Abstract: The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind to CTLA-4 and that are capable of increasing the response of T cells to antigenic stimulation in vivo yet the antibodies do not substantially block the binding of CTLA-4 to B7 ligands (e.g., B7-1 and B7-2) in vitro. Thus, the antibodies of the invention demonstrate that is it possible to separate the immunostimulatory function of anti-CTLA-4 antibodies from their ability to block the binding of B7 ligands. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for increasing the response of T cells to antigenic stimulation using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating cancer using the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: Fully human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to human 4-1BB and that allow binding of human 4-1BB to a human 4-1BB ligand. In one aspect, the antibody is an IgG4 antibody. Also provided is a method for treating a disease in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody to said subject.

Abstract: VEGFR-2 biomarkers useful in a method for identifying and monitoring a mammal that will respond therapeutically to a method of treating cancer comprising administering an VEGFR-2 modulator, wherein the method comprises (a) exposing the mammal to the VEGFR-2 modulator and (b) measuring in the mammal the level of the at least one biomarker, wherein a difference in the level of the at least one biomarker measured in (b) compared to the level of the biomarker in a mammal that has not been exposed to the VEGFR-2 modulator indicates that the mammal will respond therapeutically to the method of treating cancer and (c) wherein the level of the biomarker in a mammal after exposure to a VEGFR-2 modulator indicates that the mammal has responded therapeutically to the method of treating cancer.

Abstract: Biomarkers that are useful for identifying a mammal that will respond therapeutically or is responding therapeutically to a method of treating cancer that comprises administering a microtubule-stabilizing agent. In one aspect, the cancer is breast cancer, and the microtubule-stabilizing agent is an epothilone or analog or derivative thereof, or ixabepilone.

Abstract: Fully human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to human 4-1BB and that allow binding of human 4-1BB to a human 4-1BB ligand. In one aspect, the antibody is an IgG4 antibody. Also provided is a method for treating a disease in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody to said subject.

Abstract: Fully human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to human 4-1BB and that allow binding of human 4-1BB to a human 4-1BB ligand. In one aspect, the antibody is an IgG4 antibody. Also provided is a method for treating a disease in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody to said subject.

Abstract: A transgenic non-human mammal whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a constructively activated tyrosine kinase receptor introduced into the mammal, or an ancestor of the mammal, at an embryonic stage. The transgenic non-human mammals can be used as ligand-independent in vivo models for the identification and development of selective tyrosine kinase modulators for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A method of automatically conducting patch clamp testing is provided wherein a liquid interface is utilized. The liquid interface is defined in a liquid suspension between layers of distinct densities such that cells introduced into the liquid suspension float towards the interface. Thus, the cells are locatable relative to the interface.

Abstract: The first crystal structure of the androgen receptor ligand binding domain has been determined to 2.0 angstrom resolution. Disclosed are the coordinates for the crystal structure, and methods for determining agonists, partial agonists, antagonists, partial antagonists and selective androgen receptors modulators (SARMs) of the androgen receptor.

Abstract: A humanized antibody that binds to human 4-1BB and that allows binding of human 4-1BB to a human 4-1BB ligand. In one aspect, the antibody is an IgG4 antibody. Also provided is a method for treating cancer in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody to said subject.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby for epothilone B hydroxylase and mutants and variants thereof and a ferredoxin located downstream from the epothilone B hydroxylase gene are provided. Also provided are vectors and cells containing these vectors. In addition, methods for producing recombinant microorganisms, methods for using these recombinant microorganism to produce hydroxyalkyl-bearing epothilones and an epothilone analog produced by a mutant of epothilone B hydroxylase are provided.

Abstract: Methods for determining whether a test agent inhibits a 17?-HSD3, the methods comprising: obtaining a recombinant host cell that expresses the 17?-HSD3; obtaining a reaction mixture comprising the 17?-HSD3, androstenedione, and the test agent; measuring the amount of testosterone in the reaction mixture by a scintillation proximity assay (SPA) using SPA beads conjugated with a testosterone-specific antibody, wherein when the amount of testosterone is lower in the presence of a test agent than in the absence of the test agent, the test agent is identified as an inhibitor of the 17?-HSD3.

Abstract: Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) having antagonist activity in hormone-dependent tumors while exhibiting no activity or agonist activity against other nontumor tissues containing the androgen receptor as well as methods for identifying, designing and using SARMs are provided.

Abstract: A humanized antibody that binds to human 4-1BB and that allows binding of human 4-1BB to a human 4-1BB ligand. In one aspect, the antibody is an IgG4 antibody. Also provided is a method for treating cancer in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody to said subject.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby for epothilone B hydroxylase and mutants and variants thereof and a ferredoxin located downstream from the epothilone B hydroxylase gene are provided. Also provided are vectors and cells containing these vectors. In addition, methods for producing recombinant microorganisms, methods for using these recombinant microorganism to produce hydroxyalkyl-bearing epothilones and an epothilone analog produced by a mutant of epothilone B hydroxylase are provided.

Abstract: A method wherein a radiolabelled compound is localized at a thrombus. Two-dimensional images, representing a physical property associated with the radiolabelled thrombus, are acquired and assembled into a three-dimensional matrix of data. The three-dimensional matrix of data is then scanned along an array of parallel lines to determine a maximum value along each line. The maximum value along each line is then assigned to a pixel in a two-dimensional array, where the relative position of the pixel in the two-dimensional array corresponds to the relative position of the line in the array of parallel lines.

Abstract: The first crystal structure of the androgen receptor ligand binding domain has been determined to 2.0 angstrom resolution. Disclosed are the coordinates for the crystal structure, and methods for determining agonists, partial agonists, antagonists, partial antagonists and selective androgen receptors modulators (SARMs) of the androgen receptor.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel compounds of the formula: (Q)d—Ln—Ch, useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, methods of imaging tumors in a patient, and methods of treating cancer in a patient. The present invention also provides novel compounds useful for monitoring therapeutic angiogenesis treatment and destruction of new angiogenic vasculature. The present invention also provides novel compounds useful for imaging atherosclerosis, restenosis, cardiac ischemia, and myocardial reperfusion injury. The present invention also provides novel compounds useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The pharmaceuticals are comprised of a targeting moiety that binds to a receptor that is upregulated during angiogenesis, an optional linking group, and a therapeutically effective radioisotope or diagnostically effective imageable moiety.

Abstract: Low density microspheres, methods for preparing same, and use of same as contrast agents are described. The microspheres have a void having a volume that comprises at least about 75% of the total volume of the microspheres, and which contains a gas or the vapor of a volatile liquid selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, tetraalkyl silanes and perfluorocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel diagnostic compositions comprising a radiolabeled LTB4 binding agent and a radiolabeled perfusion imaging agent, diagnostic kits comprising such compositions, and methods of concurrent imaging in a mammal comprising administering a radiolabeled LTB4 binding agent and a radiolabeled perfusion imaging agent, and concurrently detecting the radiolabeled LTB4 binding agent bound at the LTB4 receptor and the radiolabeled perfusion imaging agent.