Abstract: This invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to and neutralize botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) and the epitopes bound by those antibodies. The antibodies and derivatives thereof and/or other antibodies that specifically bind to the neutralizing epitopes provided herein can be used to neutralize botulinum neurotoxin and are therefore also useful in the treatment of botulism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cancer therapeutic agent containing as an active ingredient a substance, particularly CRM197 which inhibits the binding of HB-EGF to EGF receptor by binding to HB-EGF, wherein a cancer is selected from the group consisting of a bladder cancer, a colon cancer or peritoneal metastatic cancers of a stomach cancer and a pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: A novel gene 251P5G2 and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 251P5G2 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 251P5G2 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 251P5G2 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 251P5G2 can be used in active or passive immunization.

Abstract: Described is the use of antibodies which are directed against human cellular membrane antigens for the vaccination against cancer diseases.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods for the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of an LIV-1. More specifically, the compositions include DNA and amino acid sequences of an LIV-1, antibodies to an LIV-1, and methods for the treatment of a mammal susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer wherein an LIV-1 is overexpressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides capable of raising a specific T-cell response, wherein the polypeptide comprises a peptide consisting of at least 9 consecutive amino acid residues of ML-IAP, as well as to the use of such polypeptides as medicaments. The invention furthermore relates to use of such polypeptides for treatment of a clinical condition, such as cancer. The invention also relates to methods of selecting a peptide comprising a peptide fragment of ML-IAP for use in a vaccine compositions as well as to vaccine compositions comprising isolated ML-IAP (SEQ ID NO:1) and/or one or more polypeptide fragments thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to antibodies directed to the antigen monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and uses of such antibodies. In particular, in accordance with some embodiments, there are provided fully human monoclonal antibodies directed to the antigen MCP-1. Nucleotide sequences encoding, and amino acid sequences comprising, heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly sequences corresponding to contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the framework regions and/or complementarity determining regions (CDRs), specifically from FR1 through FR4 or CDR1 through CDR3, are provided. Hybridomas or other cell lines expressing such immunoglobulin molecules and monoclonal antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting an effectiveness of chemotherapy using an anticancer agent with high probability. The effectiveness is predicted based on a comparison of a parameter relating to CDK and/or CDK inhibitor in a tumor cell specimen obtained from a patient, with a corresponding threshold value to the parameter. The patient to be subjected this sensitivity prediction test of an anticancer agent is administered with the anticancer agent prior to removal of the tumor cell. The threshold is predetermined based on data of correlation between the selected parameter and anticancer agent therapy results obtained from a number of patients actually performed the therapy. Accordingly, the predicting method can provide information useful for determining whether to perform the chemotherapy to individual patients.

Abstract: The diverse receptor-ligand pairs of the Wnt and frizzled (Fzd) families play important roles during embryonic development, and thus may be overexpressed in cancers that arise from immature cells. The mRNA levels and expression levels of 5 Wnt (Wnt-1, 5a, 7a, 10b, 13) and 2 Fzd (Fzd-2, 5) genes in 10 head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines (HNSCC) were investigated. In addition, anti-Wnt-1 antibodies were used to study the Wnt/Fzd signalling pathway. These results indicate that HNSCC cell lines overexpress one or more Wnt and Fzd genes, and the growth and survival of a subset of HNSCC may depend on the Wnt/Fzd pathway. Therefore, The Wnt and Fzd receptors may be useful targets for immunotherapy of this common cancer.

Abstract: A stable lyophilized protein formulation is described which can be reconstituted with a suitable diluent to generate a high protein concentration reconstituted formulation which is suitable for subcutaneous administration. For example, anti-IgE and anti-HER2 antibody formulations have been prepared by lyophilizing these antibodies in the presence of a lyoprotectant. The lyophilized mixture thus formed is reconstituted to a high protein concentration without apparent loss of stability of the protein.

Abstract: The invention provides the identification and characterization of a disease and cancer-associated antigen, KID24. The invention also provides modulators of KID24, including a family of monoclonal antibodies that bind to antigen KID24, and methods of diagnosing and treating various human cancers and diseases associated with KID24.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for restoring growth inhibition sensitivity to a tumor cell resistant to growth inhibition by HER2 antagonists. The methods involve administering a PCDGF antagonist to the cell in an amount effective to stimulate or restore growth inhibition sensitivity to HER2 antagonists. The invention also provides treatment regimens, and therapeutic compositions comprising an HER2 antagonist and a PCDGF antagonist.

Abstract: Induction of apoptosis in target cells is a key mechanism by which chemotherapy induces cell killing. An in vitro system has been established for determining carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol) chemosensitivity of epithelial ovarian cancer cells, where measurements of caspase-3 activation are surrogate markers for activation of chemotherapy-induced programmed cell death. To validate the assay as a predictor of clinical chemotherapy-induced programmed cell death. To validate the assay as a predictor of clinical chemosensitivity in vitro apoptotic response were compared to the clinical response of the patients from whom the tumor cells were isolated. Caspase-3 activation in response to in vitro chemotherapy to both drugs was shown to have an 83% positive predictive value and a 71% negative predictive value. Markers of apoptosis such as caspase-3 activation can be quantitated and utilized to predict the clinical response to chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of IL13 dependent neoplastic disorders comprising the administration of novel anti-IL13 antibodies, The invention also includes diagnosing such tumors or cancer using the antibodies of the present invention to detect overexpression of IL13 in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells which act to stimulate and induce an immunological response when administered to an individual. In particular, it relates to cells which express both allogeneic and syngeneic MHC determinants and which also express at least one antigen recognized by T lymphocytes. The invention is also directed to methods of inducing an immune response and methods of treating tumors by administering the semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells to an individual.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for detecting cancers and for evaluating the prognosis of cancer patients. In particular, the methods of this invention utilize YKL-40 as a marker for the presence or absence of a cancer and for the prognosis (e.g. likelihood of recurrence) of a cancer. Elevated levels of YKL-40 are indicative of the presence of a cancer in undiagnosed subjects and indicate likely recurrence of the cancer in subjects diagnosed as having a cancer.

Abstract: A method is described for the diagnosis of an ovarian or endometrial tumor or for a prognosis, characterized in that the L1 level is determined in a patient sample, preferably via an anti L1 antibody, the presence of L1 being an indication of the presence of an ovarian or endometrial tumor or a predisposition for such a tumor. Furthermore, methods for treating of ovarian or endometrial tumors are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides 5T4 tumour-associated antigen (TAA) for use in a method of immunotherapy of tumours. The invention also relates to a recombinant poxvirus vector from which at least one immune evasion gene has been deleted, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a 5T4 TAA and the use thereof in vaccinating against and in treating tumours.

Abstract: The present inventors extensively studied and found that an antibody binding to PepT has cytotoxic activity and inhibits cell growth. These results suggest that an antibody binding to PepT, particularly an antibody having a cytotoxic activity, can be used as a cell growth inhibitor, for example, in treating and preventing cancer.

Abstract: A method of imaging apoptosis in vivo, using radiolabeled annexin, is described.