Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for decreasing an immune response in an animal comprising administering to said animal an agent that binds a bioactive lipid and reduces the effective concentration of said bioactive lipid. Also provided are methods for treating diseases or conditions, including autoimmune disorders, which are characterized by an aberrant, excessive or undesired immune response. The methods of the invention utilize agents that bind bioactive lipids and are capable of decreasing the effective concentration of the bioactive lipid. In some embodiments, the agent is a monoclonal antibody that is reactive against sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to monoclonal antibodies that recognize at least one compound from the group consisting of (+) methamphetamine, (+) amphetamine, and (+) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ((+) MDMA). Generally speaking, the monoclonal antibodies do not recognize (?) methamphetamine, (?) amphetamine, or (?) MDMA.

Abstract: Described herein are chemokine-binding domains of THAP-family polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions which include a polypeptide comprising a chemokine-binding domain of a THAP-family polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods of binding chemokines, inhibiting the activity of chemokines, detecting chemokines, and reducing the symptoms associated with a chemokine mediated or influenced condition by contacting the chemokine with an agent that includes a polypeptide comprising a chemokine binding domain of a THAP-family polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention concerns immunoglobulins, such as antibodies, which specifically bind Oncostatin M (OSM), particularly human OSM (hOSM) and modulate the interaction between OSM and gp130. In typical embodiments, OSM is glycosylated. The invention also concerns antibodies that modulate the interaction between both Site II and Site III of OSM and their respective interacting partners. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, screening and medical treatment methods.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for enhancing efficiency of prodrugs by specifically engineered enzymes with enhanced activity towards nucleoside analogs used in cancer chemotherapy, and delivering the enzymes to specific target cells in a patient. The invention also provides modified deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) mutants with such enhanced activity. Furthermore, the invention provides antibody-conjugated enzymes that can be specifically delivered to leukemic blast cells in vivo or ex vivo.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly breast cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more breast 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 breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to immunotherapeutic methods to treat tumors/cancers that produce progastrin ectopically or are dependent on progastrin for their growth. Disclosed herein are immunogenic compositions comprising agents that target progastrin, agents that target the progastrin receptor, annexin II, or both. Such a composition may be administered in combination with chemotherapy or to an individual who had been previously subjected to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The cancers that may be treated using such a composition may include but are not limited to colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer or pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Identified herein is the location of the MN protein binding site, and MN proteins/polypeptides that compete for attachment to vertebrate cells with immobilized MN protein. Such MN proteins/polypeptides prevent cell-cell adhesion and the formation of intercellular contacts. The MN protein binding site is a therapeutic target that can be blocked by organic or inorganic molecules, preferably organic molecules, more preferably proteins/polypeptides that specifically bind to that site. Therapeutic methods for inhibiting the growth of preneoplastic/neoplastic vertebrate cells that abnormally express MN protein are disclosed. Vectors are provided that encode the variable domains of MN-specific antibodies and a flexible linker polypeptide separating those domains. Further vectors are disclosed that encode a cytotoxic protein/polypeptide operatively linked to the MN gene promoter or a MN gene promoter fragment comprising the HIF-1 consensus binding sequence, and which vectors preferably further encode a cytokine.

Abstract: The invention discloses immunogenic polypeptides comprising several MAGE-specific antigen epitopes selected from different (i.e. discrete) members of the MAGE protein family, nucleic acids coding therefor, recombinant viruses and/or cells comprising said nucleic acids, and compositions thereof. Methods for eliciting or inducing MAGE-specific immune responses utilizing the aforementioned immunogenic agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions involving detecting the presence of and/or assessing the risk of cancer in a subject. These methods include methods of detecting and diagnosing cancer in an individual; methods of identifying individuals at risk of developing a cancer; and methods of staging a cancer. The methods generally involve detecting a palladin gene nucleotide sequence alteration that has been found to be associated with cancer and/or detecting a level of a palladin mRNA and/or protein in a biological sample. The present invention further provides nucleic acid probes, nucleic acid primers, and antibodies, as well as kits comprising one or more of the same, for use in a subject method.

Abstract: Identified herein is the location of the MN protein binding site, and MN proteins/polypeptides that compete for attachment to vertebrate cells with immobilized MN protein. Such MN proteins/polypeptides prevent cell-cell adhesion and the formation of intercellular contacts. The MN protein binding site is a therapeutic target that can be blocked by organic or inorganic molecules, preferably organic molecules, more preferably proteins/polypeptides that specifically bind to that site. Therapeutic methods for inhibiting the growth of preneoplastic/neoplastic vertebrate cells that abnormally express MN protein are disclosed. Vectors are provided that encode the variable domains of MN-specific antibodies and a flexible linker polypeptide separating those domains. Further vectors are disclosed that encode a cytotoxic protein/polypeptide operatively linked to the MN gene promoter or a MN gene promoter fragment comprising the HIF-1 consensus binding sequence, and which vectors preferably further encode a cytokine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of protein ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-associated recruitment domain) in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of colorectal cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring ASC in said sample. Measurement of ASC can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to HE4. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of an HE4 antibody of the invention are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce an HE4 monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed HE4 monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for an HE4 epitope and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for assessing, treating, and preventing diseases, especially cancer, using cancer-associated targets (CAT). Methods and compositions are also provided for determining or predicting the effectiveness of a treatment for these diseases or for selecting a treatment, using CAT. Methods and compositions are further provided for modulating cell function using CAT. Also provided are compositions that modulate CAT (e.g., antagonists or agonists), such as antibodies, proteins, small molecule compounds, and nucleic acid agents (e.g., RNAi and antisense agents), as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Further provided are methods of screening for agents that modulate CAT, and agents identified by these screening methods.

Abstract: There are disclosed antibody molecules containing at least on CDR derived from a mouse monoclonal antibody having specificity for human KDR. There is also disclosed a CDR grafted antibody wherein at least one of the CDRs is a hybrid CDR. Further disclosed are DNA sequences encoding the chains of the antibody molecules, vectors, transformed host cells and uses of the antibody molecules in the treatment of diseases in which VEGF and/or KDR are implicated.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a method for determining the prognosis and probable clinical course of a subject diagnosed with B-CLL. Specifically, the invention involves comparing CD38 expression in a biological sample from the subject containing B-CLL cells to a baseline level of CD38 expression, wherein an elevated level of CD38 expression in relation to the baseline level of CD38 expression may indicate poor prognosis or aggressive course of disease in the subject. Also disclosed is a method for determining whether the Ig V genes of the B-CLL cells of a B-CLL patient are mutated, comprising comparing CD38 expression in a biological sample from the subject containing B-CLL cells to a baseline level of CD38 expression, wherein a lower level of CD38 expression in relation to the baseline level indicates IG V gene mutation.

Abstract: The invention includes a high-through-put method of screening for a biomarker indicative of a disease, including the identification of a glycan alteration in a protein of a diseased patient. Further, the invention includes methods utilizing a microarray to measure the glycan level of a protein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating subjects with disorders characterized by hyper-proliferating cells such as tumors and cancers are provided. The compositions comprise agents that are combinations of saposin C (or prosaposin-related polypeptides) and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (or inner leaflet components). This anti-tumor agent is administered in the methods of the invention according to a dosing regimen. Administering an agent of the invention results in a positive therapeutic response in a subject with a tumor.

Abstract: The invention provides caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, encoding nucleic acid molecules, and specific antibodies. Also provided are screening methods for identifying CARD-associated polypeptides (CAPs), and for identifying agents that alter the association of a CARD-containing polypeptide with itself or with a CAP. Further provided are methods of altering a biochemical process modulated by a CARD-containing polypeptide, and methods of diagnosing a pathology characterized by an increased or decreased level of a CARD-containing polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, encoding nucleic acid molecules, and specific antibodies. Also provided are screening methods for identifying CARD-associated polypeptides (CAPs), and for identifying agents that alter the association of a CARD-containing polypeptide with itself or with a CAP. Further provided are methods of altering a biochemical process modulated by a CARD-containing polypeptide, and methods of diagnosing a pathology characterized by an increased or decreased level of a CARD-containing polypeptide.