF and/or a b-type E-domain peptide from human IGF for the induction of apoptosis in a broad spectrum of cancer cells. The peptide species can be a homologue of the E-domain of IGF-1 or a fusion protein comprising the E-domain of IGF-1. It can be administered to one or more cancer cells alone or in a pharmaceutically acceptable composition.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating cancer in an animal tissue comprising, providing an animal in need thereof, and administering an effective amount of at least one of an E-domain insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) peptide composition selected from the group consisting of an Ea-4 domain peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, an hEb domain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and combinations thereof, and wherein the E-domain peptide induces apoptosis in a cancer cell. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the E-domain peptide composition comprises the peptide and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cancer cell is in vitro. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cancer cell is in vivo. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the E-domain peptide composition further comprises another biologically active agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the protein comprises a homologue of the E-domain of IGF-1, or a fusion protein comprising the E-domain of IGF-1. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the peptide comprises the Ea-4 domain peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the peptide comprises the hEb domain peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the peptide comprises the Ea-4 domain peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and hEb domain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the peptide is comprised within a fusion protein. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the cancer cell is selected from the group consisting of a breast cancer cell, colon cancer cell, neuroblastoma cell, kidney cancer cell, ovarian cancer cell, prostate cancer cell, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the animal tissue is a human tissue.