| abstract |
Short peptides which function as analogs of IGF-1 are provided. These peptides abolish the proliferation of cells at nanogram concentrations. The peptides are non-toxic, and the inhibitor effect is reversible. The use of these peptides, because of their low toxicity and high efficiency, holds promises for treatment of a variety of human conditions, including prevention of restenosis of the coronary arteries after angioplasty, treatment of human neoplasia such as cancer of the prostate, treatment of tumors in pleural and peritoneal cavities and brain metastases, treatment of other abnormalities of cell growth in human beings, treatment of smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in asthma, treatment to promote burn and wound healing, and purging bone marrow from highly proliferating cells. |