Abstract: A method is provided, inter alia, for treating a subject suffering from an infectious or neoplastic disease with immunotherapy. The method includes determining the critical concentration of immune cells required to treat or eradicate an infectious or neoplastic disease in the subject using an in vitro assay of the present invention; and administering to the subject the critical concentration of immune cells determined in the assay.

Abstract: An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. Also provided is an in vitro assay for determining the effect of an activated CD8+ T-cell on a sensitized melanoma cell. A method for improving the specific cytolytic activity (SCA) of an immune cell comprising contacting an immune cell with an antigen and an antigen-independent pro-inflammatory agent is provided. A method for ex vivo expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells with enhanced specific cytolytic activity (SCA) comprising culturing the antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells in a suitable culture media comprising an amino acid. An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. A method of treating a subject suffering from an infectious or neoplastic disease with immuno therapy is described.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a subject suffering from an infectious or neoplastic disease with immunotherapy. The method comprises determining the critical concentration of immune cells required to treat or eradicate an infectious or neoplastic disease in the subject using an in vitro assay of the present invention; and administering to the subject the critical concentration of immune cells determined in the assay.

Abstract: An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. Also provided is an in vitro assay for determining the effect of an activated CD8+ T-cell on a sensitized melanoma cell. A method for improving the specific cytolytic activity (SCA) of an immune cell comprising contacting an immune cell with an antigen and an antigen-independent pro-inflammatory agent is provided. A method for ex vivo expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells with enhanced specific cytolytic activity (SCA) comprising culturing the antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells in a suitable culture media comprising an amino acid. An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. A method of treating a subject suffering from an infectious or neoplastic disease with immuno therapy is described.

Abstract: An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. Also provided is an in vitro assay for determining the effect of an activated CD8+ T-cell on a sensitized melanoma cell. A method for improving the specific cytolytic activity (SCA) of an immune cell comprising contacting an immune cell with an antigen and an antigen-independent pro-inflammatory agent is provided. A method for ex vivo expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells with enhanced specific cytolytic activity (SCA) comprising culturing the antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells in a suitable culture media comprising an amino acid. An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. A method of treating a subject suffering from an infectious or neoplastic disease with immuno therapy is described.

Abstract: An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. Also provided is an in vitro assay for determining the effect of an activated CD8+ T-cell on a sensitized melanoma cell. A method for improving the specific cytolytic activity (SCA) of an immune cell comprising contacting an immune cell with an antigen and an antigen-independent pro-inflammatory agent is provided. A method for ex vivo expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells with enhanced specific cytolytic activity (SCA) comprising culturing the antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells in a suitable culture media comprising an amino acid. An in vitro assay is provided for determining the effect of an immune cell on a cell from an infectious or neoplastic disease. A method of treating a subject suffering from an infectious or neoplastic disease with immuno therapy is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inhibiting growth of a bacterium which consists essentially of contacting the bacterium with gemfibrozil, or a related compound, in a concentration effective to inhibit growth of the bacterium. This invention also provides related screening and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of delivering an antigen to an Class I or Class II MHC receptors to induce immunity against the antigen in a subject having a disease. This invention also provides methods of delivering an antigen to an Class II or class I MHC receptor to supress immunity against the antigen in a subject having a disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting a compound which inhibits the enzymatic activity of enoyl reductase which comprises: (A) contacting enoyl reductase with the compound linked to an acyl carrier protein; (B) measuring the enzymatic activity of the enoyl reductase of step (A) compared with the enzymatic activity of enoyl reductase in the absence of the compound and selecting the compound which inhibits the enzymatic activity of enoyl reductase.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for inhibiting growth of a bacterium which consists essentially of contacting the bacterium with a compound having the structure: 1

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for inhibiting growth of a bacterium which consists essentially of contacting the bacterium with a compound having the structure: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 may be independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, —OH, —OR7, —CN, —COR7, —SR7, —N(R7)2, —NR7COR8, —NO2, —(CH2)pOR7, —(CH2)pX(R7)2, —(CH2)pXR7COR8, a straight chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkenyl, thioalkyl, methylene thioalkyl, acyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or heteroaryl; wherein a linkage to the benzene ring may alternatively be —N—, —S-—, —O— or —C—; wherein R7 or R8 may be independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, —OH, —CN, —COH, —SH2, —NH2, —NHCOH, —(CH2)pOH, —(CH2)pX(CH2), —(CH2)pXCOH, a straight chain or branched, substituted or unsu

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of inhibiting activity of an enoyl reductase enzyme in a cell which comprises contacting the cell with a compound having the structure: 1

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for inhibiting growth of a bacterium which consists essentially of contacting the bacterium with a compound having the structure: 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting a compound which inhibits the enzymatic activity of enoyl reductase which comprises: (A) contacting enoyl reductase with the compound linked to an acyl carrier protein; (B) measuring the enzymatic activity of the entoy reductase of step (A) compared with the enzymatic activity of enoyl reductase in the absence of the compound and selecting the compound which inhibits the enzymatic activity of enoyl reductase.

Abstract: An agent capable of inhibiting signalling mediated by a &bgr;1 integrin cell surface receptor of leukocyte cells will treat a bacterial infection associated with a surface of a foreign body over and around which fibrin has been deposited, or a malignant tumor over and around which tenascin has been deposited. In addition, coating a foreign body with a fibrinolytic agent will prevent chronic bacterial infection associated with the surface of the foreign body. Furthermore, an agent capable of stimulating signalling mediated by a &bgr;1 integrin cell surface receptor of leukocyte cells will treat chronic inflammation.

Abstract: An agent capable of inhibiting signalling mediated by a .beta..sub.1 integrin cell surface receptor of leukocyte cells will treat a bacterial infection associated with a surface of a foreign body over and around which fibrin has been deposited, or a malignant tumor over and around which tenascin has been deposited. In addition, coating a foreign body with a fibrinolytic agent will prevent chronic bacterial infection associated with the surface of the foreign body. Furthermore, an agent capable of stimulating signalling mediated by a .beta..sub.1 integrin cell surface receptor of leukocyte cells will treat chronic inflammation.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved therapeutic method which comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutic agent and 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethyl-pentanoic acid, or a structural analog thereof, in an amount effective to improve the efficacy of the therapeutic agent. Also provided by this invention is an improved therapeutic method which comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutic agent and 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethyl-pentanoic acid, or a structural analog thereof, in an amount effective to improve the efficacy of the therapeutic agent. Further provided by this invention is a method of treating an intracellular bacterial infection which comprises contacting the infected cell with an effective amount of a therapeutic agent and with an effective amount of 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethyl-pentanoic acid, or a structural analog therof, effective to treat an intracellular bacterial infection.