Abstract: The present description relates to an inhibitory RNA molecule, comprising an oligonucleotide that selectively knocks down expression of either Nanog or a Nanog pseudogene, a vector capable of encoding such inhibitory RNA molecule, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said vector, and methods of treating cancer by administration of said pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified CD8+? T cell which comprises an antigen-specific T cell receptor and an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a microRNA-155 (miR-155) molecule, and methods of preparing the same. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the CD8+ T cell a carrier. Further provided is a method for treating or preventing a medical condition, such as cancer, by adoptively transferring to a mammal an amount of the CD8+? T cells effective to treat or prevent the medical condition.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that expression of microRNA-26 is decreased in hepatocellular (HCC) tumor tissue relative to non-cancerous tissue, and that a low level of microRNA-26 is associated with a poor clinical outcome. It is also disclosed herein that a low expression level of microRNA-26 is correlated with a favorable response to interferon (IFN)-? therapy in HCC patients. Thus, provided herein is a method of predicting the clinical outcome of a patient diagnosed with HCC comprising detecting the level of microRNA-26 expression in a sample obtained from the patient. Also provided is a method of selecting a patient diagnosed with HCC as a candidate for IFN-? therapy, comprising detecting the level of microRNA-26 expression in a sample obtained from the patient. A method of identifying therapeutic agents for the treatment of HCC, comprising screening candidate agents in vitro to select an agent that increases expression of microRNA-26 in HCC cells are also provided.

Abstract: Antibodies and antibody fragments that bind to insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 receptor (IGF-1R) or IGF-2, as well as methods of using the antibodies for inhibiting the IGF-mediated signaling pathway, inhibiting IGF-1R signaling, and treating cancer, are described. A method of detecting the presence of IGF-1R or IGF-2 in a sample using the disclosed antibodies and antibody fragments is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine and method for making same which is effective to elicit a desired antibody against a target antigen comprising a primary immunogen and a secondary immunogen, wherein the primary immunogen is effective to elicit B cell receptors (BCRs) that are on the maturational pathway of the desired antibody and have an intermediate degree of somatic mutational diversity, and the secondary immunogen comprises an epitope of the desired target antibody and is effective to further diversify the BCRs sufficient to form mature BCRs having the identical or substantially identical sequence as the desired antibody.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating inflammatory or autoimmune diseases in a subject comprising blocking the interaction between DR3 and TL1A. The interaction between DR3 and TL1A can be blocked by reducing expression of TL1A. The interaction between DR3 and TL1A can be blocked by administration of anti-DR3 antibodies. The interaction between DR3 and TL1A can be blocked by administration of anti-TL1A antibodies. In the methods of treating inflammatory or autoimmune disease, the inflammatory or autoimmune disease can be an autoimmune disease with a T cell component. In the methods of treating inflammatory or autoimmune disease, the inflammatory or autoimmune disease can be asthma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, graft versus host disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Abstract: The present invention provides variant VEGF polypeptides which have been altered in their C-terminal heparin binding region to lower their heparin binding affinity. These variants have been found to act as receptor antagonists for VEGF receptors and antagonize angiogenesis. These variants are useful to treat diseases characterized by pathological angiogenesis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for detecting, diagnosing and/or prognosing a malignant adrenocortical tumor. Also disclosed are methods of treating a malignant adrenocortical tumor, such as ACC. In some examples, the method of diagnosing and/or prognosing includes obtaining a sample comprising genomic DNA from a subject at risk of acquiring or suspected to have an adrenocortical tumor; isolating genomic DNA from the sample; and measuring the level of one or more methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences in one or more of the adrenocortical genomic targets in the sample, wherein an increase in the level of methylation of the one or more genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences in the sample compared to a control indicates a malignant adrenocortical tumor.

Abstract: Described herein is the finding that hyaluronan antagonists that inhibit hyaluronan signaling are capable of inhibiting airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The present disclosure provides a method of preventing or reducing AHR in a subject suffering from or at risk for AHR by administering a hyaluronan antagonist. Also provided is a method of treating an airway disease or disorder in a subject by administering a hyaluronan antagonist. Hyaluronan antagonists include, for example, heparosan and hyaluronan oligosaccharides (oHAs). In some embodiments, the hyaluronan antagonist is administered locally to the airway, such as with an inhaler or nebulizer.

Abstract: A system and method for preprocessing magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data of brain tissue for pattern-based diagnostics is disclosed. The MRS preprocessing system includes an MRS preprocessing module that executes an operation that normalizes MRS spectrum data, recalibrates and scales the normalized MRS spectrum data, and then renormalizes the scaled MRS spectrum data. The resulting preprocessed MRS data is used to assist in identifying abnormalities in tissues shown in MRS scans.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, and instrumentation for aiding the performance of an image guided procedure of the anatomy of a patient such as, for example, the prostate. The invention includes a plurality of lumens therein and a balloon portion or other fixating portion. In some embodiments, the catheter includes a lumen for introducing a contrast agent visible to an imaging modality external to the anatomy of the patient. Image space data of the catheter within the anatomy of the patient may be obtained using the imaging modality. The catheter also includes at least a lumen for inserting a registration device for obtaining patient space data regarding the anatomy of the patient. Other lumens and/or other elements visible to the imaging modality may be used. The image space data may be registered to the patient space data for use during an image guided procedure to the anatomy of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating or preventing viral diseases in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an interleukin (IL)-21 blocking agent in an amount effective to treat or prevent the viral disease in the mammal. Also provided is a method of reducing the activation or recruitment of immune cells in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an IL-21 blocking agent in an amount effective to reduce the activation or recruitment of immune cells in the mammal. Methods of decreasing the expression of at least one cytokine or at least one protein in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an IL-21 blocking agent in an amount effective to decrease the expression of the cytokine or the protein are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions capable of augmenting the immunogenicity of a vaccine. The composition, or adjuvant, is administered to a mammal in need thereof in sequential or concurrent combination with a vaccine antigen. In one preferred aspect, the adjuvant is provided in the form of a recombinant poxvirus vector, such as a vaccinia virus vector, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding IL-15.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for a) melanoma antigen family A (MAGE A)-3 in the context of HLA-A1 or b) MAGE-A12 in the context of HLA-Cw7. The invention further provides related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, and populations of cells. Further provided by the invention are antibodies, or an antigen binding portion thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the TCRs of the invention. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a host are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the identification and isolation of novel MHC class II epitopes derived from the cancer antigen, NY ESO-1. The novel MHC class II epitopes from NY-EsO-1 are recognized by CD4+ T lymphocytes in an HLA class II restricted manner, in particular HLA-DR or HLA-DP restricted. The products of the gene are promising candidates for immunotherapeutic strategies for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of patients with cancer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining magnetic field inversion time of a tissue species includes generating a T1-mapping image of a tissue of interest, the T1-mapping image comprising a plurality of T1 values within an expected range of T1 values for the tissue of interest. An image mask is created based on predetermined identification information about the tissue of interest. Next, an updated image mask is created based on a largest connected region in the image mask. The updated image mask is applied to the T1-mapping image to yield a masked image. Then, a mean relaxation time value is determined for the largest connected region. The mean relaxation time value is then used to determine a time point for nulling longitudinal magnetization.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed towards tetracycline compositions, and methods of inhibiting Tdp1 activity, and methods of treating Tdp1-associated disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic conjugates having the general formula: HA2-XXX-Pr, where HA2 is the influenza HA2 fusion peptide or a portion thereof, XXX is a linker and Pr is the carrier. Methods of producing an immune response in a subject using the disclosed immunogenic conjugates, as well as methods of treating, ameliorating or preventing influenza infection, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides human cells, particularly human T cells, comprising a murine T Cell Receptor (TCR) having antigen specificity for the cancer antigen gp100. Isolated or purified TCRs having antigenic specificity for amino acids 154-162 of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 1), as well as related polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof, conjugates, and pharmaceutical compositions, are further provided. The invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a host comprising the use of the inventive materials described herein.

Abstract: What is described is a method of preventing or treating heterotopic ossification, vascular calcification, and pathologic mineralization, comprising administering an drug, wherein the drug is an antagonist of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. For example the antagonist consists of arsenic trioxide, sodium arsenite, phenylarsine, GANT-58, GANT-61, zerumbone vismodegib (GDC-0449, Genentech), bevacizumab, gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, FOLFIR, FOLFOX, RO4929097, cixutumumab, cisplatin, etoposide, LDAC, decitabine, daunorubicin, cytarabin, rosiglitazone, goserelin, leuprolide, capecitabine, fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, diclofenac, BMS-833923 (XL139), IPI-926—Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., LDE225, LEQ506—Novartis Pharmaceuticals, TAK-441 Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and PF-04449913—Pfizer, alone or in combination therapy.