Abstract: Compositions and methods for treatment and vaccination against tuberculosis are disclosed. In one aspect the compositions provided include at least two polypeptides that contain an immunogenic portion of a M. tuberculosis antigen or at least two DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides. In a second aspect, the compositions provided include a fusion protein comprising at least two polypeptides that contain an immunogenic portion of a M. tuberculosis antigen. Such compositions may be formulated into vaccines and/or pharmaceutical compositions for immunization against M. tuberculosis infection, or may be used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection and therapy of breast cancer are disclosed. The compounds provided include nucleotide sequences that are preferentially expressed in breast tumor tissue, as well as polypeptides encoded by such nucleotide sequences. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds are also provided and may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The polypeptides may also be used for the production of antibodies, which are useful for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of breast cancer in a patient.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for diagnosing tuberculosis are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of one or more M. tuberculosis proteins, and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of M. tuberculosis infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, such as prostate cancer, are disclosed. Compositions may comprise one or more prostate-specific proteins, immunogenic portions thereof, or polynucleotides that encode such portions. Alternatively, a therapeutic composition may comprise an antigen presenting cell that expresses a prostate-specific protein, or a T cell that is specific for cells expressing such a protein. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as prostate cancer. Diagnostic methods based on detecting a prostate-specific protein, or mRNA encoding such a protein, in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating lung cancer are provided. The inventive compounds include polypeptides containing at least a portion of a lung tumor protein. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for immunotherapy of lung cancer comprising such polypeptides, or DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides, are also provided, together with DNA molecules for preparing the inventive polypeptides.

Abstract: A composition for inducing or potentiating an immune response, preferably a CTL, T helper cell, or neutralizing antibody response in a subject, comprising an antigen and/or a non-antigen bioactive agent capable of inducing or potentiating such an immune response encapsulated in a polymeric composition, wherein the polymeric composition comprises a blend of (a) a polymer present in an amount sufficient to provide structural integrity to the polymeric composition, and (b) a rapidly biodegradable component, a rapidly dissolving component, a rapidly swelling component, or a component that causes osmotic rupture of the encapsulated polymeric composition is disclosed. Single polymer compositions for achieving such an immune response are also disclosed. Methods for inducing or potentiating a CTL, T helper cell or neutralizing antibody response using the above-identified compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of B. microti infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a B. microti antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Antigenic epitopes of such antigens are also provided, together with pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of B. microti infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides and antigenic epitopes are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Ehrlichia infection, in particular human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of an Ehrlichia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Ehrlichia infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Aminoalkyl glucosaminide phosphate (AGP) compounds that are adjuvants and immunoeffectors are described and claimed. The compounds have a 2-deoxy-2-amino glucose in glycosidic linkage with an aminoalkyl (aglycon) group. Compounds are phosphorylated at the 4 or 6 carbon on the glucosaminide ring and comprise three 3-alkanoyloxyalkanoyl residues. The compounds augment antibody production in immunized animals as well as stimulate cytokine production and activate macrophages. Methods for using the compounds as adjuvants and immunoeffectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for inducing protective immunity against tuberculosis are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one immunogenic portion of one or more M. tuberculosis proteins and DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides. Such compounds may be formulated into vaccines and/or pharmaceutical compositions for immunization against M. tuberculosis infection, or may be used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the treatment and diagnosis of colon cancer are provided. The inventive compounds include polypeptides containing at least a portion of a colon tumor protein. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for immunotherapy of colon cancer comprising such polypeptides, or polynucleotide molecules encoding such polypeptides, are also provided, together with DNA molecules for preparing the inventive polypeptides.

Abstract: A murine model for human breast, ovarian and prostate cancer is provided. The model comprises either an immunodeficient mouse containing human primary breast, ovarian or prostate carcinoma tissue implanted within the gonadal fat pad, or an immunodeficient mouse containing human prostate or ovarian carcinoma tissue subcutaneously implanted therein. Methods of using the murine model, for example, to grow tumors and to screen treatments for breast, ovarian and/or prostate cancer are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Ehrlichia infection, in particular human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of an Ehrlichia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions an vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Ehrlichia infection in patients and biologiacal samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating prostate cancer are provided. The inventive compounds include polypeptides containing at least a portion of a prostate tumor protein. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for immunotherapy of prostate cancer comprising such polypeptides, or DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides, are also provided, together with DNA molecules for preparing the inventive polypeptides.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating prostate cancer are provided. The inventive compounds include polypeptides containing at least a portion of a prostate tumor protein. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for immunotherapy of prostate cancer comprising such polypeptides, or DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides, are also provided, together with DNA molecules for preparing the inventive polypeptides.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Ehrlichia infection, in particular human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of an Ehrlichia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Ehrlichia infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The disclosed compounds are polypeptides, or antibodies thereto, that contain one or more epitopes of T. cruzi antigens. The compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting T. cruzi infection. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing protective immunity against Chagas' disease in individuals exposed to T. cruzi.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection and therapy of breast cancer are disclosed. The compounds provided include nucleotide sequences that are preferentially expressed in breast tumor tissue, as well as polypeptides encoded by such nucleotide sequences. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds are also provided and may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The polypeptides may also be used for the production of antibodies, which are useful for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of breast cancer in a patient.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Babesia microti infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a B. microti antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Antigenic epitopes of such antigens are also provided, together with pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of B. microti infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides and antigenic epitopes are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating lung cancer are provided. The inventive compounds include polypeptides containing at least a portion of a lung tumor protein. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for immunotherapy of lung cancer comprising such polypeptides, or DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides, are also provided, together with DNA molecules for preparing the inventive polypeptides.