US20220339239A1 - Use of melanocortins to treat insulin sensitivity - Google Patents

Use of melanocortins to treat insulin sensitivity Download PDF

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US20220339239A1
US20220339239A1 US17/831,887 US202217831887A US2022339239A1 US 20220339239 A1 US20220339239 A1 US 20220339239A1 US 202217831887 A US202217831887 A US 202217831887A US 2022339239 A1 US2022339239 A1 US 2022339239A1
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cys
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trp
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Heather A. Halem
Michael Dewitt Culler
Andrew Butler
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Ipsen Pharma SAS
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Ipsen Pharma SAS
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/04—Peptides having up to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/12—Cyclic peptides, e.g. bacitracins; Polymyxins; Gramicidins S, C; Tyrocidins A, B or C
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/04—Peptides having up to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/33—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans derived from pro-opiomelanocortin, pro-enkephalin or pro-dynorphin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A61P3/04—Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A61P3/08—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism for glucose homeostasis
    • A61P3/10—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism for glucose homeostasis for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P43/00—Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P5/00—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system
    • A61P5/48—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system of the pancreatic hormones
    • A61P5/50—Drugs for disorders of the endocrine system of the pancreatic hormones for increasing or potentiating the activity of insulin
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K7/00—Peptides having 5 to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K7/64—Cyclic peptides containing only normal peptide links

Definitions

  • POMC pro-hormone pro-opiomelanocortin
  • melanocortin receptors Five melanocortin receptors (MC-R) have been characterized to date. These include melanocyte-specific receptor (MC1-R), corticoadrenal-specific ACTH receptor (MC2-R), melacortin-3 (MC3-R), melanocortin-4 (MC4-R) and melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5-R). All of the melanocortin receptors respond to the peptide hormone class of melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH) (Cone et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 680:342-363 (1993); Cone et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res., 51:287-318 (1996)).
  • MSH melanocyte stimulating hormones
  • MC-R melanocortin receptors
  • One of the receptors, MC4-R is a 332 amino add transmembrane protein expressed in brain as well as placental and gut tissues (Cone et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 680:342-363 (1993); Cone et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res., 51:287-318 (1996)).
  • Complications of body weight disorders commonly include an inability to produce and utilize insulin, often resulting in faulty glucose regulation.
  • the consequence of failure to properly control glucose metabolism affects many aspects of overall health including energy metabolism, neuropathy and heart disease.
  • Current progress with receptor-selective melanocortin receptor ligands evidences the therapeutic potential of melanocortin receptor activation, particularly MC4-R, in the treatment of glucose regulation, including insulin metabolism.
  • the present invention is directed to the use of peptides which are ligands of one or more of the melanocortin receptors (MC-R), or the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, to treat mammals suffering from insulin resistance.
  • the ligands are agonists to the melanocortin 4 receptor.
  • the melanocortin receptor ligands are according to the formulae described herein or are selected from particular peptides described herein.
  • the insulin resistant subject mammals may be obese or overweight and may lose weight as a result of the administration of the peptides of the invention.
  • the insulin resistant subject mammals may also be normal weight or lean.
  • the insulin resistant condition of the subject mammals may be treated independent of weight loss.
  • the subject mammals may be human subjects of any age, such as an infant, a child, an adult or an elderly adult.
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor 4 ligand according to Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2007/008704, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • a 1 is Acc, HN—(CH 2 ) m —C(O), L- or D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • a 2 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Asp, or Glu;
  • a 3 is Gly, Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Gaba, Aib, D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • a 4 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, Taz, 2-Thi, 3-Thi, or (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe;
  • a 5 is D-Phe, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Trp, D-Bal, D-(X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, L-Phe or D-(Et)Tyr;
  • a 6 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or HN—CH((CH 2 ) n —N(R 4 R 5 ))—C(O);
  • a 7 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Bal, Bip, D-Trp, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Bal or D-Bip;
  • a 8 is Gly, D-Ala, Acc, Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Gaba, Apn, Ahx, Aha, HN—(CH 2 ) s —C(O), or deleted;
  • a 9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Dab, Dap, Orn, or Lys;
  • a 10 is Acc, HN—(CH 2 ) t —C(O), L- or D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • R 1 is OH or NH 2 ;
  • each of R 2 and R 3 is, independently for each occurrence, selected from the group consisting of H, (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, and substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • s is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , and X 5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, F, Cl, Br, I, (C 1-10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1-10 )alkyl, (C 2-10 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2-10 )alkenyl, (C 2-10 )alkynyl, substituted (C 2-10 )alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, OH, NH 2 , NO 2 , or CN; provided that
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a subgroup of melanocortin receptor ligands of the immediate foregoing Formula I, wherein′:
  • More preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing group of ligands according to Formula (I) useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, are compounds of the formula:
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand according to Formula (II) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2007/008704 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • a 1 is Nle or deleted
  • a 2 is Cys or Asp
  • a 3 is Glu or D-Ala
  • a 4 is His
  • a 5 is D-Phe
  • a 6 is Arg
  • a 7 is Trp, 2-Nal or Bal
  • a 8 is Gly, Ala, D-Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Gaba or Apn;
  • a 9 is Cys or Lys
  • each of R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from the group consisting of H or (C 1 -C 6 )acyl;
  • SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-NH 2 ; SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-NH 2 ; SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- ⁇ -Ala-Cys)-NH 2 ; SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH 2 ; SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH 2 ; SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound according to Formula (III), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof (see International Application Publication Number WO 2007/008684, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • B 1 is a peptide moiety which contains 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 amino acids, wherein at least 5 amino acids are independently selected from the group consisting of L-Arg, D-Arg, L-hArg and D-hArg, or B 1 is optionally deleted;
  • a 1 is Acc, HN—(CH 2 ) m —C(O), L- or D-amino acid or deleted;
  • a 2 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Asp or Glu;
  • a 3 is Gly, Glu, Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Gaba, Aib, D-amino acid or deleted;
  • a 4 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, Taz, 2-Thi, 3-Thi or (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe;
  • a 5 is D-Phe, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Trp, D-Bal, D-(X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, D-(Et)Tyr, D-Dip, D-Bip or D-Bpa;
  • a 6 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn or HN—CH((CH 2 ) n —N(R 4 R 5 ))—C(O);
  • a 7 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Bal, Bip, Dip, Bpa, D-Trp, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Dip or D-Bpa;
  • a 8 is Gly, D-Ala, Acc, Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Gaba, Apn, Ahx, Aha, HN—(CH 2 ) s —C(O) or deleted;
  • a 9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Dab, Dap, Orn or Lys;
  • a 10 is Acc, HN—(CH 2 ) t —C(O), Pro, hPro, ⁇ -Hyp, 4-Hyp, Thr, an L- or D-amino acid or deleted;
  • a 11 is Pro, hPro, 3-Hyp, 4-Hyp or deleted;
  • a 12 is Lys, Dab, Dap, Arg, hArg or deleted;
  • a 13 is Asp, Glu or deleted
  • B 2 is a peptide moiety containing 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 amino acids or deleted
  • B 3 is a peptide moiety which contains 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 amino acids wherein at least 5 amino acids are independently selected from the group consisting of L-Arg, D-Arg, L-hArg and D-hArg, or is deleted;
  • R 1 is OH or NH 2 ;
  • R 2 and R 3 each is, independently for each occurrence, selected from the group consisting of H, (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl and substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl;
  • R 4 and R 5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, (C 1 -C 40 )acyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 40 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )acyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 40 )acyl, (C 1 -C 40 )alkylsulfonyl or C(NH
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • s is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 and X 5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, F, Cl, Br, I, (C 1-10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1-10 )alkyl, (C 2-10 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2-10 )alkenyl, (C 2-10 )alkynyl, substituted (C 2-10 )alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, OH, NH 2 , NO 2 or CN; provided that:
  • R 4 is (C 1 -C 40 )acyl, aryl(C 1 -C 40 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )acyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 40 )acyl, (C 1 -C 40 )alkylsulfonyl or C(NH)—NH 2
  • R 5 is H, (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alky
  • R 2 is (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )acyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl
  • R 3 is H, (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl;
  • B 1 nor B 2 contains one or more of the following amino acid sequences: Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 2 -Gln-(Arg) 3 , Tyr-Ala-Arg-Lys-Ala-(Arg) 2 -Gln-Ala-(Arg) 2 , Tyr-Ala-Arg-(Ala) 2 -(Arg) 2 -(Ala) 2 -(Arg) 2 , Tyr-Ala-(Arg) 9 , Tyr-(Ala) 3 -(Arg) 7 , Tyr-Ala-Arg-Ala-Pro-(Arg) 2 -Ala-(Arg) 3 or Tyr-Ala-Arg-Ala-Pro-(Arg) 2 -Pro-(Arg) 2 ;
  • the invention is directed to the use of compounds of Formula (III) to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, wherein
  • B 1 is Arg-Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg) 5 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -Arg-Gln-(Arg) 4 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 3 -Gln-(Arg) 2 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 4 -Gln-Arg, Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 5 -Gln, Arg-(Lys) 2 -Gln-(Arg) 5 , Arg-Gln-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 5 , Arg-Gln-(Arg) 7 , Arg-Gln-(Arg) 8 , (Arg) 2 -Gln-(Arg) 6 , (Arg) 2 -Gln-(Arg) 7 , (Arg) 3 -Gln-(Arg) 5 , (Arg) 3 -Gln-(Arg) 6 , (Arg) 4
  • B 2 is ⁇ -Ala, ⁇ -Ala-Gly, ⁇ -Ala-Tyr, ⁇ -Ala-Tyr-Gly, ( ⁇ -Ala) 2 , ( ⁇ -Ala) 2 -Gly, ( ⁇ -Ala) 2 -Tyr, ( ⁇ -Ala) 2 -Tyr-Gly, Doc, Doc-Gly, Doc-Tyr, Doc-Tyr-Gly, (Doc) 2 , (Doc) 2 -Gly, (Doc) 2 -Tyr, Doc) 2 -Tyr-Gly, or deleted;
  • B 3 is Arg-Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg) 5 , Arg-Lys-(Arg) 3 -Gln-(Arg) 3 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -Arg-Gln-(Arg) 4 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -Gln-(Arg) 5 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 2 -Gln-(Arg) 3 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 3 -Gln-(Arg) 2 , Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 4 -Gln-Arg, Arg-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 5 -Gln, Arg-Gln-(Lys) 2 -(Arg) 5 , Arg-Gln-(Lys) 7 , Arg-Gln-(Arg) 8 , (Arg) 2 -Lys-(Arg) 2 -
  • a 1 is A6c, Cha, hCha, Chg, D-Chg, hChg, Gaba, hLeu, Met, ⁇ -hMet, D-2-Nal, Nip, Nle, Oic, Phe, D-Phe, hPhe, hPro, or deleted;
  • a 2 is Cys
  • a 3 is D-Abu, Aib, Ala, ⁇ -Ala, D-Ala, D-Cha, Gaba, Glu, Gly, D-Ile, D-Leu, D-Met, D-Nle, D-Phe, D-Tle, D-Trp, D-Tyr, D-Val, or deleted;
  • a 4 is His
  • a 5 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe, D-(X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, D-Trp, or D-(Et)Tyr;
  • a 6 is Arg or hArg
  • a 7 is Bal, Bip, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Trp, or D-Trp;
  • a 8 is A5c, A6c, Aha, Ahx, Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Apn, Gaba, Gly, or deleted;
  • a 9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Lys, Pen, or D-Pen;
  • a 10 is Pro, Thr or deleted
  • a 11 is Pro or deleted
  • a 12 is arg, Lys, or deleted
  • a 13 is Asp or deleted
  • each of R 2 and R 3 is, independently, H or acyl
  • Preferred ligands of the immediately foregoing group of compounds according to Formula (III), useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss are compounds of the formula:
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound according to Formula (IV), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and prodrugs thereof, with a compound having the following formula (formula (IV)):
  • a 1 is the D-isomer of X-Phe or 2-Nal where X is halogen
  • a 2 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, or Trp;
  • a 3 is Aib, Ala, ⁇ -Ala or Gly,
  • Preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing formula discovered to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss include the following:
  • the invention additionally provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound modified with a hydantoin moiety according to Formula (V), (VI) or (VII), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof.
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand according to the following formula (Formula (V)), pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and/or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/06675 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • X is selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 —S—S—CH 2 —, —C(CH 3 ) 2 —S—S—CH 2 —, —CH 2 —S—S—C(CH 3 ) 2 —, —C(CH 3 ) 2 —S—S—C(CH 3 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) 2 —S—S—CH 2 —, —CH 2 —S—S—(CH 2 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) 2 —S—S—(CH 2 ) 2 —, —C(CH 3 ) 2 —S—S—(CH 2 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) 2 —S—C(CH 3 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) t —C(O)—NR 8 —(CH 2 ) r — and —(CH 2 ) r —NR 8 —C(O)—(CH 2 ) —
  • R 1 and R 2 each is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl;
  • R 3 is —OH or —NH 2 ;
  • R 4 and R 5 each is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl;
  • a 1 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, Taz, 2-Thi, 3-Thi or is deleted;
  • a 2 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe or D-(X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe;
  • a 3 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys or Orn;
  • a 4 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe or Trp;
  • R 6 and R 7 each is, independently for each occurrence thereof, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl provided that R 6 and R 7 may be joined together to form a ring;
  • R 8 is H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl;
  • r is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1 or 2.
  • a compound according the foregoing formula found useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss include compounds wherein X 1 is selected from the group consisting of:
  • Representative embodiments of the foregoing class of compounds useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, are as follows:
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound according to Formula (VI), pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and/or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/06675 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • a 1 is Asp, Cys, D-Cys, Dab, Dap, Glu, Lys, Orn, Pen or D-Pen;
  • a 2 is an L- or D-amino acid
  • a 3 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, Taz, 2-Thi or 3-Thi;
  • a 4 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe or D-(X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe;
  • a 5 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys or Orn;
  • a 6 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe or Trp;
  • a 7 is Asp, Cys, D-Cys, Dab, Dap, Glu, Lys, Orn, Pen or D-Pen;
  • R 1 is H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl;
  • R 2 and R 3 each is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl or R 2 and R 3 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety;
  • R 4 is CO 2 H or C(O)NH 2 ;
  • R 5 and R 6 each is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl or R 5 and R 6 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety;
  • R 7 and R 8 each is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl; or R 7 and R 8 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety;
  • R 9 is H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • a preferred class of compounds according to Formula (VI) useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss are those compounds wherein:
  • a 1 is Cys
  • a 2 is D-Ala, Asn, Asp, Gln, Glu or D-Phe;
  • a 3 is His
  • a 4 is D-2-Nal or D-Phe
  • a 5 is Arg
  • a 6 is Trp
  • a 7 is Cys or Pen
  • each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 9 is, independently, H;
  • R 4 is C(O)NH 2 ;
  • each of R 5 and R 6 is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl or R 5 and R 6 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety; and
  • each of R 7 and R 8 is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl;
  • Preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing formula (Formula (VI)) useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss include:
  • the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand belonging to a class of cyclic peptide analogs that are ligands for the melanocortin receptors having a structure according to Formula (VII) as depicted below (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/06675 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • X is selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 —S—S—CH 2 —, —C(CH 3 ) 2 —S—S—CH 2 —, —CH 2 —S—S—C(CH 3 ) 2 —, —C(CH 3 ) 2 —S—S—C(CH 3 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) 2 —S—S—CH 2 —, —CH 2 —S—S—(CH 2 ) 2 , —(CH 2 ) 2 —S—S—(CH 2 ) 2 —, —C(CH 3 ) 2 —S—S—(CH 2 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) 2 —S—C(CH 3 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) —S—C(CH 3 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) t —C(O)—NR 8 —(CH 2 ), and —(CH 2 ) r —
  • each of R 1 and R 5 is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl;
  • each of R 2 and R 3 is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 10 )heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl or R 2 and R 3 may be fused together to form a ring;
  • R 4 is OH or NH 2 ;
  • each of R 6 and R 7 is, independently, H, (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl or substituted (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl;
  • a 1 is an L- or D-amino acid or deleted
  • a 2 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, Taz, 2-Thi or 3-Thi;
  • a 3 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe or D-(X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe;
  • a 4 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys or Orn;
  • a 5 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe or Trp;
  • r is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1 or 2;
  • Preferred compounds according to Formula (VII) useful in the treatment of insulin resistance in a mammalian subject include the following compounds:
  • the present invention is directed to a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand according to Formula (VIII) (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/07411, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • a 0 is an aromatic amino acid
  • a 1 is Acc, HN—(CH 2 ) m —C(O), an L- or D-amino acid
  • a 2 is Asp, Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Glu, Pen, or D-Pen;
  • a 3 is Aib, Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Gaba, Gly or a D-amino acid
  • a 4 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, Taz, 2-Thi, or 3-Thi;
  • a 5 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe, L-Phe, D-(X 1 ,X 2 ,X 3 ,X 4 ,X 5 )Phe, L-Phe, D-Trp or D-(Et)Tyr;
  • a 6 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or HN—CH((CH 2 ) n —N(R 4 R 5 ))—C(O);
  • a 7 is Bal, D-Bal, Bip, D-Bip, 1-Nal, D-1-Nal, 2-Nal, D-2-Nal, or D-Trp;
  • a 8 is Acc, Aha, Ahx, Ala, D-Ala, ⁇ -Ala, Apn, Gaba, Gly, HN—(CH 2 ) s —C(O), or deleted;
  • a 9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, Pen, or D-Pen;
  • a 10 is Acc, HN—(CH 2 ) t —C(O), L- or D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • R 1 is OH, or NH 2 ;
  • each of R 2 and R 3 is, independently for each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H, (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, and substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl;
  • each of R 4 and R 5 is, independently for each occurrence, H, (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, (C 1 -C 40 )acyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 40 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )acyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted aryl(C 1 -C 40 )acyl, (C 1 -C 40 )alkylsulfonyl, or
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • s is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , and X 5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, F, Cl, Br, I, (C 1-10 )alkyl, substituted (C 1-10 )alkyl, (C 2-10 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2-10 )alkenyl, (C 2-10 )alkynyl, substituted (C 2-10 )alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, OH, NH 2 , NO 2 , or CN; provided that
  • R 5 is H or (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 40 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 40 )alkynyl, or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 40 )alkyl;
  • R 2 is (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )acyl, or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )acyl
  • R 3 is H, (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )alkyl, substituted (C 1 -C 30 )heteroalkyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkenyl, substituted (C 2 -C 30 )alkynyl, or substituted aryl(C 1 -C 30 )alkyl;
  • a preferred group of compounds of the immediate foregoing formula useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, is wherein
  • a 0 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, His, Pff, Phe, Trp, or Tyr;
  • a 1 is Arg
  • a 2 is Cys
  • a 3 is D-Ala
  • a 4 is His
  • a 5 is D-Phe
  • a 6 is Arg
  • a 7 is Trp
  • a 9 is Cys
  • Preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing group of compounds is which are useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, of the formula:
  • the compound or compounds of Formula (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or (VIII) as defined hereinabove which are useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are provided to said subject in need in a composition with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
  • the invention provides a method of treating insulin resistance in a subject in need thereof, comprising peripheral administration of an effective amount of a melanocortin receptor 4 agonist to treat the insulin resistance in the subject in need thereof.
  • the melanocortin receptor 4 agonist useful to treat insulin resistance with or without an accompanying reduction in body weight in the subject in need thereof is selected from the group consisting of:
  • the melanocortin receptor 4 agonist useful to treat insulin resistance in the subject in need thereof is Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH 2 (SEQ ID NO:50) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • the melanocortin receptor 4 agonist useful to treat insulin resistance in the subject in need thereof is Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH 2 (SEQ ID NO:278) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • administration of a compound or compostion comprising a compound or pharmaceutical salt of a compound of the invention useful to treat insulin resistance is continuous, hourly, four times daily, three time daily, twice daily, once daily, once every other day, twice weekly, once weekly, once every two weeks, once a month, or once every two months, or longer.
  • the subject in need of treatment may be obese, overweight, of normal weight or lean.
  • the obese, overweight, normal weight or lean subject may suffer from type II diabetes.
  • the preferred administration of a compound or compostion comprising a compound or pharmaceutical salt of a compound of the invention useful to treat insulin resistance is peripheral administration.
  • peripheral administration include oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravenous, rectal, transdermal or intranasal forms of administration.
  • FIG. 1 Food consumed in fasted rats 6 hours after administration of 100 nmole/Kg of selected compounds.
  • FIG. 2A Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon body weight in rats.
  • FIG. 2B Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon cumulative food intake in rats.
  • FIG. 2C Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon insulin levels in rats.
  • FIG. 2D Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon glucose levels in rats.
  • FIG. 3A Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon body weight in rats.
  • FIG. 3B Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon cumulative food intake in rats.
  • FIG. 3C Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon insulin levels in rats.
  • FIG. 3D Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon glucose levels in rats.
  • FIG. 4 Effect of subcutaneous administration of 200, 600 or 1800 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon blood glucose levels in mice.
  • FIG. 5 Effect of intraperitoneal administration of 6.4 ⁇ mole/kg of Compound A upon blood glucose levels in obese mice.
  • Obesity as defined by the Statistical Bulletin provided by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., (1959, 40:1), is a condition in which a person is approximately 20-25% over normal body weight. Alternatively, an individual is considered obese if the person has a body mass index of greater than 25% over normal or greater than 30% over normal with risk factors (see Bray et al., Diabetes/Metabolism Review, 1988, 4:653-679 or Flynn et al., Proc. Nutritional Society, 1991, 50:413).
  • One of the main causes for obesity is the consumption of a high caloric diet (Riccardi et al., Clin. Nutr., 2004, 23:447-456).
  • Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion and hyperglycemia.
  • type II diabetes is believed to affect approximately 171 million people, imparting numerous microvascular and macrovascular complications resulting in morbidity and mortality (Mudaliar, Indian J. Med. Res., 2007, 125:275-296). Mudaliar further notes that despite the availability of anti-hyperglycaemic agents available, control of glucose remains elusive in many patients.
  • Insulin resistance also referred to as reduced insulin sensitivity
  • Insulin resistance is a condition in which the amount of insulin needed to clear glucose from the blood of a subject is increased as compared to the amount of insulin needed to clear the same amount of glucose from the blood of a normal, non-insulin sensitive subject.
  • Insulin resistance is regarded as the main link between obesity and type II diabetes (see Obici et al., J. Clin. Inv., 2001, 108:1079-1085 and references therein). It is known that rats fed a high fat diet show an increase in body weight (diet-induced obesity or DIO) and a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
  • Such DIO rats provide an animal model in which to study the mechanisms of insulin resistance due to obesity (see for example Banno et al., FEBS letters, 2007, 581:1131-1136).
  • the size and weight of adipose tissues are increased in DIO rats and it is thought that the accompanying hypertrophy of adipocytes leads to changes in the release of adipocytokines such as leptin and adiponectin which are known to regulate insulin sensitivity; it is thought that morphological changes in adipose tissue as well as changes in plasma levels of adipocytokines are among the causes of insulin resistance in DIO rats (summarized in Banno, et al., FEBS letters, 2007, 581:1131-1136 and references therein).
  • Melanocortins are proposed to play a large role in energy metabolism and homeostasis. Melanocortins cleaved from the POMC precursor exert their effects by binding to members of the melanocortin receptor family located in the brain.
  • the major effect of melanocortin in the brain is to reduce food intake however, it has also been shown that melanocortin agonists or antagonists injected directly into the cerebral ventricle affect insulin actions in the periphery while food was withdrawn or while food intake was kept constant (see Schwartz et al., Nature, 2000, 404:661-671; Seeley et al., Ann. Rev. Nutr., 2004, 24:133-149; Cone et al., Recent Prog. Horm.
  • an “obese subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight approximately 20% or greater than the normal body weight for said subject.
  • Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • an “overweight subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight approximately 5% greater to approximately 20% greater than the normal body weight for said subject.
  • Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • a “normal subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight up to approximately 5% greater than to approximately 5% less than the normal body weight for said subject.
  • Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • a “lean subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight approximately 5% to 30% or even to 50% less than the normal body weight for said subject.
  • Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • treat As used herein, the terms “treat”, “treating” and “treatment” include palliative, curative and prophylactic treatment.
  • measurable means the biologic effect is both reproducible and significantly different from the baseline variability of the assay.
  • peripherial administration includes all forms of administration of a compound or a composition comprising a compound of the instant invention which excludes intracranial administration.
  • peripheral administration include, but are not limited to, oral, parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous or subcutaneous injection, implant and the like), nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual or topical routes of administration, including transdermal patch applications and the like.
  • the term “subject” includes, for example, a mammalian or non-mammalian animal being dosed with a melanocortin analog as part of an experiment, a mammalian or non-mammalian animal being treated to help alleviate a disease or disorder, and a mammalian or non-mammalian animal being treated prophylactically to retard or prevent the onset of a disease or disorder.
  • Subject mammals may be human subjects of any age, such as an infant, a child, an adult or an elderly adult.
  • a “therapeutically acceptable amount” of a compound or composition of the invention is that amount which elicits a desired biological response in a subject.
  • the biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at many levels in an organism.
  • the biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at the cellular level by measuring the response at a receptor which binds melanocortin and/or a melanocortin analog, or the biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at the system level, such as effecting an increase/decrease in the levels of insulin.
  • the biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at the organism level, such as the alleviation of a symptom(s) or progression of a disease or condition in a subject.
  • a therapeutically acceptable amount of a compound or composition of the invention regardless of the formulation or route of administration, may result in one or more biological responses in a subject.
  • a therapeutically acceptable amount of the compound or composition may be viewed as that amount which gives a measurable response in the in vitro system of choice.
  • the compounds of the invention useful for the treatment of insulin resistance, with or without weight loss may possess one or more chiral centers and so exist in a number of stereoisomeric forms. All stereoisomers and mixtures thereof are included in the scope of the present invention. Racemic compounds may either be separated using preparative HPLC and a column with a chiral stationary phase or resolved to yield individual enantiomers utilizing methods known to those skilled in the art. In addition, chiral intermediate compounds may be resolved and used to prepare chiral compounds of the invention.
  • the compounds of the invention useful for the treatment of insulin resistance, with or without weight loss may exist in one or more tautomeric forms. All tautomers and mixtures thereof are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, a claim to 2-hydroxypyridinyl would also cover its tautomeric form, ⁇ -pyridonyl.
  • NH 2 in e.g., Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH 2 (SEQ ID NO:7), indicates that the C-terminus of the peptide is amidated.
  • Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys) (SEQ ID NO:36), or alternatively Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH (SEQ ID NO:36) indicates that the C-terminus is the free acid.
  • HydantoinC(O)-(A a -A b ) denotes the structure:
  • amino acid “A a ” has the structure:
  • Acyl refers to R′′—C(O)—, where R′′ is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, substituted heteroalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or substituted alkylaryl, and is indicated in the general formula of a particular embodiment as “Ac”.
  • Alkyl refers to a hydrocarbon group containing one or more carbon atoms, where multiple carbon atoms if present are joined by single bonds.
  • the alkyl hydrocarbon group may be straight-chain or contain one or more branches or cyclic groups.
  • Hydroalkyl refers to an alkyl group wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydrocarbon group are substituted with one or more hydroxy radicals, such as hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, hydroxypentyl, hydroxyhexyl and the like.
  • “Substituted alkyl” refers to an alkyl wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydrocarbon group are replaced with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH 2 , —NHCH 3 , —NO 2 , and —C 1-20 alkyl, wherein said —C 1-20 alkyl optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected, independently for each occurrence, from the group consisting of halogens, —CF 3 , —OCH 3 , —OCF 3 , and —(CH 2 ) 0-20 —COOH.
  • halogen i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine
  • substituents are present.
  • the presence of —(CH 2 ) 0-20 —COOH results in the production of an alkyl acid.
  • alkyl acids containing, or consisting of, —(CH 2 ) 0-20 —COOH include 2-norbornane acetic acid, tert-butyric acid, 3-cyclopentyl propionic acid, and the like.
  • halo encompasses fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.
  • Heteroalkyl refers to an alkyl wherein one of more of the carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon group is replaced with one or more of the following groups: amino, amido, —O—, —S— or carbonyl. In different embodiments 1 or 2 heteroatoms are present.
  • “Substituted heteroalkyl” refers to a heteroalkyl wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydrocarbon group are replaced with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH 2 , —NHCH 3 , —NO 2 , and —C 1-20 alkyl, wherein said —C 1-20 alkyl optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected, independently for each occurrence, from the group consisting of halogens, —CF 3 , —OCH 3 , —OCF 3 , and —(CH 2 ) 0-20 —COOH. In different embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents are present.
  • halogen i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine
  • Alkenyl refers to a hydrocarbon group made up of two or more carbons where one or more carbon-carbon double bonds are present.
  • the alkenyl hydrocarbon group may be straight-chain or contain one or more branches or cyclic groups.
  • Substituted alkenyl refers to an alkenyl wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH 2 , —NHCH 3 , —NO 2 , and —C 1-20 alkyl, wherein said —C 1-20 alkyl optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected, independently for each occurrence, from the group consisting of halogens, —CF 3 , —OCH 3 , —OCF 3 , and —(CH 2 ) 0-20 —COOH. In different embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents are present.
  • Aryl refers to an optionally substituted aromatic group with at least one ring having a conjugated pi-electron system, containing up to three conjugated or fused ring systems.
  • Aryl includes carbocydic aryl, heterocyclic aryl and biaryl groups.
  • the aryl is a 5- or 6-membered ring.
  • Preferred atoms for a heterocyclic aryl are one or more sulfur, oxygen, and/or nitrogen.
  • Non-limiting examples of aryl include phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, indole, quinoline, 2-imidazole, 9-anthracene, and the like.
  • Aryl substituents are selected from the group consisting of —C 1-20 alkyl, —C 1-20 alkoxy, halogen (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH 2 , —NO 2 , —C 1-20 alkyl substituted with halogens, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , and —(CH 2 ) 0-20 —COOH.
  • the aryl contains 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 substituents.
  • Alkylaryl refers to an “alkyl” joined to an “aryl”.
  • (C 1 -C 12 )hydrocarbon moiety encompasses alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl and in the case of alkenyl and alkynyl there is C 2 -C 12 .
  • substituted means substituted by one or more defined groups.
  • groups may be selected from a number of alternative groups, the selected groups may be the same or different.
  • the term independently means that where more than one substituent is selected from a number of possible substituents, those substituents may be the same or different.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention which contain a basic centre are, for example, non-toxic acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid, with carboxylic acids or with organo-sulfonic acids.
  • Examples include the HCl, HBr, HI, sulfate or bisulfate, nitrate, phosphate or hydrogen phosphate, acetate, benzoate, succinate, saccharate, fumarate, maleate, lactate, citrate, tartrate, gluconate, camsylate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate and pamoate salts.
  • Compounds of the invention can also provide pharmaceutically acceptable metal salts, in particular non-toxic alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, with bases.
  • Examples include the sodium, potassium, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, zinc and diethanolamine salts (Berge, S. M. et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 66:1-19 (1977); Gould, P. L., Int'l J. Pharmaceutics, 33:201-17 (1986); and Bighley, L. D. et al., Encyclo. Pharma. Tech ., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 13:453-97 (1996).
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable solvates of the compounds of the invention include the hydrates thereof. Also included within the scope of the invention and various salts of the invention are polymorphs thereof.
  • compounds their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their solvates or polymorphs, defined in any aspect of the invention are referred to as “compounds of the invention”.
  • Cellular membranes used for the in vitro receptor binding assays were obtained from transgenic CHO-K1 cells stably expressing hMC-R receptor subtypes 1, 3, 4 or 5.
  • the CHO-K1 cells expressing the desired hMC-R receptor type were sonicated (Branson® setting 7, approximately 30 sec) in ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl at pH 7.4 and then centrifuged at 39,000 g for 10 minutes at approximately 4° C.
  • the pellets were resuspended in the same buffer and centrifuged at 50,000 g for 10 minutes at approximately 4° C.
  • the washed pellets containing the cellular membranes were stored at approximately ⁇ 80° C.
  • Bound [ 125 I]-NDP- ⁇ -MSH ligand was separated from free [ 125 I]-NDP- ⁇ -MSH by filtration through GF/C glass fiber filter plates (Unifilter®; Packard) presoaked with 0.1% (w/v) polyethylenimine (PEI), using a Packard Filtermate® harvester. Filters were washed three times with 50 mM Tris-HCl at pH 7.4 at a temperature of approximately 0-4° C. and then assayed for radioactivity using a Packard Topcount® scintillation counter. Binding data were analyzed by computer-assisted non-linear regression analysis (XL fit; IDBS). A selection of the preferred embodiments was tested using the above-discussed assay and the binding constants (Ki in nM) are reported in Tables 5, 6, 7 and 8.
  • MC-4 selectivity of a compound is defined herein as the ratio of the EC 50 of the compound for an MC-1 receptor (EC 50 -MC-1) over the EC 50 of the compound for the MC-3 (EC 50 -MC-3)/MC-4 (EC 50 -MC-4) receptor, the EC 50 values being measured as described above.
  • the formulas are as follows:
  • a compound is defined herein as being “selective for the MC-3 receptor” when the above mentioned ratio “MC-3-selectivity” is at least about 10, preferably at least about 100, and more preferably at least about 500.
  • a compound is defined herein as being “selective for the MC-4 receptor” when the above mentioned ratio “MC-4-selectivity” is at least about 10, preferably at least about 100, and more preferably at least about 500.
  • Intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels were determined by an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay (Meso Scale Discovery®, Gaithersburg, Md.; referred to hereinafter as MSD).
  • ECL electrochemiluminescence
  • CHO-K1 cells stably expressing the hMC receptor subtypes were suspended in RMPI 1640 ® assay buffer (RMPI 1640 buffer contains 0.5 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), and 0.2% protein cocktail (MSD blocker A)).
  • Transgenic CHO-K1 cells stably expressing hMC receptor subtypes 1, 3, 4 or 5 were dispensed at a density of approximately 7,000 cells/well in 384-well Multi-Array® plates (MSD) containing integrated carbon electrodes and coated with anti-cAMP antibody. Increasing concentrations of the test compounds were added and the cells were incubated for approximately 40 minutes at approximately 37° C. Following this incubation, lysis buffer (HEPES-buffered saline solution with MgCl 2 and Triton X-100® at ph 7.3) containing 0.2% protein cocktail and 2.5 nM TAGTM ruthenium-labeled cAMP (MSD) was added and the cells were incubated for approximately 90 minutes at room temperature.
  • lysis buffer HPES-buffered saline solution with MgCl 2 and Triton X-100® at ph 7.3
  • read buffer Tris-buffered solution containing an ECL co-reactant and Triton X-100 at ph 7.8
  • MSD Sector Imager 6000 Reader®
  • EC 50 represents the concentration of an agonist compound needed to obtain 50% of the maximum reaction response, e.g., 50% of the maximum level of cAMP as determined using the assay described above.
  • the Kb value reflects the potency of an antagonist and is determined by Schild analysis. In brief, concentration-response curves of an agonist are carried out in the presence of increasing concentrations of an antagonist. The Kb value is the concentration of antagonist which would produce a 2-fold shift in the concentration-response curve for an agonist. It is calculated by extrapolating the line on a Schild plot to zero on the y-axis.
  • Compounds of the present invention can be and were tested for an effect upon insulin resistance and/or body weight according to the following procedures.
  • One skilled in the art would know that procedures similar to those described herein may be used to assay the effect of the compounds of the invention upon insulin resistance and/or body weight.
  • mice Male Sprague Dawley rats (250 g) were housed in individual cages and maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions. The rats were fasted for 18 hours prior to the start of the experiment with water available ad libitum. At time 0, the rats were injected subcutaneously (sc) with selected compounds at doses of 100 nmole/kg, or with vehicle, and were provided with food. Individual food consumption was measured at about 2, 4 and 6 hours after injection. Data for selected compounds of the invention are reported in FIG. 1 .
  • mice Male, Sprague Dawley rats that had been fed either a normal diet (300 g; Research Diets 12450) or a high fat diet (400 g; Research Diets 12451) for 10 weeks prior to the start of the experiment were housed in individual cages and maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions with both food and water available ad libitum.
  • the rats were anesthetized and implanted subcutaneously with an osmotic mini pump (Alzet, Cupertino, Calif.).
  • the pumps delivered either Compound A or Compound B at doses of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day, or vehicle for 7 days. Individual body weight and food consumption were measured daily.
  • mice On day 7 rats were anesthetized and fit with a jugular-right atrial cannula. On day 8 an iv glucose tolerance test was performed and blood samples were withdrawn into heparinized syringes at time ⁇ 10 and 0. Immediately after the time 0 blood sample, the rats were injected with glucose (1 g/kg) via the indwelling cannula. Subsequent blood samples were withdrawn at 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 minutes later. Plasma levels of glucose (Diagnostic Chemicals Limited) and insulin (Alpco) were determined by commercially available kits. Results are shown in FIGS. 2A-D and 3 A-D.
  • mice Male, C57BL/6 mice that had been fed either a normal diet (30 g; Research Diets 12450) or a high fat diet (45 g; Research Diets 12452) for 12 weeks prior to the start of the experiment were housed in individual cages and maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions with both food and water available ad libitum.
  • the mice were anesthetized and implanted subcutaneously with an osmotic mini pump (Alzet, Cupertino, Calif.).
  • the pumps delivered Compound A at doses of 200, 600 or 1800 nmole/kg/day, or vehicle for 14 days. On day 14 the mice were fasted for 18 hours or overnight.
  • mice On day 15 an glucose tolerance test was performed by injecting the mice with glucose (2 g/kg) ip. Blood samples were taken by tail stick at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 180 minutes after the glucose injection and blood glucose level was measured using an Accu-Chek glucometer. Results are shown in FIG. 4 .
  • mice Male, Lep ob /Lep ob mice (50 g) were group housed maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions with both food and water available ad libitum. The mice were fasted for 18 hours or overnight and an ip glucose tolerance test was performed. Mice were injected with Compound A ip at a dose of 6.4 ⁇ mole/kg at ⁇ 15 minutes and a blood sample was taken by tail stick. At time 0 mice were injected ip with glucose (1 g/kg) and blood samples were taken by tail stick at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes later and blood glucose level was measured using Glucometer Elite XL (Bayer Corporation). Results are shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the peptides of this invention can be provided in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
  • such salts include, but are not limited to, those formed with organic acids (e.g., acetic, lactic, maleic, citric, malic, ascorbic, succinic, benzoic, methanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, or pamoic acid), inorganic acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid), and polymeric acids (e.g., tannic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, polylactic, polyglycolic, or copolymers of polylactic-glycolic acids).
  • organic acids e.g., acetic, lactic, maleic, citric, malic, ascorbic, succinic, benzoic, methanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, or pamoic acid
  • inorganic acids e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or
  • a typical method of making a salt of a peptide of the present invention is well known in the art and can be accomplished by standard methods of salt exchange. Accordingly, the TFA salt of a peptide of the present invention (the TFA salt results from the purification of the peptide by using preparative HPLC, eluting with TFA containing buffer solutions) can be converted into another salt, such as an acetate salt, by dissolving the peptide in a small amount of 0.25 N acetic acid aqueous solution. The resulting solution is applied to a semi-prep HPLC column (Zorbax®, 300 SB, C-8).
  • the column is eluted with: (1) 0.1N ammonium acetate aqueous solution for 0.5 hours; (2) 0.25N acetic acid aqueous solution for 0.5 hours; and (3) a linear gradient (20% to 100% of solution B over 30 minutes) at a flow rate of 4 ml/min (solution A is 0.25N acetic acid aqueous solution; solution B is 0.25N acetic acid in acetonitrile/water, 80:20).
  • solution A is 0.25N acetic acid aqueous solution
  • solution B is 0.25N acetic acid in acetonitrile/water, 80:20.
  • the fractions containing the peptide are collected and lyophilized to dryness.
  • M-R melanocortin receptor
  • compositions comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of the compounds of formula (I) in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the dosage of active ingredient in the compositions of this invention may be varied; however, it is necessary that the amount of the active ingredient be such that a suitable dosage form is obtained.
  • the selected dosage depends upon the desired therapeutic effect, on the route of administration, and on the duration of the treatment.
  • an effective dosage for the activities of this invention is in the range of 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 to 200 mg/kg/day, preferably 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 4 to 100 mg/kg/day which can be administered as a single dose or divided into multiple doses.
  • the compounds of this invention can be administered by oral, parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous or subcutaneous injection, or implant), nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual or topical routes of administration and can be formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to provide dosage forms appropriate for each route of administration.
  • parenteral e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous or subcutaneous injection, or implant
  • nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual or topical routes of administration can be formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to provide dosage forms appropriate for each route of administration.
  • Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders and granules.
  • the active compound is admixed with at least one inert pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as sucrose, lactose, or starch.
  • Such dosage forms can also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than such inert diluents, e.g., lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate.
  • the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings.
  • Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, the elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water. Besides such inert diluents, compositions can also include adjuvants, such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, and sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents.
  • Preparations according to this invention for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, or emulsions.
  • non-aqueous solvents or vehicles are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils, such as olive oil and corn oil, gelatin, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate.
  • Such dosage forms may also contain adjuvants such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing agents.
  • Preparations may be sterilized by, for example, filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporating sterilizing agents into the compositions, by irradiating the compositions, or by heating the compositions.
  • Preparations can also be manufactured in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved in sterile water or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use.
  • compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which may contain, in addition to the active substance, excipients such as cocoa butter or a suppository wax.
  • compositions for nasal or sublingual administration are also prepared with standard excipients well known in the art.
  • a compound of this invention can be administered in a sustained release composition such as those described in the following patents and patent applications.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,659 teaches sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent and a polyester.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,760 teaches sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent in a gelable form.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,221 teaches polymeric sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent and chitosan.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,883 teaches sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent and cydodextrin. The teachings of the foregoing patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melancortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as insulin resistance.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Melanocortins are a family of regulatory peptides which are formed by post-translational processing of pro-hormone pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC; 131 amino acids in length). POMC is processed into three classes of hormones; the melanocortins, adrenocorticotropin hormone, and various endorphins (e.g. lipotropin) (Cone et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res., 51:287-317, (1996); Cone et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 31:342-363, (1993)).
  • Five melanocortin receptors (MC-R) have been characterized to date. These include melanocyte-specific receptor (MC1-R), corticoadrenal-specific ACTH receptor (MC2-R), melacortin-3 (MC3-R), melanocortin-4 (MC4-R) and melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5-R). All of the melanocortin receptors respond to the peptide hormone class of melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH) (Cone et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 680:342-363 (1993); Cone et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res., 51:287-318 (1996)).
  • There has been great interest in melanocortin (MC-R) receptors as targets for the design of novel therapeutics to treat disorders of body weight such as obesity and cachexia. One of the receptors, MC4-R, is a 332 amino add transmembrane protein expressed in brain as well as placental and gut tissues (Cone et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 680:342-363 (1993); Cone et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res., 51:287-318 (1996)). Recent pharmacological confirmation has established that central MC4-R receptors are the prime mediators of the anorexic and orexigenic effects reported for melanocortin agonists and antagonists, respectively (Giraudo et al., Brain Res., 809:302-306 (1998); Farooqi et al., NE J Med., 348:1085-1095 (2003); MacNeil et al., Eu. J. Pharm., 44:141-157 (2002); MacNeil et al., Eu. J. Pharm., 450:93-109 (2002); Kask et al., NeuroReport, 10:707-711 (1999); Chen et al., Transgenic Res., 9:145-54, (2000); Marsh et al., Nat Genet., 21:119-22, (1999); Balthasar et al., Cell, 123:493-505 (2005)).
  • Complications of body weight disorders commonly include an inability to produce and utilize insulin, often resulting in faulty glucose regulation. The consequence of failure to properly control glucose metabolism affects many aspects of overall health including energy metabolism, neuropathy and heart disease. Current progress with receptor-selective melanocortin receptor ligands evidences the therapeutic potential of melanocortin receptor activation, particularly MC4-R, in the treatment of glucose regulation, including insulin metabolism.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is directed to the use of peptides which are ligands of one or more of the melanocortin receptors (MC-R), or the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, to treat mammals suffering from insulin resistance. In one embodiment, the ligands are agonists to the melanocortin 4 receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the melanocortin receptor ligands are according to the formulae described herein or are selected from particular peptides described herein.
  • The insulin resistant subject mammals may be obese or overweight and may lose weight as a result of the administration of the peptides of the invention. The insulin resistant subject mammals may also be normal weight or lean. The insulin resistant condition of the subject mammals may be treated independent of weight loss. In addition, the subject mammals may be human subjects of any age, such as an infant, a child, an adult or an elderly adult.
  • In the first embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor 4 ligand according to Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2007/008704, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):

  • (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1  (I)
  • wherein:
  • A1 is Acc, HN—(CH2)m—C(O), L- or D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • A2 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Asp, or Glu;
  • A3 is Gly, Ala, β-Ala, Gaba, Aib, D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • A4 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, Taz, 2-Thi, 3-Thi, or (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe;
  • A5 is D-Phe, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Trp, D-Bal, D-(X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, L-Phe or D-(Et)Tyr;
  • A6 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or HN—CH((CH2)n—N(R4R5))—C(O);
  • A7 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Bal, Bip, D-Trp, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Bal or D-Bip;
  • A8 is Gly, D-Ala, Acc, Ala, β-Ala, Gaba, Apn, Ahx, Aha, HN—(CH2)s—C(O), or deleted;
  • A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Dab, Dap, Orn, or Lys;
  • A10 is Acc, HN—(CH2)t—C(O), L- or D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • R1 is OH or NH2;
  • each of R2 and R3 is, independently for each occurrence, selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C30)alkyl, (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, (C1-C30)acyl, (C2-C30)alkenyl, (C2-C30)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, aryl(C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkynyl, substituted aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, and substituted aryl(C1-C30)acyl;
      • each of R4 and R5 is, independently for each occurrence, H, (C1-C40)alkyl, (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, (C1-C40)acyl, (C2-C40)alkenyl, (C2-C40)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, aryl(C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkynyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)acyl, (C1-C40)alkylsulfonyl, or —C(NH)—NH2;
  • m is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • s is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, F, Cl, Br, I, (C1-10)alkyl, substituted (C1-10)alkyl, (C2-10)alkenyl, substituted (C2-10)alkenyl, (C2-10)alkynyl, substituted (C2-10)alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, OH, NH2, NO2, or CN; provided that
      • (I). when R4 is (C1-C40)acyl, aryl(C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C1-C40)acyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)acyl, (C1-C40)alkylsulfonyl, or —C(NH)—NH2, then R5 is H or (C1-C40)alkyl, (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, (C2-C40)alkenyl, (C2-C40)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkynyl, or substituted aryl(C1-C40)alkyl;
      • (II). when R2 is (C1-C30)acyl, aryl(C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C1-C30)acyl, or substituted aryl(C1-C30)acyl, then R3 is H, (C1-C30)alkyl, (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, (C2-C30)alkenyl, (C2-C30)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkynyl, or substituted aryl(C1-C30)alkyl;
      • (III). either A3 or A8 or both must be present in said compound;
      • (IV). when A2 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, or D-Pen, then A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, or D-Pen;
      • (V). when A2 is Asp or Glu, then A9 is Dab, Dap, Orn, or Lys;
      • (VI). when A8 is Ala or Gly, then A1 is not Nle; and
      • (VII). when A1 is deleted, then R2 and R3 cannot both be H;
        or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In one aspect of the first embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a subgroup of melanocortin receptor ligands of the immediate foregoing Formula I, wherein′:
      • A1 is A6c, Arg, D-Arg, Cha, D-Cha, hCha, Chg, D-Chg, Gaba, Ile, Leu, hLeu, Met, β-hMet, 2-Nal, D-2-Nal, Nip, Nle, Oic, Phe, D-Phe, hPhe, hPro, Val, or deleted;
      • A2 is Asp, Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Glu, Pen, or D-Pen;
      • A3 is D-Abu, Aib, Ala, β-Ala, D-Ala, D-Cha, Gaba, D-Glu, Gly, D-Ile, D-Leu, D-Tle, D-Val, or deleted;
      • A4 is His or 3-Pal;
      • A5 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe, D-Trp, or D-(Et)Tyr;
      • A6 is Arg, or hArg;
      • A7 is Bal, Bip, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Trp, D-Trp;
      • A8 is A6c, D-Ala, Aha, Ahx, Ala, β-Ala, Apn, Gaba, Gly or deleted;
      • A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Lys, Pen, or D-Pen;
      • A10 is Thr, or deleted;
      • wherein at least one of A3 or A8 is deleted, but not both,
      • or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • More preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing group of ligands according to Formula (I) useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, are compounds of the formula:
  • SEQ ID NO: 1
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 1
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-A6c-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 4
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 5
    Ac-A6c-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-D-2-Nal-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Oic-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-D-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Nip-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hPro-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hLeu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-D-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 12
    n-butanoyl-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-β-hMet-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Gaba-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-Leu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-hLeu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Aha-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 17
    n-butanoyl-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 17
    n-butanoyl-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 18
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 18
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 18
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 61
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 19
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 20
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 21
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 22
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 22
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 23
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Trp-Glu-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 24
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-Glu-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 25
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bip-Glu-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 24
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-Glu-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 26
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Bip-Glu-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 26
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-Glu-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 27
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 29
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Abu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Val-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ile-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Tle-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 31
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 32
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 32
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Leu-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Cha-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Ile-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Val-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-2-Nal-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 34
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 34
    Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 35
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Pal-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 36
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 37
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 40
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 40
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 41
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 42
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 43
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 43
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 43
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 42
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 41
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 29
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-D-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 47
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 29
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 48
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 49
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 50
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 50
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 51
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 52
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 52
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 51
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 53
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 53
    Ac-Arg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 24
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 27
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 32
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 34
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 1
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 4
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 21
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 22
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 23
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 25
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 24
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 26
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 26
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 29
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Abu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Val-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ile-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Tle-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 31
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 32
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Leu-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Cha-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Ile-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Val-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-2-Nal-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 34
    Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 35
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Pal-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 36
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;
    SEQ ID NO: 37
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 20
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-3-Ala-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 40
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 40
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;
    or
    SEQ ID NO: 49
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;

    or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In the second embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand according to Formula (II) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2007/008704 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):

  • (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-NH2  (II)
  • wherein:
  • A1 is Nle or deleted;
  • A2 is Cys or Asp;
  • A3 is Glu or D-Ala;
  • A4 is His;
  • A5 is D-Phe;
  • A6 is Arg;
  • A7 is Trp, 2-Nal or Bal;
  • A8 is Gly, Ala, D-Ala, β-Ala, Gaba or Apn;
  • A9 is Cys or Lys;
  • each of R2 and R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of H or (C1-C6)acyl;
  • provided that
  • (I). when R2 is (C1-C6)acyl, then R3 is H; and
  • (II). when A2 is Cys, then A9 is Cys,
  • or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • More preferred of the immediately foregoing group of compounds which are useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, are compounds of the formula:
  • SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 55
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 55
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 56
    Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 56
    Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 57
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 57
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-p-Ala-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 57
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;
    or
    SEQ ID NO: 58
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Ala-Lys)-NH2;

    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • In the third embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound according to Formula (III), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof (see International Application Publication Number WO 2007/008684, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):

  • (R2R3)-B1-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)A10-A11-A12-A13-B2-B3-R1  (III)
  • wherein:
  • B1 is a peptide moiety which contains 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 amino acids, wherein at least 5 amino acids are independently selected from the group consisting of L-Arg, D-Arg, L-hArg and D-hArg, or B1 is optionally deleted;
  • A1 is Acc, HN—(CH2)m—C(O), L- or D-amino acid or deleted;
  • A2 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Asp or Glu;
  • A3 is Gly, Glu, Ala, β-Ala, Gaba, Aib, D-amino acid or deleted;
  • A4 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, Taz, 2-Thi, 3-Thi or (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe;
  • A5 is D-Phe, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Trp, D-Bal, D-(X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, D-(Et)Tyr, D-Dip, D-Bip or D-Bpa;
  • A6 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn or HN—CH((CH2)n—N(R4R5))—C(O);
  • A7 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Bal, Bip, Dip, Bpa, D-Trp, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Dip or D-Bpa;
  • A8 is Gly, D-Ala, Acc, Ala, β-Ala, Gaba, Apn, Ahx, Aha, HN—(CH2)s—C(O) or deleted;
  • A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, D-Pen, Dab, Dap, Orn or Lys;
  • A10 is Acc, HN—(CH2)t—C(O), Pro, hPro, β-Hyp, 4-Hyp, Thr, an L- or D-amino acid or deleted;
  • A11 is Pro, hPro, 3-Hyp, 4-Hyp or deleted;
  • A12 is Lys, Dab, Dap, Arg, hArg or deleted;
  • A13 is Asp, Glu or deleted;
  • B2 is a peptide moiety containing 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 amino acids or deleted,
  • B3 is a peptide moiety which contains 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 amino acids wherein at least 5 amino acids are independently selected from the group consisting of L-Arg, D-Arg, L-hArg and D-hArg, or is deleted;
  • R1 is OH or NH2;
  • R2 and R3 each is, independently for each occurrence, selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C30)alkyl, (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, (C1-C30)acyl, (C2-C30)alkenyl, (C2-C30)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, aryl(C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkynyl, substituted aryl(C1-C30)alkyl and substituted aryl(C1-C30)acyl;
  • R4 and R5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, (C1-C40)alkyl, (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, (C1-C40)acyl, (C2-C40)alkenyl, (C2-C40)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, aryl(C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkynyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)acyl, (C1-C40)alkylsulfonyl or C(NH)—NH2;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • m is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • s is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, F, Cl, Br, I, (C1-10)alkyl, substituted (C1-10)alkyl, (C2-10)alkenyl, substituted (C2-10)alkenyl, (C2-10)alkynyl, substituted (C2-10)alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, OH, NH2, NO2 or CN; provided that:
  • (I) when R4 is (C1-C40)acyl, aryl(C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C1-C40)acyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)acyl, (C1-C40)alkylsulfonyl or C(NH)—NH2, then R5 is H, (C1-C40)alkyl, (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, (C2-C40)alkenyl, (C2-C40)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkynyl or substituted aryl(C1-C40)alkyl;
  • (II) when R2 is (C1-C30)acyl, aryl(C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C1-C30)acyl or substituted aryl(C1-C30)acyl, then R3 is H, (C1-C30)alkyl, (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, (C2-C30)alkenyl, (C2-C30)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkynyl or substituted aryl(C1-C30)alkyl;
  • (III) neither B1 nor B2 contains one or more of the following amino acid sequences: Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3, Tyr-Ala-Arg-Lys-Ala-(Arg)2-Gln-Ala-(Arg)2, Tyr-Ala-Arg-(Ala)2-(Arg)2-(Ala)2-(Arg)2, Tyr-Ala-(Arg)9, Tyr-(Ala)3-(Arg)7, Tyr-Ala-Arg-Ala-Pro-(Arg)2-Ala-(Arg)3 or Tyr-Ala-Arg-Ala-Pro-(Arg)2-Pro-(Arg)2;
  • (IV) either B1 or B2 or both must be present in said compound;
  • (V) when A2 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen or D-Pen, then A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen or D-Pen; and
  • (VI) when A2 is Asp or Glu, then A9 is Dab, Dap, Orn or Lys;
  • or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In one aspect of the third embodiment, the invention is directed to the use of compounds of Formula (III) to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, wherein
  • B1 is Arg-Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg)5, Arg-(Lys)2-Arg-Gln-(Arg)4, Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)2, Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)4-Gln-Arg, Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)5-Gln, Arg-(Lys)2-Gln-(Arg)5, Arg-Gln-(Lys)2-(Arg)5, Arg-Gln-(Arg)7, Arg-Gln-(Arg)8, (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)6, (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)7, (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)5, (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)6, (Arg)4-Gln-(Arg)4, (Arg)4-Gln-(Arg)5, (Arg)5, (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3, (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4, (Arg)6, (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3, (Arg)7, (Arg)7-Gln-(Arg)2, (Arg)8, (Arg)8-Gln-Arg, (Arg)9, (Arg)9-Gln, (D-Arg)5, (D-Arg)6, (D-Arg)7, (D-Arg)8, (D-Arg)9, Gln-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)5, Gln-(Arg)8, Gln-(Arg)9, Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3, Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-Doc; or deleted;
  • B2 is β-Ala, β-Ala-Gly, β-Ala-Tyr, β-Ala-Tyr-Gly, (β-Ala)2, (β-Ala)2-Gly, (β-Ala)2-Tyr, (β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly, Doc, Doc-Gly, Doc-Tyr, Doc-Tyr-Gly, (Doc)2, (Doc)2-Gly, (Doc)2-Tyr, Doc)2-Tyr-Gly, or deleted;
  • B3 is Arg-Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg)5, Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3, Arg-(Lys)2-Arg-Gln-(Arg)4, Arg-(Lys)2-Gln-(Arg)5, Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3, Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)2, Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)4-Gln-Arg, Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)5-Gln, Arg-Gln-(Lys)2-(Arg)5, Arg-Gln-(Arg)7, Arg-Gln-(Arg)8, (Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3, (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)6, (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)7, (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)5, (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)6, (Arg)4-Gln-(Arg)4, (Arg)4-Gln-(Arg)5, (Arg)5, (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3, (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4, (Arg)6, (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3, (Arg)7, (Arg)7-Gln-(Arg)2, (Arg)8, (Arg)8-Gln-Arg, (Arg)9, (Arg)9-Gln, (D-Arg)5, (D-Arg)6, (D-Arg)7, (D-Arg)8, (D-Arg)9, Gln-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)5, Gln-(Arg)8, Gln-(Arg)9, or deleted;
  • A1 is A6c, Cha, hCha, Chg, D-Chg, hChg, Gaba, hLeu, Met, β-hMet, D-2-Nal, Nip, Nle, Oic, Phe, D-Phe, hPhe, hPro, or deleted;
  • A2 is Cys
  • A3 is D-Abu, Aib, Ala, β-Ala, D-Ala, D-Cha, Gaba, Glu, Gly, D-Ile, D-Leu, D-Met, D-Nle, D-Phe, D-Tle, D-Trp, D-Tyr, D-Val, or deleted;
  • A4 is His;
  • A5 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe, D-(X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, D-Trp, or D-(Et)Tyr;
  • A6 is Arg or hArg;
  • A7 is Bal, Bip, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Trp, or D-Trp;
  • A8 is A5c, A6c, Aha, Ahx, Ala, β-Ala, Apn, Gaba, Gly, or deleted;
  • A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Lys, Pen, or D-Pen;
  • A10 is Pro, Thr or deleted;
  • A11 is Pro or deleted;
  • A12 is arg, Lys, or deleted;
  • A13 is Asp or deleted;
  • each of R2 and R3 is, independently, H or acyl;
  • or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • Preferred ligands of the immediately foregoing group of compounds according to Formula (III), useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, are compounds of the formula:
  • (SEQ ID NO: 60)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 61)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-Doc-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 63)
    Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 64)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 65)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 66)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 67)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 68)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 69)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 69)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 70)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 72)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 73)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 74)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 75)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-Arg-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 76)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-Gln-(Arg)5-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 77)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg)5-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 78)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)4-Gln-Arg-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 79)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Aib-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 84)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 85)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)2-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 86)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Gln-(Lys)2-(Arg)5-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 87)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)5-Gln-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 89)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 90)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-
    Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 91)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 92)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 93)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 94)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 95)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-
    Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 96)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 97)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 92)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 98)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 99)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 100)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-
    Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 102)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 103)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 104)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 105)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 100)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-
    Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 102)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 103)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 106)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-Arg-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 107)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-Gln-(Arg)5-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 108)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg)5-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 109)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Gln-(Lys)2-(Arg)5-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 110)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)2-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 111)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)4-Gln-Arg-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 112)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)5-Gln-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 113)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 113)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 114)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 114)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 115)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 115)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 116)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 116)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 117)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 117)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 118)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 118)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 119)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 119)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 120)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 120)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 121)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 121)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 122)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 122)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 123)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 123)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 124)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 124)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 125)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 125)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 126)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 126)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 127)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 127)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 128)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 128)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 129)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 129)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 130)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 130)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 131)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 131)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 132)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 133)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 133)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 134)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 134)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 135)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 135)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 137)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-Arg-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 139)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 140)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 143)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 144)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 145)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-Arg-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 146)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 148)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 147)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 147)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 148)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 149)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 149)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 151)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 150)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 150)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 151)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 152)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 152)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 154)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 153)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 153)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 154)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 155)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 155)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 157)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 156)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 156)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 157)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 158)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 158)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 159)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 160)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 161)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 162)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 164)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 163)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 163)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 164)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 165)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 165)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 166)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 166)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 168)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;;
    (SEQ ID NO: 167)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 167)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 168)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 170)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 169)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 169)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 170)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 171)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 171)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 173)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 172)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 172)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 173)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 174)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 174)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 175)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 176)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 177)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 178)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 179)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 180)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 181)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 182)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 183)
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 184)
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 183)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 185)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 186)
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 185)
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 186)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 188)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 187)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 188)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 189)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 190)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 189)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 190)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 191)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 192)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 191)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 192)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 193)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 194)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 193)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 194)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 195)
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 196)
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 197)
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 198)
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 199)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 200)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 199)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 200)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 201)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 202)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 203)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 203)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 205)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 204)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 204)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 205)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 207)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 206)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 206)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 207)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 208)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 208)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 209)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 209)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 210)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 211)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 212)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 213)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 213)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 267)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 214)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 216)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 214)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 217)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 215)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 216)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 215)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-((Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 217)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 218)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 219)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 218)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 219)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 221)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 220)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 221)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 222)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 223)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 222)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 223)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 224)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 225)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 224)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 225)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 227)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 226)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 228)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 227)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 228)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 229)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 230)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 232)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 231)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 232)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 233)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 234)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 235)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 236)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 235)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 236)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 237)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 238)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 237)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 238)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 239)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 240)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 239)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 240)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 241)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 242)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 241)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 242)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 243)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 244)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 243)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 244)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 245)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 246)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 245)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 246)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 247)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 248)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 247)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 248)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 249)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 250)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 249)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 250)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 251)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 252)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 251)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 252)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 253)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 254)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 253)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 254)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 255)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 256)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 255)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 256)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 257)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 258)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 257)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 258)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 259)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 260)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 259)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 260)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 261)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 262)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 261)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 262)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 263)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 264)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 263)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 264)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 265)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 266)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 265)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 266)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;;

    or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In a fourth embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound according to Formula (IV), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and prodrugs thereof, with a compound having the following formula (formula (IV)):

  • Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-A1-Arg-A2-A3-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2  (IV)
  • wherein:
    A1 is the D-isomer of X-Phe or 2-Nal where X is halogen;
    • A2 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, or Trp; and A3 is Aib, Ala, β-Ala or Gly,
  • or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • Preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing formula discovered to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, include the following:
  • (SEQ ID NO: 268)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-4-Br-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2, 
    (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 2690)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-β-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Aib-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 

    or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • The invention additionally provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound modified with a hydantoin moiety according to Formula (V), (VI) or (VII), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or prodrugs thereof.
  • According to a fifth embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand according to the following formula (Formula (V)), pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and/or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/06675 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00001
  • wherein
  • X is selected from the group consisting of —CH2—S—S—CH2—, —C(CH3)2—S—S—CH2—, —CH2—S—S—C(CH3)2—, —C(CH3)2—S—S—C(CH3)2—, —(CH2)2—S—S—CH2—, —CH2—S—S—(CH2)2—, —(CH2)2—S—S—(CH2)2—, —C(CH3)2—S—S—(CH2)2—, —(CH2)2—S—S—C(CH3)2—, —(CH2)t—C(O)—NR8—(CH2)r— and —(CH2)r—NR8—C(O)—(CH2)t—;
  • R1 and R2 each is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)alkyl;
  • R3 is —OH or —NH2;
  • R4 and R5 each is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)alkyl;
  • X1 is
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00002
  • A1 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, Taz, 2-Thi, 3-Thi or is deleted;
  • A2 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe or D-(X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe;
  • A3 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys or Orn;
  • A4 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe or Trp;
  • R6 and R7 each is, independently for each occurrence thereof, H, (C1-C10)alkyl, (C1-C10)heteroalkyl, aryl(C1-C5)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C1-C5)alkyl provided that R6 and R7 may be joined together to form a ring;
  • R8 is H, (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)alkyl;
  • r is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and
  • t is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1 or 2.
  • Preferrably, a compound according the foregoing formula found useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, include compounds wherein X1 is selected from the group consisting of:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00003
  • Representative embodiments of the foregoing class of compounds useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, are as follows:
  • (SEQ ID NO: 271)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 271)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(hCys-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 272)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 272)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-A3c))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-A6c))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-A3c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-A6c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2;
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2,
    (SEQ ID NO: 277)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-His))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2,
  • According to a sixth embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor compound according to Formula (VI), pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and/or prodrugs thereof (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/06675 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00004
  • wherein
  • X1 is
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00005
  • X2 is
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00006
  • A1 is Asp, Cys, D-Cys, Dab, Dap, Glu, Lys, Orn, Pen or D-Pen;
  • A2 is an L- or D-amino acid;
  • A3 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, Taz, 2-Thi or 3-Thi;
  • A4 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe or D-(X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe;
  • A5 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys or Orn;
  • A6 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe or Trp;
  • A7 is Asp, Cys, D-Cys, Dab, Dap, Glu, Lys, Orn, Pen or D-Pen;
  • R1 is H, (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)alkyl;
  • R2 and R3 each is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl, (C1-C10)heteroalkyl, aryl(C1-C5)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C1-C5)alkyl or R2 and R3 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety;
  • R4 is CO2H or C(O)NH2;
  • R5 and R6 each is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl, (C1-C10)heteroalkyl, aryl(C1-C5)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C1-C5)alkyl or R5 and R6 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety;
  • R7 and R8 each is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl, (C1-C10)heteroalkyl, aryl(C1-C5)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C1-C5)alkyl; or R7 and R8 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety;
  • R9 is H, (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)alkyl; and
  • n is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • A preferred class of compounds according to Formula (VI) useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, are those compounds wherein:
  • A1 is Cys;
  • A2 is D-Ala, Asn, Asp, Gln, Glu or D-Phe;
  • A3 is His;
  • A4 is D-2-Nal or D-Phe;
  • A5 is Arg;
  • A6 is Trp; and
  • A7 is Cys or Pen;
  • each of R1, R2, R3, and R9 is, independently, H;
  • R4 is C(O)NH2;
  • each of R5 and R6 is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl, (C1-C10)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)heteroalkyl or R5 and R6 may be fused together form a cyclic moiety; and
  • each of R7 and R8 is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl, (C1-C10)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)heteroalkyl;
  • or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • Preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing formula (Formula (VI)) useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, include:
  • (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 281)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 281)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 282)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 282)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 283)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 283)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 283)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 285)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 285)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 286)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 286)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 287)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 287)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 288)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    and
    (SEQ ID NO: 288)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 289)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Ala))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 

    or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In a seventh embodiment, the invention provides a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand belonging to a class of cyclic peptide analogs that are ligands for the melanocortin receptors having a structure according to Formula (VII) as depicted below (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/06675 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00007
  • wherein
  • X is selected from the group consisting of —CH2—S—S—CH2—, —C(CH3)2—S—S—CH2—, —CH2—S—S—C(CH3)2—, —C(CH3)2—S—S—C(CH3)2—, —(CH2)2—S—S—CH2—, —CH2—S—S—(CH2)2, —(CH2)2—S—S—(CH2)2—, —C(CH3)2—S—S—(CH2)2—, —(CH2)2—S—S—C(CH3)2—, —(CH2)t—C(O)—NR8—(CH2), and —(CH2)r—NR8—C(O)—(CH2)t—;
  • each of R1 and R5 is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)alkyl;
  • each of R2 and R3 is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl, (C1-C10)heteroalkyl, aryl(C1-C5)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)alkyl, substituted (C1-C10)heteroalkyl or substituted aryl(C1-C5)alkyl or R2 and R3 may be fused together to form a ring;
  • R4 is OH or NH2;
  • each of R6 and R7 is, independently, H, (C1-C10)alkyl or substituted (C1-C10)alkyl;
  • A1 is an L- or D-amino acid or deleted;
  • A2 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, Taz, 2-Thi or 3-Thi;
  • A3 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe or D-(X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe;
  • A4 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys or Orn;
  • A5 is Bal, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe or Trp;
  • r is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and
  • t is, independently for each occurrence thereof, 1 or 2;
  • or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In the preferred aspect of the compounds according to Formula (VII) useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss,
      • A1 is Ala, D-Ala, Asn, Asp, Gln, Glu or Gly;
        or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • Preferred compounds according to Formula (VII) useful in the treatment of insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, include the following compounds:
  • (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Abu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Phe-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 291)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 291)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 

    or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In an eighth embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a melanocortin receptor ligand according to Formula (VIII) (see International Patent Application Number PCT/US08/07411, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety):

  • (R2R3)-A0-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1  (VIII)
  • wherein:
  • A0 is an aromatic amino acid
  • A1 is Acc, HN—(CH2)m—C(O), an L- or D-amino acid;
  • A2 is Asp, Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Glu, Pen, or D-Pen;
  • A3 is Aib, Ala, β-Ala, Gaba, Gly or a D-amino acid;
  • A4 is His, 2-Pal, 3-Pal, 4-Pal, (X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, Taz, 2-Thi, or 3-Thi;
  • A5 is D-Bal, D-1-Nal, D-2-Nal, D-Phe, L-Phe, D-(X1,X2,X3,X4,X5)Phe, L-Phe, D-Trp or D-(Et)Tyr;
  • A6 is Arg, hArg, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or HN—CH((CH2)n—N(R4R5))—C(O);
  • A7 is Bal, D-Bal, Bip, D-Bip, 1-Nal, D-1-Nal, 2-Nal, D-2-Nal, or D-Trp;
  • A8 is Acc, Aha, Ahx, Ala, D-Ala, β-Ala, Apn, Gaba, Gly, HN—(CH2)s—C(O), or deleted;
  • A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, Pen, or D-Pen;
  • A10 is Acc, HN—(CH2)t—C(O), L- or D-amino acid, or deleted;
  • R1 is OH, or NH2;
  • each of R2 and R3 is, independently for each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C30)alkyl, (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, (C1-C30)acyl, (C2-C30)alkenyl, (C2-C30)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, aryl(C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkynyl, substituted aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, and substituted aryl(C1-C30)acyl;
  • each of R4 and R5 is, independently for each occurrence, H, (C1-C40)alkyl, (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, (C1-C40)acyl, (C2-C40)alkenyl, (C2-C40)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, aryl(C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, substituted (C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkynyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, substituted aryl(C1-C40)acyl, (C1-C40)alkylsulfonyl, or —C(NH)—NH2;
  • m is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
  • n is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
  • s is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • t is, independently for each occurrence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7;
  • X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 each is, independently for each occurrence, H, F, Cl, Br, I, (C1-10)alkyl, substituted (C1-10)alkyl, (C2-10)alkenyl, substituted (C2-10)alkenyl, (C2-10)alkynyl, substituted (C2-10)alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, OH, NH2, NO2, or CN; provided that
  • (I). when R4 is (C1-C40)acyl, aryl(C1-C40)acyl, substituted (C1-C40)acyl,
  • substituted aryl(C1-C40)acyl, (C1-C40)alkylsulfonyl, or —C(NH)—NH2, then R5 is H or (C1-C40)alkyl, (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, (C2-C40)alkenyl, (C2-C40)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)alkyl, substituted (C1-C40)heteroalkyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C40)alkynyl, or substituted aryl(C1-C40)alkyl;
  • (II). when R2 is (C1-C30)acyl, aryl(C1-C30)acyl, substituted (C1-C30)acyl, or substituted aryl(C1-C30)acyl, then R3 is H, (C1-C30)alkyl, (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, (C2-C30)alkenyl, (C2-C30)alkynyl, aryl(C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)alkyl, substituted (C1-C30)heteroalkyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkenyl, substituted (C2-C30)alkynyl, or substituted aryl(C1-C30)alkyl;
  • (III). when A2 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, or D-Pen, then A9 is Cys, D-Cys, hCys, D-hCys, Pen, or D-Pen; (IV). when A2 is Asp or Glu, then A9 is Dab, Dap, Orn, or Lys;
  • (V). when A8 is Ala or Gly, then A1 is not Nle; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • A preferred group of compounds of the immediate foregoing formula useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, is wherein
  • A0 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, His, Pff, Phe, Trp, or Tyr;
  • A1 is Arg;
  • A2 is Cys;
  • A3 is D-Ala;
  • A4 is His;
  • A5 is D-Phe
  • A6 is Arg;
  • A7 is Trp,
  • A8 is deleted;
  • A9 is Cys; and
  • A10 is deleted;
  • or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • Preferred compounds of the immediately foregoing group of compounds is which are useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, of the formula:
  • (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Tyr-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-2-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-1-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Phe-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Trp-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Pff-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 293)
    H-His-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;
    or
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-His-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 

    or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • In yet another preferred embodiment, the compound or compounds of Formula (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or (VIII) as defined hereinabove, which are useful to treat insulin resistance in a mammalian subject, with or without weight loss, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are provided to said subject in need in a composition with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
  • In preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating insulin resistance in a subject in need thereof, comprising peripheral administration of an effective amount of a melanocortin receptor 4 agonist to treat the insulin resistance in the subject in need thereof.
  • In one aspect, the melanocortin receptor 4 agonist useful to treat insulin resistance with or without an accompanying reduction in body weight in the subject in need thereof, is selected from the group consisting of:
  • SEQ ID NO: 1
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 1
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-A6c-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 3
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 4
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 5
    Ac-A6c-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-D-2-Nal-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 6
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 7
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 8
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 9
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 10
    Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Oic-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-D-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Nip-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hPro-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hLeu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-D-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 12
    n-butanoyl-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-β-hMet-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 11
    Ac-Gaba-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-Leu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-hLeu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 13
    Ac-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Aha-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 14
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 17
    n-butanoyl-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 17
    n-butanoyl-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 18
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 18
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 18
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 61
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 19
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 20
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 21
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 22
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 22
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 23
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 24
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 25
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 24
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 26
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 26
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 27
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 29
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Abu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Val-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ile-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-T1e-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 31
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 32
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 32
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Leu-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Cha-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Ile-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-Val-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 33
    Ac-2-Nal-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 34
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 34
    Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 35
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Pa1-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 36
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 37
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-3-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 40
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 40
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 41
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 42
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 43
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 43
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 43
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 42
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 41
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-D-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 44
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 45
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 46
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 47
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 48
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-OH; 
    SEQ ID NO: 49
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 50
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 50
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 51
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 52
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 52
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 51
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 53
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 53
    Ac-Arg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 35
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Pa1-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 55
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 55
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 56
    Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 56
    Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 57
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 57
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2; 
    SEQ ID NO: 58
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Ala-Lys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 60)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 61)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-Doc-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 63)
    Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 64)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 65)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO66)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 67)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 68)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 69)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 69)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 70)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 72)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 73)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 74)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 75)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-Arg-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 76)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-Gln-(Arg)5-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 77)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg)5-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 78)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)4-Gln-Arg-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 79)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Aib-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 84)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 85)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)2-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 86)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Gln-(Lys)2-(Arg)5-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 87)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)5-Gln-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 89)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 90)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-
    Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 91)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 92)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 95)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-
    Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 96)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 97)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 92)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 98)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 99)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 104)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 105)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 100)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-
    Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 102)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-
    (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 103)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 113)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)3-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 113)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)3-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 114)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 114)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 115)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)3-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 115)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)3-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 116)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 116)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 118)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 118)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 119)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 120)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 120)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 121)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 121)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 122)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 122)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 124)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 125)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 125)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 126)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 126)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 127)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 127)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 128)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 128)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-
    (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 130)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 130)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 133)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 134)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 134)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-
    Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 135)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 135)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6-
    Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 137)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-Arg-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 139)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 140)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 143)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 144)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 148)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 148)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 149)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2,
    (SEQ ID NO: 149)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 151)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 150)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 150)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 151)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 152)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 152)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 154)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 153)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 154)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 155)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 155)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 157)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 156)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 156)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 157)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 158)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 158)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 159)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 160)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 161)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 162)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 164)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 163)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 163)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 164)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 165)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 165)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 166)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 166)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 168)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 167)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 167)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 168)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 170)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 169)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 169)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 170)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 171)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 171)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 173)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 172)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 172)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 173)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 174)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 174)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 175)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 176)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 177)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 178)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 179)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 180)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 181)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 182)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 183)
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 184)
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 183)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 185)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 186)
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 185)
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 186)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 188)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 187)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 188)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 189)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 190)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 189)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 190)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 191)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 192)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 191)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 192)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 193)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 194)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 193)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 194)
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 195)
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 196)
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 197)
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 198)
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 199)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 200)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 199)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 200)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 201)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 202)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 203)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 203)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 205)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 204)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 204)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 205)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 207)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 206)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 206)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 207)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 208)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 208)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 209)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 210)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 209)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 211)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 212)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 213)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 213)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 267)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 214)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 216)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 214)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 217)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 215)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 216)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH4
    (SEQ ID NO: 215)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 217)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH4
    (SEQ ID NO: 218)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 219)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 218)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 219)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 221)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 220)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 221)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 222)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 223)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 222)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 223)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 224)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 225)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 224)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 225)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 227)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 226)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 228)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 227)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH4 
    (SEQ ID NO: 228)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 229)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 230)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 232)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 231)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-
    (Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 232)
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 233)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 234)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 235)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 236)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 235)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 236)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 237)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 238)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 237)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 238)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 239)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 240)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 239)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 240)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 241)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 242)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 241)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 242)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 243)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 244)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 243)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 244)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 245)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 246)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 245)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 246)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 247)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 248)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 247)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 248)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 249)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 250)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 249)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 250)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 251)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 252)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 251)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 252)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 253)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 254)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 253)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 254)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 255)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 256)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 255)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 256)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 257)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 258)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 257)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-
    NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 258)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 259)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 260)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 259)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 260)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 261)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 262)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 261)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 262)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 263)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 264)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 263)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 264)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 265)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 266)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 265)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;
    (SEQ ID NO: 266)
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 268)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-4-Br-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2, 
    (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-β-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Aib-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 271)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 271)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(hCys-D-Ala))-His-2-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 272)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 272)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(hCys-D-Ala))-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A3c))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A6c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A3c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A6c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 274)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(GAsp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 277)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-His))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 281)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 281)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 282)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 282)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 283)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 283)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 283)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 285)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 285)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 286)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 286)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 287)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 288)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 288)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 289)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Ala))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2,
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Abu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Phe-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 291)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Tyr-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-2-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-1-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Phe-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Trp-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Pff-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    (SEQ ID NO: 293)
    H-His-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
    and
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-His-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 

    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • In one preferred aspect, the melanocortin receptor 4 agonist useful to treat insulin resistance in the subject in need thereof, is Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:50) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In another preferred aspect, the melanocortin receptor 4 agonist useful to treat insulin resistance in the subject in need thereof, is Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:278) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • In other aspects of the invention, administration of a compound or compostion comprising a compound or pharmaceutical salt of a compound of the invention useful to treat insulin resistance, is continuous, hourly, four times daily, three time daily, twice daily, once daily, once every other day, twice weekly, once weekly, once every two weeks, once a month, or once every two months, or longer.
  • The subject in need of treatment may be obese, overweight, of normal weight or lean. The obese, overweight, normal weight or lean subject may suffer from type II diabetes. The preferred administration of a compound or compostion comprising a compound or pharmaceutical salt of a compound of the invention useful to treat insulin resistance, is peripheral administration. Examples of peripheral administration include oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravenous, rectal, transdermal or intranasal forms of administration.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1. Food consumed in fasted rats 6 hours after administration of 100 nmole/Kg of selected compounds.
  • FIG. 2A. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon body weight in rats.
  • FIG. 2B. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon cumulative food intake in rats.
  • FIG. 2C. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon insulin levels in rats.
  • FIG. 2D. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon glucose levels in rats.
  • FIG. 3A. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon body weight in rats.
  • FIG. 3B. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon cumulative food intake in rats.
  • FIG. 3C. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon insulin levels in rats.
  • FIG. 3D. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day of Compound B upon glucose levels in rats.
  • FIG. 4. Effect of subcutaneous administration of 200, 600 or 1800 nmole/kg/day of Compound A upon blood glucose levels in mice.
  • FIG. 5. Effect of intraperitoneal administration of 6.4 μmole/kg of Compound A upon blood glucose levels in obese mice.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Recent studies have reported that staggering numbers of people world wide are overweight and suffering a wide variety of serious and expensive health problems. According the World Health Organization (as reported in Kouris-Blazos et al., Asia Pac. J. Clin. Nutr., 2007, 16:329-338), an estimated 1 billion people throughout the world are overweight and an estimated 300 million of these are obese. An estimated 22 million children under the age of 5 are severely overweight and in the European Union alone, the number of children who are overweight is expected to rise by 1.3 million children per year (Kosti et al., 2006, Cent. Eur. J. Public Health, 14:151-159). Obesity, as defined by the Statistical Bulletin provided by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., (1959, 40:1), is a condition in which a person is approximately 20-25% over normal body weight. Alternatively, an individual is considered obese if the person has a body mass index of greater than 25% over normal or greater than 30% over normal with risk factors (see Bray et al., Diabetes/Metabolism Review, 1988, 4:653-679 or Flynn et al., Proc. Nutritional Society, 1991, 50:413). One of the main causes for obesity is the consumption of a high caloric diet (Riccardi et al., Clin. Nutr., 2004, 23:447-456).
  • Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease afflicting many overweight and obese people. It is estimated that 20.8 million people in the United States alone have diabetes and more than 6 million more additional cases remain undiagnosed (Cornell, Manag. Care Pharm., 2007, 13:S11-5). Type 2 diabetes (also referred to herein as type II diabetes) is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion and hyperglycemia. Worldwide, type II diabetes is believed to affect approximately 171 million people, imparting numerous microvascular and macrovascular complications resulting in morbidity and mortality (Mudaliar, Indian J. Med. Res., 2007, 125:275-296). Mudaliar further notes that despite the availability of anti-hyperglycaemic agents available, control of glucose remains elusive in many patients.
  • Insulin resistance, also referred to as reduced insulin sensitivity, is a condition in which the amount of insulin needed to clear glucose from the blood of a subject is increased as compared to the amount of insulin needed to clear the same amount of glucose from the blood of a normal, non-insulin sensitive subject. Insulin resistance is regarded as the main link between obesity and type II diabetes (see Obici et al., J. Clin. Inv., 2001, 108:1079-1085 and references therein). It is known that rats fed a high fat diet show an increase in body weight (diet-induced obesity or DIO) and a decrease in insulin sensitivity. Such DIO rats provide an animal model in which to study the mechanisms of insulin resistance due to obesity (see for example Banno et al., FEBS letters, 2007, 581:1131-1136). The size and weight of adipose tissues are increased in DIO rats and it is thought that the accompanying hypertrophy of adipocytes leads to changes in the release of adipocytokines such as leptin and adiponectin which are known to regulate insulin sensitivity; it is thought that morphological changes in adipose tissue as well as changes in plasma levels of adipocytokines are among the causes of insulin resistance in DIO rats (summarized in Banno, et al., FEBS letters, 2007, 581:1131-1136 and references therein).
  • Melanocortins are proposed to play a large role in energy metabolism and homeostasis. Melanocortins cleaved from the POMC precursor exert their effects by binding to members of the melanocortin receptor family located in the brain. The major effect of melanocortin in the brain is to reduce food intake however, it has also been shown that melanocortin agonists or antagonists injected directly into the cerebral ventricle affect insulin actions in the periphery while food was withdrawn or while food intake was kept constant (see Schwartz et al., Nature, 2000, 404:661-671; Seeley et al., Ann. Rev. Nutr., 2004, 24:133-149; Cone et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res., 1996, 51:287-317; Heijbor et al., Diabetologia, 2005, 48:1621-1626; Obici et al., J. Clin. Inv., 2001, 108:1079-1085). Taken together, these data suggest that central administration of melanocortins affects insulin sensitivity and may do so independently of energy balance. Banno et al., (FEBS letters, 2007, 581:1131-1136) demonstrated that intracerebral injections of a melanocortin agonist to DIO rats ameliorated insulin sensitivity in the periphery, decreased the size of and increased the number of adipocytes in white adipose tissue and decreased triglycerides content in the liver.
  • Considering the large numbers of overweight and/or insulin resistant subjects in need of treatment, intracerebral administration is an unlikely means to disperse medicaments to patients. There is a need in the art, therefore, to identify melanocortin agonists and antagonists suitable for peripheral administration to affect parameters of insulin action and energy metabolism such as insulin sensitivity, cellular characteristics of white adipose tissue, triglyceride levels and the like.
    • Nomenclature and Abbreviations
  • As used herein, an “obese subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight approximately 20% or greater than the normal body weight for said subject. Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • As used herein, an “overweight subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight approximately 5% greater to approximately 20% greater than the normal body weight for said subject. Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • As used herein, a “normal subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight up to approximately 5% greater than to approximately 5% less than the normal body weight for said subject. Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • As used herein, a “lean subject” or mammal is characterized as having a body weight approximately 5% to 30% or even to 50% less than the normal body weight for said subject. Normal body weight may be determined by a comparison of the weight of the subject at a prior point in time, such as when insulin metabolism was normal, or by a comparison of the weight of the subject as compared to averages of other subjects of a similar age and/or condition.
  • As used herein, the terms “treat”, “treating” and “treatment” include palliative, curative and prophylactic treatment.
  • As used herein, “measurable” means the biologic effect is both reproducible and significantly different from the baseline variability of the assay.
  • As used herein, peripherial administration includes all forms of administration of a compound or a composition comprising a compound of the instant invention which excludes intracranial administration. Examples of peripheral administration include, but are not limited to, oral, parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous or subcutaneous injection, implant and the like), nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual or topical routes of administration, including transdermal patch applications and the like.
  • A “subject”, as used herein and throughout this application, refers to a mammalian or non-mammalian animal including, for example and without limitation, a human, a rat, a mouse or farm animal. Reference to a subject does not necessarily indicate the presence of a disease or disorder. The term “subject” includes, for example, a mammalian or non-mammalian animal being dosed with a melanocortin analog as part of an experiment, a mammalian or non-mammalian animal being treated to help alleviate a disease or disorder, and a mammalian or non-mammalian animal being treated prophylactically to retard or prevent the onset of a disease or disorder. Subject mammals may be human subjects of any age, such as an infant, a child, an adult or an elderly adult.
  • A “therapeutically acceptable amount” of a compound or composition of the invention, regardless of the formulation or route of administration, is that amount which elicits a desired biological response in a subject. The biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at many levels in an organism. For example, the biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at the cellular level by measuring the response at a receptor which binds melanocortin and/or a melanocortin analog, or the biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at the system level, such as effecting an increase/decrease in the levels of insulin. The biological effect of the therapeutic amount may occur at and be measured at the organism level, such as the alleviation of a symptom(s) or progression of a disease or condition in a subject. A therapeutically acceptable amount of a compound or composition of the invention, regardless of the formulation or route of administration, may result in one or more biological responses in a subject. In the event that the compound or composition of the invention is subject to testing in an in vitro system, a therapeutically acceptable amount of the compound or composition may be viewed as that amount which gives a measurable response in the in vitro system of choice.
  • The nomenclature used to define the peptides is that typically used in the art wherein the amino group at the N-terminus appears to the left and the carboxyl group at the C-terminus appears to the right. Where the amino acid has D and L isomeric forms, it is the L form of the amino acid that is represented unless otherwise explicitly indicated.
  • The compounds of the invention useful for the treatment of insulin resistance, with or without weight loss, may possess one or more chiral centers and so exist in a number of stereoisomeric forms. All stereoisomers and mixtures thereof are included in the scope of the present invention. Racemic compounds may either be separated using preparative HPLC and a column with a chiral stationary phase or resolved to yield individual enantiomers utilizing methods known to those skilled in the art. In addition, chiral intermediate compounds may be resolved and used to prepare chiral compounds of the invention.
  • The compounds of the invention useful for the treatment of insulin resistance, with or without weight loss, may exist in one or more tautomeric forms. All tautomers and mixtures thereof are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, a claim to 2-hydroxypyridinyl would also cover its tautomeric form, α-pyridonyl.
  • Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, all publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • Symbol Meaning
    Abu α-aminobutyric acid
    Ac acyl group
    Acc 1-amino-1-cyclo(C3—C9)alkyl carboxylic acid
    A3c 1-amino-1-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid
    A4c 1-amino-1-cyclobutanecarboxylic acid
    A5c 1-amino-1-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid
    A6c 1-amino-1-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid
    Aha 7-aminoheptanoic acid
    Ahx 6-aminohexanoic acid
    Aib α-aminoisobutyric acid
    Aic 2-aminoindan-2-carboxylic acid
    Ala or A alanine
    β-Ala β-alanine
    Apc
    Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00008
    Apn 5-aminopentanoic acid (HN—(CH2)4—C(O)
    Arg or R arginine
    hArg homoarginine
    Asn or N asparagine
    Asp or D aspartic acid
    Bal 3- benzothienylalanine
    Bip
    4,4′-biphenylalanine, represented by the structure
    Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00009
    Bpa 4-benzoylphenylalanine
    4-Br-Phe 4-bromo-phenylalanine
    Cha β-cydohexylalanine
    hCha homo-cyclohexylalanine
    Chg cyclohexylglycine
    Cys or C cysteine
    hCys homocysteine
    Dab 2,4-diaminobutyric acid
    Dap 2,3-diaminopropionic acid
    Dip β,β-diphenylalanine
    Doc 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid with the structure of:
    Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00010
    2-Fua β-(2-furyl)-alanine
    Gaba 4-aminobutyric acid
    Gln or Q glutamine
    Glu or E glutamic acid
    Gly or G glycine
    His or H histidine
    3-Hyp trans-3-hydroxy-L-proline i.e., (2S, 3S)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine-
    2-carboxylic acid
    4-Hyp 4-hydroxyproline, i.e., (2S, 4R)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-
    2-carboxylic acid
    Ile or I isoleucine
    Leu or L leucine
    hLeu homoleucine
    Lys or K lysine
    Met or M methionine
    β-hMet β-homomethionine
    1-Nal β-(1-naphthyl)alanine:
    2-Nal β-(2-naphthyl)alanine
    Nip nipecotic acid
    Nle norleucine
    Oic octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid
    Orn ornithine
    2-Pal β-(2-pyridiyl)alanine
    3-Pal β-(3-pyridiyl)alanine
    4-Pal β-(4-pyridiyl)alanine
    Pen penicillamine
    Pff (S)-pentafluorophenylalanine
    Phe or F phenylalanine
    hPhe homophenylalanine
    Pro or P proline
    hPro homoproline
    Ser or S serine
    Tle tert-Leucine
    Taz β-(4-thiazolyl)alanine
    2-Thi β-(2-thienyl)alanine
    3-Thi β-(3-thienyl)alanine
    Thr or T threonine
    Trp or W tryptophan
    Tyr or Y tyrosine
    D-(Et)Tyr has a structure of
    Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00011
    Val or V valine
    Certain other abbreviations used herein are defined as follows:
    Boc: tert-butyloxycarbonyl
    Bzl: benzyl
    DCM: dichloromethane
    DIC: N,N-diisopropylcarbodiimide
    DIEA: diisopropylethyl amine
    Dmab: 4-{N-(1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)-3-
    methylbutyl)-amino} benzyl
    DMAP: 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine
    DMF dimethylformamide
    DNP: 2,4-dinitrophenyl
    Fm: fluorenylmethyl
    Fmoc: fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl
    For: formyl
    HBTU: 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium
    hexafluorophosphate
    cHex cyclohexyl
    HOAT: O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium
    hexafluorophosphate
    HOBt: 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole
    MBHA 4-methylbenzhydrylamine
    Mmt: 4-methoxytrityl
    NMP: N-methylpyrrolidone
    O-tBu oxy-tert-butyl
    Pbf: 2,2,4,6,7-pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5-sulfonyl
    PyBroP bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate
    tBu: tert-butyl
    TIS: triisopropylsilane
    TOS: tosyl
    Trt trityl
    TFA: trifluoro acetic acid
    TFFH: tetramethylfluoroforamidinium hexafluorophosphate
    Z: benzyloxycarbonyl
  • Unless otherwise indicated, with the exception of the N-terminal amino acid, all abbreviations (e.g. Ala) of amino acids in this disclosure stand for the structure of —NH—C(R)(R′)—CO—, wherein R and R′ each is, independently, hydrogen or the side chain of an amino acid (e.g., R=CH3 and R′=H for Ala), or R and R′ may be joined to form a ring system.
  • For the N-terminal amino acid, the abbreviation stands for the structure of:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00012
  • The designation “NH2” in e.g., Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:7), indicates that the C-terminus of the peptide is amidated. Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys) (SEQ ID NO:36), or alternatively Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH (SEQ ID NO:36), indicates that the C-terminus is the free acid.
  • “-c(Cys-Cys)-” or “-cyclo(Cys-Cys)-” denotes the structure:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00013
  • “-c(Cys-Pen)-” or “-cyclo(Cys-Pen)-” denotes the structure:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00014
  • “-c(Asp-Lys)-” or “-cyclo(Asp-Lys)-” denotes the structure:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00015
  • Applicants have devised the following shorthand used in naming the specific embodiments and/or species:
  • “HydantoinC(O)-(Aa-Ab)” denotes the structure:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00016
  • wherein amino acid “Aa” has the structure: and
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00017
  • amino acid “Ab” the structure:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00018
  • For example, a compound represented as “c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-Ab))-A1-A2-A3-A4-Cys]-” would have the following the structure:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00019
  • whereas a compound represented as “c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ab-Cys))-A1-A2-A3-A4-Cys]-” would have the structure:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00020
  • For further guidance, “c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Ab))-A1-A2-A3-A4-Lys]-” represents the following compound: whereas
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00021
  • “c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Dap-Ab))-A1-A2-A3-A4-Asp]-” has the following formula:
  • Figure US20220339239A1-20221027-C00022
  • “Acyl” refers to R″—C(O)—, where R″ is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, substituted heteroalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or substituted alkylaryl, and is indicated in the general formula of a particular embodiment as “Ac”.
  • “Alkyl” refers to a hydrocarbon group containing one or more carbon atoms, where multiple carbon atoms if present are joined by single bonds. The alkyl hydrocarbon group may be straight-chain or contain one or more branches or cyclic groups.
  • “Hydroxyalkyl” refers to an alkyl group wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydrocarbon group are substituted with one or more hydroxy radicals, such as hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, hydroxypentyl, hydroxyhexyl and the like.
  • “Substituted alkyl” refers to an alkyl wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydrocarbon group are replaced with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH2, —NHCH3, —NO2, and —C1-20 alkyl, wherein said —C1-20 alkyl optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected, independently for each occurrence, from the group consisting of halogens, —CF3, —OCH3, —OCF3, and —(CH2)0-20—COOH. In different embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents are present. The presence of —(CH2)0-20—COOH results in the production of an alkyl acid. Non-limiting examples of alkyl acids containing, or consisting of, —(CH2)0-20—COOH include 2-norbornane acetic acid, tert-butyric acid, 3-cyclopentyl propionic acid, and the like.
  • The term “halo” encompasses fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.
  • “Heteroalkyl” refers to an alkyl wherein one of more of the carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon group is replaced with one or more of the following groups: amino, amido, —O—, —S— or carbonyl. In different embodiments 1 or 2 heteroatoms are present.
  • “Substituted heteroalkyl” refers to a heteroalkyl wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydrocarbon group are replaced with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH2, —NHCH3, —NO2, and —C1-20 alkyl, wherein said —C1-20 alkyl optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected, independently for each occurrence, from the group consisting of halogens, —CF3, —OCH3, —OCF3, and —(CH2)0-20—COOH. In different embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents are present.
  • “Alkenyl” refers to a hydrocarbon group made up of two or more carbons where one or more carbon-carbon double bonds are present. The alkenyl hydrocarbon group may be straight-chain or contain one or more branches or cyclic groups.
  • “Substituted alkenyl” refers to an alkenyl wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH2, —NHCH3, —NO2, and —C1-20 alkyl, wherein said —C1-20 alkyl optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected, independently for each occurrence, from the group consisting of halogens, —CF3, —OCH3, —OCF3, and —(CH2)0-20—COOH. In different embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents are present.
  • “Aryl” refers to an optionally substituted aromatic group with at least one ring having a conjugated pi-electron system, containing up to three conjugated or fused ring systems. Aryl includes carbocydic aryl, heterocyclic aryl and biaryl groups. Preferably, the aryl is a 5- or 6-membered ring. Preferred atoms for a heterocyclic aryl are one or more sulfur, oxygen, and/or nitrogen. Non-limiting examples of aryl include phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, indole, quinoline, 2-imidazole, 9-anthracene, and the like. Aryl substituents are selected from the group consisting of —C1-20 alkyl, —C1-20 alkoxy, halogen (i.e., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), —OH, —CN, —SH, —NH2, —NO2, —C1-20 alkyl substituted with halogens, —CF3, —OCF3, and —(CH2)0-20—COOH. In different embodiments the aryl contains 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 substituents.
  • “Alkylaryl” refers to an “alkyl” joined to an “aryl”.
  • The term “(C1-C12)hydrocarbon moiety” encompasses alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl and in the case of alkenyl and alkynyl there is C2-C12.
  • For the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise indicated, the term substituted means substituted by one or more defined groups. In the case where groups may be selected from a number of alternative groups, the selected groups may be the same or different. For the avoidance of doubt, the term independently means that where more than one substituent is selected from a number of possible substituents, those substituents may be the same or different.
  • The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention which contain a basic centre are, for example, non-toxic acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid, with carboxylic acids or with organo-sulfonic acids. Examples include the HCl, HBr, HI, sulfate or bisulfate, nitrate, phosphate or hydrogen phosphate, acetate, benzoate, succinate, saccharate, fumarate, maleate, lactate, citrate, tartrate, gluconate, camsylate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate and pamoate salts. Compounds of the invention can also provide pharmaceutically acceptable metal salts, in particular non-toxic alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, with bases. Examples include the sodium, potassium, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, zinc and diethanolamine salts (Berge, S. M. et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 66:1-19 (1977); Gould, P. L., Int'l J. Pharmaceutics, 33:201-17 (1986); and Bighley, L. D. et al., Encyclo. Pharma. Tech., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 13:453-97 (1996).
  • The pharmaceutically acceptable solvates of the compounds of the invention include the hydrates thereof. Also included within the scope of the invention and various salts of the invention are polymorphs thereof. Hereinafter, compounds their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their solvates or polymorphs, defined in any aspect of the invention (except intermediate compounds in chemical processes) are referred to as “compounds of the invention”.
    • In Vitro Studies
  • Compounds of the present invention can be and were tested for activity as ligands of one or more of the melanocortin receptors according to the following procedures. One skilled in the art would know that procedures similar to those described herein may be used to assay the binding activities of the compounds of the invention to melanocortin receptor molecules.
    • Radioligand Binding Assays
  • Cellular membranes used for the in vitro receptor binding assays were obtained from transgenic CHO-K1 cells stably expressing hMC- R receptor subtypes 1, 3, 4 or 5. The CHO-K1 cells expressing the desired hMC-R receptor type were sonicated (Branson® setting 7, approximately 30 sec) in ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl at pH 7.4 and then centrifuged at 39,000 g for 10 minutes at approximately 4° C. The pellets were resuspended in the same buffer and centrifuged at 50,000 g for 10 minutes at approximately 4° C. The washed pellets containing the cellular membranes were stored at approximately −80° C.
  • Competitive inhibition of [125I](Tyr2)-(Nle4-D-Phe7)α-MSH ([125I]-NDP-α-MSH, Amersham Biosciences®) binding was carried out in polypropylene 96 well plates. Cell membranes (1-10 μg protein/well) prepared as described above were incubated in 50 mM Tris-HCl at pH 7.4 containing 0.2% bovine serum albumin (BSA), 5 mM MgCl2, 1 mM CaCl2 and 0.1 mg/mL bacitracin, with increasing concentrations of the test compound and 0.1-0.3 nM [125I]-NDP-α-MSH for approximately 90-120 minutes at approximately 37° C. Bound [125I]-NDP-α-MSH ligand was separated from free [125I]-NDP-α-MSH by filtration through GF/C glass fiber filter plates (Unifilter®; Packard) presoaked with 0.1% (w/v) polyethylenimine (PEI), using a Packard Filtermate® harvester. Filters were washed three times with 50 mM Tris-HCl at pH 7.4 at a temperature of approximately 0-4° C. and then assayed for radioactivity using a Packard Topcount® scintillation counter. Binding data were analyzed by computer-assisted non-linear regression analysis (XL fit; IDBS). A selection of the preferred embodiments was tested using the above-discussed assay and the binding constants (Ki in nM) are reported in Tables 5, 6, 7 and 8.
  • TABLE 5
    Radioligand Binding Assay Data for Selected Compounds
    Table 5A
    Ki Ki Ki Ki Ki
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5- hMC1-R/ SEQ ID
    Compound R R R R MC4-R NO:
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 3.87  10.1  2.09  430 1.9 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 50
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His- 4.01  12.1  1.76  352 2.3 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 50
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His- 8.29  13.3  2.78  816 3.0 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2 NO: 51
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 3.93 172 11.0  538 0.36 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2 NO: 52
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 1.81  20.5  4.57  502 0.4 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2 NO: 52
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 9.67  22.0  4.2 1900 2.3 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2 NO: 51
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Asp-His-D- 0.79  45.5  1.21  493 0.6 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 53
    Ac-Arg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.68  20.7  1.01  783 0.7 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 53
    Table 5B
    Ki Ki Ki Ki Ki
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5- hMC1-R/ SEQ ID
    Compound R R R R MC4-R NO:
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 114 63.9 3.07 1657 37.1 SEQ ID
    2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2 NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 11 26 7.6 1800 1.4 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 7
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr- 0.05 9.3 1.1 2.9 0.0 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr- NO: 24
    NH2
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg- 0.07 4.1 0.85 8.8 0.1 SEQ ID
    Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2 NO: 27
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.12 10 0.43 0.42 0.3 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2 NO: 32
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg- 0.05 1.3 0.47 0.2 0.1 SEQ ID
    Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 34
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.0996 9318 0.617 10.9 0.16 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 1
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- .0132 16.1 1.23 0.359 0.11 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2 NO: 2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.207 43.2 2.58 344 0.08 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr- NO: 3
    NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.420 106 4.75 1260 0.09 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr- NO: 3
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.0951 9.33 0.894 13.4 0.11 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2 NO: 2
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.999 300 11.1 431 0.09 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2 NO: 4
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.106 11.8 1.49 110 0.07 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 6
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.0506 9.89 1.04 16.3 0.05 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 6
    Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.884 223 22.5 609 0.04 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 11
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.721 93.5 56.0 747 0.01 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 11
    Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D- 0.227 14.5 2.99 164 0.08 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)- NO: 11
    NH2
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe- 0.277 25.2 3.37 203 0.08 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 11
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.323 14.1 1.96 24.0 0.16 SEQ ID
    Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2 NO: 15
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D- 34.1 118 17.0 5560 2.01 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 21
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 29.1 22.8 3.84 2550 7.58 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2 NO: 22
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.442 123 10.3 521 0.04 SEQ ID
    hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)- NO: 23
    Thr-NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 5.80 3370 583 1130 0.01 SEQ ID
    Arg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr- NO: 25
    NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr- 0.0567 31.4 14.7 9.27 0 SEQ ID
    hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)- NO: 24
    Thr-NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 1.68 1260 172 1220 0.01 SEQ ID
    hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)- NO: 26
    Thr-NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr- 0.128 85.6 36.9 38.0 0 SEQ ID
    hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)- NO: 26
    Thr-NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 0.352 149 3.01 339 0.12 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-NH2 NO: 54
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 3.93 876 48.0 4940 0.08 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)- NO: 54
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 0.995 287 4.80 766 0.21 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)- NO: 54
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 0.848 184 3.76 956 0.23 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)- NO: 54
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 1.10 228 7.58 859 0.15 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)- NO: 54
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D- 0.659 98.9 2.55 4.19 0.26 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2 NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D- 4.12 445 50.6 4300 0.08 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Bal-Lys)-NH2 NO: 28
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe- 111 1710 47.7 694 2.33 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2 NO: 55
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe- 262 2500 96.4 1460 2.72 SEQ ID
    Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2 NO: 55
    Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe- 199 5990 96.7 >10000 2.06 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2 NO: 56
    Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe- 132 4560 40.7 8810 3.24 SEQ ID
    Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2 NO: 56
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 9.12 1130 22.1 2860 0.41 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2 NO: 57
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 1.00 227 5.55 496 0.18 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-B-Ala-Cys)- NO: 57
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 0.536 169 3.12 358 0.17 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)- NO: 57
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 32.1 330 17.4 165 1.84 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-OH NO: 29
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Abu-His- 10.6 41.1 7.69 54.9 1.38 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Val-His-D- 13.0 104 10.1 40 1.29 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ile-His-D- 4.28 38.5 9.0 12.5 0.48 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D- 1.60 6.82 4.13 5.57 0.39 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Tle-His-D- 12.0 85.8 11.2 40 1.07 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D- 0.353 2.08 1.41 0.857 0.25 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 30
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe- 0.537 86.1 5.89 2.56 0.09 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 31
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe- 0.744 178 3.51 2.69 0.21 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2 NO: 32
    Ac-Leu-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.216 17.4 0.995 0.486 0.22 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 33
    Ac-Cha-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.107 9.11 0.884 0.354 0.12 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 33
    Ac-Ile-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.148 13.9 1.06 0.423 0.14 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 33
    Ac-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.254 18.5 2.13 0.714 0.12 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 33
    Ac-Val-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.256 29.9 1.98 0.864 0.13 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 33
    Ac-2-Nal-c(Cys-His-D-Phe- 0.560 39.2 2.94 2.73 0.19 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 33
    Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg- 0.186 15.2 4.93 0.537 0.04 SEQ ID
    Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 34
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Pal-D-Phe- 21.1 151 10.4 92.6 2.03 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 35
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 30.7 152 15.6 114 1.97 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH NO: 36
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-Phe-Arg- 5.20 150 138 20.3 0.04 SEQ ID
    D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 37
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D- 4.89 290 21.3 11.1 0.23 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Bal-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 58
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 25.5 3.82 7.61 102 3.35 SEQ ID
    2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 32.5 5.85 2.53 94.6 12.85 SEQ ID
    2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2 NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 22.2 12.7 16.6 125 1.34 SEQ ID
    2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2 NO: 20
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal- 1.17 1.56 0.277 3.24 4.22 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal- 0.648 2.78 0.329 1.4 1.97 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-3-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal- 0.393 1.86 0.375 1.11 1.05 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal- 0.333 2.91 0.998 0.366 0.33 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2 NO: 39
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-2- 0.461 2.45 0.931 1.37 0.50 SEQ ID
    Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)- NO: 40
    NH2
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal- 0.576 3.98 2.82 3.91 0.20 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 40
    Table 5C
    Ki Ki Ki Ki Ki
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5- hMC1-R/ SEQ ID
    R R R R MC4-R NO:
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D- 17.9 1.68 0.256 23.4 69.9 SEQ ID
    2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 49
  • TABLE 6
    Radioligand Binding Assay Data for Selected Compounds
    Table 6A
    Ki Ki Ki Ki
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5-
    Compound R R R R
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 49.9 9.00 0.569 218
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg- 11.9 38.1 5.70 11.8
    Arg-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-
    NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 60)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg- 3.46 16.6 6.65 4.88
    Arg-Doc-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-
    Lys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 61)
    Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala- 0.614 5.09 2.31 3.23
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β- 1.56 14.1 5.17 7.12
    Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    H-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc- 1.10 1.58 6.00 0.629
    Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 63)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)- 0.0868 0.751 0.0944 0.147
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 64)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly- 1.66 4.80 0.250 9.62
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 65)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β- 0.0452 0.298 0.169 0.386
    Ala-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 66)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)- 0.0808 0.396 0.0747 0.311
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 67)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly- 4.41 4.23 0.455 12.9
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 68)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 1.25 0.661 0.292 5.94
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 1.89 0.546 0.166 6.06
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 87.8 9.08 1.20 359
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 124 17.8 1.11 348
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 163 23.0 0.586 844
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 269)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)- 0.144 0.352 0.0845 0.415
    Doc-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 701)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 1.74 0.590 0.170 4.38
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 3.86 4.97 0.192 38.3
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 12.8 15.9 0.950 165
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 73)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 3.07 4.05 0.498 31.1
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 74)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 0.792 0.570 0.162 4.18
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-βAla-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 75)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 0.726 0.474 0.209 5.12
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 76)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 0.857 0.580 0.209 4.42
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Gln-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 77)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 0.813 0.675 0.269 4.20
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 78)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 7.84 10.2 0.783 91.8
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Aib-Arg-Lys-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 79)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 2.93 9.07 0.293 59.0
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 2.42 6.56 0.238 41.7
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 6.66 19.3 0.819 88.8
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 2.63 2.09 0.0737 11.6
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 2.48 1.21 0.209 9.17
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 3.65 2.26 0.261 12.1
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 7.32 11.0 0.659 78.0
    Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 4.11 7.26 0.302 48.3
    Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 84)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 6.77 14.3 0.781 84.0
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 283)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 3.04 3.22 0.230 3.85
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 2685)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 3.24 2.66 0.208 5.96
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Gln-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 86)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala- 1.58 1.43 0.275 2.97
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 87)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 4.59 6.28 0.588 22.6
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 6.46 5.22 0.380 15.3
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 4.62 5.68 0.505 45.3
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 2.12 3.99 0.352 27.5
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 89)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 3.41 0.975 0.549 11.3
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 4.18 1.12 0.223 15.3
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 90)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 2.71 0.732 0.202 5.53
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 91)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 5.66 1.40 0.446 6.23
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 92)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.211 0.665 0.635 118
    Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.351 0.891 0.503 102
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 137)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.209 0.699 0.596 137
    Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.439 1.52 0.476 115
    Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.821 2.50 0.700 148
    Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.406 1.11 0.602 131
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 139)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 1.27 4.63 1.51 220
    Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 139)
    Table 6B
    Ki Ki Ki Ki
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5-
    Compound R R R R
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-β-Ala- 2058 113 10.7 239
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Aib- 1818 306 5.87 979
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 1.75 1.74 0.15 16.8
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 95)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 1.50 1.61 0.301 10.4
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 96)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 1.81 2.08 0.305 19.3
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 97)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 2.69 2.59 0.243 19.2
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 92)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 2.25 0.62 0.303 2.77
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 99)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 1.49 0.604 0.865 3.13
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 3.28 1.95 0.575 15.5
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 105)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 2.24 1.57 0.437 16.4
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 100)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 2.14 1.12 0.624 11.9
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 2.50 1.59 0.573 15.7
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 102)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 3.00 1.70 0.442 15.5
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 104)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)- 4.29 2.15 0.425 15.5
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 103)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.410 0.837 0.246 56.3
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.572 1.07 0.210 63.6
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.475 0.800 0.196 53.8
    Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.779 1.21 0.293 56.0
    Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.212 1.23 0.484 58.5
    Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 143)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp- 0.778 1.22 0.468 47.0
    Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 144)
  • TABLE 7
    Ki Ki Ki Ki
    hMC1 hMC3 hMC4 hMC5
    Table 7A Binding Constants for Formula (V) Examples
    Formula (V) Compounds
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-  230 7590 126   7020
    Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 271)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-   72.6 1920  45.2 >10000
    Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-   60.4 2840  52.4 >10000
    Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-   28   90.5  12.7    877
    Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-   16.4  863   4.97 >10000
    Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-   37.7  576   7.81   6400
    Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-   66.6 1820  19.9 >10000
    Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))-D-2-Nal-Arg-  200   68.8   6.63    142
    Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-2-Nal-Arg- 9028 2628  35.8   1156
    Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-2-Nal-Arg- 9938 2390  44.6   1103
    Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A6c))-D-2-Nal-Arg- 2170 1479  16.5    451
    Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg- 1276 2756 266   1096
    Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A3c))-D-2-Nal-Arg- 7567 1922 420   2879
    Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 275)
    TABLE 7B-Binding Constants for Formula (VI) Examples
    Formula (VI) Compounds
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-   14.3  198   5.76     67.8
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-   11.9  311   5.41     73.9
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   31.6  224  19.6   2500
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-   16.0   63.9   8.64   1820
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   33.7  132  40.2   3210
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   48.3  534  74.1   3290
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   40.8  870 137   3560
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   17.7   73.6   8.40   2120
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-    7.92   46.4   6.70     21.3
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   20.9   69.7   8.32     50.0
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   12.9   38.5   3.53     27.1
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-  127  811  10.4    381
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   13.9   38.4   5.73     18.9
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-   11.7   73.1   4.28     34.7
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   36.8  290  13.7    133
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   15.3  160   8.66     33.4
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   11.6  194  11.5     28.9
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   19.3  331  26.7     44.6
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-    9.49  124   2.95   2260
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-    4.30   78.0   1.77   4540
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 287)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-    8.59   94.1   2.44   7760
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-    5.68   55.5   2.44   4220
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 285)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-    2.65   41.3   4.17    650
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-    3.52   48.7   5.78    872
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-    3.51   29.2   6.04    914
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO 288)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-    1.14   01.7   4.53    783
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 286)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   11.9    7.43   0.195     14.6
    D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 282)
    TABLE 7C-Binding Constants for Formula (VII) Examples
    Formula (VII) Compounds
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-   47.6 1100  47.1 >10000
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-   21.2  730  34.5 >10000
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-   47.4 1550  27.9 >10000
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-   53.4 1760  41.6 >10000
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-   38.5 1760  53.2   9270
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-Glu-His-D-   15.6  305   8.92   3070
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 291)
  • TABLE 8
    Radioligand Binding Assay
    Data for Selected Compounds
    Ki Ki Ki Ki
    Compound hMC1-R hMC3-R hMC4-R hMC5-R
    Ac-Tyr-Arg-c(Cys- 8.53 21.2 3.72  714
    D-Ala-His-D-Phe-
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-2-Nal-Arg-c(Cys- 6.09 34.9 2.02  864
    D-Ala-His-D-Phe-
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-1-Nal-Arg-c(Cys- 6.27 36.4 1.53  888
    D-Ala-His-D-Phe-
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Phe-Arg-c(Cys- 1.48 14.8 2.34  491
    D-Ala-His-D-Phe-
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Trp-Arg-c(Cys- 4.7 42 2.25 1470
    D-Ala-His-D-Phe-
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-Pff-Arg-c(Cys- 0.323  1.33 1.95  786
    D-Ala-His-D-Phe-
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    • Melanocortin Functional Activity and Selectivity
  • The compounds of the present invention will interact preferentially (i.e., selectively) to MC-4 relative to the other melanocortin receptors. Selectivity is particularly important when the compounds are administered to humans or other animals to minimize the number of side effects associated with their administration. MC-4 selectivity of a compound is defined herein as the ratio of the EC50 of the compound for an MC-1 receptor (EC50-MC-1) over the EC50 of the compound for the MC-3 (EC50-MC-3)/MC-4 (EC50-MC-4) receptor, the EC50 values being measured as described above. The formulas are as follows:

  • MC-3selectivity=[EC 50-MC-1]/[EC 50-MC-3]

  • MC-4 selectivity=[EC 50-MC-1]/[EC 50-MC-4]
  • A compound is defined herein as being “selective for the MC-3 receptor” when the above mentioned ratio “MC-3-selectivity” is at least about 10, preferably at least about 100, and more preferably at least about 500.
  • A compound is defined herein as being “selective for the MC-4 receptor” when the above mentioned ratio “MC-4-selectivity” is at least about 10, preferably at least about 100, and more preferably at least about 500.
  • One skilled in the art would know that procedures similar to those described herein may be used to assay the binding activities of the compounds of the invention to melanocortin receptor molecules.
    • Cyclic AMP Bioassay
  • Intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels were determined by an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay (Meso Scale Discovery®, Gaithersburg, Md.; referred to hereinafter as MSD). CHO-K1 cells stably expressing the hMC receptor subtypes were suspended in RMPI 1640 ® assay buffer (RMPI 1640 buffer contains 0.5 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), and 0.2% protein cocktail (MSD blocker A)). Transgenic CHO-K1 cells stably expressing hMC receptor subtypes 1, 3, 4 or 5 were dispensed at a density of approximately 7,000 cells/well in 384-well Multi-Array® plates (MSD) containing integrated carbon electrodes and coated with anti-cAMP antibody. Increasing concentrations of the test compounds were added and the cells were incubated for approximately 40 minutes at approximately 37° C. Following this incubation, lysis buffer (HEPES-buffered saline solution with MgCl2 and Triton X-100® at ph 7.3) containing 0.2% protein cocktail and 2.5 nM TAG™ ruthenium-labeled cAMP (MSD) was added and the cells were incubated for approximately 90 minutes at room temperature. At the end of the second incubation period read buffer (Tris-buffered solution containing an ECL co-reactant and Triton X-100 at ph 7.8) was added and the cAMP levels in the cell lysates were immediately determined by ECL detection with a Sector Imager 6000 Reader® (MSD). Data were analyzed using a computer-assisted non-linear regression analysis (XL fit; IDBS) and reported as either an EC50 value or a Kb value.
  • EC50 represents the concentration of an agonist compound needed to obtain 50% of the maximum reaction response, e.g., 50% of the maximum level of cAMP as determined using the assay described above. The Kb value reflects the potency of an antagonist and is determined by Schild analysis. In brief, concentration-response curves of an agonist are carried out in the presence of increasing concentrations of an antagonist. The Kb value is the concentration of antagonist which would produce a 2-fold shift in the concentration-response curve for an agonist. It is calculated by extrapolating the line on a Schild plot to zero on the y-axis.
  • A selection of compounds was tested using the above-discussed assays and the results are reported in Tables 9, 10, 11, and 12.
  • TABLE 9
    cAMP Bioassay Data for Selected Compounds
    Table 9A
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5- hMC1-R/ SEQ ID
    Compound R R R R MC4-R NO:
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-   5.79  5.25    0.313   1630 18.0 SEQ ID
    Ala-His-D-Phe- NO: 50
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-   6.17  5.6    0.397   1020 16.0 SEQ ID
    Ala-His-D-Phe- NO: 50
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-  26.5 10.5    0.493   2440 54.0 SEQ ID
    Ala-His-D-Phe- NO: 51
    Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-   8.43 32.4    0.959   2140  9.0 SEQ ID
    His-D-Phe-Arg- NO: 52
    Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-His-   4.23  8.09    0.719     23.2  6.0 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp- NO: 52
    Gaba-Pen)-NH2
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-  48.3 13.3    0.79  10000 61.0 SEQ ID
    Ala-His-D-Phe- NO: 51
    Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2
    Ac-D-Arg-c(Asp-   1.48  5.76    0.078    297 19.0 SEQ ID
    His-D-Phe-Arg- NO: 53
    Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2
    Ac-Arg-c(Asp-His-   1.39  2.89    0.055    467 25.0 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp- NO: 53
    Ala-Lys)-NH2
    Table 9B
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5- hMC1-R/ SEQ ID
    Compound R R R R MC4-R NO:
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-   2.4  0.33    0.078    420 31 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)- NO: 7
    NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-   0.35  1.1    0.11      0.37  3 SEQ ID
    (Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala- NO: 24
    D-Cys)-Thr-NH2
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-   0.31  0.27    0.018      3.1 17 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2 NO: 27
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-   0.28  0.24    0.028      3.9 10 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2 NO: 32
    Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-   0.37  0.1    0.021      1.7 18 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 34
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-   0.834  0.145    0.128      2.79  6.52 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)- NO: 1
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-   0.76  0.199    0.0492      1.73 15.45 SEQ ID
    Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2 NO: 2
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-   3.26  0.189    0.0949     30.2 34.35 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)- NO: 6
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-   1.37  0.628    0.131      3.48 10.46 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)- NO: 6
    NH2
    Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-   2.27  3.32    7.24    415  0.31 SEQ ID
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)- NO: 11
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His- ND  1.89    0.531 ND ND SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)- NO: 21
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-  14.3  2.03    0.183   2240 78.14 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)- NO: 22
    NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-   0.345  2.71 5376      2.38  0.06 SEQ ID
    (Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala- NO: 24
    D-Cys)-Thr-NH2
    D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-   0.685 81.8   86.9     31.8  0.01 SEQ ID
    (Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala- NO: 26
    D-Cys)-Thr-NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-   0.931  3.22    1.65 >10000  0.56 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Lys)-NH2 NO: 28
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-   3.24  0.465    0.0915     78.5 35.41 SEQ ID
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)- NO: 30
    NH2
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-   0.819  0.541    0.453     45.3  1.81 SEQ ID
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)- NO: 30
    NH2
    Table 9C
    EC50 Kb Kb EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- MC4- hMC5- SEQ ID
    Compound R R R R NO:
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-  17.6 12.4   38.8     11.8 SEQ ID
    Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 16
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-   0.619  2.98    0.109      0.189 SEQ ID
    Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-   0.913  0.536    0.346      0.489 SEQ ID
    Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2 NO: 38
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-   0.231 18.4    0.782      0.153 SEQ ID
    Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2 NO: 39
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-   0.581 10.8    0.967      0.126 SEQ ID
    Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2 NO: 39
    Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-   0.413  9.32    0.824      0.307 SEQ ID
    Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 40
    Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-   1.27  3.02    0.442      0.736 SEQ ID
    Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2 NO: 40
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2- 383 61.5   53.6   2842 SEQ ID
    Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2 NO: 16
    Table 9D
    EC50 Kb Kb EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- MC4- hMC5- SEQ ID
    Compound R R R R NO:
    Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2- 193  5.72    1.58   1111 SEQ ID
    Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 NO: 49
    ND = not determined
  • Table 10A
    EC50 Kb Kb EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5-
    Compound R R R R
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-  66.1   33.4   0.687      6.84
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 269)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg- ND 4500 105 ND
    Arg-Arg-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-
    Lys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 60)
    Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg- ND  395  16.8 ND
    Arg-Arg-Doc-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-
    Trp-Lys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 61)
    Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β- ND  207  18.5 ND
    Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β- ND  220   4.07 ND
    Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 62)
    H-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)- ND  261   3.11 ND
    Doc-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 63)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)- ND   14.1  22.8 ND
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 64)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly- ND  233  26.0 ND
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 65)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-   1.39   16.2   7.94      0.839
    Ala-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 66)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-   3.65   19.4   3.73      1.61
    Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 67)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly- ND   17.7   1.49 ND
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 68)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-   6.3   70.0   1.66     38.2
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 69)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-  12.1   30.3   1.81     70.0
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 69)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  33.6  140  12.2     66.9
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 269)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 269  105   5.92    104
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 269)
    Ac-c Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala- 690   70.7   4.56    177
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 269)
    Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-   3.23    8.97   4.61      2.86
    Doc-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 70)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  52.0  170   6.14    328
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 72)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala- 146  104  32.0   1400
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 73)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala- 114   44.6  28.4    879
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 74)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  67.1  439  46.5    582
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Aib-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 79)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 144  116   8.93    819
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  36.0   46.5  11.4     56.1
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 80)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  93.0   71  15.9 >10000
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  39.7   30.9   6.66    501
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  35.2   22.9  12.6    199
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 82)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  29.1   13.6  13.4    204
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 81)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  86.1   41.7  19.4   2360
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  38.3   20.2  21.2 >10000
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 84)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  68.6  153  33.2 >10000
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 83)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  70.4  286  18.6 >10000
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  33.1   65.1  15.3   1720
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 89)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  88.2   10.6  17.4    514
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 88)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  58.7   39.3  10.3    460
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 90)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  45.4   12.7  12.7    162
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 91)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala- 309   22.8  17.1    570
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 92)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   7.86   10.5   0.843   4900
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 139)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  29.7   25.6   7.37     82.9
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-  15.2   14.6   4.52     36.8
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-βAla-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 75)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-   6.7    9.38  11.7     46.2
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 76)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-   7.9   41.7  10.9     62.4
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Gln-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 77)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-  16.9   36.0   7.12     58.9
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 78)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-  16.4   20.8   7.31     44.2
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 85)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-  12.0   13.7   9.38     54.2
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Gln-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 86)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-   7.5   12.2   7.61     51.7
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 87)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  43.3  215   5.87   1286
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  37.9  112  41.1   1798
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 71)
    Table 10B
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5-
    Compound R R R R
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   4.70    4.56   0.634    147
    Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   5.90    7.73   1.02   2890
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 137)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   0.481    7.32   0.964   2010
    Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 136)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   7.15    9.37   1.25   1570
    Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 138)
    Table 10C
    EC50 Kb Kb EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5-
    Compound R R R R
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-β- ND ND ND ND
    Ala-Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Aib- 770  221   4.52    869
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 270)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  29   22.6  16.7    173
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 95)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala- 102   26.3  14.6    261
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 96)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  26.6  101   9.34    351
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 97)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-  45.5  181   6.35    149
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 92)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  23.7    9.22   5.87     39.7
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 99)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-  34.7   15.0   8.68     28.2
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  19.1  106   4.59    100
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 105)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  19.8   37.8   8.43    158
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 100)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  11.2   52.1   9.45     95.7
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2
    (SEQ ID NO: 101)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  33.8   93.6   4.42     89.5
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-
    Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 102)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala- 232   68.8  10.0    250
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 104)
    Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-  32.2   98.3   5.23    194
    Cys)-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ
    ID NO: 103)
    Table 10D
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5-
    Compound R R R R
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   5.66    4.70   0.422   1551
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   7.57    4.18   0.600   1792
    Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   2.36    2.74   0.260    500
    Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 141)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   2.81    3.29   0.298    566
    Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-
    Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 142)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   1.86    1.39   0.367    165
    Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 143)
    Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-   2.06    1.61   0.394    199
    Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-
    Arg-Arg-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 144)
    ND = not determined
  • TABLE 11
    Intracellular Cyclic AMP (cAMP)
    Levels for Formula (I) Examples
    Table 11A
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    Formula (V) Compounds hMC1 hMC3 hMC4 hMC5
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe- — 218  5.42 —
    Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 271)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe- —  22.3  3.62 —
    Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe- —  39.2  4.94 —
    Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-  56.7  18.2  0.182 >10000
    Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 276)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-  56.6  88.6  4.50   9300
    Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe- —  49.3  2.12 —
    Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 273)
    TABLE 11B-
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    Formula (VI) Compounds hMC1 hMC3 hMC4 hMC5
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-  54.3  12.2  0.177 >10000
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His- 124   8.05  0.214 >10000
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala- —   4.89  1.80 —
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala- —   2.56  1.47 —
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala- —   4.61  0.977 —
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala- —   9.68  1.83 —
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala- —   9.97 13.9 —
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 284)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-  14.2   2.46  0.336    201
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-  17.0  21.5  0.584    352
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-  40.2   8.90  0.495   8300
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 280)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-  17.6   2.23  0.241    516
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-   4.70   2.22  0.309    355
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-  18.0  17.1  0.160   2710
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-  12.9  10.3  0.125   7440
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 287)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-   8.83   7.86  0.0979   4010
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-   9.97   3.63  0.0687    335
    D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 285)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-   8.81  18.2  0.503   3560
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-  11.5  23.2  0.513   3950
    Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 279)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-   7.53  11.6  0.435   9840
    Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 288)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-   8.85   5.17  0.599   3610
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 286)
    Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-  96.6  13.1 21.2    103
    His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID
    NO: 282)
    TABLE 11C
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    Formula (VII) Compounds hMC1 hMC3 hMC4 hMC5
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D- —   6.28  0.407 —
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D- —   3.77  0.214 —
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D- —   4.72  0.428 —
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D- —   8.51  1.85 —
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D- —   5.66  1.72 —
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 290)
    c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-Glu-His-D-  14.5  21.8  0.576   1780
    Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 291)
  • TABLE 12
    cAMP Bioassay Data for Selected Compounds
    EC50 EC50 EC50 EC50
    hMC1- hMC3- hMC4- hMC5-
    Compound R R R R
    Ac-Tyr-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala- 6.42 2.39 0.194 1540
    His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-
    NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 292)
    Ac-2-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D- 9.66 6.11 0.275 1730
    Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-
    Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 
    292)
    Ac-1-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D- 8.67 4.21 0.363 1320
    Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-
    Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 
    292)
    Ac-Trp-Arg-c(Cys-D- 5.78 3.95 0.219 2580
    Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-
    Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 
    292)
    • In Vivo Studies
  • Compounds of the present invention can be and were tested for an effect upon insulin resistance and/or body weight according to the following procedures. One skilled in the art would know that procedures similar to those described herein may be used to assay the effect of the compounds of the invention upon insulin resistance and/or body weight.
  • Ligand compounds activating melanocortin receptors tested in the in vivo studies were as follows (Table 13):
  • TABLE 13
    Ligand Code Structure
    Compound A Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-
    Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 SEQ ID NO: 50
    Compound B Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-
    c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-
    Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 278)
    • Acute Feeding Experiments (Fasting)
  • Male Sprague Dawley rats (250 g) were housed in individual cages and maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions. The rats were fasted for 18 hours prior to the start of the experiment with water available ad libitum. At time 0, the rats were injected subcutaneously (sc) with selected compounds at doses of 100 nmole/kg, or with vehicle, and were provided with food. Individual food consumption was measured at about 2, 4 and 6 hours after injection. Data for selected compounds of the invention are reported in FIG. 1.
    • Chronic Feeding Experiments
  • Male, Sprague Dawley rats that had been fed either a normal diet (300 g; Research Diets 12450) or a high fat diet (400 g; Research Diets 12451) for 10 weeks prior to the start of the experiment were housed in individual cages and maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions with both food and water available ad libitum. The rats were anesthetized and implanted subcutaneously with an osmotic mini pump (Alzet, Cupertino, Calif.). The pumps delivered either Compound A or Compound B at doses of 75, 300 or 1200 nmole/kg/day, or vehicle for 7 days. Individual body weight and food consumption were measured daily.
  • On day 7 rats were anesthetized and fit with a jugular-right atrial cannula. On day 8 an iv glucose tolerance test was performed and blood samples were withdrawn into heparinized syringes at time −10 and 0. Immediately after the time 0 blood sample, the rats were injected with glucose (1 g/kg) via the indwelling cannula. Subsequent blood samples were withdrawn at 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 minutes later. Plasma levels of glucose (Diagnostic Chemicals Limited) and insulin (Alpco) were determined by commercially available kits. Results are shown in FIGS. 2A-D and 3A-D.
    • Glucose Tolerance Tests
  • Male, C57BL/6 mice that had been fed either a normal diet (30 g; Research Diets 12450) or a high fat diet (45 g; Research Diets 12452) for 12 weeks prior to the start of the experiment were housed in individual cages and maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions with both food and water available ad libitum. The mice were anesthetized and implanted subcutaneously with an osmotic mini pump (Alzet, Cupertino, Calif.). The pumps delivered Compound A at doses of 200, 600 or 1800 nmole/kg/day, or vehicle for 14 days. On day 14 the mice were fasted for 18 hours or overnight. On day 15 an glucose tolerance test was performed by injecting the mice with glucose (2 g/kg) ip. Blood samples were taken by tail stick at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 180 minutes after the glucose injection and blood glucose level was measured using an Accu-Chek glucometer. Results are shown in FIG. 4.
  • Male, Lepob/Lepob mice (50 g) were group housed maintained under 12:12 hour light:dark conditions with both food and water available ad libitum. The mice were fasted for 18 hours or overnight and an ip glucose tolerance test was performed. Mice were injected with Compound A ip at a dose of 6.4 μmole/kg at −15 minutes and a blood sample was taken by tail stick. At time 0 mice were injected ip with glucose (1 g/kg) and blood samples were taken by tail stick at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes later and blood glucose level was measured using Glucometer Elite XL (Bayer Corporation). Results are shown in FIG. 5.
    • Administration and Use
  • The peptides of this invention can be provided in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Examples of such salts include, but are not limited to, those formed with organic acids (e.g., acetic, lactic, maleic, citric, malic, ascorbic, succinic, benzoic, methanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, or pamoic acid), inorganic acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid), and polymeric acids (e.g., tannic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, polylactic, polyglycolic, or copolymers of polylactic-glycolic acids). A typical method of making a salt of a peptide of the present invention is well known in the art and can be accomplished by standard methods of salt exchange. Accordingly, the TFA salt of a peptide of the present invention (the TFA salt results from the purification of the peptide by using preparative HPLC, eluting with TFA containing buffer solutions) can be converted into another salt, such as an acetate salt, by dissolving the peptide in a small amount of 0.25 N acetic acid aqueous solution. The resulting solution is applied to a semi-prep HPLC column (Zorbax®, 300 SB, C-8). The column is eluted with: (1) 0.1N ammonium acetate aqueous solution for 0.5 hours; (2) 0.25N acetic acid aqueous solution for 0.5 hours; and (3) a linear gradient (20% to 100% of solution B over 30 minutes) at a flow rate of 4 ml/min (solution A is 0.25N acetic acid aqueous solution; solution B is 0.25N acetic acid in acetonitrile/water, 80:20). The fractions containing the peptide are collected and lyophilized to dryness.
  • As is well known to those skilled in the art, the known and potential uses of peptides with melanocortin receptor (MC-R) agonist or antagonist activity is varied and multitudinous, thus the administration of the compounds of this invention for purposes of eliciting an agonist effect can have the same effects and uses as melanocortin itself.
  • Accordingly, the present invention includes within its scope pharmaceutical compositions comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of the compounds of formula (I) in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • The dosage of active ingredient in the compositions of this invention may be varied; however, it is necessary that the amount of the active ingredient be such that a suitable dosage form is obtained. The selected dosage depends upon the desired therapeutic effect, on the route of administration, and on the duration of the treatment. In general, an effective dosage for the activities of this invention is in the range of 1×10−7 to 200 mg/kg/day, preferably 1×10−4 to 100 mg/kg/day which can be administered as a single dose or divided into multiple doses.
  • The compounds of this invention can be administered by oral, parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous or subcutaneous injection, or implant), nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual or topical routes of administration and can be formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to provide dosage forms appropriate for each route of administration.
  • Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is admixed with at least one inert pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as sucrose, lactose, or starch. Such dosage forms can also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than such inert diluents, e.g., lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings.
  • Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, the elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water. Besides such inert diluents, compositions can also include adjuvants, such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, and sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents.
  • Preparations according to this invention for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, or emulsions. Examples of non-aqueous solvents or vehicles are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils, such as olive oil and corn oil, gelatin, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Such dosage forms may also contain adjuvants such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing agents. Preparations may be sterilized by, for example, filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporating sterilizing agents into the compositions, by irradiating the compositions, or by heating the compositions. Preparations can also be manufactured in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved in sterile water or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use.
  • Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which may contain, in addition to the active substance, excipients such as cocoa butter or a suppository wax.
  • Compositions for nasal or sublingual administration are also prepared with standard excipients well known in the art.
  • Further, a compound of this invention can be administered in a sustained release composition such as those described in the following patents and patent applications. U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,659 teaches sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent and a polyester. U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,760 teaches sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent in a gelable form. U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,221 teaches polymeric sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent and chitosan. U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,883 teaches sustained release compositions comprising a bioactive agent and cydodextrin. The teachings of the foregoing patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (35)

What is claimed is:
1. A method of treating insulin resistance in a subject in need thereof, comprising peripheral administration of an effective amount of a melanocortin receptor 4 agonist to treat said insulin resistance in said subject in need thereof.
2. The method according to claim 1, where in said melanocortin receptor 4 agonist useful to treat insulin resistance is selected from the group consisting of:
SEQ ID NO: 1 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trpβ-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 1 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-A6c-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 2 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 3 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 3 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 3 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 2 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 4 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 5 Ac-A6c-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 6 Ac-D-2-Nal-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 6 Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 6 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 7 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 7 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 7 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 7 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 7 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 8 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 8 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 8 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 8 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 8 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 8 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 9 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 9 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 9 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 9 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 9 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-Gly-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 10 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 10 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 10 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-β-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 10 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Gaba-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 10 Ac-Nle-c(D-Cys-Aib-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-Oic-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-D-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-Nip-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-hPro-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-hLeu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-D-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 12 n-butanoyl-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-β-hMet-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 11 Ac-Gaba-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 13 Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 13 Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 13 Ac-Leu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 13 Ac-hLeu-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 13 Ac-Phe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 14 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 14 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 14 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 14 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Aha-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 14 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 15 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 15 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 15 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 15 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 15 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 16 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 16 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 16 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 17 n-butanoyl-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 17 n-butanoyl-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 18 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 18 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 18 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 59 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 19 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 20 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 21 Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 22 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 22 Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 23 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 24 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 25 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 24 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 26 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 26 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 27 Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 28 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 28 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 29 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 30 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Abu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 30 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Val-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 30 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ile-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 30 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 30 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Tle-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 30 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 31 Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 32 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 32 Ac-Nle-c(Pen-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 33 Ac-Leu-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 33 Ac-Cha-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 33 Ac-Ile-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 33 Ac-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 33 Ac-Val-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 33 Ac-2-Nal-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 34 Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 34 Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 35 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Pal-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 36 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 37 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 38 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 38 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 39 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 39 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 40 Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 40 Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 41 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 42 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 43 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 43 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 43 D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-D-Cys)-Thr-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 42 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 41 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 44 Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 44 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 44 Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 44 Ac-D-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 44 Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 44 Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 44 Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 45 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 45 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 45 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 45 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 46 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 46 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 46 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 46 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 47 Ac-Nle-c(Pen-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 48 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-OH;  SEQ ID NO: 49 Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 50 Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 50 Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 51 Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 52 Ac-D-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 52 Ac-Arg-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 51 Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 53 Ac-D-Arg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 53 Ac-Arg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 35 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-3-Pal-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-D-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 54 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 55 Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 55 Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 56 Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 56 Ac-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 57 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 57 Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-NH2;  SEQ ID NO: 58 Ac-Nle-c(Asp-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Bal-Ala-Lys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 60) Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 61) Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-Doc-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 62) Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 62) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 63) Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 64) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 65) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 66) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 67) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 68) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 69) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 69) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 70) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 71) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 72) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 73) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 74) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 75) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-Arg-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 76) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-Gln-(Arg)5-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 77) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- Lys-Gln-Lys-(Arg)5-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 78) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)4-Gln-Arg-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 79) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Aib-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 80) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 80) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 81) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 82) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 82) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 81) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 83) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 84) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 83) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 85) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)2-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 86) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- Gln-(Lys)2-(Arg)5-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 87) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)5-Gln-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 71) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 71) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- (Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 88) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 89) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys- (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 88) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 90) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2- Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 91) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 92) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys- (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 95) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2- Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 96) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 97) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 92) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys- (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 98) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 99) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys- (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 101) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg- Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 104) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 105) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 100) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2- Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 101) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys- (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 102) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys- (Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 103) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys- (Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 113) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 113) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 114) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 114) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 115) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 115) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 116) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 116) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 118) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 118) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 119) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 120) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 120) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly- (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 121) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 121) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly- (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 122) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 122) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly- (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 124) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)6-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 125) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 125) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 126) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 126) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly- (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 127) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 127) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly- (Arg)6-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 128) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 128) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly- (Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 130) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 130) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 133) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 134) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 134) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5- Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 135) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 135) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Arg-Asp-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)6- Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 136) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 137) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-Arg-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 136) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-Arg-(Lys)2-(Arg)2-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 138) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 138) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 139) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 140) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 141) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 142) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 141) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 142) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 143) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)2-Lys-(Arg)2-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 144) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Arg-Lys-(Arg)3-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 148) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 148) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 149) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;; (SEQ ID NO: 149) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 151) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 150) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 150) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 151) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 152) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 152) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 154) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 153) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 154) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 155) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 155) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 157) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 156) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 156) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 157) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 158) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 158) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 159) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 160) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 161) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 162) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 164) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 163) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 163) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 164) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 165) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 165) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 166) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 166) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 168) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 167) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 167) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 168) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 170) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 169) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 169) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 170) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2- Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 171) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 171) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 173) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 172) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 172) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 173) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 174) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 174) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 175) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 176) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 177) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 178) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 179) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 180) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 181) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 182) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 183) Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 184) Ac-Cha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 183) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 185) Ac-Nle-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 186) Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 185) Ac-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 186) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 188) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 187) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 188) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 189) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 190) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 189) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 190) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 191) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 192) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 191) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 192) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 193) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 194) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 193) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 194) Ac-hCha-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 195) Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 196) Ac-D-Chg-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 197) Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 198) Ac-hPhe-c(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Lys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 199) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 200) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 199) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 200) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-Ahx-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 201) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 202) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-D-Trp-β-Ala-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 203) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 203) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 205) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 204) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 204) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 205) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 207) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 206) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 206) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 207) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 208) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 208) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 209) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 210) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 209) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 211) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 212) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 213) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 213) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 267) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 214) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 216) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 214) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 217) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 215) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 216) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 215) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 217) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-Arg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 218) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 219) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 218) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 219) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 221) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 220) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 221) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 222) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 223) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 222) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 223) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 224) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 225) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 224) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 225) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Trp-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 227) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 226) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 228) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 227) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 228) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 229) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 230) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 232) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 231) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln- (Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 232) D-Phe-c(Cys-His-D-(Et)Tyr-hArg-Bip-β-Ala-D-Cys)-Thr-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 233) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 234) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 235) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 236) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 235) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 236) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 237) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 238) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 237) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 238) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 239) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 240) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 239) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 240) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 241) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 242) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 241) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 242) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Apn-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 243) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 244) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 243) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 244) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 245) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 246) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 245) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 246) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 247) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 248) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 247) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 248) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 249) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 250) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 249) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 250) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Leu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 251) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 252) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 251) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 252) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 253) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 254) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 253) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 254) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 255) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 256) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 255) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 256) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 257) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 258) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 257) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 258) Ac-Nle-c(Cys-D-Cha-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 259) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 260) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 259) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 260) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 261) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 262) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-β-Ala-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 261) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 262) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(β-Ala)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 263) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 264) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 263) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 264) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)3-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 265) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 266) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-Doc-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 265) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-Tyr-Gly-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 266) Nle-c(Cys-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gaba-Cys)-(Doc)2-(Arg)5-Gln-(Arg)4-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 268) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-4-Br-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 269) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 269) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 269) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-1-Nal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 210) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Bal-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 270) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-β-Ala-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 270) Ac-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-2-Nal-Aib-Cys)-(Pro)2-Lys-Asp-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 271) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 271) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(hCys-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 272) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cys-D-Ala))-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 272) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(hCys-D-Ala))-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 273) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 273) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 273) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 273) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 274) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-His))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 274) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A3c))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 274) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 274) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A6c))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A3c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A6c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-A5c))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 274) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 274) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-Aic))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 275) c[Hydantoin-(C(O)-(Asp-Apc))-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 276) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Orn]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 276) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dab]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 276) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-D-Ala))-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 277) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Glu-His))-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Dap]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 278) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 278) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 278) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 280) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 280) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pen)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 281) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 281) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 278) Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 279) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 282) Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 282) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 283) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 283) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 283) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Nle))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 284) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Nle))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 285) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 285) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 286) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 286) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 287) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 288) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 288) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-D-Arg))-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 289) Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Ala))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ala-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2,  (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Nle-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(D-Ala-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Aib-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Val-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Abu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Leu-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Ile-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Cha-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(A6c-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Phe-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2; (SEQ ID NO: 290) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 291) c[Hydantoin(C(O)-(Gly-Cys))-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 292) Ac-Tyr-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 292) Ac-2-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 292) Ac-1-Nal-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 292) Ac-Phe-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 292) Ac-Trp-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 292) Ac-Pff-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 293) H-His-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2;  (SEQ ID NO: 292) Ac-His-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2; 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said compound is Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:50) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said compound is Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:278) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said subject is obese.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein said subject is overweight.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said subject is normal weight.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said subject is lean.
9. The method according to claim 5, wherein said obese subject suffers from type II diabetes.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein said overweight subject suffers from type II diabetes.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein said normal weight subject suffers from type II diabetes.
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said lean subject suffers from type II diabetes.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral administration is oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravenous, rectal, transdermal or intranasal.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said administration is continuous, hourly, four times daily, three time daily, twice daily, once daily, once every other day, twice weekly, once weekly, once every two weeks, once a month, or once every two months.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said administration is continuous.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said administration is once daily.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said administration is once weekly
18. The method according to claim 14, wherein said administration is once every two weeks.
19. The method according to claim 14, wherein said administration is once a month.
20. The method according to claim 14, wherein said administration is once every two months.
21. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said peripheral administration of an effective amount of a melanocortin receptor 4 agonist to treat said insulin resistance in a subject need thereof also reduces the body weight of said subject in need thereof.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said compound is Ac-Arg-c(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:50) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said compound is Hydantoin(C(O)-(Arg-Gly))-c(Cys-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:278) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
24. The method according to any one of claims 21-23, wherein said subject is obese.
25. The method according to any one of claims 21-23, wherein said subject is overweight.
26. The method according to claim 24, wherein said obese subject suffers from type II diabetes.
27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said overweight subject suffers from type II diabetes.
28. The method according to claim 21, wherein said peripheral administration is oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravenous, rectal, transdermal or intranasal.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein said administration is continuous, hourly, four times daily, three time daily, twice daily, once daily, once every other day, twice weekly, once weekly, once every two weeks, once a month, or once every two months.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein said administration is continuous.
31. The method according to claim 29, wherein said administration is once daily.
32. The method according to claim 29, wherein said administration is once weekly
33. The method according to claim 29, wherein said administration is once every two weeks.
34. The method according to claim 29, wherein said administration is once a month.
35. The method according to claim 29, wherein said administration is once every two months.
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