Abstract: There are provided polynucleotides that are modulated by hypoxic conditions. The disclosure includes such genes and proteins as well as analogs, salts and functional derivatives of such proteins, and DNA encoding such analogs, and methods of use. Methods for treating the effects of stroke, hypoxia and/or ischemia by regulating such genes or proteins are also disclosed. The presence of hypoxia or a hypoxia-associated pathology may be diagnosed by screening for the presence of at least one polynucleotide having the nucleic acid sequence according to the present invention. Methods of regulating hypoxia associated pathologies are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting metastasis or maintenance of various cancers are provided. In particular, the method makes use of fact that certain trafficking of cancers depend upon identified proteins, which serve as markers. Additional methods of screening are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides the TWEAK receptor and methods for identifying and using agonists and antagonists of the TWEAK receptor. In particular, the invention provides methods of screening for agonists and antagonists and for treating diseases or conditions mediated by angiogenesis, such as solid tumors and vascular deficiencies of cardiac or peripheral tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating tumors. Disclosed methods and compositions enhance the uptake of immunocytokines into tumors, and are based on a combination of an immunocytokine with an immunocytokine uptake enhancing agent. Disclosed methods and compositions are particularly useful for reducing tumor size and metastasis in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunostimulatory peptide derived from an Hsp70 protein and peptides comprising said immunostimulatory peptide. Furthermore the present invention pertains to polynucleotides encoding said peptide, vectors comprising said polynucleotides, fusion (poly)peptides comprising said peptide and compositions comprising said peptide. In addition the present invention relates to the use of said peptide, polynucleotide, vector or fusion (poly)peptide, for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases and for the stimulation of natural killer cell (NK cell) activity.

Abstract: A tumor antigen that comprises, as an active ingredient, a product of the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene WT1 or a peptide composed of 7-30 contiguous amino acids containing an anchor amino acid for binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in said amino acid sequence, and a vaccine comprising said antigen.

Abstract: The use of an ScFv Ab (ScFv Ab) capable of recognizing a disease associated molecule (DAM) in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of a disease condition associated with a DAM is described. The ScFv Ab has therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic applications.

Abstract: The present application describes a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of monoclonal antibody DS6, monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the antigen or epitope bound by monoclonal antibody DS6, and fragments of the foregoing that specifically bind to the antigen or epitope bound by monoclonal antibody DS6. Methods of use of such antibodies and the isolated antigen bound by such antibodies are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-cancer agent containing ?-chain protein (?-fragment) of HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) as an active ingredient. The active ingredient of ?-fragment has a specific suppressing effect on invasion and metastasis of cancer cells such as gallbladder cancer, lung cancer and other, which are highly metastatic and result in a high mortality. Therefore, the agent of the invention is used in treatment and prevention of cancer as an anti-cancer agent, and is extremely useful clinically.

Abstract: The present invention provides the TWEAK receptor and methods for identifying and using agonists and antagonists of the TWEAK receptor. In particular, the invention provides methods of screening for agonists and antagonists and for treating diseases or conditions mediated by angiogenesis, such as solid tumors and vascular deficiencies of cardiac or peripheral tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having a potent cell-death inducing activity that is, a fused protein is in which a modified Bax protein fused with GFP at the N-terminus and is further fused with a homing signal peptide having a homing activity specific for endothelial cells in tumor angiogenesis; a gene coding the fused protein; and a cancer cell growth inhibitor containing the fused protein. Namely, a fused gene containing a cell death-inducing gene acting specially on cancer tissue, which is a fused gene having a gene encoding a homing signal peptide sequence specific for endothelial cells undergoing angiogenesis, a gene encoding a green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a gene encoding ?NBax protein, which is human Bax with a deletion of the N-terminal sequence containing the BH3 domain in this order, and a fusion protein encoded by the fused gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides for immunoliposomes that optimizes internalization of a drug into target cells bearing a characteristic cell surface marker. The immunoliposomes comprise an Fab? domain of an antibody that specifically binds the characteristic marker, an amphipathic vesicle-forming lipid, and a polyethylene glycol derivatized lipid. The invention also provides for growth-inhibiting immunoliposomes that lack growth-inhibiting therapeutic agents and yet are capable of inhibiting the growth and proliferation of target cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel humanized and other recombinant or engineered antibodies or monoclonal antibodies to the vitronectin ?v?3 receptor and to the genes encoding same. Such antibodies are useful for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of ?v?3-mediated disorders, such as restenosis, in human patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides MHC Class II restricted melanoma antigens recognized by CD4+ T cells. This invention further provides prophylactic and therapeutic applications for the Class II restricted melanoma antigens. In particular, this invention provides tyrosinase Class II restricted melanoma antigens, as well as tyrosinase immunogenic peptides which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. These antigens can serve as an immunogens or vaccines to prevent or treat melanoma. In addition a method for isolating Class II restricted melanoma antigens or identifying new Class II restricted melanoma antigens is provided.

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. Nucelotide 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: A reshaped human antibody to the human IL-6R, comprising: (A) an L chain comprising, (1) a human L chain C region, and (2) an L chain V region comprising human L chain framework regions (FRs), and mouse L chain complementary determination regions (CDRs) of a momoclonal antibody to the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R); and (B) an H chain comprising, (1) a human H chain C region, and (2) an H chain V region comprising human H chain FRS, and mouse H chain CDRs of a monoclonal antibody to the IL-6R. Since major portion of the reshaped human antibody is derived from a human antibody and the mouse CDRs which are less immunogenic, the present reshaped human antibody is less immunogenic to human, and therefor is promised for therapeutic uses.

Abstract: We have discovered p40, the shortest variant of a new human p53 homologue (p40/p51/p63/p73H). We have also found that it plays a role in cancer. Low level amplification of the p40 locus accompanied by RNA and protein overexpression was observed in primary lung cancers, and head and neck cancer cell lines. P40 protein overexpression in primary lung tumors was limited to squamous cell carcinoma, tumors known to harbor a high frequency of p53 mutations. Overexpression of p40 in Rat 1a cells led to an increase in soft agar growth and tumor size in mice. We searched for p40 binding proteins using the yeast two-hybrid system. P53 was the most common binding target of the 1.6×106 clones screened from a mouse embryonic library. Moreover, coexpression of p40 and p53 led to a decrease in p53 transcriptional activity. Our results support the notion that p40 plays an oncogenic role in human cancer.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing ovarian neoplasia, monitoring ovarian cancer therapy, and monitoring progression of disease in subjects based on the level of the proform of major basic protein in biological samples from the subjects are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods useful for activating LT-? receptor signaling, which in turn elicits potent anti-proliferative effects on tumor cells. More particularly, this invention relates to lymphotoxin heteromeric complexes formed between lymphotoxin-? and multiple subunits of lymphotoxin-?, which induce cytotoxic effects on tumor cells in the presence of lymphotoxin-? receptor activating agents. Also within the scope of this invention are antibodies directed against the lymphotoxin-? receptor which act as lymphotoxin-? receptor activating agents alone or in combination with other lymphotoxin-? receptor activating agents either in the presence or absence of lymphotoxin-?/? complexes. A screening method for selecting such antibodies is provided. This invention also relates to compositions and methods using cross-linked anti-lymphotoxin-? receptor antibodies either alone or in the presence of other lymphotoxin-? receptor activating agents to potentiate tumor cell cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Chimeric antibodies specific to human CD4 antigen, DNA encoding, pharmaceutical compositions containing and use thereof as therapeutic agents are taught. These chimeric antibodies contain Old World monkey variable sequences and human constant domain sequences, preferably human gamma 1, gamma 4 or mutated forms thereof. These antibodies possess desirable therapeutic properties including low antigenicity, reduced (or absent) T cell depleting activity, good affinity to human CD4 and enhanced stability (in vivo half-life).