Patent ID: 6232288
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A method for treating a mammal comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising a betacellulin protein wherein said betacellulin protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a fragment of either of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 2, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said betacellulin protein has the activity ofa) promoting the differentiation of undifferentiated pancreatic cells to insulin-producing beta cells;b) promoting the differentiation of undifferentiated pancreatic cells to pancreatic polypeptide producing F cells;c) improving glucose tolerance in a patient suffering from below normal insulin activity;d) improving glucose tolerance in a patient suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; ore) inhibiting the growth of undifferentiated pancreatic cancer cells.