Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating or preventing a pathologic state in a mammal. The method comprises administering to the mammal a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system. The promoter of T-cell expansion and inducer of CD40 stimulation are administered in synergistically effective amounts to treat or prevent the pathologic state in the mammal. The invention also provides a method of assessing the effectiveness of treatment of a pathologic state in a mammal, wherein the mammal has been administered a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating or preventing a pathologic state in a mammal. The method comprises administering to the mammal a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system. The promoter of T-cell expansion and inducer of CD40 stimulation are administered in synergistically effective amounts to treat or prevent the pathologic state in the mammal. The invention also provides a method of assessing the effectiveness of treatment of a pathologic state in a mammal, wherein the mammal has been administered a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating or preventing a pathologic state in a mammal. The method comprises administering to the mammal a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system. The promoter of T-cell expansion and inducer of CD40 stimulation are administered in synergistically effective amounts to treat or prevent the pathologic state in the mammal. The invention also provides a method of assessing the effectiveness of treatment of a pathologic state in a mammal, wherein the mammal has been administered a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Fc-IL-15 hybrids, which may or may not include peptide linkers between the IL-15 and the Fc portion, for methods of treatment of tumors and viral infections. The IL-15 hybrids can be Fc-IL-15 or IL-15-Fc hybrids. The Fc-IL-15 hybrids include variants, including the IL-15 and Fc variants. The hybrids preferably (but not necessarily) include peptide linkers between the IL-15 and the Fc portion. These linkers are preferably composed of a T cell inert sequence, or any non-immunogenic sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating or preventing a pathologic state in a mammal. The method comprises administering to the mammal a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system. The promoter of T-cell expansion and inducer of CD40 stimulation are administered in synergistically effective amounts to treat or prevent the pathologic state in the mammal. The invention also provides a method of assessing the effectiveness of treatment of a pathologic state in a mammal, wherein the mammal has been administered a promoter of T-cell expansion and an inducer of CD40 stimulation, wherein CD40 is stimulated on cells of the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting hematopoietic stem cells from the myelotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation therapy, which comprises, administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of transforming growth factor beta 1 for protecting bone marrow from the myelotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation therapy. The TGF.beta.1 may be administered prior (e.g. 24 hours) to the administration of the chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation therapy. Preferably, the TGF.beta.1 is administered to the subject in an amount of about 5 .mu.g to 25 .mu.g per kg body weight. The patient or subject of the present invention may be a mammal (e.g. human, domestic animal such as horse, cow, dog, cat or pig) and is preferably a human being. The mode of administration is either by interfemoral arterial, interperitoneally or subcutaneously, and preferably is by injection.