Abstract: A method of distinguishing between urothelial carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck and lung primaries is presented. A 19-gene signature was developed which differentiates between metastatic urothelial carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in a metastatic site when the primary site is either known or unknown.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating disease or condition caused or exacerbated by S100A9 activity, such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) using a composition comprising an effective amount of a CD33/S100A9 inhibitor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a cancer in a subject that involves administering to the subject a therapeutically affective amount of a geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I) inhibitor, such as GGTI-2418, wherein the cancer comprises a defective PTEN, a hyperactivated FBXL2, or a low level of IP3R3. In some embodiments, the method further involves administering to the subject a therapeutically affective amount of an Akt inhibitor.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a compound and compositions having activity as an inhibitor of Stat3 protein and methods of using the compound and compositions. In one embodiment, a compound of the invention has the structure shown in formula I, formula II, or formula III. The subject invention also concerns methods of using the compounds and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for selecting a cancer treatment regimen for a subject.

Abstract: An example method of treating a subject having a tumor is described herein. The method can include determining a radiosensitivity index of the tumor, deriving a subject-specific variable based on the radiosensitivity index, and obtaining a genomic adjusted radiation dose effect value for the tumor. The radiosensitivity index can be assigned from expression levels of signature genes of a cell of the tumor. Additionally, the genomic adjusted radiation dose effect value can be predictive of tumor recurrence in the subject after treatment. The method can also include determining a radiation dose based on the subject-specific variable and the genomic adjusted radiation dose effect value.

Abstract: Disclosed are inhibitors for the ?-catenin/BCL9 interaction. The inhibitors are selective for ?-catenin/BCL9 over ?-catenin/cadherin interactions. Methods of using the disclosed compounds to treat cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Binding of the transcriptional co-activator, YAP1, to the transcription factor Oct4, induces Sox2, which is a transcription actor necessary for the self-renewal of stem-like cells from non-small cell lung cancer. The WW domain of YAP1 binds to the PPxY motif of Oct4 to induce Sox2. Delivering a peptide corresponding to the WW domain could prevent the induction of Sox2 and stemness. Similarly, peptides and mimetics of the PPxY motif would be able to inhibit sternness. Disclosed are compounds that affect the Yap1:Oct4 interaction.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for targeted treatment of CD123-expressing cancers. In particular, recombinant antibodies are disclosed that are able to engage T-cells to destroy CD123-expressing malignant cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells using substrates, such as artificial antigen presenting cells, containing on a surface a a heparin binding domain (HBD), anti-CD3 single chain antibodies, anti-CD28 single chain antibodies (scFv), and optionally anti-41BBL antibodies. Anti-CD3 and Anti-CD28 scFvs bind and activate expanding T cells ex vivo, while the Heparin Binding Domain binds the viral vector, thereby bringing the T cells into close proximity with virus for effective gene transfer. This is a less costly, renewable, modifiable, and efficacious alternative to coated beads and RetroNectin® for gene transfer.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for ex vivo expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for use in adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Also disclosed are compositions and method for identifying an agent for ex vivo expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for use in ACT. Also disclosed are methods for treating cancer using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expanded by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for targeted treatment of CD33-expressing cancers. In particular, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptides are disclosed that can be used with adoptive cell transfer to target and kill CD33-expressing cancers. Also disclosed are immune effector cells, such as T cells or Natural Killer (NK) cells, that are engineered to express these CARs. Therefore, also disclosed are methods of providing an anti-tumor immunity in a subject with a CD33-expressing cancer that involves adoptive transfer of the disclosed immune effector cells engineered to express the disclosed CARs. Also disclosed are multivalent antibodies are disclosed that are able to engage T-cells to destroy CD33-expressing malignant cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating myelodysplastic syndrome in a human subject afflicted therewith comprising administering to the subject an amount from 0.1 mg/m2 to 5 mg/m2 of a compound having the structure or a salt, zwitterion, or ester thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptides that can be used with adoptive cell transfer to target and kill TIM3-expressing cancers. Also disclosed are immune effector cells, such as T cells or Natural Killer (NK) cells, that are engineered to express these CARs. Therefore, also disclosed are methods of providing an anti-tumor immunity in a subject with a TIM3-expressing cancer that involves adoptive transfer of the disclosed immune effector cells engineered to express the disclosed CARs.

Abstract: Cellular targets on cancer cells have been identified that can be used with targeted molecular imaging to detect the cancer cells in vivo. Non-invasive methods for detecting cancer cells, such as metastasized cancer cells, are therefore provided. Also provided are compositions and kits for use in the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptides, which can be used with adoptive cell transfer to target and kill cancers, that comprise a co-stimulatory signaling region having a mutated form of a cytoplasmic domain of CD28 that enhances CAR-T cell function, a mutated form of a cytoplasmic domain of 41BB that enhances nuclear factor kappaB (NF?B) signaling, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are immune effector cells, such as T cells or Natural Killer (NK) cells, that are engineered to express these CARs. Also disclosed are immune effector cells co-expressing a CAR and one or more TRAF proteins. Therefore, also disclosed are methods of providing an anti-tumor immunity in a subject with a tumor associated antigen-expressing cancer that involves adoptive transfer of the disclosed immune effector cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are monoacylated Toll-like receptor 2 ligands which can be used in both the development of targeted agents for the imaging and treatment of pancreatic cancer as well as other cancers, and as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy. The monoacylated compounds disclosed herein have a higher binding affinity for TLR2 relative to a known potent diacylated agonists, but only ?½ the bioactivity. Competition of the monoacylated compound with the diacylated compound for binding TLR2 was confirmed. Hence, the reported monoacylated compounds are inhibitors/antagonists of TLR2 activation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to reduce the risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) in a subject receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Also disclosed are methods for identifying patients receiving HSCT who are at risk for developing GVHD, methods for prognosing the severity of GVHD in a subject receiving HSCT, and methods for monitoring efficacy of a therapeutic for treatment of GVHD in a subject HSCT.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for ex vivo expanding tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for use in adoptive cell therapy (ACT). The method involves culturing tumor fragments from the subject in a culture medium containing IL-2 and a 41BB agonist in an amount effective to expand tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with enriched tumor-reactivity and specificity. Also disclosed is a method for treating a tumor in a subject that involves treating the subject with nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, and administering tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expanded by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are small molecules against cereblon to enhance effector T cell function. Methods of making these molecules and methods of using them to treat various disease states are also disclosed.