Patents Examined by Alana H Dent
  • Patent number: 8252915
    Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 33877, 47179, 26886, 46743, 27417, 32252, and 53320 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel human transferase family members. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 33877, 47179, 26886, 46743, 27417, 32252, or 53320 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 33877, 47179, 26886, 46743, 27417, 32252, or 53320 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 33877, 47179, 26886, 46743, 27417, 32252, or 53320 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-33877, 47179, 26886, 46743, 27417, 32252, or 53320 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel E. Meyers, John J. Hunter, Fong-Ying Tsai
  • Patent number: 8247379
    Abstract: The invention describes SAGE (sdph3.10) and sdp3.5 tumor associated nucleic acids, including fragments and biologically functional variants thereof. Also included are polypeptides and fragments thereof encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, and antibodies relating thereto. Methods and products also are provided for diagnosing and treating conditions characterized by expression of a sdph3.10 and/or sdp3.5 gene product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: Valerie Martelange, De Smet Charles, Thierry Boon-Falleur
  • Patent number: 8236928
    Abstract: A polynucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1 is associated with metastatic potential of cancer cells, especially breast cancer cells. Methods are provided for determining the risk of metastasis of a tumor, by determining whether a tissue sample from a tumor expresses a polypeptide or mRNA encoded by a polynucleotide as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Also provided are therapeutic methods and compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Kaufmann, Greg Harrowe, Christoph Reinhard, Sanmao Kang
  • Patent number: 8206711
    Abstract: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) may be treated with antibodies directed against the CD20 antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Biogen Idec Inc., Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine A. White, Antonio J. Grillo-Lopez, John G. Curd, Susan Desmond-Hellmann
  • Patent number: 8206899
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding a mammalian PCADM-1 gene, and proteins encoded thereby, whose expression is increased in certain diseases, disorders, or conditions, including, but not limited to, prostate cancer. The invention further relates to methods of detecting and treating prostate cancer, comprising modulating or detecting PCADM-1 expression and/or production and activity of PCADM-1 polypeptide. Further, the invention relates to novel assays for the identification of DNA-binding proteins and the double-stranded oligonucleotide sequences that specifically bind with them. Finally, the invention relates to DNAZYMs or DNA enzymes which specifically bind PCADM-1 mRNA to inhibit PCADM-1 gene expression and thereby destroy tumor cells and tumor tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Stearns, Youji Hu, Min Wang
  • Patent number: 8188051
    Abstract: Metadherin, a protein that controls metastasis, and variants of metadherin are described. DNA sequences encoding the same and methods of production are described. Therapies involving the application of metadherin, binding agents that bind to metadherin, such as antibodies, and expression modulating agents, such as siRNA, are described. The use of metadherin or metadherin variants for delivering desired substances to particular lung tissue is described. A method of diagnosing metastatic cells based on the presence of metadherin is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Burnham Institute
    Inventors: Erkki Ruoslahti, Darren M. Brown
  • Patent number: 8173602
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery that an amplification of the CYP24 gene or an increase in CYP24 activity is a marker for the presence of, progression of, or predisposition to, a cancer (e.g., breast cancer). Using this information, this invention provides methods of detecting a predisposition to cancer in an animal. The methods involve (i) providing a biological sample from an animal (e.g. a human patient); (ii) detecting the level of CYP24 within the biological sample; and (iii) comparing the level of CYP24 with a level of CYP24 in a control sample taken from a normal, cancer-free tissue where an increased level of CYP24 in the biological sample compared to the level of CYP24 in the control sample indicates the presence of said cancer in said animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Donna G. Albertson, Daniel Pinkel, Colin Collins, Joe W. Gray, Bauke Ylstra
  • Patent number: 8168593
    Abstract: A peptide fragment of the netrin-4 protein and nucleic acids coding for the peptide are described. The peptide can inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and cell migration, as well as activate the proliferation and migration of pericytes and smooth muscle cells. Pharmaceutical formulations containing the peptide and/or the nucleic acids can be used to treat a variety of tumoral and non-tumoral pathologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, IVS Institut des Vaisseaux et du Sang
    Inventors: Jean Plouet, Monica Alemany
  • Patent number: 8133692
    Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting responsiveness of cancer cells to chemotherapy by measuring the level of phosphorylated Stat or the level of expression of Survivin in a cancer and comparing the level in the cancer cell to the respective level in a control. Also provided are methods of selecting a chemotherapeutic treatment for a subject diagnosed with cancer by measuring the level of phosphorylated Stat or the level of expression of Survivin in a cancer and comparing the level in the cancer cell to the respective level in a control. Kits for performing the methods are also provided. Methods for modulating Survivin-dependent apoptosis in a cancer cell are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Richard Jove, Susan E. Minton, Carlos A. Muro-Cacho, Daniel Sullivan, Eric Bruce Haura, Gerold Bepler
  • Patent number: 8110370
    Abstract: This invention encompasses antibodies specific for IBC-1 (Invasive Breast Cancer-1), methods for diagnosis and prognosis of metastatic breast cancer and degenerative neural conditions, methods of identifying and manufacturing therapeutic compounds, and methods of treating patients with invasive and metastatic breast cancer or degenerative neural conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Kornelia Polyak, Dale Porter
  • Patent number: 8106176
    Abstract: Compositions comprising matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP-11) or stromelysin-3 (ST-3) or the nucleic acid encoding the MMP-11 for use in vaccines for treating tumors and cancers, which overexpress MMP-11, are described. In particular embodiments, the compositions comprise a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide that includes the catalytically inactivated MMP-11 linked at the C-terminus to an immunoenhancing element wherein the codons encoding the MMP-11 and the immunoenhancing element have been optimized for enhanced expression of the fusion polypeptide in human cells. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise the catalytically inactivated MMP-11 linked at the C-terminus to an immunoenhancing element. The compositions can be used alone or in synergy with vaccines against other tumor associated antigens as well as with conventional therapies such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Instituto di Richerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti SpA
    Inventors: Luigi Aurisicchio, Daniela Peruzzi, Nicola La Monica, Gennaro Ciliberto, Domenico Lazzaro, Federica Mori
  • Patent number: 8105596
    Abstract: B-cell malignancies, such as the B-cell subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, are significant contributors to cancer mortality. The response of B-cell malignancies to various forms of treatment is mixed. Traditional methods of treating B-cell malignancies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have limited utility due to toxic side effects. Immunotherapy with anti-CD20 antibodies have also provided limited success. The use of antibodies that bind with the CD22 or CD19 antigen, however, provides an effective means to treat B-cell malignancies such as indolent and aggressive forms of B-cell lymphomas, and acute and chronic forms of lymphatic leukemias. Moreover, immunotherapy with anti-CD22 and/or anti-CD19 antibodies requires comparatively low doses of antibody protein, and can be used effectively in multimodal therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Immunomedics, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 8097423
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are methods that are predictive of resistance to endocrine therapy in an estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer patient. An exemplary method comprises detecting the overexpression of MN/CA9 gene expression product(s) in a sample from an affected subject, wherein if MN/CA9 is overexpressed, then the subject is considered to have a greater probability of resistance to endocrine therapy, particularly tamoxifen, and a corresponding poorer prognosis if undergoing endocrine therapy, than if MN/CA9 is not overexpressed. MN/CA9 gene expression products useful in the predictive/prognostic methods include MN/CA IX, MN proteins/polypeptides, MN nucleic acids and soluble MN/CA IX antigen (s-CA IX). The methods are useful as an aid in the selection of treatment for a patient with an ER-positive breast tumor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Virology
    Inventor: Adrian L. Harris
  • Patent number: 8093217
    Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for sensitizing multi-drug resistant cancer or radiation resistant cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents are provided. Compositions include ligands of hyaluronan receptors, including glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronan oligomers and derivatives of these oligomers, hyaluronan binding proteins, antibodies specific for hyaluronan receptors, hyaluronan mimetics, inhibitors of hyaluronan synthesis, and stimulators of hyaluronan degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tufts University
    Inventors: Bryan P. Toole, Suniti Misra, Shibnath Ghatak
  • Patent number: 8088737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods and kits based on the ADAM-mediated cleavage of Her-2. The present invention also relates to treatments for cancer, and in particular, breast cancer, by modulating the ADAM-mediated cleavage of Her-2. Further, the invention relates to compositions, methods and kits based on the surprising synergistic effect between inhibition of Her-2 cleavage by an ADAM and certain cytostatic (e.g., Herceptin) and cytotoxic (e.g., Taxol) compounds in, among other things, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and inducing cell death. Additionally, the invention relates to novel variants of ADAM15, designated ADAM15 variant 1 and ADAM15 variant 2, now identified and isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Incyte Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Friedman, Peggy A. Scherle, Xiangdong Liu, Timothy C. Burn, Reid Huber, Phillip C. C. Liu, Gregory F. Hollis, Krishna Vaddi, Jordan S. Fridman
  • Patent number: 8067189
    Abstract: VEGFR-2 biomarkers useful in a method for identifying and monitoring a mammal that will respond therapeutically to a method of treating cancer comprising administering an VEGFR-2 modulator, wherein the method comprises (a) exposing the mammal to the VEGFR-2 modulator and (b) measuring in the mammal the level of the at least one biomarker, wherein a difference in the level of the at least one biomarker measured in (b) compared to the level of the biomarker in a mammal that has not been exposed to the VEGFR-2 modulator indicates that the mammal will respond therapeutically to the method of treating cancer and (c) wherein the level of the biomarker in a mammal after exposure to a VEGFR-2 modulator indicates that the mammal has responded therapeutically to the method of treating cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
    Inventor: Mark David Ayers