Abstract: Novel dorsal growth inducing factors, complexes including the factors, and DNA or RNA coding sequences for the factors are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides human ras converting endoprotease (RCE), the encoding nucleic acids, recombinant vectors, transformed host cells and methods of making human RCE. More particularly, the invention provides methods of using human RCE in screening systems to identify inhibitors of human RCE useful for the treatment of various medical conditions. This invention further relates to inhibitors of human RCE.

Abstract: Targeting molecules for use in delivering biological agents to non-polarized epithelial cells are disclosed. Upon delivery, the biological agent(s) are lethal to the epithelial cell. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for the eradication of metastatic epithelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inhibitor of osteoblastic stem cell factor binding and/or activity, for example, an antibody or an antisense oligonucleotide. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these inhibitors of osteoblastic stem cell factor binding and/or activity. Further provided is a method of regulating the activity of osteoclasts, comprising the step of: inhibiting the binding and/or activity of osteoblastic stem cell factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PTP04 polypetides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, cells, tissues and animals containing such nucleic acids, antibodies to such polypeptides, assays utilizing such polypeptides, and methods relating to all of the foregoing. Methods for treatment, diagnosis, and screening are provided for PTP04 related diseases or conditions characterized by an abnormal interaction beteeen a PTP04 polypeptide and a PTP04 binding partner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating tissue necrosis (loss) in an animal. Tissue necrosis is treated by providing the subject with an anti-adhesion cell agent capable of binding an ICAM-1 antigen, a CD18 antigen, an L-selectin agent, a CD44 antigen, a P-selectin antigen, a VCAM-1 antigen, an ICAM-2 antigen, or a fragment thereof. Also provided is a method for preventing thermal-related tissue loss or necrosis, particularly the thermal injury and progressive tissue necrosis which results from a burn injury. Thermal-related tissue injury surrounding a thermal injury site is inhibited or prevented by providing an animal with an anti-adhesion agent, such as an anti-CD18 antibody, an anti-ICAM-1 antibody, or a mixture or fragment thereof. A method for inhibiting/preventing scarring attendant healing of a thermal injury is also disclosed.

Abstract: Conjugated compounds which comprises an CCK A receptor binding moiety and a radiostable active moiety are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugated compound which comprises an CCK A receptor binding moiety and a radiostable active moiety or an CCK A receptor binding moiety and a radioactive active moiety are disclosed. Methods of treating an individual suspected of suffering from pancreatic cancer are disclosed. Methods of radioimaging pancreatic cancer cells are disclosed. In vitro methods, kits and reagents are disclosed for determining whether or not an individual has pancreatic cancer cells, for determining whether tumor cells are pancreatic in origin and for analyzing tissue samples to evaluate the extent of metastasis of pancreatic tumor cells.

Abstract: A novel member of the uteroglobin family of proteins, designated as BU101, is described. BU101 is defined by a set of contiguous and partially overlapping RNA sequences transcribed from breast tissue, and polypeptides encoded thereby. A fully sequenced clone representing the longest continuous sequence of BU101 is also disclosed. These sequences are useful for the detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the breast such as breast cancer. Also provided are antibodies which specifically bind to BU101-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific BU101 polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of breast diseases, tumors or metastases.

Abstract: Analogs of glucagon-like peptide 2, a product of glucagon gene expression, have been identified as intestinal tissue growth factors. Their formulation as pharmaceutical, and therapeutic use in treating disorders of the small bowel, are described.

Abstract: Methods of grading tumors and prognosticating survival rates of cancer patients by determination of p27 expression levels in tissues samples from tumors are provided.

Abstract: A system of diagnostic test methods are provided for diagnosing whether a primary breast tumor from an individual human subject is a clinically metastatic tumor. These in-vitro diagnostic methods detect and utilize the presence or absence of a 55 kilodalton protein for the DNA or the RNA coding for an expressing this protein as a marker and indicator of tumor metastasis. The test methods thus can detect either the presence of the protein itself, or its unique DNA, or its singular RNA individually or collectively. Each method of detection provides a reliable indicator and marker by which to clinically diagnose and determine if a primary tumor within the breast of a living human subject is now or will soon likely be a metastatic tumor.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery of a differentiation antigen termed mesothelin which is associated with mesotheliomas and ovarian cancers. Mesothelin is about 69 kD in its full-length form. The invention includes uses for the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for mesothelin, recombinant cells expressing it, methods for targeting and/or inhibiting the growth of cells bearing mesothelin, methods for detecting the antigen and its expression level as an indication of the presence of tumor cells, and kits for such detection.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody specific to the cell surface glycoprotein CD164 is designated 67D2 and produced by hybridoma cells deposited under No. DSM ACC2303 at the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures Ltd., DSMZ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to somatic mutations in the Multiple Tumor Suppressor (MTS) gene in human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. The invention further relates to germ line mutations in the MTS gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to melanoma, leukemia, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, lymphoma, glioma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, CLL, and cancers of the pancreas, breast, thyroid, ovary, uterus, testis, kidney, stomach and rectum. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the MTS gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of drugs for cancer therapy.

Abstract: The infusion of TIL586 along with interleukin-2 (IL-2) into the autologous patient with metastatic melanoma resulted in the objective regression of tumor. A gene encoding a tumor antigen recognized by TIL586 was previously isolated and shown to encode gp75 or TRP-1. The present invention relates to the identification of a second tumor antigen recognized by a HLA-A31 restricted CTL clone derived from the TIL586 cell line. This antigen derived from the TRP-2 protein tumor antigen and peptides thereof are capable of sensitizing target cells for lysis by a CTL clone at 1 nM peptide concentration. Modified peptides were also recognized by the CTL clone.

Abstract: The invention is related to recombinantly produced fusion polypeptides comprising antibody V.sub.H and V.sub.L sequences operatively linked to a .beta.-lactamase for use in the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening for the presence or absence of cancer characterized by increased DNA synthesis. The present invention also provides a method of monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of cancer characterized by increased DNA synthesis. The methods are based on the observation that increased de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis is characteristic of malignant solid tumors. An initial step of pyrimidine biosynthesis is the conversion of orotidine monophosphate (OMP) to uridine monophosphate by OMP decarboxylase which is inhibited by mononucleotide precursors such as 6-hydroxyuridine, 6-azauridine, uridine, allopurinol and oxipurinol. Inhibition of OMP decarboxylase results in accumulation of orotidine and orotate which can be measured in a urine sample. The accumulation of oritidine and orotate, in amounts above that of a control, provides an indicator that the subject has a cancer characterized by having increased DNA synthesis.

Abstract: The invention provides a human NADH dehydrogenase B17 subunit (NDB17) and polynucleotides which identify and encode NDB17. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of NDB17.

Abstract: Aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen exists in serum in two forms: classical type I procollagen which is a heterotrimer containing two pro .alpha.1-chains and one pro .alpha.2-chain of type I procollagen, and an .alpha.1-homotrimer type I procollagen containing three identical pro .alpha.1-chains. These intact, trimeric aminoterminal propeptides may be isolated without the use of proteolytic enzymes and the resultant propeptides may be used to prepare antibodies specific for the intact trimeric propeptide, having no affinity for the monomeric form of the propeptide. Such antibodies are useful in methods of assaying intact trimeric aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in serum, without false information resulting from inadvertent assay of the monomeric form of the propeptide.

Abstract: Aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen exists in serum in two forms: classical type I procollagen which is a heterotrimer containing two pro .alpha.1-chains and one pro .alpha.2-chain of type I procollagen, and an .alpha.1-homotrimer type I procollagen containing three identical pro .alpha.1-chains. These intact, trimeric aminoterminal propeptides may be isolated without the use of proteolytic enzymes and the resultant propeptides may be used to prepare antibodies specific for the intact trimeric propeptide, having no affinity for the monomeric form of the propeptide. Such antibodies are useful in methods of assaying intact trimeric aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in serum, without false information resulting from inadvertent assay of the monomeric form of the propeptide.