Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of detecting and diagnosing metastatic spread of cancer to the brain by analyzing the product of a gene signature. Gene signatures detailed herein are specific to the brain metastasis and not dependent upon the genetic signature of the primary tumor. Accordingly, disclosed method can be used to guide therapeutic intervention and further diagnostic analysis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of treatment of tauopathies are provided. In some embodiments, an antagonist of endothclin receptor A (ETA) and endothelin receptor B (ETB) may be administered to a subject to reduce tau production or accumulation, e.g., in astrocytes. The antagonist may be a dual ETA and ETB receptor antagonist. In some aspects, methods are provided for the treatment of chemo-brain, hypoxia, brain ischemia, surgical dementia, glioblastoma, or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an endothelin receptor antagonist for use in the prevention or treatment of brain metastases in combination with a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent, radiotherapy or both. The endothelin receptor antagonist may for example be bosentan, macitentan or a mixture of bosentan and macitentan.

Abstract: Methods for determining the effectiveness of anticancer agents by determining and comparing growth factor receptor phosphorylation levels in samples obtained by non-invasive procedures before and after anticancer treatments are provided. The invention also provides methods for detecting growth factor receptor phosphorylation in hair follicles and other tissues obtained by non-invasive means.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions useful in the recruitment, activation and initiation of proliferation of immune cells. The instant invention relates to the discovery that specific insect cells and insect cell compositions exhibit adjuvant properties. The added benefit of this system is that the insect cells utilized may be transformed with an expression system and thus proteins may be introduced into the composition through direct protein expression by the cells. The claimed compositions and methods are particularly relevant in anti-tumor and cancer therapy. Of specific interest is the ability of the compositions of the invention to elicit a response that controls not only the primary tumor but also any metastatic cells or metastatic tumors which subsequently arise.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions useful in the recruitment, activation and initiation of proliferation of immune cells. The instant invention relates to the discovery that specific insect cells and insect cell compositions exhibit adjuvant properties. The added benefit of this system is that the insect cells utilized may be transformed with an expression system and thus proteins may be introduced into the composition through direct protein expression by the cells. The claimed compositions and methods are particularly relevant in anti-tumor and cancer therapy. Of specific interest is the ability of the compositions of the invention to elicit a response that controls not only the primary tumor but also any metastatic cells or metastatic tumors which subsequently arise.

Abstract: Methods for determining the effectiveness of anticancer agents by determining and comparing growth factor receptor phosphorylation levels in samples obtained by non-invasive procedures before and after anticancer treatments are provided. The invention also provides methods for detecting growth factor receptor phosphorylation in hair follicles and other tissues obtained by non-invasive means.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods of use for insect cells comprising baculovirus encoding non-surface expressed proteins and peptides. The claimed invention particularly relates to compositions comprising insect cells containing baculovirus that express cytokines. Such compositions may be administered by, for example, direct intratumoral injection into tumors in mammals, resulting in tumor reduction or recission. Another aspect of the claimed invention concerns methods of promoting resistance to the reoccurence of tumors in mammals who have undergone such tumor recission. In a specific aspect of the claimed invention, the mammals are human subjects presenting with various forms of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical administration systems containing phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives in the form of liposomes which encapsulate chemotactic peptides such as N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine. The liposomes are prepared by conventional dispersion methods. The pharmaceutical administration systems when applied in the form of liposomes stimulate macrophage activity which is especially useful in the cancer therapy for combating metastatic tumor cells and for treatment of chronic infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical administration systems containing phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives in the form of liposomes which encapsulate water soluble muramyldipeptide derivatives in combination with gamma-interferon. The liposomes are prepared by conventional dispersion methods. The pharmaceutical administration systems when applied in the form of liposomes are especially useful in the cancer chemotherapy for combating metastatic tumor cells.

Abstract: N-(3-(3-.sup.125 iodo, 4-hydroxybenzyl)propionyl)phosphatidylethanolamine[.sup.125 I-phenylpropionyl-PE], a nonexchangeable iodinated lipid of high specific radioactivity is disclosed, with a method for its synthesis as well as the synthesis of other iodinated lipids using a technique involving acylation of the amine nitrogen of a phospholipid, such as phosphatidylethanolamine, with an [.sup.125 I] or [.sup.131 I] substituted cyclic organic acid, for example, monoiodinated Bolton-Hunter reagent and purification by thin layer chromatography. The iodinated lipid may be quantitatively incorporated into vesicles for use as an accurate liposome tracer in in vitro and in vivo assays that require high levels of sensitivity unobtainable with most other lipid-labeling techniques.