Abstract: The invention relates to newly discovered nucleic acid molecules and proteins associated with breast or ovarian cancer. Compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, preventing, and treating human breast or ovarian cancers are provided.

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: Cytotoxic factors having use in modulating cell death, and their use in methods of treating necrosis or apoptosis-related conditions are disclosed. The invention also relates to methods for identifying active agents useful in treating conditions related to cell death or uncontrolled growth. The present inventors have found that different microorganisms produce different cytotoxic factor(s) having anticancer activity. The substantially pure cytotoxic factors can be used in a method of treating an infectious disease or a cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody (anti-BAMBI antibody) which recognizes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence containing deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids as compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1, a method for manufacturing same, a therapeutic agent for colon cancer or liver cancer comprising an anti-BAMBI antibody, a diagnostic agent comprising a primer or probe for detecting the BAMBI gene, and a therapeutic agent for colon cancer or liver cancer comprising a vector which generates BAMBI dsRNA, and the like.

Abstract: An isolated human antibody or a fragment of a human antibody which specifically binds to human delta-like ligand 4 (hDll4) and blocks hDll4 binding to a Notch receptor. The human anti-hDll4 antibody or antibody fragment binds hDll4 with an affinity of 300 pM or better, as measured by surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugate containing a therapeutic agent linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor vasculature and selectively binds collagen such as non-helical collagen or collagen IV. In one embodiment, the conjugate contains a homing peptide or peptidomimetic that includes the amino acid sequence CREKA (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a conservative variant or peptidomimetic thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing cancerous disease modifying antibodies using a novel paradigm of screening. By segregating the anti-cancer antibodies using cancer cell cytotoxicity as an end point, the process makes possible the production of anti-cancer antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The antibodies can be used in aid of staging and diagnosis of a cancer, and can be used to treat primary tumors and tumor metastases. The anti-cancer antibodies can be conjugated to toxins, enzymes, radioactive compounds, cytokines, interferons, target or reporter moieties and hematogenous cells.

Abstract: Antibodies or fragments thereof having CDR regions replaced or fused with biologically active peptides are described. Flanking sequences may optionally be attached at one or both the carboxy-terminal and amino-terminal ends of the peptide in covalent association with adjacent framework regions. Compositions containing such antibodies or fragments thereof are useful in therapeutic and diagnostic modalities.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated anti-ovarian, pancreatic, lung or breast cancer antigen (Pro104) antibodies that bind to Pro 104 on a mammalian cell in vivo. The invention also encompasses compositions comprising an anti-Pro104 antibody and a carrier. These compositions can be provided in an article of manufacture or a kit. Another aspect of the invention is an isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-Pro 104 antibody, as well as an expression vector comprising the isolated'l nucleic acid. Also provided are cells that produce the anti-Pro 104 antibodies. The invention encompasses a method of producing the anti-Pro 104 antibodies. Other aspects of the invention are a method of killing a Pro 104-expressing cancer cell, comprising contacting the cancer cell with an antiPro104 antibody and a method of alleviating or treating a Pro 104-expressing cancer in a mammal, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-Pro 104 antibody to the mammal.

Abstract: A set of contiguous and partially overlapping RNA sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby, designated as BS106 and transcribed from breast tissue is described. 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 BS106-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific BS106 polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of breast diseases, tumors or metastases.

Abstract: The invention concerns the optimisation of the wild R9M peptide and the use of the resulting peptides for therapeutic vaccination and/or preventive vaccination against leukemia in humans. More particularly, the invention concerns mutated immunogenic peptides derived from the human TEL/AML1 fusion protein comprising the wild R9M peptide sequence Arg-Ile-Ala-Glu-Czs-Ile-Leu-Gly-Met. The invention also concerns polynucleotides coding for the mutated R9M immunogenic peptides, cellular expression vectors comprising nucleic acid sequences expressing the mutated R9M immunogenic peptides and polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies capable of being fixed on at least one of said peptides/polynucleotides. The invention further concerns the use of said peptides, polynucleotides and/or antibodies for preparing vaccines, anti-tumoral medicines and compositions and for in vitro and in vivo stimulation of the immune response in humans.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and detecting diseases associated with pancreas. The present invention provides one or more proteins or fragments thereof, peptides or nucleic acid molecules differentially expressed in pancreatic diseases (PCAT) and antibodies binds to PCAT. The present invention provides that PCAT is used as targets for screening agents that modulates the PCAT activities. Further, the present invention provides methods for treating diseases associated with pancreas.

Abstract: The present invention describes clinically and medically important methods of monitoring the outcome of a cancer patient who is suffering from disease or who is undergoing treatment or therapy for his or her disease. More specifically, the invention provides a method of monitoring the progression of disease or cancer treatment effectiveness in a cancer patient by measuring the level of the extracellular domain (ECD) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a sample taken from the cancer patient, preferably, before treatment, at the start of treatment, and at various time intervals during treatment, wherein a decrease in the level of the ECD of the EGFR in the cancer patient compared with the level of the ECD of the EGFR in normal control individuals serves as an indicator of cancer advancement or progression and/or a lack of treatment effectiveness for the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging and prognosticating prostate cancer.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical comprising a therapeutic protein that binds to a therapeutic target, the protein being modified with a compound that inhibits binding of the protein to the therapeutic target, the modified protein being effective for reducing an immune response against the protein and for producing a therapeutic effect by binding to the therapeutic target. The therapeutic protein may be an antibody that includes an antibody combining site that binds to the therapeutic target.

Abstract: The invention concerns the increased stabilization and activation of p73, a homologue of p53. Specifically, the inventors have determined that c-Jun, a component of the AP-1 family of transcription factors, is necessary for stabilization and activation of p73. Thus, there is provided a mechanism for initiating an apoptotic pathway involving c-June and p73 which can be exploited to combat cancers, particularly those lacking a functional p53.

Abstract: Determination of cellular growth abnormality, particularly cancerous abnormality, by detection of target polypeptides or encoding mRNA, where the target polypeptides are members of the preinitiation complex of DNA replication in tissue, cells or fluid. Target polypeptides include CDC6, MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, MCM5, MCM6 and MCM7. Test samples include tissue of the cervix (both biopsy and smear samples), breast, colon, lung, bladder, skin, larynx, esophagus, bronchus, lymph nodes and urinary tract (both biopsy and cytology smear samples), in determination of cancerous and pre-cancerous cellular growth abnormality, and cells spun from urine, blood and serum, in determination of hematological malignancies and evidence of metastatic sarcoma and carcinoma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cDNA sequences from a region of amplification on chromosome 20 associated with disease. The sequences can be used in hybridization methods for the identification of chromosomal abnormalities associated with various diseases. The sequences can also be used for treatment of diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are surprising discoveries concerning the role of anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids in tumor vasculature and in viral entry and spread, and compositions and methods for utilizing these findings in the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Also disclosed are advantageous antibody, immunoconjugate and duramycin-based compositions and combinations that bind and inhibit anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids, for use in the safe and effective treatment of cancer, viral infections and related diseases.

Abstract: Novel CARD-9, CARD-10, or CARD-11 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated CARD-9, CARD-10, or CARD-11 proteins, the invention further provides CARD-9, CARD-10, or CARD-11, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-CARD-9, CARD-10, or CARD-11 antibodies. The invention also provides CARD-9, CARD-10, or CARD-11 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a CARD-9, CARD-10, or CARD-11 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.