Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and cancers. The methods of the invention comprises complexing a population of antigenic proteins or antigenic peptides derived from antigenic cells or viral particles to one or more different heat shock proteins in vitro. The population or the protein preparation used to produce the antigenic peptides comprises at least 50% of the different proteins or at least 50 different proteins of the antigenic cells or viral particles. Methods for making antigenic peptides comprise digesting a protein preparation of antigenic cells, a cellular fraction thereof, or of viral particles with one or more proteases, or exposing the protein preparation to ATP, guanidium hydrochloride, and/or acidic conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a mammalian ABCA5 gene, and proteins encoded thereby, whose expression is increased in certain diseases, disorders, or conditions, including, but not limited to, PIN. Further, the invention relates to diagnostic assays for identifying the DNA-binding protein ABCA5 (also known as PIN-1). The invention also relates to oligonucleotide sequence(s) or antibodies that specifically bind with ABCA5 or variants thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are anti-CD70 antibodies and derivatives thereof conjugated to cytotoxic, immunosuppressive, or other therapeutic agents, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the antibody- and antibody derivative-drug conjugates. Also disclosed are methods, for the treatment of CD70-expressing cancers and immunological disorders, comprising administering to a subject the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Inactive precursor forms of PSA (pPSA) have been identified to exist in serum and tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Antibodies specific for pPSA are provided. Methods for detecting inactive precursors of PSA in human physiological fluid and tissues are also provided, as well as diagnostic kits and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a receptor, other than an immunoglobulin, wherein the receptor binds to a MUC1 tumor antigen independently of an major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The invention provides a method of activating a signaling pathway and/or killing a cancer cell using a receptor that is similar to or is a T cell receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating NSCL, pancreatic, colon or breast cancer tumors or tumor metastases in a patient, comprising administering to the patient simultaneously or sequentially a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of an EGFR kinase inhibitor and an agent that sensitizes tumor cells to the effects of EGFR kinase inhibitors, wherein the agent is an mTOR inhibitor, with or without additional agents or treatments, such as other anti-cancer drugs or radiation therapy. The present invention also provides a method for treating tumors or tumor metastases in a patient, comprising administering to said patient simultaneously or sequentially a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of an EGFR kinase inhibitor and an agent that sensitizes tumor cells to the effects of EGFR kinase inhibitors, wherein said agent is an mTOR inhibitor that binds to and directly inhibits both mTORC1 and mTORC2 kinases.

Abstract: We describe a polypeptide which binds and modulates the activity of a tumour suppressor polypeptide, for example p53; a nucleic acid molecule encoding said protein and screening methods which modulate the binding activity of said polypeptide for its target polypeptide(s).

Abstract: This invention relates to a gene encoding RTVP that has been shown to be up-regulated by p53 using differential display-PCR and subsequently by co-transfection studies. RTVP-1 mRNA is abundant in normal mouse and human prostatic epithelial cells and primary tumors, but is significantly down regulated in metastatic mouse and human prostate cancer. In prostate cancer cells overexpression of the mouse RTVP-1 gene (mRTVP-1) induced apoptosis that was accompanied by increased caspase 8, 9 and 3 activities. mRTVP-1-stimulated apoptosis was also associated with increased levels of bax, bad and activated BID; reduced levels of bcl-2 and bcl-XL; and cytosolic cytochrome c accumulation. Adenoviral-vector-mediated mRTVP-1 expression lead to potent growth suppression and antimetastatic activities in an orthotopic mouse model of prostate cancer in vivo. These therapeutic activities were associated with anti-angiogenic effects and importantly a local and systemic immune response.

Abstract: Novel genes designated and set forth in FIG. 2 and their respective encoded proteins, and variants thereof, are described wherein a gene of the invention exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers such as those listed in Table I. Consequently, of gene products of a gene of FIG. 2 provide diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic targets for cancer. A gene of FIG. 2 or fragment thereof, its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with a gene product of FIG. 2 can be used in active or passive immunization.

Abstract: The invention is directed to diagnostic and monitoring methods (assays) for cancer and kits that may be used in such methods. More particularly, an aspect of the invention relates to the use of activated Stat5 for diagnosing and monitoring breast cancer and predicting the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The invention also relates to the use of screening assays for discovering compounds that effect levels of activated Stat5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogen-carrier having immunopotentiating or adjuvant properties. More particularly, the immunogen-carrier is a virus-like particle (VLP) from the family of potexvirus, and most particularly the papaya mosaic virus. The VLP produced by recombinant techniques is in fusion with one of its own proteins a protein immunogen. The above VLP and a protein or a protein extract from a viral, bacterial or parasital pathogen may be used as a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting cancer (e.g., prostate cancer) and for inhibiting metastasis (e.g., associated with prostate cancer). In particular, the present invention provides methods of detecting vimentin expression and secretion and for characterizing cancer (e.g., prostate cancer). In addition, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting metastasis (e.g., of prostate cancer) via altering (e.g., inhibiting) vimentin expression and/or activity.

Abstract: A radioimmunoconjugate for targeted alpha therapy comprises an alpha-emitter (e.g. Bi-213) linked to the monoclonal antibody C595. This radioimmunoconjugate is widely applicable in cancer therapy and is particularly efficient for treatment of pancreatic and prostate cancer, as well as for breast and ovarian cancer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fragments and variants of the HYD1 peptide; polynucleotides encoding the peptides; host cells genetically modified with the polynucleotides; vectors comprising the polynucleotides; compositions containing these peptides, polynucleotides, vectors, or host cells; and methods of using the peptides, polynucleotides, vectors, and host cells as inhibitors of aberrant cell growth in vitro or in vivo, e.g., as anti-cancer agents for treatment of cancer, such as myeloma. The present invention further includes a method of increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, comprising administering an agent that binds ?1 integrin to a patient in need thereof. In one embodiment, the ?1 integrin binding agent is the HYD1 peptide, or a functional fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: A search method in a biological sample containing an HIV 2 viral strain for possible resistance of said strain to treatment by an anti-protease agent, and nucleotide probes for the implementation thereof. According to methods known per se, the presence of at least one mutation at certain, specified, particular positions of the proteinic sequence of the protease of said viral strain from a biological sample taken from a patient contaminated by HIV 2 is searched. If said mutation is observed, the existence of a resistance to said anti-protease agent is assumed in the patient.

Abstract: Novel genes designated and set forth in FIG. 2 and their respective encoded proteins, and variants thereof, are described wherein a gene of the invention exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers such as those listed in Table I. Consequently, of gene products of a gene of FIG. 2 provide diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic targets for cancer. A gene of FIG. 2 or fragment thereof, its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with a gene product of FIG. 2 can be used in active or passive immunization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved antibodies against tumor surface antigens and their use in the treatment of tumors. Of particular interest are highly stable, humanized, high affinity antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), especially the antibody we have termed sm3E, which is derived from the scFv antibody MFE-23. Such antibodies have the potential for improved therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract: The c-Myc oncogene is bound by p19Arf, which inhibits c-Myc's ability to transform cells while augmenting apoptosis. This provides the basis for screening assays that examine the ability of various candidate substances to promote p19Arf interactions, or to substitute therefor.

Abstract: Methods and kits for classifying patients having diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) based upon expression of a plurality of genes are disclosed. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR can be used to measure expression values. Correlating expression values of the plurality of genes in a tumor sample from the patient to reference expression values obtained from DLBCL patients can stratify patients in the classification groups. The methods and kits can be used to predict overall patient survival.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining metastatic potential of tumors, a method and a composition for treating/suppressing metastasis of cancers, as well as a method for obtaining a metastasis suppressor. A particular aspect of the invention relates to a method and a composition of evaluating expression levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, also known as CCN2) to determine the status of tumor invasion. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method and a composition comprising a tumor suppressor, which maintains or increases an expression level of CTGF to suppress the invasion ability of tumor cells effectively. In another aspect of the invention relates to methods for obtaining a metastasis suppressor by evaluating the expression levels of CTGF after contacting suppressor candidates with a tumor cell line system.