Abstract: Provided herein is a self-assembling polypeptide-based nanotube system having the ability to target cancer cells. The nanotubes target the cancer cell surface through integrin engagement with the help of multiple RGD units present along their surface and release their drug payload in a sustained manner. In addition, the nanotubes can be utilized for cellular imaging using any covalently tagged fluorescent dye. Provided herein is a self-assembling polypeptide-based nanotube system having the ability to target cancer cells. The nanotubes target the cancer cell surface through integrin engagement with the help of multiple RGD units present along their surface and release their drug payload in a sustained manner. In addition, the nanotubes can be utilized for cellular imaging using any covalently tagged fluorescent dye.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of diagnosing the presence of higher grade astrocytoma/glioblastoma (GBM) or lower-grade astrocytoma (DA or AA) in a human subject using secreted or plasma membrane associated biomarkers, which involves the detection of the expression levels of said genes, alone or in combination, in either tumor tissue samples or body fluids and a diagnostic kit thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TOP2A inhibition by temozolomide useful for predicting glioblastoma patient's survival. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, malignant primary adult brain tumor. The conventional treatments for GBM, include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy which have only modestly improved patient survival. The patients with GBM expressing higher TOP2A transcript levels had better prognosis. More interestingly, the present invention reports that temozolomide is an inhibitor of TOP2A activity in vitro. The present invention further shows that siRNA knock down of TOP2A rendered a glioma cell line resistant to temozolomide chemotherapy. Thus it is demonstrated for the first time that temozolomide is a TOP2A inhibitor and establishes that TOP2A transcript levels determines the chemosensitivity of glioblastoma to temozolomide therapy thus explaining the very high levels of TOP2A transcript being a good prognostic indicator in GBM patients receiving temozolomide chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel primers for identification of astrocytoma, it's grades and glioblastoma prognosis. Further, disclosed is a method of diagnosing the presence of different grades of diffuse astrocytoma and glioblastoma, in a human subject, which involves detection of the expression levels of said genes in tumor tissue samples in comparison to normal brain. Also disclosed is a method of distinguishing between the two types of Glioblastoma—the progressive and de novo types. Also disclosed is a method of prognosis of glioblastoma based on the expression of the gene PBEF1, wherein the higher level of expression of the gene in the tumor sample, indicates poorer survival of the human subject. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and/or prognosis of astrocytoma. The invention further provides kits for the detection and prognosis of the said diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TOP2A inhibition by temozolomide useful for predicting glioblastoma patient's survival. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, malignant primary adult brain tumor. The conventional treatments for GBM, include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy which have only modestly improved patient survival. The patients with GBM expressing higher TOP2A transcript levels had better prognosis. More interestingly, the present invention reports that temozolomide is an inhibitor of TOP2A activity in vitro. The present invention further shows that siRNA knock down of TOP2A rendered a glioma cell line resistant to temozolomide chemotherapy. Thus it is demonstrated for the first time that temozolomide is a TOP2A inhibitor and establishes that TOP2A transcript levels determines the chemosensitivity of glioblastoma to temozolomide therapy thus explaining the very high levels of TOP2A transcript being a good prognostic indicator in GBM patients receiving temozolomide chemotherapy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of diagnosing the presence of higher grade astrocytoma/glioblastoma (GBM) or lower-grade grade astrocytoma (DA or AA) in a human subject using secreted or plasma membrane associated biomarkers, which involves the detection of the expression levels of said genes, alone or in combination, in either tumor tissue samples or body fluids and a diagnostic kit thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel primers for identification of astrocytoma, it's grades and glioblastoma prognosis. Further, disclosed is a method of diagnosing the presence of different grades of diffuse astrocytoma and glioblastoma, in a human subject, which involves detection of the expression levels of said genes in tumor tissue samples in comparison to normal brain. Also disclosed is a method of distinguishing between the two types of Glioblastoma—the progressive and de novo types. Also disclosed is a method of prognosis of glioblastoma based on the expression of the gene PBEF1, wherein the higher level of expression of the gene in the tumor sample, indicates poorer survival of the human subject. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and/or prognosis of astrocytoma. The invention further provides kits for the detection and prognosis of the said diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying the type of glioblastoma multiforme in mammals, preferably human subjects. More particularly, it relates to a kit for characterizing progressive glioma in mammals, preferably human subjects. More particularly, it relates to a kit for distinguishing primary and secondary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in mammals, preferably human subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying the type of glioblastoma multiforme in mammals, preferably human subjects. More particularly, it relates to a kit for characterizing progressive glioma in mammals, preferably human subjects. More particularly, it relates to a kit for distinguishing primary and secondary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in mammals, preferably human subjects.