Abstract: The invention relates to therapeutic conjugates with improved ability to target various cancer cells containing a targeting moiety and a therapeutic moiety. The targeting and therapeutic moieties are linked via an acid cleavable linkage that increases therapeutic efficacy of the immunoconjugate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of ErbB2. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer overexpressing ErbB2 with a combination of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a chemotherapeutic agent other than an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin or epirubicin. The invention further provides a method of treating cancer in a human patient comprising administering effective amounts of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a cardioprotectant to the patient.

Abstract: Antibodies which target clusterin, a protein involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of carcinoma cells, are identified and characterized. The antibodies may be used to modulate tumor cell activity through binding the clusterin.

Abstract: Described is a novel family of cell surface serpentine transmembrane antigens. Two of the proteins in this family are exclusively or predominantly expressed in the prostate, as well as in prostate cancer, and thus members of this family have been termed “STEAP” (Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigens of the Prostate). Four particular human STEAPs are described and characterized herein. The prototype member of the STEAP family, STEAP-1, appears to be a type IIIa membrane protein expressed predominantly in prostate cells in normal human tissues. Structurally, STEAP-1 is a 339 amino acid protein characterized by a molecular topology of six transmembrane domains and intracellular N- and C-termini, suggesting that it folds in a “serpentine” manner into three extracellular and two intracellular loops. STEAP-1 protein expression is maintained at high levels across various stages of prostate cancer. Moreover, STEAP-1 is highly over-expressed in certain other human cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel anti-CD71 monoclonal antibodies, in particular mouse-human chimeric anti-CD71 monoclonal antibodies, advantageously associated to effector cells for triggering ADCC mechanisms. Anti-CD71 antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for inhibiting proliferation and/or killing malignant tumour cells, especially metastatic cutaneous and uveal melanoma cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating a subject by manipulating HER-2 on a cell as well as related products. The methods include methods of treating cancer using fatty acid oxidation inhibitors and HER-2 binding molecules such as antibodies and fragments thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions that include anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and optionally a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent. In preferred embodiments, the immunoconjugates comprise one or more anti-CD74 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, conjugated to a carrier such as a polymer, nanoparticle, complex or micelle. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the immunoconjugates and using the immunoconjugates in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In certain preferred embodiments, the therapeutic methods comprise administering to a subject with a CD74-expressing disease an anti-CD74 immunoconjugate and thereby inducing cell death of CD74-expressing cells. In more preferred embodiments, the CD74 immunoconjugate is capable of inducing cell death in the absence of any other therapeutic agent, although such agents may be optionally administered prior to, together with or subsequent to administration of the anti-CD74 immunoconjugate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma comprising the determination of annexin A3 (ANXA3) and/or autoantibodies against ANXA3 with a specific reagent. The method allows differentiation between benign, premalignant and malignant conditions. Further, the method has a prognostic relevance.

Abstract: Methods for treating patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders using IL-28 and IL-29 molecules. The IL-28 and IL-29 molecules include polypeptides that have homology to the human IL-28 or IL-29 polypeptide sequence and proteins fused to a polypeptide with IL-28 and IL-29 functional activity. The molecules can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other known cancer and/or autoimmune therapeutics.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the likelihood of successful treatment with an effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody or equivalent thereof, in combination with anti-EGFR antibody or equivalent thereof, and, in some aspects in combination with a topoisomerase inhibitor. The methods comprise determining the identity of a gene of interest in a patient sample and correlating the patient's genotype with the predictive response. Patients identified as responsive are then treated with the appropriate therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a neoplasm using a neurotoxin, preferably botulinum toxin. Neurotoxin administered around a neoplasm acts to decrease the contractile forces of the muscles surrounding a neoplasm which normally squeeze neoplastic cells through efferent channels leaving the neoplasm to distant sites. The present invention also provides a method of administering botulinum toxin at sites distant from the neoplasm, thereby enhancing cellular and humoral immunologic functions, which further contribute to neoplastic cell death. Following administration of botulinum toxin around or distant to a neoplasm as described herein, local, regional, and distant spread of neoplastic cells is reduced or eliminated. Immunomodulation with botulinum toxin is also valuable in treating other diseases that may or may not be associated with cancers, such as viral-induced growths, viral conditions, fungal disease, chronic wounds, graft versus host disease, autoimmune disease, and HIV.

Abstract: Disclosed are CD70 binding agents, such as anti-CD70 antibodies and derivatives, that induce a cytotoxic, cytostatic or immunomodulatory without conjugation to a therapeutic agents as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the antibody or derivative. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment and prevention of CD70-expressing cancers and immunological disorders comprising administering the CD70 binding agents to a subject.

Abstract: Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules.

Abstract: A novel fusion protein, comprising a receptor-antagonizing domain and an angiogenesis inhibiting domain, characterized, for example, by its ability to block apoptosis and/or inhibit endocrine response, is useful in treating cancer. For example, a human prolactin antagonist-endostatin fusion protein combines apoptosis induction and angiogenesis inhibition to combat cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying patients for single agent anti-EGFR therapy. The methods comprise determining the genomic polymorphism present in a predetermined region of a gene of interest and correlating the polymorphism to the predictive response. Patients identified as responsive are then treated with the appropriate therapy.

Abstract: A human mutY polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for preventing and/or treating diseases associated with a mutation in this gene. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases, for example, cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of inducing tubulogenesis in normal endothelial cells comprising co-culturing the normal endothelial cells with tumor cells and forming tubules from the normal endothelial cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to CD 19 binding agents and methods of using such CD 19 binding agents for treating disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnostics, prognostics and predictions, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention provides perinucleolar compartments and their resident molecules as cancer markers.

Abstract: This invention provides purified antibodies to the outer membrane domain of prostate-specific membrane (PSM) antigen, compositions of matter comprising PSM antigen antibodies conjugated to a radioisotope or a toxin, and a method of imaging prostate cancer by using PSM antigen antibodies.