Abstract: Immunotoxins comprising a cytotoxic moiety and an antigen binding portion selected from the group consisting of Fab, Fab' and F(ab').sub.2 fragments of a monoclonal antibody, which binds to human ovarian cancer tissue, having one of the following capabilities are claimed: cytotoxic ID.sub.50 of about 10 nM or less against human ovarian cancer cells, retardation of human ovarian cancer tumor growth in mammals, or extension of survival of a mammal carrying a human ovarian cancer tumor. Antigens or epitopes to which the monoclonal antibodies bind are identified and characterize the immunotoxins. In a preferred embodiment an immunotoxin comprising at least an antigen binding portion of a monoclonal antibody, which binds to human transferrin receptor, but does not block binding of transferrin to the receptor, is described and claimed. Immunotoxin comprising the F(ab').sub.2 region of the antitransferrin monoclonal antibody are also claimed.

Abstract: Coupling of biological materials is disclosed via 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (HNSA) esters. The novel activated esters are structured so as to react at one end with an amine group of a selected biological or non-biological material, thereby releasing the spectroscopically monitorable HNSA dianion, and at the other end with, typically, a sulfhydryl group of a second material which may or may not be biological. The esters provide for a cross-linking reaction that may be easily controlled and monitored.

Abstract: Recombinant diphtheria toxin A fragment muteins which are enzymatically inactive but immunologically crossreactive with diphtheria toxin are disclosed. Intermediates and methods for preparing such proteins using recombinant techniques are also described.

Abstract: A system for expression of coding sequences for desired heterologous proteins in procaryotic hosts whereby the protein is produced intracellularly in soluble, biologically active form, is disclosed. The expression is obtained by ligation of the coding sequence downstream of, and proximally to, but out of reading frame with, the terminated leader encoding sequence for a secreted bacterial protein, such as alkaline phosphatase. The resultant proteins are influenced by the leader sequence codons to effect the desired three-dimensional conformation, but not to effect secretion.

Abstract: Coupling of biological materials is disclosed via 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (HNSA) esters. The novel activated esters are structured so as to react at one end with an amine group of a selected biological or non-biological material, thereby releasing the spectroscopically monitorable HNSA dianion, and at the other end with, typically, a sulfhydryl group of a second material which may or may not be biological. The esters provide for a cross-linking reaction that may be easily controlled and monitored.

Abstract: Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies suitable for imaging and diagnosis of human breast tumors and such monoclonal antibodies are claimed. The monoclonals are characterized by breast tumor binding range, breast cancer cell line range, and selectivity.Immunoimaging agents comprising the monoclonal antibody and a detectable label, either directly or indirectly conjugated to the antibody are claimed. Methods for imaging breast tumors using the immunoimaging agents are described and claimed.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding proteins processable by secretion leaders in recombinant hosts are described. The DNA sequences encode the NH.sub.2 -terminal region of proteins that are cleaved from a secretion leader and may be secreted through the cell membrane and, if present, cell wall in some cases. Proteins encoded by the DNA sequence have an NH.sub.2 -terminal amino acid sequence conforming to a consensus amino acid sequence that is processable by the particular secretion leader. DNA sequences encoding a consensus amino acid sequence processable by the diphterhia toxin secretion leader are disclosed. A novel Pseudomonas exotoxin and CSF-1 having NH.sub.2 -terminal sequences conforming to a consensus sequence are exemplified.

Abstract: A 6-thioguanine-resistant subvariant of the EBV-transformed human lymphoblastoid B cell line WI-L2 is described. The subvariant line, designated LTR228, fuses efficiently with human cells. Human.times.human hybridomas derived from LTR228 that produce monoclonal antibodies against tetanus toxin and blood group A are exemplified.

Abstract: Succinylacetone derived or related medicaments and methods of synthesis of the same are shown wherein the medicaments consists of succinylacetonyl-proline-PEG, succinylacetonyl-NH-PEG, or compounds that have the formula: ##STR1## and that have immunosuppressive activity both in vivo and in vitro based on their activities in cellular immunologic assays and adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, respectively.

Abstract: A novel class of polypeptides of the general formula (F-(Pro).sub.n).sub.m F, wherein F represents a flexible amino acid sequence wherein each amino acid is individually selected from the group consisting of serine, glycine, and threonine, and n is an integer from 4-8 inclusive and m is an integer from 1-4 inclusive, is disclosed. Thses polypeptides are useful in the construction of conjugates between antibodies and peptide toxins. The preparation of such conjugate toxins by linking antibodies to toxin/spacer composites prepared by recombinant techniques is also disclosed.

Abstract: Anti-tumor activity in humans can be augmented by administering to the mammalian host a pharmacologically effective amount of mammalian IL-2 and at least one immunotoxin that binds selectively to human tumor cells. The IL-2 and immunotoxin are preferably administered separately to the host. The composition is useful for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of such cancers as ovarian and breast cancer.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor and a suitable immuotoxin when administered simultaneously or in tandem produce a synergistic effect in treating tumor burden in warm-blooded animals. Methods and protocols for obtaining this syneristic effect are disclosed, as well as compositions effective in this treatment.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of recombinantly produced biologically active proteins in which a solution containing a mixture of materials, including the biologically active protein, is passed through a continuous porous hydrophobic membrane, and the fraction enriched in the biologically active protein is recovered. Hydrophobic proteins such as TNF and recombinant ricin toxin A chain may be purified according to the process. Conditions for enhanced recovery of purified TNF using the process are disclosed. A highly purified TNF comprising 95% or greater TNF as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis, with an endotoxin content of less than 0.1 ng/mg TNF which is substantially free of pyrogens by the USP rabbit pyrogen test at a dosage range of 1.0 to 2.4.times.10.sup.5 U/kg, is obtained.

Abstract: Infections in mammalian hosts may be treated therapeutically or prophylactically with an effective amount of at least one lymphokine before or after host infection, the amount being sufficient to achieve at least 50% protection of the host. Preferably, the lymphokine is IL-2 or a combination of TNF and IL-2 or TNF and IFN-.gamma.. Also, preferably the infection is bacterial and is being treated prophylactically. The combination of TNF and IL-2 or TNF and IFN-.gamma. is administered in synergistically effective amounts.

Abstract: Anti-tumor activity in humans can be augmented by administering to the mammalian host a pharmacologically effective amount of mammalian IL-2 and at least one immunotoxin that binds selectively to human tumor cells. The IL-2 and immunotoxin are preferably administered separately to the host. The composition is useful for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of such cancers as ovarian and breast cancer.

Abstract: Anti-tumor activity in mammals can be augmented by administering to the mammalian host a synergistically effective amount of TNF and IL-2 or of TNF and IFN-.beta., or of TNF, IL-2 and IFN-.beta. in combination. The composition of TNF and IL-2 and/or IFN-.beta. may be prepared in vitro or administered separately to the host. If the TNF and IL-2 are administered sequentially, the TNF must be administered prior to the IL-2 to obtain synergy. The composition is useful for treating such cancers as mastocytoma, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, mammary adenocarcinoma, and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract: Highly stable pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administration to animals or humans comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an RTA-immunoconjugate dissolved in an inert carrier method comprising a stabilizer are claimed. Screening methods for selecting stabilizers effective in preventing precipitation and aggregation of such compositions are described. Preferred stabilizers includes glycerol at a concentration (v/v) of from about 25 to about 35%; dextran sulfates having molecular weights from about 0.1.times.10.sup.6 to about 2.times.10.sup.6 daltons; and human serum albumin.The invention further comprises such compositions which have been lyophilized and/or reconstituted wherein the stabilizer is non-volatile, and may further comprise a carbohydrate stabilizer.The invention further comprises stabilized RTA compositions.

Abstract: Antibodies exhibit specificity toward single amino acid differences between proteins. These antibodies may be produced by synthesizing a peptide of the appropriate amino acid sequence contained in the protein, immunizing a host with the peptide, and extracting sera from the host to obtain the antibodies. The antibodies and the desired protein are then immunoprecipitated under conditions of partial denaturation to expose the epitope of the protein. The antibodies may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Bifunctional chemicals useful for linking aldehyde containing moieties to moieties containing functionalities which are or can be reactive with sulfhydryl are claimed and have the formula:L--S--(CH.sub.2).sub.n1 --CONH--SPACER--NH--Xwherein L is a leaving group selected from --H or --S--Ar, wherein Ar represents optionally substituted phenyl or pyridyl;n.sub.1 =2-4;X is selected from:--CO--Y--CONHNH.sub.2, a hydrazide; ##STR1## a hydrazine; ##STR2## a hydrazine; --CO--Y--NH--CONHNH.sub.2, a semicarbazide; and--CO--Z--NH--CSNHNH.sub.2, a thiosemicarbazide;wherein Y is alkylene or oxaalkylene and Z is alkylene or a polypeptide residue bridging the N-terminal amino group and C-terminal carboxy group thereof;the SPACER is oxaalkylene or oxaalkylene substituted with hydroxyl and specifically includes residues having formulas selected from--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --(a)wherein each n2 is independently 2-4 and ##STR3## wherein n3 is 2-6.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies are prepared and characterized which bind selectively to human breast cancer cells, are IgGs or IgMs, and when conjugated to ricin A chain, exhibit a TCID 50% against at least one of MCF-7, CAMA-1, SKBR-3, or BT-20 cells of less than about 10 nM. Methods for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating human breast cancer with the antibodies or immunotoxins made therefrom are described.