Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy in a mammalian subject by detecting changes in expression of the selected genes, gene fragments or transcripts or expression products, or changes in the expression levels of one or more of proteins or peptide fragments, identified in Table 2 and FIGS. 8 and 9 herein. A selected gene, gene transcript or protein/peptide expression product, or profiles or signatures formed by combinations of same, detected in a biological fluid, preferably sera, of a subject, enables comparison of the corresponding genes, proteins or profiles from that of a reference or control having a normal intrauterine pregnancy. Detection of characteristic changes in the gene profile or protein expression signature of the subject is correlated with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing or detecting a condition, e.g., lung disease in a mammalian subject by use of a micro-RNA expression level or an expression level profile of multiple miRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of COPD or NSCLC. Detection of changes in expression in specific miRNA biomarkers from that of a reference sample or miRNA expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and/or COPD and permit differentiation among healthy subjects, subjects with COPD and subjects with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract: A diagnostic reagent or device comprises at least one ligand capable of specifically complexing with, binding to, or quantitatively detecting or identifying the biomarker chloride intracellular channel protein 4 (CLIC4) or an isoform, pro-form, modified molecular form including posttranslational modification, or unique peptide fragment or nucleic acid fragment thereof. An alternative diagnostic reagent or device comprises ligand or ligands capable of specifically complexing with, binding to, or quantitatively detecting or identifying multiple tropomyosin biomarkers. Optionally, such reagent or device includes a signaling molecule and/or a substrate on which the ligand is immobilized. Other reagents and methods of diagnosing ovarian cancer include use of CLIC4 ligands and/or multiple tropomyosin ligands with an additional ovarian cancer biomarker. For example, CLIC4 combined with one or more of CLIC1 and/or one or multiple members of the tropomyosin family, e.g.

Abstract: Compositions, e.g., therapeutic agents, and methods are provided for modulating gene and protein expression of Forkhead Box protein 1 (Foxp1). The therapeutic agents include short nucleic acid molecules that modulate gene and protein expression of Forkhead Box protein 1 (Foxp1) expression, viral vectors containing such molecules, T cells transduced with these viruses for adoptive therapies, and any small molecules that bind to and inactivate Foxp1. These compounds and methods have applications in cancer therapy either alone or in combination with other therapies that stimulate the endogenous immune system in the environment of the cancer, e.g., tumor.

Abstract: The invention provides EBNA1 inhibitors, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, that are useful for the treatment of diseases caused by EBNA1 activity such as, but not limited to, cancer, infectious mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and/or rheumatoid arthritis. The compounds and compositions of the invention are further useful for the treatment of diseases caused by latent Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection. The compounds and compositions of the invention are further useful for the treatment of diseases caused by lytic EBV infection.

Abstract: A immunogenic composition is provided for use in methods for treating or preventing the development of a cancer, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cancer antigen and a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In one embodiment, the composition comprises a vector comprising a first expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen of a, operatively linked to an expression control sequence that directs the expression of the antigen in a mammalian host cell. The composition further contains a vector comprising a second expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP) operatively linked to an expression control sequence directing the expression of FAP in a mammalian host cell. In one embodiment, the cancer is one in which tumor progression depends on the fibroblasts expressing fibroblast activation protein (FAP).

Abstract: A method of treating a mammalian subject with cancer comprises administering to said subject having a cancer, e.g., a metastatic or refractory cancer or tumor, a small molecule inhibitor of a target signaling molecule of the MEK/MAPK pathway that impairs T cell activation, and administering to said subject a molecule that induces T cell proliferation in the presence of said inhibitor. The combination of a small molecule inhibitor of a target of the MEK/MAPK pathway and the T cell proliferation inducer reduces the proliferation of the cancer and tumor cells in vivo. Compositions and kits including these components are also provided.

Abstract: Chimeric protein constructs including a herpesvirus glycoprotein D (gD) and a heterologous polypeptide that interact with herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) and enhance and enhance an immune response against the heterologous polypeptide and methods for their use are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for enhancing tissue regeneration or wound repair in a mammalian subject comprising a composition comprising (a) a proline hydroxylase inhibitor component or molecule that increases or upregulates HIF1a and (b) a carrier component comprising a hydrogel.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy in a mammalian subject by detecting changes in expression of ISM2, ADAM12, PST1, PSG7, PST11, PSG9, PSG2 and other genes identified therein, including combinations thereof. A selected gene, gene transcript or protein/peptide expression product, or profiles or signatures formed by combinations of same, detected in a biological fluid of a subject, enables comparison of the corresponding genes, proteins or profiles from that of a reference or control having a normal intrauterine pregnancy. Detection of characteristic changes in the gene profile or protein expression signature of the subject is correlated with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Various compositions for use in such diagnosis include PCR primer-probe sets or ligands, labeled or immobilized, which are capable of detecting the changes in expression or translation of these targets.

Abstract: In an effort to discover therapies for treating HSP70 related diseases, a previously unidentified hydrophobic pocket was found in the C-terminal domain of DnaK and of human HSP70. A novel chemical scaffold was also discovered for identifying compounds that treat diseases related to this hydrophobic pocket. The compounds have the structure of the formula (I), wherein L, M, and R1-R5 are defined herein and are, therefore, in these therapies, optionally with other pharmaceutical agents such as genotoxic agents. Accordingly these compounds are useful in inhibiting HSP70 or DnaK, reducing HSP70 in mitochondria of a cancer cell, treating malignant neoplastic disease, or inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth. These compounds also resulted in novel methods of screening for a HSP70 inhibitor or DnaK inhibitor by using the three-dimensional structure of the hydrophobic pocket in DnaK or HSP70.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small molecule treatment of diseases/conditions caused by a virus carrying a viral oncoprotein. In one embodiment, the virus which carries the viral oncoprotein is HPV. The small molecule useful herein includes thiadiazolin-3,5-dione compounds having an optionally substituted aryl group bound to one nitrogen atom of said thiadiazolin-3,5-dione compound. The small molecules may also be administered with a compound which inhibits binding of HPV E6 to p53. In one embodiment, the thiadiazolin-3,5-dione compound has formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, solvate, or metabolite thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are defined herein.

Abstract: A immunogenic composition is provided for use in methods for treating or preventing the development of a cancer, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cancer antigen and a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In one embodiment, the composition comprises a vector comprising a first expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen of a, operatively linked to an expression control sequence that directs the expression of the antigen in a mammalian host cell. The composition further contains a vector comprising a second expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP) operatively linked to an expression control sequence directing the expression of FAP in a mammalian host cell. In one embodiment, the cancer is one in which tumor progression depends on the fibroblasts expressing fibroblast activation protein (FAP).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention relates to targeting the stromal cell population in a tumor microenvironment. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a composition that is targeted to fibroblast activation protein (FAP). The invention includes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) which comprises an anti-FAP domain, a transmembrane domain, and a CD3zeta signaling domain.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing or detecting a condition, e.g., lung disease in a mammalian subject by use of a micro-RNA expression level or an expression level profile of multiple miRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of COPD or NSCLC. Detection of changes in expression in specific miRNA biomarkers from that of a reference sample or miRNA expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and/or COPD and permit differentiation among healthy subjects, subjects with COPD and subjects with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract: Isolated human multipotent adult stem cell and isolated populations of cells that include human multipotent adult stem cells are disclosed. Human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cells and methods of preparing isolated populations of cells that include human multipotent adult stem cells are disclosed. Isolated human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cell that can differentiate in culture into a neuronal cell, a glial cell, a melanocyte cell, a muscle cell, an osteocyte, a chondrocyte, and a lymphocyte. Isolated human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cell that can grow in cell culture in spheres are disclosed.

Abstract: Chimeric protein constructs including a herpesvirus glycoprotein D (gD) and a heterologous polypeptide that interact with herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) and enhance and enhance an immune response against the heterologous polypeptide and methods for their use are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides universal influenza vaccines which can provide extended protection for several years, provide improved protection to circulating influenza strains that were not predicted accurately for annual vaccine manufacturing, and provide protection against newly emerging strains of influenza virus which carry the potential for establishing global pandemics.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting tumor cell migration or metastasis of a cancer in a mammalian subject comprises one or more of the steps of administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a molecule that: suppresses focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity or phosphorylation; suppresses ULK1 kinase activity; suppresses activation or signaling of the mTORC1 (Ser757) pathway; activates AMPK; activates FIP200; or activates LKB1, in a cancer cell. Still another method of inhibiting tumor cell migration involves inhibiting phosphorylation of ULK1 on Ser757 in subjects with lung cancer. Suppressing activation or signaling of the mTORC1 (Ser757) pathway in subjects is in one aspect useful in treating lung cancer.

Abstract: A immunogenic composition is provided for use in methods for treating or preventing the development of a cancer, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cancer antigen and a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In one embodiment, the composition comprises a vector comprising a first expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen of a, operatively linked to an expression control sequence that directs the expression of the antigen in a mammalian host cell. The composition further contains a vector comprising a second expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP) operatively linked to an expression control sequence directing the expression of FAP in a mammalian host cell. In one embodiment, the cancer is one in which tumor progression depends on the fibroblasts expressing fibroblast activation protein (FAP).