Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating a mammal harboring a solid tumor which expresses higher levels of High Affinity Laminin Receptors (LAMR) than normal cells of the same lineage comprising systematically administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a Replication Competent (RC) Sindbis virus vector, wherein said vector encodes a suicide gene.

Abstract: A method for inducing differentiation of an embryonic stem cell into an ectodermal cell and an ectoderm-derived cell, which comprises culturing the embryonic stem cell under non-aggregation conditions; a medium and a medium supernatant used in the method; an agent for inducing differentiation used in the method; a stroma cell or a stroma cell-derived factor having activity of inducing differentiation in the method; an antibody which specifically recognizes the stroma cell; an antigen which recognizes the antibody; a cell induced by the method; a method for evaluating or screening a substance relating to the regulation in a differentiation step from an embryonic stem cell into an ectodermal cell or an ectoderm-derived cell by carrying out the method; and a medicament comprising the stroma cell, the stroma cell-derived cell, the antibody, the antigen or the cell.

Abstract: The teachings are directed to an immunocompetent xenograft model. The model comprises an immunodeficient animal modified to have a reconstituted immune system, wherein a xenograft is transplanted in the animal and allowed to establish for an establishment period of at least about 10 days. The xenograft simulates a tissue in a subject in need of a treatment. In these embodiments, the reconstituted immune system is created after the establishment period, and is created by administering a total number of T-cells to the animal. The total number of T-cells consists of a preselected number of responsive T-cells, a preselected number of non-responsive T-cells, and a preselected ratio of responsive T-cells to total T-cells. The preselected number of responsive T-cells simulates a number of responsive T-cells in the subject, and the ratio of the number of responsive T-cells to total T-cells ranges from about 1:100,000 to about 30:100,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric immune receptor molecules for reducing or eliminating tumors. The chimeric receptors are composed a C-type lectin-like natural killer cell receptor, or a protein associated therewith, fused to an immune signaling receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif. Methods for using the chimeric receptors are further provided.

Abstract: Cells capable of at least, in part, complementing adenovirus an adenovirus defective in E2A function. Such cells include a nucleic acid-encoding adenovirus E2A or a functional part, derivative, temperature-sensitive mutation and/or analogue thereof, integrated into the cell's genome. Methods for producing an adenovirus particle/vector with a functional deletion of E2A are also disclosed. Such methods involve providing a cell with the functionally deleted adenovirus vector, culturing the cell, and harvesting viral particles. The functional deletion may comprise a deletion in E2A. The nucleic acid-encoding E2A in the cell's genome may lack sequence overlap with the vector, preventing formation of a replication-competent adenovirus or restoration of E2A function. The adenovirus vector may further include a functional deletion in the E1-region.

Abstract: A significantly increased amount of a monoclonal antibody is obtained from the culture medium of recombinant hybridoma prepared by introducing genes encoding a protein identical to the immunoglobulin heavy chain polypeptide of the specific monoclonal antibody into an immortalized B cell (hybridoma) producing the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: Ovarian germ-line-competent embryonic stem cells (GLC-ESC) are cultured, either in the presence or absence of a compound having estrogenic activity. The GLC-ESC are either collected prior to specific commitment or are permitted to remain in the culture medium for a time sufficient to develop into oocytes, and the oocytes may be fertilized by adding sperm to the culture medium. The fertilized oocytes may be permitted to develop into embryos, which may be transferred into the uterus of an adult human female or frozen for later use. The invention provides a method for obtaining by in vitro fertilization an embryo that is genetically related to a human female who is not producing oocytes.

Abstract: The electrotransfer of a nucleic acid into tissue cells, in particular in a muscle or a tumoral tissue, is carried out by an electric stimulation of the tissue as follows: first with at least one, preferably a single, pulse of a High Voltage field strength of between 200 and 2000 volts/cm second with a single pulse of Low Voltage field strength of between 50 and 200 volts/cm and of duration of between 300 ms and 2000 ms.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating cancer comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium containing a plasmid carrying the coding sequence encoding a truncated human interleukin-2 and optionally an oil containing a high antioxidant concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified and optimized Factor VIII or Factor IX nucleic acid for inclusion in a chimeric virus vector. Use of such vector can be used for treatment of hemophilia.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) fusion proteins are provided, the CEA fusion proteins comprising a CEA protein, or functional variant thereof, fused to a substantial portion of an immunoenhancing element. The polynucleotides of the present invention can elicit an immune response in a mammal, which, in preferred embodiments, is stronger than the immune response elicited by a wild-type CEA. The gene encoding CEA is commonly associated with the development of human carcinomas. The present invention provides compositions and methods to elicit or enhance immunity to the protein product expressed by the CEA tumor-associated antigen, wherein aberrant CEA expression is associated with a carcinoma or its development. This invention specifically provides adenoviral vector and plasmid constructs carrying polynucleotides encoding CEA fusion proteins and discloses their use in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a cancer in a subject comprising administering a FOXP3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding a FOXP3 protein, or an inducing compound which induces FOXP3 protein expression. Methods of altering a phenotype of a cancer cell or tumor cell, methods of inhibiting growth of such cells, and methods of inducing apoptosis of these cells are also provided herein. These methods comprise contacting the cell with a FOXP3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding a FOXP3 protein, or an inducing compound which induces FOXP3 protein expression. Further provided herein are diagnostic methods, comprising comparing the expression or structure of a FOXP3 protein or FOXP3 gene in a test sample to that of a normal or prior sample. A method of screening a test compound for anti-cancer activity comprising administering to cells the test compound and measuring FOXP3 protein or FOXP3 gene expression is moreover provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing pancreatic hormone production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon particles which includes co-transfecting a host cell with the following: (i) an amplicon vector comprising an HSV origin of replication, an HSV cleavage/packaging signal, and a heterologous transgene expressible in a patient, (ii) one or more vectors individually or collectively encoding all essential HSV genes but excluding all cleavage/packaging signals, and (iii) a vhs expression vector encoding a virion host shutoff protein; and then isolating HSV amplicon particles produced by the host cell, the HSV amplicon particles including the transgene. Also disclosed are a system and a kit for preparing HSV amplicon particles, HSV amplicon particles prepared according to the process of the present invention, and their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a Plasmid Maintenance System for the stabilization of expression plasmids encoding foreign antigens, and methods for making and using the Plasmid Maintenance System. The invention optimizes the maintenance of expression plasmids at two independent levels by: (1) removing sole dependence on balanced lethal maintenance functions; and (2) incorporating at least one plasmid partition function to prevent random segregation of expression plasmids, thereby enhancing their inheritance and stability. The Plasmid Maintenance System may be employed within a plasmid which has been recombinantly engineered to express a variety of expression products.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods related to the use of recombinant nucleic acid molecules containing an expression control element of an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) gene operatively linked to a coding region for an active cytotoxic/cytolytic agent. The recombinant molecules are used in methods to treat a variety of diseases and disorders, including a wide range of cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing cholesterolemia and its effects. More specifically, the invention is directed, in one embodiment, to methods for screening for compounds that affect cholesterol levels generally, and in particular, that affect the absorption of cholesterol. The invention also is directed to methods of screening for compounds that increase bile acid synthesis. In so doing, the inventors describe useful transgenic cells and animals which lack one or both alleles of the LXR? gene. Also provided are therapeutic methods designed to reduce cholesterol levels in suitable subjects. The reduction may be effected by decreasing cholesterol absorption, increasing bile acid synthesis, or combinations thereof. Particularly useful in decreasing cholesterol absorption are RXR agonists, for example, rexinoid compounds. Therapeutic intervention in cholesterol biosynthesis and diet are additional adjunct therapies.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of anticancer therapy, and to the identification of immunogenic peptides derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding hTERT epitopes restricted to MHC class I molecule, analogues thereof and polyepitopes containing such epitopes and/or analogues. Are also included in the present invention, vector and cell comprising such polynucleotides. The present invention also concerns composition comprising hTERT polypeptides, corresponding polynucleotides, vectors and cells, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric immune receptor molecules for reducing or eliminating tumors. The chimeric receptors are composed a C-type lectin-like natural killer cell receptor, or a protein associated therewith, fused to an immune signaling receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif. Methods for using the chimeric receptors are further provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nucleic acid, a gene delivery polymer, and at least one adjunctive chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of mammalian cancer or hyperproliferative disorders and methods of using thereof for the treatment of mammalian cancer or hyperproliferative disorders by intratumoral, intraperitoneal or systemic injection.