| abstract |
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for inhibiting tumor cell growth, or treating cancer cells, in a subject through the administration of a cathepsin inhibitor or inhibitors. Methods for inhibiting inflammatory disease cells as well as other cathepsin expressing cells in a subject with a cathepsin inhibitor or inhibitors are also within the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to inducing cytotoxicity or apoptosis in cells by administering a cytotoxic or an apoptotic dose of a cathepsin inhibitor or inhibitors to the cell. Finally, the present invention relates to the administering of cathepsin expressing vectors to tumor cells so as to inhibit the tumor cells growth. |