Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer comprising administration of a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising a taxane (such as paclitaxel) and a carrier protein in combination with gemcitabine.

Abstract: The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating a proliferative disease (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include the administration of an effective amount of at least one other agent that modifies the epigenetics in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating pancreatic cancer in an individual who has been previously treated for pancreatic cancer (e.g., gemcitabine-based therapy) by administering a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise a taxane and an albumin. The invention also provides combination therapy methods of treating pancreatic cancer (for example, in an individual who has been previously treated for pancreatic cancer) comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise a taxane and an albumin and another agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating a proliferative disease (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include the administration of an effective amount of at least one other agent that inhibits a pro survival and/or inflammatory signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating a proliferative disease (such as cancer) comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a hedgehog inhibitor that inhibits a hedgehog signaling pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by administering a) a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise paclitaxel and an albumin and b) a platinum-based agent (e.g., carboplatin). The present application also provides methods of treating prostate cancer by administering to the individual a) an effective amount of a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising docetaxel and an albumin; and b) an effective amount of a steroid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating bladder cancer, including metastatic bladder cancer and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, by administering a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise a taxane and an albumin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier comprises a protein, for example, human serum albumin and/or deferoxamine. The human serum albumin is present in an amount effective to reduce one or more side effects associated with administration of the pharmaceutical composition. The invention also provides methods for reducing one or more side effects of administration of the pharmaceutical composition, methods for inhibiting microbial growth and oxidation in the pharmaceutical composition, and methods for enhancing transport and binding of a pharmaceutical agent to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier comprises a protein, for example, human serum albumin and/or deferoxamine. The human serum albumin is present in an amount effective to reduce one or more side effects associated with administration of the pharmaceutical composition. The invention also provides methods for reducing one or more side effects of administration of the pharmaceutical composition, methods for inhibiting microbial growth and oxidation in the pharmaceutical composition, and methods for enhancing transport and binding of a pharmaceutical agent to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating proliferative diseases (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include, for example, radiation, surgery, administration of chemotherapeutic agents, or combinations thereof. Also provided are methods of administering to an individual a drug taxane in a nanoparticle composition based on a metronomic dosing regime.

Abstract: The present invention in one aspect provides methods of enhancing uptake of a therapeutic agent in a target tissue as well as methods of treating a disease (such as cancer) or enhancing effectiveness of treatment with a therapeutic agent in an individual by co-administering a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising albumin and a poorly water soluble drug such as a taxane with the therapeutic agent. The present invention in another aspect provides a method of treatment or a method of selecting patients for treatment of a disease (such as cancer) with the combination of a therapeutic agent and a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising albumin and a poorly water soluble drug such as a taxane based on one or more characteristics of the target tissue that correlates or indicates the capability of getting enhanced therapeutic agent uptake as a result of the co-administration of the taxane nanoparticle composition in the target tissue (referred to as “the drug uptake capability”).

Abstract: The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating proliferative diseases (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include, for example, radiation, surgery, administration of chemotherapeutic agents, or combinations thereof. Also provided are methods of administering to an individual a drug taxane in a nanoparticle composition based on a metronomic dosing regime.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating recurrent cancer (such as recurrent ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer) in an individual, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition (such as Nab-paclitaxel or Abraxane®) comprising nanoparticles comprising a taxane and a carrier protein.

Abstract: The invention provides SPARC and Albumin binding peptides for the targeting of disease sites, such as tumors, with therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In particular, compositions comprising SPARC binding peptide-Antibody Fc domain fusion proteins and methods of their use are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating proliferative diseases (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include, for example, radiation, surgery, administration of chemotherapeutic agents (such as an anti-VEGF antibody), or combinations thereof. Also provided are methods of administering to an individual a drug taxane in a nanoparticle composition based on a metronomic dosing regime.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for predicting or determining the response of a mammalian tumor to a chemotherapeutic agent and for treating a mammalian tumor comprising detecting and quantifying the SPARC protein or RNA in a sample isolated from the mammal. The invention further provides kit for predicting the response of a mammalian tumor to a chemotherapeutic agent, comprising a means for the isolation of protein or RNA from the tumor, a SPARC protein or RNA detection and quantification means, control RNAs, and rules for predicting the response of the tumor based on the level of SPARC protein or RNA in tumor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for predicting or determining the response of a mammalian tumor to a chemotherapeutic agent and for treating a mammalian tumor comprising detecting and quantifying the SPARC protein or RNA in a sample isolated from the mammal. The invention further provides kit for predicting the response of a mammalian tumor to a chemotherapeutic agent, comprising a means for the isolation of protein or RNA from the tumor, a SPARC protein or RNA detection and quantification means, control RNAs, and rules for predicting the response of the tumor based on the level of SPARC protein or RNA in tumor.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-SPARC antibody-based techniques for predicting a response to chemotherapy.