Abstract: There are provided proteins which interact with caspase-8. Production and use of such proteins is also provided.

Abstract: It is the objective and purpose of the present invention to provide a monoclonal antibody having the property of causing apoptosis on myeloid cells. This invention relates to a monoclonal antibody having the property of causing apoptosis on myeloid cells, and fragments thereof, and furthermore relates to a hybridoma producing the monoclonal antibody. Since the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are useful as antibodies recognizing and identifying antigens causing apoptosis on myeloid cells specifically and besides have the property of causing apoptosis on myeloid cells, they may be used as medicine useful in the field of remedies for myelocytic leukemia utilizing the property.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for early diagnosis of cancer in a patient which consists in identifying by any appropriate method the presence of autoantibodies directed against the Csk protein in a biological sample taken from said patient. The invention also concerns a kit for implementing said diagnostic method.

Abstract: Disclosed are various compositions and methods for use in achieving specific blood coagulation. This is exemplified by the specific in vivo coagulation of tumor vasculature, causing tumor regression, through the site-specific delivery of a coagulant using a bispecific antibody.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding for endostatin protein. Ribonucleic and deoxyribonucleic acid sequences that encode for endostatin protein are useful for gene therapy or recombinant expression for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases, specifically angiogenesis-dependent cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies which interfere with the interactions between FDCs and B cells, thereby suppressing the proliferation and/or differentiation of B cells in lymphoid follicles. The monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are useful for treating follicular lymphomas, multiple myeloma as well as autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention features human HX2004-6 polypeptide and nucleotide sequences encoding HX2004-6 polypeptides. In a particular aspect, the polynucleotide is the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In related aspects the invention features expression vectors and host cells comprising polynucleotides that encode a human HX2004-6 polypeptide. The present invention also relates to antibodies that bind specifically to a human HX2004-6 polypeptide. Further provided are diagnostic and screening methods using HX2004-6 polynucleotides and antibodies specific for HX2004-6 polypeptides.

Abstract: A novel cytokine, designated Apo-2 ligand, which induces mammalian cancer cell apoptosis is provided. The Apo-2 ligand is believed to be a member of the TNF cytokine family. Compositions including Apo-2 ligand chimeras, nucleic acid encoding Apo-2 ligand, and antibodies to Apo-2 ligand are also provided. Methods of using Apo-2 ligand to induce apoptosis and to treat pathological conditions such as cancer, are further provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions of bone precursor cells and methods for their preparation and use. Bone precursor cells are cells which are not hematopoietic and which can differentiate into osteoblasts upon exposure to a bone growth factor and deposit calcium into the extracellular matrix. Such bone precursor cells are useful in the treatment of certain bone related disorders and diseases, such as osteoporosis, or in promoting fracture repair. In addition, methods of differentiating bone precursor cells into osteoblasts, and other diagnostic and even prognostic methods are provided.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:6 is an alternative splice variant of human kallikrien-2 gene (KLK-2). An expression vector containing the splice variant and a host cell transfected by the expression vector are provided. The nucleic acid is useful for determining the level of nucleic acid sequences of human kallikrien variants in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the treatment and prevention of cancer including particularly gastrointestinal cancer. More specifically, the present invention describes the use of naltrexone, naloxone and the pentapeptide growth factor [Met5]-enkephalin to inhibit and arrest the growth of cancer. Such efficiency has been discovered to be a consequence of the functional manipulation of the zeta (&zgr;) opioid receptor through endogenous [Met5]-enkephalin. This receptor has been determined to be present in growing cancers such as pancreatic and colon cancer, for example.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to arginine deiminase modified with polyethylene glycol, to methods of treating cancer, and to methods of treating and/or inhibiting metastasis.

Abstract: Prevention of transformation of a normal cell into a tumour cell in an individual at risk of developing a tumour having tumours which have p185 on their surfaces comprises: (a) identifying the individual and (b) administering to the individual an antibody which specifically binds to p185. Also claimed is a method of preventing transformation of a normal cell into a tumour cell that has p185 on its surface in an individual who has had a tumour that has p185 on its cell surfaces removed or who has had a cancer characterised by tumour cells that have p185 on their surfaces enter remission, comprising (a) identifying the individual and (b) administering to the individual an antibody which specifically binds to p185.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of polypeptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the Ras-like protein polypeptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the Ras-like protein polypeptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the Ras-like protein polypeptides.

Abstract: To increase the effective affinity of soluble analogs of peptide/MHC molecules for their cognate ligands, divalent peptide/MHC complexes were constructed. Using a recombinant DNA strategy, DNA encoding the MHC class I was ligated to DNA coding for murine Ig heavy chain. MHC/Ig complexes were exploited to homogeneously load with peptides of interest. The results of flow cytometry demonstrated that the pepMHC/Ig complexes bound specifically with high affinity to cells bearing their cognate receptors. pepMHC/Ig complexes are also useful in modulating effector functions of antigen-specific T cells. These pepMHC/Ig complexes are useful for studying TCR/MHC interactions and lymphocyte tracking and have uses as specific regulators of immune responses.

Abstract: This invention provides a chimeric DNA molecule comprising a sequence encoding a chemokine polypeptide covalently attached to a heterologous polypeptide, the encoded chimeric polypeptide, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel HLF protein which is a member of the heregulin family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human HLF protein. HLF polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of HLF activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disorders of the regulation of cell growth and therapeutic methods for treating disorders of the regulation of cell growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides the TWEAK receptor and methods for identifying and using agonists and antagonists of the TWEAK receptor. In particular, the invention provides methods of screening for agonists and antagonists and for treating diseases or conditions mediated by angiogenesis, such as solid tumors and vascular deficiencies of cardiac or peripheral tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inducing the production of cytolytic T lymphocytes directed against malignancy or infectious agent by a mammal and treating such disease such that deleterious side effects are minimized and treatment of metastatic melanomas are surprisingly and dramatically improved.

Abstract: Apoptosis-related antigenic compounds comprising an exposed antigenic site having the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1: Glu Asp Phe Asn Leu Gly Asp Ala Leu Asp 1               5                    10 or a functionally equivalent sequence comprising at least the sequence Ala Leu Asp are disclosed.