Abstract: A novel prostate tumor associated gene (designated 24P4C12) and its encoded protein is described. 24P4C12 is highly expressed in prostate tissue xenografts, providing evidence that it is turned on in at least some prostate cancers. 24P4C12 provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for prostate and other cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising sequences encoding the CA125 protein or a portion thereof. This invention also provides a method to detect ovarian cancer in a subject. Furthermore, this invention provides a method for the diagnosis of a cancer which expresses CA125 by detecting CA125-expressing cells in the blood or other fluids of patients. This invention also provides a method of producing CA125 protein. This invention also provides a method of silencing CA125 protein production. Finally, this invention provides a method to treat or prevent cancer using a vaccine comprising CA125 nucleic acid or protein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel ICBP90 (Inverted CCAAT box binding protein 90) and its fragments, polynucleotides coding for said polypeptides and specific antibodies directed against said polypeptides. The invention also concerns methods and kits for diagnosing cell proliferation and compounds useful as medicine for preventing and/or treating pathology involving cell proliferation and in particular cancer.

Abstract: A method for killing unwanted target cells in a cell population comprising nucleated cells harvested from peripheral blood, or CD-34+ or similar early progenitor cells selected from the above nucleated cells or from bone marrow aspirates, in which method the cell population is in vitro or in vivo exposed to two or more immunotoxins selectively killing the malignant cells, is described. Furthermore the invention relates to the mixture of immunotixins, the use of the mixture and a kit for performing the method.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel human thyroid peroxidase proteins and polypeptides capable of being secreted from cells, vectors comprising the sequences, and cells transformed with the vectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for screening compounds for their ability to modulate actin polymerization. The invention is also related to compounds which modulate actin polymerization. More specifically, the invention is related to methods of screening compounds which modulate the interaction of cortactin or HS-1 with Arp2/3. The invention is also related to compounds which modulate the interaction of cortactin of HS1 with Arp2/3. Also provided are mutants of cortactin with decreased ability to interact with Arp2/3.

Abstract: The invention provides novel prostate-specific or testis-specific nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, antibodies, and modulatory compounds for use in methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and conditions of the prostate and testis, such as cancer.

Abstract: An isolated peptide fragment of the VapA protein that binds antibodies specific for Rhodococcus equi and the VapA protein. In a preferred form the peptide contains an amino acid sequence of 5 or more amino acid residues that is identical to or homologous to the amino acid sequence of at least one region of the VapA protein that is responsible for immunological recognition. Methods of diagnosing a vertebrate for the presence of R. equi using the peptide and methods of vaccinating a vertebrate against R. equi using the peptide are also claimed.

Abstract: Described is a novel family of cell surface serpentine transmembrane antigens. Two of the proteins in this family are exclusively or predominantly expressed in the prostate, as well as in prostate cancer, and thus members of this family have been termed “STEAP” (Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigens of the Prostate). Four particular human STEAPs are described and characterized herein. The human STEAPs exhibit a high degree of structural conservation among them but show no significant structural homology to any known human proteins. The prototype member of the STEAP family, STEAP-1, appears to be a type IIIa membrane protein expressed predominantly in prostate cells in normal human tissues. Structurally, STEAP-1 is a 339 amino acid protein characterized by a molecular topology of six transmembrane domains and intracellular N- and C-termini, suggesting that it folds in a “serpentine” manner into three extracellular and two intracellular loops.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for improved treatment and diagnostic imaging, particularly of cancer. The methods and reagents utilize specific targeting of treatment and imaging ligands to the targeted tumor, or specific organ or tissue, in association with extracorporeal affinity adsorption of the targeting ligand. The targeted species include antibodies as well as other peptides with specific affinity to the targeted tumor organ or tissue. Included are hybrid targeting molecules, such as hybrid F(ab?)2, with one binding site specific for the target and the other binding site specific for the targeted treatment or visualization ligand. The affinity adsorption devices may include adsorbents specific to one or more of the components of the targeting molecule-targeted ligand moiety.

Abstract: A cancer antigen peptide comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, or a derivative thereof having the functionally equivalent property is provided. The provided cancer antigen peptide is a partial peptide derived from enhancer of zeste homolog 2, which is capable of binding to HLA-A24 antigen and is recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The cancer antigen peptide of the invention is useful for treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

Abstract: Compositions comprising tRNA synthetase polypeptides useful for regulating angiogenesis, as well as nucleic acids encoding such tRNA synthetase polypeptides are described. Methods of making and using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Human colon specific gene polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polynucleotides or polypeptides as a diagnostic marker for colon cancer and as an agent to determine if colon cancer has metastasized. Also disclosed are antibodies specific to the colon specific gene polypeptides which may be used to target cancer cells and be used as part of a colon cancer vaccine. Methods of screening for agonists and antagonists for the polypeptide and therapeutic uses of the antagonists are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating an immune system disorder not involving T cell proliferation, comprising administering to the animal an immunotoxin comprising a mutant diphtheria toxin moiety linked to an antibody moiety which routes by the anti-CD3 pathway, or derivatives thereof under conditions such that the disorder is treated. Thus, the present method can treat graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract: Investigation on the frequency of FLT3/ITD found in various blood cancers has revealed that the frequency is high in acute myeloblastic leukemia in particular. Studies on the effects of FLT3/ITD in the blood cell lines revealed that the tyrosine residues in FLT3/ITD is constitutively phosphorylated in these cell lines and that blood cells into which FLT3/ITD is introduced show IL-3 independent proliferation. Moreover, the blood cells into which FLT3/ITD is introduced are found to be capable of forming tumors and inhibit cell differentiation. The inventors have found that it is possible to screen for pharmaceutical compounds against tumors by using inhibition of these FLT3/ITD functions as an index.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and characterization of novel mammalian proteins encoded by the Ese1 and Ese2 genes which are involved in endocytosis, vesicular trafficking and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful for detecting abnormal cellular endocytosis processes as well as for developing assay systems to find and elucidate further binding partners of the proteins, to develop therapeutics to alter/restore protein function and for the isolation and manufacture of Ese proteins.

Abstract: There is disclosed a synthetic cross-linker protein capable of binding a molecule or macromolecular species to a transcytosis receptor for transport of the molecule or macromolecule species across a mucous membrane, said cross-linker protein comprising a first binding region capable of binding selectively to a site on the said molecule or macromolecular species to be transported and a second binding region capable of binding selectively to a site on said receptor, wherein the first binding region is the antigen-binding site of a first antibody molecule having specificity for an antigenic site on said molecule or macromolecular species to be transported and the second binding region is the antigen-binding site of a second antibody molecule which has specificity for an antigenic site on the said transcytosis receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reagents, and kits for diagnosing and treating cancer in a mammal, e.g., a human. This invention is based upon the discovery that Pellino 1 or 2 is overexpressed and/or amplified in cancer. Methods to detect cancer or a propensity to develop cancer, to monitor the efficacy of a cancer treatment, and to treat cancer, by inhibiting the expression and/or activity of Pellino 1 or 2 in a cancer cell are included.

Abstract: Diagnostic method for the identification of human neoplasias based on the determination of the CTN-C isoform of TN-C, fragments antibodies and their conjugates used in said method, and their therapeutic use.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention demonstrate that adrenomedullin (AM) is expressed in human cancer cell lines of diverse origin and functions as a universal autocrine growth factor driving neoplastic proliferation. The present invention provides for AM peptides and AM antibodies useful in therapeutic, pharmacologic and physiologic compositions. The present invention additionally provides for methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease utilizing compositions comprising the AM peptides and antibodies of the present invention. The methods of the present invention also provide for experimental models for use in identifying the role of AM in pancreatic physiology. The methods pertaining to rat isolated islets have shown that AM inhibits insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The monoclonal antibody MoAb-G6, which neutralizes AM bioactivity, was shown by the methods of the present invention to increase insulin release fivefold, an effect that was reversed by the addition of synthetic AM.