Abstract: The present invention provides pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, induced pluri-potent stem cells, adult stem cells and other progenitor cells, that have been modified to contain an inducible cancer-specific suicide gene construct that, upon induction, selectively kills stem- or progenitor-cell-derived cancerous cells without significant effect on healthy tissues or other (noncancerous) cells derived from such cells. This suicide gene construct expresses a dominant negative MYC-interfering protein (D-MIP) that acts as a tumor suppressor in cancer cells without significant deleterious effects on healthy cells and tissues. The suicide gene construct can also be used in gene therapies that produce cancers arising in association with the presence of the gene therapy vector and likewise discriminates between killing of cancerous cells and non-cancerous cells modified with a gene therapy vector.

Abstract: This invention provides a polyvalent vaccine comprising at least two conjugated antigens selected from a group containing glycolipid antigen, polysaccharide antigen, mucin antigen, glycosylated mucin antigen and an appropriate adjuvant. This invention also provides a multivalent vaccine comprising at least two of the following: glycosylated MUC-1-32mer, Globo H, GM2, Ley, Tn(c), sTN(c), and TF(c). This invention provides the vaccine above, wherein the adjuvant is saponin-based adjuvant. This invention provides a method for inducing immune response in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine above to the subject. Finally, this invention provides a method for treating cancer in a subject comprising administering an appropriate amount of the vaccine above to the subject.

Abstract: A method for administering an ocular analgesic is described. The method includes the steps of providing a topical analgesic that includes a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog and applying the topical analgesic to the ocular tissue in a dose of about 0.0001 to about 5 mg, alternatively about 0.0001 to about 3 mg, alternatively about 0.0005 to about 1.2 mg, alternatively about 0.0005 to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.00075 to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.8 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.7 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.6 mg. Methods of administering a topical analgesic containing a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog are also described. The topical analgesic can be administered in a patch, gel, lotion, spray, or mist.

Abstract: It has been discovered that administering therapeutically effective amounts of an antibiotic that kills Gram-negative bacteria, together with an anti-ceramide antibody or anti-ceramide mimetic, treats and prevents an array of diseases mediated by cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL)-induced killing and/or by damage to endothelial microvasculature, including Radiation GI syndrome, CGvHD disease, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating the cancer state of a subject using lecithin:retinol acyl transferase (LRAT) gene promoter methylation status. Methods of analyzing and quantifying LRAT gene promoter methylation level are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to methods of determining the prognosis for s subject having cancer by assessing LRAT mRNA expression and LRAT protein expression. Methods of cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel synthesis of the anti-androgen, A52, which has been found to be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, is provided. A52 as well as structurally related analogs may be prepared via the inventive route. This new synthetic scheme may be used to prepare kilogram scale quantities of pure A52.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody that binds the same antigen as that of monoclonal antibody 8H9, wherein the heavy chain CDR (Complementary Determining Region)1 comprises NYDIN, heavy chain CDR2 comprises WIFPGDGSTQY, heavy chain CDR3 comprises QTTATWFAY, and the light chain CDR1 comprises RASQSISDYLH, light chain CDR2 comprises YASQSIS, and light chain CDR3 comprises QNGHSFPLT. In another embodiment, there is provided a polypeptide that binds the same antigen as that of monoclonal antibody 8H9, wherein the polypeptide comprises NYDIN, WIFPGDGSTQY, QTTATWFAY, RASQSISDYLH, YASQSIS, and QNGHSFPLT.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to a subject having a neurodegenerative disease an effective amount of a compound of Formula I: where X, R1, R2, subscript m, subscript n and subscript v are as defined herein.

Abstract: Described herein are amorphous and crystalline forms of the androgen receptor modulator 4-[7-(6-cyano-5-trifluoromethylpyridin-3-yl)-8-oxo-6-thioxo-5,7-diazaspiro[3.4]oct-5-yl]-2-fluoro-N-methylbenzamide. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration to a mammal that include the androgen receptor modulator, and methods of using the androgen receptor modulator, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that are associated with androgen receptor activity.

Abstract: Polypeptides that bind to DC-SIGN and/or its homologues and methods for using such peptides for the treatment of various disorders are described. DC-SIGN and its homologues are receptors that bind IgG antibodies or Fc fragments and mediate intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-related reversal of inflammation associated with various immune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cephalotaxus esters, syntheses thereof, and intermediates thereto. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of using said compounds or compositions in the treatment of proliferative diseases (e.g., benign neoplasm, cancer, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, diabetic retinopathy) and infectious disease. The invention further provides methods of using said compounds or compositions in the treatment of multidrug resistant cancer.

Abstract: A novel synthesis of the anti-androgen, A52, which has been found to be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, is provided. A52 as well as structurally related analogs may be prepared via the inventive route. This new synthetic scheme may be used to prepare kilogram scale quantities of pure A52.

Abstract: Ocular analgesics for topical administration are described. The topical ocular analgesic includes a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog. The topical ocular analgesic may alternatively include a buffered salt solution, a local anesthetic solution, a tissue penetrating agent, and/or an opiate. The neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog may be present in a dose of about 0.0005 to about 1.2 mg.

Abstract: Efficacy of a therapeutic to enhance antitumor immunity in a patient is predicted, where the therapeutic is one that targets an immunomodulatory leukocyte membrane protein (ILMP) to enhance immune activity. Peripheral blood sample from the patient is tested for levels of monocytes having specific cell surface markers (CD14+, HLA-DRlow) prior to treatment. Low levels of monocytes of this type (PBM14+HLA-DRlow) indicate a greater likelihood of therapeutic efficacy. In specific exemplary embodiments of the invention, the therapeutic is an antibody to CTLA4, such as ipilimumab or tremelimumab.

Abstract: Many pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Yersinia pestis, rely on an iron acquisition system based on siderophores, secreted iron-chelating compounds with extremely high Fe(III) affinity. The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of domain salicylation enzymes, which catalyze the salicylation of an aroyl carrier protein (ArCP) domain to form a salicyl-ArCP domain thioester intermediate via a two-step reaction. The compounds include the intermediate mimic 5?-O—[N-(salicyl)sulfamoyl]-adenosine (salicyl-AMS) and analogs thereof. These compounds are inhibitors of the salicylate activity of MbtA, YbtE, PchD, and other domain salicylation enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of siderophores. Therefore, these compounds may be used in the treatment of infection caused by microorganisms which rely on siderphore-based iron acquisition systems.

Abstract: The discovery of clonally pure populations of serosal cancer stem cells (CSCs) as well as methods of producing CSCs, culturing the CSCs and using them in screening assays, has lead to the development of methods of treating serosal and ovarian cancers by targeting removal or inhibition of the glycocalyx coat surrounding such cells, and includes combination therapies using particular chemotherapeutics in conjunction with glycocalyx inhibitors, as well as the same new chemotherapy treatments without targeting the glycocalyx, where the chemotherapeutic agent is any one of LBH-589 (Panobinostat), NVP-AUY922, LAQ824 (NVP-LAQ824, Dacinostat), colchicine, brefeldin A, diphenyleneiodonium chloride, any combination thereof or another agent identified herein. These treatment methods of the invention can also be used in combination with radiation treatment or other conventional cancer therapy.

Abstract: A signature for breast cancer tissue derived from a patient is established that is indicative of the virulence and risk of lung metastasis by determining the expression levels to define a sample signature, and comparing this sample signature to a reference signature. This determination is used to define appropriate treatment and monitoring options for the patient. Risk of metastasis to the lung can be reduced by treatment with a therapeutic combination that either (1) contains a first agent effective to inhibit epiregulin activity and a second agent effective to inhibit activity of a protein selected from the group consisting of MMP1, MMP2 and PTGS2, or (2) contains a therapeutic agent or combination of agents effective to inhibit activity MMP1, MMP2 and PTGS2. Agents that inhibit the CXCL1 pathway also can be used individually or in combination with these combinations.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and devices for automated laser ablation and/or tissue resection triggered by Raman spectroscopic information. These systems and methods provide for precise removal of cancerous or other diseased tissue with minimal damage to adjacent healthy tissue.

Abstract: Conjugates for the efficient delivery of sequence-specific antisense to cells of a selected type for the inhibition of a target protein have the general formula: peptide-HBL-antisense in which the peptide is a homing peptide which directs the conjugate to cells of a particular type, antisense is an antisense oligonucleotide having a sequence selected to provide sequence-specific inhibition of the target protein, and HBL is a heterobifunctional linker having reactivity towards amino and sulfhydryl groups.

Abstract: An arc radiotherapy and imaging system is provided which includes a first radiation source and a second radiation source. The first radiation source is suitable for treating a region of a patient, and the second radiation source is suitable for imaging the region of the patient. A control is also provided for automatically adjusting system operation, according to a defined schedule, between treating the region of the patient using the first radiation source and imaging the region of the patient using the second radiation source, thereby facilitating both treating and imaging of the region of the patient.