Polypeptides having homology to regions of the N-terminal 50 residues of human Annexin 1 are provided for medical use as anti-inflammatory agents. Some of the polypeptides have homology to the N-terminal 48 residues of human Annexin 1, especially to residues 2-48 and 11-48 thereof. In some embodiments, properties of these compounds are improved by at least one modification at residues corresponding to residues 11, 22, 25 and/or 36 of human Annexin 1, and/or by C-terminal amidation of the polypeptide. Analogs of amino acids 2-26 of human Annexin 1, especially acetylated at the N-terminus and/or amidated at the C-terminus and having modifications at 11 and/or 22 are also disclosed for medical use as anti-inflammatory agents.
