Abstract: The invention features methods for identifying compounds that inhibit binding between iron response elements (IREs) and iron response proteins (IRPs). These compounds are potentially useful for treating or preventing diseases, in particular cancer, but also including anemia, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation and iron overload. The methods are based on contacting a candidate compound in an in vitro system and monitoring the binding of an IRE to an IRP. In addition, the invention features methods of treating or preventing a proliferative disease, such as cancer, using the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of benzimidazole derivatives for the treatment of tumors and in combination with tumor suppressor gene therapy. In a particular embodiment, treatment of p53-positive tumors with benzimidazole derivatives induces p53 expression and increases its half-life, resulting in apoptotic death of the tumor cells. Similarly, in conjunction with p53 gene therapy, benzimidazole derivatives induce p53 expression and accumulation in tumor cells regardless of their p53 status. The combination treatment subsequently elicits apoptosis of the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods involving MDA-7. More specifically, the present invention is directed to diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic treatment compositions and methods for treatment of cancer and other angiogenesis-related disorders (anti-angiogenesis therapy). The present invention is also directed to methods of purification of MDA-7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunotherapy methods for treating hyperproliferative disease or pathogen-induced diseases in humans. More specifically, the invention is directed, in one embodiment, to methods for treating a subject with a hyperproliferative disease in which the expression of a self gene is upregulated in hyperproliferative cells. In another embodiment, an adenoviral expression construct comprising a self gene under the control of a promoter operable in eukaryotic cells is intradermally administered to said hyperproliferative cells. In another embodiment of the present invention, a pathogen-induced disease in which the pathogen gene expression is increaed or altered, is treated by intradermally administered a pathogen gene under the control of a promoter operable in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of altering the regulation of the immune system, e.g., by selectively targeting individual or classes of immunomodulatory receptor molecules (IRMs) on cells comprising transducing the cells with an intracellularly expressed antibody, or intrabody, against the IRMs. In a preferred embodiment the intrabody comprises a single chain antibody against an IRM, e.g, MHC-1 molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunotherapy methods for treating hyperproliferative disease or pathogen-induced diseases in humans. More specifically, the invention is directed, in one embodiment, to methods for treating a subject with a hyperproliferative disease in which the expression of a self gene is upregulated in hyperproliferative cells. In another embodiment, an adenoviral expression construct comprising a self gene under the control of a promoter operable in eukaryotic cells is intradermally administered to said hyperproliferative cells. In another embodiment of the present invention, a pathogen-induced disease in which the pathogen gene expression is increaed or altered, is treated by intradermally administered a pathogen gene under the control of a promoter operable in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the enhancing or inducing an immune response against an immunogenic molecule by indirectly activating PKR. More specifically, immunotherapy is improved by co-administering a MDA-7 polypeptide with an immunogenic molecule against which an immune response is desired. Such immunotherapies include cancer vaccines, and compositions thereof are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunotherapy methods for treating hyperproliferative disease or pathogen-induced diseases in humans. More specifically, the invention is directed, in one embodiment, to methods for treating a subject with a hyperproliferative disease in which the expression of a self gene is upregulated in hyperproliferative cells. In another embodiment, an adenoviral expression construct comprising a self gene under the control of a promoter operable in eukaryotic cells is intradermally administered to said hyperproliferative cells. In another embodiment of the present invention, a pathogen-induced disease in which the pathogen gene expression is increased or altered, is treated by intradermally administered a pathogen gene under the control of a promoter operable in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gene therapy methods for the treatment of human disease. More specifically, the invention is directed to methods for treating a subject with an angiogenesis-related disease. In one embodiment, an adenoviral expression construct comprising a nucleic acid encoding a human MDA-7 protein under the control of a promoter operable in eukaryotic cells, is administered to said patient with an angiogenesis-related disease. The present invention thus provides for treatment of angiogenesis-related disease by through expression of mda-7 and inhibition angiogenesis. Such diseases include cancer.

Abstract: A humanized antibody framework motif is described. Preferably, the motif is encoded by the VH gene of K5B8 and the VL gene of TR1.6. This humanized antibody preferably contains the variable region of a tat antibody.