Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of using the methylation status of the COX-2 gene promoter region as a biomarker for a gastric cancer patient to determine a prognosis and a treatment regimen, and to monitor the progress of a treatment regimen.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining whether a melanoma will metastasize or has metastasized to the small intestine in a subject by detecting or quantifying the expression of the CCR9, CCL25/TECK, or integrin ?4 gene. Also disclosed are methods for treating subjects so identified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting Toll-like receptor (TLR) gene expression or protein activity in a melanocyte or melanoma cell. Also disclosed are a method of modulating TLR gene expression or protein activity in a melanocyte or melanoma cell by contacting the cell with a TLR modulating agent and a method of inhibiting melanoma cell migration (e.g., spreading) by contacting the cell with a TLR inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis. In some embodiments of the invention, active attraction of biological markers are provided. A partial or complete analytic/detection assembly may also be integrated with the probe.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer based on the methylation status of the ER-? gene promoter are disclosed. Methylation of the ER-? gene promoter is indicative of cancer and unfavorable prognosis. The cancer can be treated with a demethylation agent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of detecting a wild-type or mutant B-RAF gene in a body fluid sample from a subject. Also disclosed are methods of using B-RAF as a biomarker for detecting cancer, predicting the outcome of cancer, and monitoring the treatment of cancer or the status of cancer. Furthermore, the invention discloses methods and compositions for detecting a mutant gene with a peptide nucleic acid clamp capable of hybridizing to a wild-type gene and a locked nucleic acid probe capable of hybridizing to a mutant of the gene.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis.

Abstract: HMW-MAA antibody cocktails and their uses in detecting cancer and isolating cancer cells are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of detecting cancer based on the presence of an HMW-MAA genomic sequence in circulating DNA, as well as the increased expression of the HMW-MAA gene and the reduced methylation of the HMW-MAA gene promoter in tissues and circulating cells.

Abstract: Methods of detecting novel therapeutically active compositions based on their ability to modulate the glycolipid metabolism and overcome multidrug resistance are described. These methods are particularly useful in screening for novel chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer, as well as chemosensitizers that are capable of enhancing the cytotoxicity of such chemotherapeutic agents. A combination of one or more of these compositions can be used in the treatment of a various cancers.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for identification of lymph nodes and the presence or absence of lymph node metastases as an important prognostic factor in early stage cancers of all types. A carbon black suspension is administered in combination with a second compound to a region associated with a neoplastic tumor in a patient. The sentinel lymph node associated with the disease-associated region is identified by the accumulation of carbon particles. The region associated with the accumulation of carbon black particles is then subject to histopathology for the purpose of identification, diagnosing, staging or predicting the presence of neoplastic tissue. The neoplastic tumor is any neoplasm that metastasizes via the lymphatic channels.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel tumor marker antigen encoded by a gene designated as HOJ-1 (SEQ ID NO:1). In specific embodiment, the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein are for used in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Also provided are related protein and antibody compositions and various methods of use thereof, including methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the induction of immune responses in mammals against enveloped animal viruses. More particularly, the invention provides vaccine compositions containing multiple MHC allotypes. By generating an immune response against these MHC molecules, virus or virus-infected cells expressing foreign MHC molecules can be attacked prior to infection of cells in the immunized host. In some embodiments, the vaccine compositions contain viral antigens and adjuvants as well. The vaccine compositions may comprise intact cells, cell-derived membrane preparations or recombinantly or chemically produced MHC molecules or fragments thereof.

Abstract: DNA cancer vaccines and methods for their use are described. The vaccines are comprised of viral liposomes comprising nucleic acid, preferably DNA, encoding a tumor-associated antigen. The viral liposomes may be formed by the fusion of HVJ reagents with nonviral reagents. The vaccine may be administered subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly or into an organ. The vaccine may be administered to induce a host normal cell to express the tumor associated antigen.

Abstract: A method is provided for assessing allelic losses on specific chromosomal regions in melanoma patents. The method relies on the evidence that free DNA may be released in the plasma/serum of cancer patients allowing the detection of DNA with LOH in the plasma/serum of cancer patients by analysis for microsatellite markers. The amount of and specific allelic loss allows a prognosis to be made regarding tumor diagnosis and progression, tumor metastasis, tumor recurrence, and mortality.

Abstract: RNA cancer vaccines and methods for their use are described. The vaccines are comprised of viral liposomes comprising nucleic acid, preferably RNA, encoding a tumor-associated antigen. The viral liposomes may be formed by the fusion of HVJ reagents with nonviral reagents. The vaccine may be administered subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly or into an organ. The vaccine may be administered to induce a host normal cell to express the tumor associated antigen.

Abstract: A method of treating a hyperproliferative disorder in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to said subject, in combination, a treatment effective amount of: (a) a ceramide-generating retinoid such as fenretinide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (b) at least one (and in certain embodiments at least two) ceramide degredation inhibitor, such as compounds selected from the group consisting of (i) glucosylceramide synthesis inhibitors, (ii) sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitors, and (iii) protein kinase C inhibitors. A preferred glucosyl ceramide synthesis inhibitor is 1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol. A preferred sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitor is D-erythro-N,N-dimethylsphingosine. A preferred protein kinase C inhibitor is L-threo-dihydrosphingosine.

Abstract: A tumor associated protein has been discovered to exhibit immunoreactivity to human monoclonal antibody L92. A ten amino acid peptide segment of the protein and a fourteen amino acid peptide which contains the ten amino acid peptide has also been isolated and exhibits immunoreactivity to the same antibody. Using truncated fusion proteins, the minimum recognition site for antibody binding was determined to be four amino acids. Also disclosed are polypeptide compositions against human tumors that includes the polypeptides or protein of the present disclosure, as well as antibodies reactive with these polypeptides that may be employed directly for treatment or diagnosis. A certain embodiment of the present invention is also the DNA sequence encoding the ten amino acid peptide and the DNA encoding the fourteen amino acid peptide which also exhibits immunoreactivity to human monoclonal antibody L92 and cytotoxic T cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for enhancing the antibody and T cell response to cellular antigens by incorporating an immunopotentiating agent into the cellular membrane or into an intracellular compartment. Such adjuvant-incorporated cell compositions are useful in methods to increase immune responses against antigens, including immunologically cryptic tumor cell antigens, and may be employed to generate useful diagnostic antibodies, to elicit anti-tumor effects in immunized animals, and to significantly prolong survival in animals with cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the induction of immune responses in mammals against enveloped animal viruses. More particularly, the invention provides vaccine compositions containing multiple MHC allotypes. By generating an immune response against these MHC molecules, virus or virus-infected cells expressing foreign MHC molecules can be attacked prior to infection of cells in the immunized host. In some embodiments, the vaccine compositions contain viral antigens and adjuvants as well. The vaccine compositions may comprise intact cells, cell-derived membrane preparations or recombinantly or chemically produced MHC molecules or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of sphingoglycolipid species that are indicative of multidrug resistance in certain types of cells, including cancer cells. The association of multidrug resistance with the expression of certain sphingoglycolipids provides a new method for identifying multidrug resistant cancers. In addition, it has been determined that reducing the levels of certain sphingoglycolipids results in enhanced chemosensitivity of drug resistant cancer cells. This offers the opportunity to develop new treatments for multidrug resistant cancers.