Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA encoding a TADG-14 protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-14 protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-14 protein; and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-14 protein. Also provided is a vector capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention adapted for expression in a recombinant cell and regulatory elements necessary for expression of the DNA in the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to thrombospondin fragments found in plasma, their use or use of portions thereof in diagnostic methods, as method calibrators, method indicators, and as immunogens, and as analytes for methods with substantial clinical utility; and their detection in plasma or other bodily fluids for purpose of diagnostic methods, especially for cancer.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to identify a glypican-3-derived peptide which can bind to HLA-A2 and activate human killer T cells, so as to provide a means for carrying out an immunotherapy which is able to target approximately 40% of Japanese patients suffering from several types of cancers, which express GPC3 at a high level. The present invention provides a peptide of any of the following (A) or (B): (A) a peptide, which has the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3; or (B) a peptide, which has an amino acid sequence comprising a substitution or addition of one or two amino acids with respect to the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3, and which has ability to induce killer T cells.

Abstract: Provide is a method for evaluating test agents as candidates for treating prostatic diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgen dependent and androgen independent prostate cancer. The method comprises providing a mouse comprising a human prostate primary xenograft, where the xenograft contains blood vessels that include human endothelial cells, initiating androgen deprivation in the mouse, administering to the mouse a test agent within a period of 1-7 days after initiating the androgen deprivation, and determining a reduction in human epithelial cells in the xenografts and/or a reduction in number of the endothelial cells or blood vessels in the xenograft. Also provided is a method for treating an individual for human prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: The present invention provides the method of predicting an non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prognosis.

Abstract: The invention describes methods for inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue by administering an antagonist that specifically binds to a proteolyzed or denatured collagen but not to native triple helical forms of the collagen. Antagonists of the invention can target, for example, denatured collagens type-I, type-II, type-III, type-IV, type-V and combinations thereof. Methods utilizing such antagonists for therapeutic treatment of tumor growth, tumor metastasis or of restenosis also are described, as are methods to use such antagonists as diagnostic markers of angiogenesis is normal or diseased tissues both in vivo and ex vivo. Antagonists include monoclonal antibodies referred to as HUI77, HUIV26, and XL313.

Abstract: According to the invention there is described a method for ex vivo immunization of humans and animals comprising the following steps of: a) isolating autologous tumor cells; b) treating the tumor cells to prevent the survival thereof following reinfusion; c) incubating the thus treated tumor cells with intact heterologous bispecific and/or trisepcific antibodies showing the following properties: ?—binding to a T cell; ?—binding to at least one antigen on a tumor cell; ?—binding, by their Fc portion (in the case of bispecific antibodies), or by a third specificity (in the case of trispecific antibodies) to Fc receptor-positive cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) antagonists and methods of using VEGF antagonists. VEGF antagonists contemplated by the invention include VEGF antibodies and VEGF receptor fusion proteins. Methods of treating edema and stroke using VEGF antagonists are also provided.

Abstract: The C-terminal domain of focal adhesion kinase (FAK-CD) was isolated using a Baculoviral system. Using phage display techniques, a phage encoding a 12 amino-acid peptide (peptide 35) and AV3 that binds to FAK-CD were identified. The peptides were also conjugated to TAT-FITC to produce a fluorescently labeled chimeric molecule capable of penetrating cell membranes. Contacting various breast cancer cell lines with these molecule caused detachment, rounding, apoptosis and cell death. These effects were not observed in normal (non-cancerous) breast cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) antagonists and methods of using VEGF antagonists. VEGF antagonists contemplated by the invention include VEGF antibodies and VEGF receptor fusion proteins. Methods of treating edema and stroke using VEGF antagonists are also provided.

Abstract: A method is described for detecting, visualizing, or treating cells, particularly cancerous cells, that express a uPA/uPAR complex. The method employs a PAI-2 conjugate molecule that comprises PAI-2 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue, chemical equivalent or mimetic thereof, which PAI-2 is bound, linked, or otherwise associated with a toxin or label.

Abstract: Described is use of a netrin selected among netrin-4, mutated netrin-4, netrin-1, netrin G1 or netrin-3, or one of their fragments or a nucleotide sequence encoding one of the netrins or one of the fragments, or an anti-idiotypic antibody of one of the netrins or of one of the fragments, or of a Fab fragment of the anti-idiotypic antibodies, for preparing a medicine for preventing or treating tumoral or non-tumoral pathologies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more ovarian tumor polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly ovarian cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunoassay methods for the diagnosis/prognosis of diseases and disease susceptibility traits associated with gene mutations that cause protein truncation or allelic loss. The levels of one or more targeted wild-type proteins expressed by a subject gene or genes are immunologically quantitated in biological samples. Results indicating that a targeted wild-type protein is not present in an assayed sample, or that approximately 50% of the normal amount of such a wild-type protein is present in an assayed sample are considered to be positive for a mutation in one or both alleles of a subject gene, and correlated with the disease or the disease susceptibility trait associated with that mutation or mutations. Normal cells, particularly normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, are preferred biological samples.

Abstract: Patients with ErbB2-overexpressing cancers can be given an ErbB2 targeting agent as a therapeutic regimen but not all patients are responsive. The present invention concerns the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic methods and compositions for evaluating potential efficacy of an ErbB2 targeting agent in an ErbB2-overexpressing cancers by evaluating PTEN expression, which is predictive of responsiveness or resistance to ErbB2 targeting agents such as trastuzumab. Low PTEN expression is predictive of a patient who will respond poorly to trastuzumab.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified human aminopeptidase. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the aminopeptidase. The invention further relates to methods using the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in aminopeptidase-related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to procedures for producing the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: Enamel matrix, enamel matrix derivatives and/or enamel matrix proteins or peptides may be used as therapeutic or prophylactic agents for inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis), in particular in the treatment or prevention of cancer or malignant or benign neoplasms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means of selectively killing epithelial cell carcinomas by administering a CXCR4-specific sequence of the Gp120 protein or Nef proteins or the proteins themselves (the modulators) such as that found in strains HIV-1, HIV-2, SIV, or FIV CXCR4-specific Gp 120 sequences or Nef proteins or sequences may be delivered to the mucosa or systemically. The mucosal means of application include oral, intranasal, ocular, intravaginal, rectal, and/or intraurethral administration in liquid or particulate form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. The invention also relates to the heteromultimers prepared using the method. Generally, the method provides a multispecific antibody having a common light chain associated with each heteromeric polypeptide having an antibody binding domain. Additionally the method further involves introducing into the multispecific antibody a specific and complementary interaction at the interface of a first polypeptide and the interface of a second polypeptide, so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation; and/or a free thiol-containing residue at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding free thiol-containing residue in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that a non-naturally occurring disulfide bond is formed between the first and second polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of modulating angiogenesis in an individual, the methods generally involving administering to an individual an agent that modulates the expression or activity of Egfl7, where an agonist of Egfl7, including an Egfl7 polypeptide, decreases angiogenesis. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention relate to inhibiting pathological angiogenesis by enhancing activity of Egfl7, which method may be carried out in conjunction with administration of one or more other anti-angiogenic agents.