| abstract |
Preparations of conjugates of a heparin-binding growth factor and a targeted agent and compositions containing such preparations are provided. The conjugates contain a polypeptide that is reactive with an FGF receptor, such as bFGF, or another heparin-binding growth factor coupled to a targeted agent through a linker. The linker is selected to increase the specificity, toxicity, solubility, serum stability, and/or intracellular availability of the targeted moiety. Several linkers may be included in order to take advantage of desired properties of each linker. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these conjugates of FGF and a targeted agent and methods for prevention of recurrence of pterygii, closure of trabeculectomy and corneal hazing following excimer laser surgery are provided. The methods entail contacting the area of the eye that has been surgically treated with the composition during or immediately after surgery. Compositions of conjugates of a heparin-binding growth factor and a nucleic acid binding domain are provided. The conjugates bind nucleic acid molecules through the nucleic acid binding domain. These conjugates may be used to deliver nucleic acid encoding a cytotoxic protein or an antisense nucleic acid and the like to cells expressing receptors for the heparin-binding growth factor. |