Abstract: Improved cancer therapies are provided and include methods for inhibiting growth of tumor cells in an individual by administering to the individual a polynucleotide encoding a protein that contains an immunoglobulin Fc and an antagonist peptide of a receptor expressed by tumor cells, and administering a chemotherapeutic agent to the individual, such that the growth of the tumor cells and/or metastasis of cancer cells is synergistically inhibited. Approaches are also provided for improving cancer therapies that include adoptive immunotherapies by using the polynucleotides to enhance tumor infiltration by immune cells.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for inhibiting cell growth. The cells that are targeted by the compositions and methods of the invention express an antigen, a mimotope of the antigen, or a CXCR4 chemokine receptor. The method entails administering to an individual a polynucleotide encoding an immunoglobulin Fc and an antigen expressed by the cells or a mimotope of the antigen. The method also involves administering to the individual a composition which contains a polynucleotide encoding an immunoglobulin Fc and an antagonist peptide of a CXCR4 chemokine receptor expressed by the cells. Also provided are proteins encoded by the polynucleotides.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for inhibiting cell growth. The cells that are targeted by the compositions and methods of the invention express an antigen, a mimotope of the antigen, or a CXCR4 chemokine receptor. The method entails administering to an individual a polynucleotide encoding an immunoglobulin Fc and an antigen expressed by the cells or a mimotope of the antigen. The method also involves administering to the individual a composition which contains a polynucleotide encoding an immunoglobulin Fc and an antagonist peptide of a CXCR4 chemokine receptor expressed by the cells. Also provided are proteins encoded by the polynucleotides.

Abstract: Liposomes encapsulating a ?-glucan have an improved activity of enhancing a cellular immunity, especially when they are transmucosally administered. Thus, the liposomes are useful for the treatment or prevention of infection or tumor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inducing cellular immunity against viruses which undergo mutation by introducing a mutant form of an envelope (env) glycoprotein of the virus with an altered or deleted immunodominant epitope. Also disclosed are vaccines and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: Liposomes encapsulating a &bgr;-glucan have an improved activity of enhancing a cellular immunity, especially when they are transmucosally administered. Thus, the liposomes are useful for the treatment or prevention of infection or tumor.

Abstract: Somatic cell hybrids of purely human origin are described that are suitable fusion partners for producing hybridomas by fusion with antibody producing cells, which hybridomas are stable and continuous.