Abstract: The present invention concerns cyclic compounds, compositions comprising the cyclic compounds, linkers, a method of preparing a carrying agent:cyclic compound adduct, a method for treating disorders such as proliferation disorders (e.g., malignancies), bone deficiency diseases, and autoimmune diseases, and a method for suppressing the growth of, or inducing apoptosis in, cells (e.g., malignant cells).

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: A method is disclosed for treating small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in a subject that involves administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of dendritic cells engineered to overexpress p53. In some embodiments, the method further involves administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). The method can also involve administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene signatures that may be used to predict the recurrence of colorectal cancer in a human patient. These signatures can be used to determine when to treat a patient with post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy, i.e., when a high risk of colorectal cancer recurrence is predicted.

Abstract: Disclosed are replication-enhanced oncolytic adenoviruses. These oncolytic adenoviruses have tumor-specific replication capable of enhanced tumor oncolysis and enhanced therapeutic transgene expression. Also disclosed are methods comprising administering a replication-enhanced oncolytic adenovirus for patients suffering from a cancer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a cancer in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a checkpoint inhibitor and a therapeutically effective amount of a tumor vaccine. In some embodiments, the tumor vaccine comprises radiated autologous tumor cells and a cell line engineered to express GM-CSF and CD40 ligand. In some embodiments, the checkpoint inhibitor comprises an anti-PD-1 antibody (e.g., BMS 936558), anti-PD-L1 antibody (e.g., cloneM1H1), anti-CTLA-4 antibody (e.g., Ipilimumab, BMS), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Various implementations include a gas delivery and monitoring apparatus that can be used, for example, to deliver oxygen and monitor exhaled carbon dioxide in a subject while under anesthesia. One advantage of the disclosed apparatus is the ability to deliver oxygen directly to the back of the mouth instead of in front of the face. Another advantage of the disclosed apparatus over existing nasal cannulas is the ability to capture carbon dioxide exhaled from both the nose and mouth.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for assessing the apoptosis and survival BAD phosphorylation pathway (BAD pathway); and/or (2) the cell cycle role of APC in cell cycle regulation pathway (APC pathway); and/or (3) the transcription CREB pathway (CREB pathway) and for using these pathways to assess, treat, monitor, prognose, diagnose, etc. subjects with cancer. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for identifying molecular pathways that are common to one or more chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of an oncological disorder, for screening for compounds or agents that can be used to treat ovarian cancer, and for selecting for compounds or agents that can enhance the cytotoxic response of cisplatin, carboplatin, and/or paclitaxel against a cancer cell, such as an ovarian cancer cell or cell line.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to compositions and methods of making and using the compositions. In a further aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to inhibitors of STAT3 dimerization. Methods of making these compositions as well as compositions comprising these compositions are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing certain cancers by administering to an individual in need thereof and effective amount of the compounds disclosed herein. Still further, disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting STAT3 by contacting a cell with a compound or composition as disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods of inducing tumor regression, inhibiting tumor growth, and inducing apoptosis with selective peptidomimetic inhibitors of geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I), are provided. In one aspect, GGTI-2418 and its methylester GGTI-2417, increase levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p27Kip1 and induce breast tumor regression in vivo. In another aspect, GGTI-2417 inhibits the Cdk2-mediated phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at Thr187 and accumulates p27Kip1 in the nucleus.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods whereby an effective amount of a HDAC6 inhibitor is used to activate a subjects T-cell response to tumor or tumor vaccine. Methods of using HDAC6 inhibitors to increase a subjects anti-tumor immune response, alone or in conjunction with other tumor treatments, 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 WAV domain could prevent the induction of Sox2 and stemness. Similarly, peptides and mimetics of the PPxY motif would be able to inhibit stemness. Disclosed are compounds that affect the Yap1:Oct4 interaction.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods and materials for diagnosing, monitoring the progress, and/or providing a prognosis for multiple myeloma and other conditions associated with antibody production in a person or animal. The methods of the invention utilize mass spectrometry for quantitative monitoring and detection of antibody produced by the plasma cells. The methods of the invention can be utilized for diagnosis, monitoring, and/or prognosis of multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy, and other immunological or hematological conditions and disorders. In addition to detecting and quantifying antibody in a sample, other biological markers, such as serum albumin and/or beta-2-microglobulin, can also be detected and quantified using the present invention, and in combination with detection and quantification of antibody.

Abstract: Virtually every cancer patient is imaged with CT, PET or MRI. Importantly, such imaging reveals that tumors are complex and heterogeneous, often containing multiple habitats within them. Disclosed herein are methods for analyzing these images to infer cellular and molecular structure in each of these habitats. The methods can involve spatially superimposing two or more radiological images of the tumor sufficient to define regional habitat variations in two or more ecological dynamics in the tumor, and comparing the habitat variations to one or more controls to predict the severity of the tumor.

Abstract: The present application relates to endotracheal tubes and to systems and methods for detecting airway edema and evaluating breathing with an endotracheal tube. An example endotracheal tube includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a linker portion. The linker portion couples the distal portion and the proximal portion. The linker portion includes at least two struts. The struts extend between the distal portion and the proximal portion. Also, there is at least one opening defined between and along the length of the struts. The linker portion is configured to contact the vocal cords of the subject when in use.

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: Described herein are compound for the modulation of the G-CSF receptor. The compounds may act as agonists, antagonists, and/or mixed or partial agonists/antagonists of G-CSF. Further provided herein are methods of treating a condition, including, for example, a neurodegenerative disease, by administering a compound as detailed herein.

Abstract: Inhibition of bromodomain proteins in antigen presenting cells is shown herein to be more inflammatory, to display lower expression of the immunosuppressive molecule PDL1, and to be capable of restoring the responsiveness of tolerant T-cells. Therefore, disclosed is a method for promoting T-cell activation during cancer immunotherapy in a subject that involves administering to a subject undergoing cancer immunotherapy a composition comprising a bromodomain inhibitor. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising co-administering to the subject a bromodomain inhibitor and an immunostimulatory agent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compounds, compositions containing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds and compositions as inhibitors of Stat3 signaling, Stat3 dimerization, Stat3-DNA binding, Stat5-DNA binding, and/or aberrant cell growth in vitro or in vivo, e.g., as anti-cancer agents for treatment of cancer, such as breast cancer. The compounds of the invention include, but are not limited to, NSC 74859 (S3I-201), NSC 42067, NSC 59263, NSC 75912, NSC 11421, NSC 91529, NSC 263435, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and analogs of the foregoing. Other non-malignant diseases characterized by proliferation of cells that may be treated using the compounds of the invention, but are not limited to, cirrhosis of the liver; graft rejection; restenosis; and disorders characterized by a proliferation of T cells such as autoimmune diseases, e.g., type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for treating a person or animal having cognitive impairment. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering an effective amount of one or more inflammatory mediator(s), for example, fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) ligand, interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-3 (IL-3), erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF-1alpha), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), Stem Cell Factor (SCF), Darbepoetin (ARANESP), and metalloproteinases, to an animal or person in need of treatment.