Tissue protective peptides and peptide analogs for preventing and treating diseases and disorders associated with tissue damage

Abstract

The present invention provides peptides and peptide analogs that have tissue protective activities while having little or no potentially undesirable hematopoietic effects. The peptides and peptide analogs are useful in preventing and treating a variety of diseases and disorders associated with tissue damage.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A method for preventing, treating, ameliorating or managing cancer or a neoplastic disorder in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of:
 (a) an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114), wherein the isolated peptide is no more than 29 amino acids in length; or   (b) an isolated peptide consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114), wherein one amino acid residue of the amino acid sequence is replaced with a different amino acid residue or an amino acid equivalent.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the isolated peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of the amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114). 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the isolated peptide consists essentially of an amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114), wherein one amino acid residue of the amino acid sequence is replaced with a different amino acid residue or an amino acid equivalent. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the isolated peptide is modified with an addition of polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the cancer or neoplastic disorder is of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, gastrointestinal system, digestive system, genitourinary system, gynecological system, head and neck, hematological system, blood, musculoskeletal tissue, soft tissue, respiratory system or breast. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the cancer or neoplastic disorder is of the digestive system. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the cancer or neoplastic disorder of the digestive system is selected from the group consisting of appendix cancer, bile duct cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder cancer, gastric cancer, intestinal cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, and stomach cancer. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the cancer or neoplastic disorder is of the respiratory system. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the cancer or neoplastic disorder of the respiratory system is lung cancer. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the lung cancer is selected from the group consisting of non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, squamous cell lung cancer and mesothelioma. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the non-small cell lung cancer is adenocarcinoma. 
     
     
         72 . A method for preventing or treating cachexia in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of:
 (a) an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114), wherein the isolated peptide is no more than 29 amino acids in length; or   (b) an isolated peptide consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114), wherein one amino acid residue of the amino acid sequence is replaced with a different amino acid residue or an amino acid equivalent.   
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the isolated peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of the amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114). 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the isolated peptide consists essentially of an amino acid sequence of WEHVNAIQEARRLL (SEQ ID NO: 114), wherein one amino acid residue of the amino acid sequence is replaced with a different amino acid residue or an amino acid equivalent. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the isolated peptide is modified with an addition of polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the cachexia is caused by or symptomatic of a disease selected from the group consisting of cancer, anorexia, asthenia, anemia, tuberculosis, AIDS, congestive heart failure, renal failure, liver failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, muscle atrophy, diabetes, and endotoxinemia. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the cachexia is caused by or symptomatic of cancer. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the cachexia is a side-effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.