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: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes immunoglobulin receptor, Immunoglobulin superfamily Receptor Translocation Associated, IRTA, protein. Provided too, are the IRTA proteins encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecules, IRTA1, IRTA2, IRTA3, IRTA4 or IRTA5 proteins, having the amino acid sequences set forth in any of FIG. 18A, 18B-1-18B-3, 18C-1-18C-2, 18D-1-18D-2 or 18E-1-18E-2. Oligonucleotides of the isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided. Antibodies directed to an epitope of a purified IRTA1, IRTA2, IRTA3, IRTA4 or IRTA5 proteins are also provided, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such antibodies or oligonucleotides. Methods for detecting a B cell malignancy in a sample from a subject; diagnosing B cell malignancy in a sample from a subject; detecting human IRTA protein in a sample; and treating a subject having a B cell cancer are also provided.

Abstract: A method to aid in identifying a familial or sporadic pattern of risk in at least one individual for developing cancer of a mucosal epithelial tissue, the method comprising screening said at least one individual for heterozygosity or homozygosity for a mutation in a gene coding for a Poly-Ig (Fc) receptor or a Poly-Ig-like (Fc) receptor capable of mediating inhibition of cancer cell growth by an immunoglobulin inhibitor. A method of treating an individual so identified includes enhancing the amount of immunoglobulin inhibitor contacting a mucosal epithelial tissue of said individual, and, especially in individuals homozygous for the defective receptor, may also include prophylactic surgery. Other methods include implementation of a risk reduction or prevention program in individuals identified as being at risk.

Abstract: A novel prostate tumor associated gene (designated 24P4C12) and its encoded protein is described. 24P4C12 is highly expressed in prostate tissue xenografts, providing evidence that it is turned on in at least some prostate cancers. 24P4C12 provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for prostate and other cancers.

Abstract: A method for treating a mammary gland disorder, including hyperplastic, hypertonic, cystic and/or neoplastic mammary gland tissue by local administration of a botulinum toxin to or to the vicinity of the afflicted breast tissue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of ErbB2. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer overexpressing ErbB2 with a combination of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a chemotherapeutic agent other than an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin or epirubicin.

Abstract: Methods for treating diverse cancers by local administration of a botulinum toxin to or to the vicinity of the cancer.

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.

Abstract: A method for treating a mammary gland disorder, including hyperplastic, hypertonic, cystic and/or neoplastic mammary gland tissue by local administration of a botulinum toxin to or to the vicinity of the afflicted breast tissue.

Abstract: A novel gene (designated 125P5C8) and its encoded protein are described. While 125P5C8 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, it is aberrantly expressed multiple cancers including prostate, bladder, kidney and colon cancers. Consequently, 125P5C8 provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for cancers, and the 125P5C8 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein or a fragment thereof used to elicit an immune response.

Abstract: The truncated ErbB2 receptor (p95ErbB2) is shown to differ from the full-length ErbB2 receptor in its association with other ErbB receptors. The truncated receptor preferentially associated with ErbB3, whereas full length ErbB2 heterodimerizes with either EGFR or ErbB3. Consistent with p95ErbB2 heterodimerization with ErbB3, it is shown that heregulin (an ErbB3 ligand) stimulates p95ErbB2 phosphorylation in breast cancer cell lines. Described herein are methods of identifying patients suitable for treatment with a p95ErbB2 inhibitor, and methods of treating such patients.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human DNA repair enzyme, MED1, is disclosed. Like other mismatch repair genes which are mutated in certain cancers, MED1, encoding nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies thereto may be used to advantage in genetic or cancer screening assays. MED1, which recognizes and cleaves DNA, may also be used for the diagnostic detection of mutations and genetic variants.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting and inhibiting angiogenesis, endothelial cell adhesion, and endothelial cell migration using agents which inhibit the specific binding of integrin ?4?1 to one or more of its ligands. The invention further provides methods for screening test compounds for their ability to inhibit angiogenesis, endothelial cell adhesion, or endothelial cell migration by employing agents which inhibit the specific binding of integrin ?4?1 to one or more of its ligands. The invention additionally relates to methods for isolating endothelial progenitor cells which express integrin ?4?1. The methods of the invention are useful in, for example, diagnosing and inhibiting pathological conditions that are associated with angiogenesis, endothelial cell adhesion, and/or endothelial cell migration.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of treating and vaccinating against an antigen-expressing tumor and inducing an immune response against a sub-dominant epitope of antigen, comprising a fusion of an LLO fragment to the antigen or a recombinant Listeria strain expressing the antigen. The present invention also provides recombinant peptides comprising a listeriolysin (LLO) protein fragment fused to a Her-2 protein or fragment thereof, recombinant Listeria strains expressing a Her-2 protein, vaccines and immunogenic compositions comprising same, and methods of inducing an anti-Her-2 immune response and treating and vaccinating against a Her-2-expressing tumor, comprising same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in diagnosis and treatment of carcinomas, especially lymphoma carcinomas. In addition, the present invention describes the use of novel compositions for use in screening methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant oligonucleotide composition encoding a cellular c-Src tyrosine kinase oncogene. Methods for isolating, expressing and characterizing recombinant Src mutant polypeptide are also provided. The invention further relates to methods for utilizing such oligonucleotides, polypeptides, agonists and antagonists for applications, which relate to research, diagnostics, and clinical arts. More specifically, this invention provides methods of diagnosing, treating, immunizing, and creating transgenic animals based on use of such mutant Src.

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.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, methods and kits for inducing an immune response to a tumor and for treating cancer with a Listeria vaccine strain expressing an antigen fused to a truncated LLO protein.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for diagnosing cancer comprising detecting the presence of survivin in the biological fluid of a patient. The present invention also provides kits comprising one or more agents that detect survivin polypeptide or survivin nucleic acid and a container for collecting biological fluid for testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to proteins or peptides that elicit T cell mediated immunity, and to cancer vaccines and compositions for anti-cancer treatment comprising such proteins or peptide fragments. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the proteins or peptides and methods for generating T lymphocytes capable of recognizing and destroying tumor cells in a mammal. More specifically, a telomerase protein or peptide for use in a method of treatment or prophylaxis of cancer is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises generating a T cell response against telomerase.