Abstract: Particulate ?-glucan is solubilized at elevated pressure and temperature to form soluble ?-glucan. The method is safe and economical and produces a product that is an improved pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to soluble beta-glucan compositions and method of using such compositions. In one aspect, an adjuvant for a pharmaceutical composition is described which includes a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen. In another aspect, compositions that generally include an antigen component, a soluble beta-glucan component, and a TLR agonist component and a method that generally includes administering to a subject a composition that comprises a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen, are described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to ?-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-?-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the combination of soluble ?-glucan and immune suppression-relieving agents that affect the tumor microenvironment. Soluble ?-glucan promotes an immunostimulatory environment, which allows enhanced effectiveness of anti-angiogenics, checkpoint inhibitors including non-tumor targeting antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the combination of soluble ?-glucan and anti-cancer agents that affect the tumor microenvironment. Soluble ?-glucan promotes an immunostimulatory environment, which allows enhanced effectiveness of anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions that include isolated opsonized soluble ?-glucan, methods of making those compositions and methods of using those compositions.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a composition that includes a ?-glucan component and an antibody component that specifically binds to the ?-glucan. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method of increasing a subject's response to ?-glucan immunotherapy. Generally, the method includes identifying the subject as a low binder of ?-glucan and administering to the subject a composition that comprises a ?-glucan moiety conjugated to the therapeutic antibody. In some cases, the therapeutic antibody can be an anti-tumor antibody.

Abstract: Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to ?-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-?-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to soluble beta-glucan compositions and method of using such compositions. In one aspect, an adjuvant for a pharmaceutical composition is described which includes a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen. In another aspect, compositions that generally include an antigen component, a soluble beta-glucan component, and a TLR agonist component and a method that generally includes administering to a subject a composition that comprises a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen, are described.

Abstract: Particulate ?-glucan is solubilized at elevated pressure and temperature to form soluble ?-glucan. The method is safe and economical and produces a product that is an improved pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method for identifying ?-glucan binding to immune cells of a subject. Generally, the method includes obtaining a blood sample from the subject, the blood sample comprising immune cells, adding soluble ?-glucan to at least a portion of the blood sample and incubating the mixture under conditions allowing the soluble ?-glucan to bind to the immune cells, and detecting soluble ?-glucan bound to the immune cells. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method that generally includes identifying the subject as a low binder of ?-glucan, and co-administering to the subject a soluble ?-glucan and an antibody preparation capable of converting the subject from a low binder to a high binder.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a composition that includes a ?-glucan component and an antibody component that specifically binds to the ?-glucan. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method of increasing a subject's response to ?-glucan immunotherapy. Generally, the method includes identifying the subject as a low binder of ?-glucan and administering to the subject a composition that comprises a ?-glucan moiety conjugated to the therapeutic antibody. In some cases, the therapeutic antibody can be an anti-tumor antibody.

Abstract: Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to broadly protect the military and the public from injury from biological warfare weapons, particularly infective agents such as anthrax. Beta (1,3)-glucans, particularly whole glucan particles, PGG-Glucan, and microparticulate glucan, provide general immune enhancement, thereby increasing the body's ability to defend against a wide variety of biological threats. Beta (1,3)-glucans have been shown to increase the resistance to infection by anthrax and other infectious organisms when administered before and after infection. The anti-infective mechanism of ?(1,3)-glucan appears to involve stimulation of the innate immune system through increased cytokine release and CR3 receptor activation. Beta (1,3)-glucan is pharmaceutically stable, relatively compact, and can also be used without significant side effects. Beta (1,3)-glucan can also enhance the effectiveness of other medical countermeasures such as antibiotics, vaccines, and immune antibodies.

Abstract: Particulate ?-glucan is solubilized at elevated pressure and temperature to form particulate-soluble ?-glucan. The particulate-soluble ?-glucan is capable of being dried to a powder form and subsequently re-solubilized.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating and preventing radiation and/or chemotherapy related injury and/or afflictions, such as myelosuppression and decreased macrophage activity, by administering a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of particulate, bioavailable ?(1,3; 1,6) glucan. The invention also relates to methods in which ?(1,3; 1,6) glucan is provided in the form of whole glucan particles, microparticulate ?-glucan particles or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Particulate ?-glucan is solubilized at elevated pressure and temperature to form particulate-soluble ?-glucan. The particulate-soluble ?-glucan is capable of being dried to a powder form and subsequently re-solubilized.

Abstract: Methods relating to treating conditions that do not respond well to EGF-r antagonist therapies are disclosed. Generally, the methods include administering to a subject a composition that includes a ?-glucan and, as either a second composition or a second component of the composition, either antibody that binds to at least one antigen specific to the KRAS-mutated cells and/or an EGF-r antagonist.

Abstract: Particulate ?-glucan is solubilized at elevated pressure and temperature to form particulate-soluble ?-glucan. The particulate-soluble ?-glucan is capable of being dried to a powder form and subsequently re-solubilized.