Abstract: Methods and compositions for use of human dendritic cells to activate T cells for immunotherapeutic responses against primary and metastatic cancer are disclosed. In one embodiment, human dendritic cells exposed to a tumor associated antigen, or an antigenic fragment thereof in combination with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), are administered to a cancer patient to activate a predominantly CD8+T cell response in vivo. In an alternate embodiment, human dendritic cells are exposed to a tumor associated antigen or a specific antigenic peptide in combination with BCG in vitro and incubated or cultured with primed or unprimed T cells to activate a predominantly CD8+T cell response in vitro. The activated T cells are then administered to a cancer patient. Antigen in combination with BCG is processed by dendritic cells through the MHC-CLASS I compartment which provides for a predominantly CD8+T cell response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind to the extracellular domain of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), hybridoma cell lines producing the antibodies, and methods of using such antibodies for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In particular, thirty-five monoclonal antibodies reactive with PSMA expressed on the cell surface are exemplified. Additionally, the present invention relates to a novel protein variant (PSM?) of PSMA detected by a number of the antibodies of the invention. The hydrolase activity of PSMA and PSM? allows the use of an immunoenzymatic assay for their detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a novel role of Nr-CAM in cell transformation and aberrant cellular proliferation. In particular, the present invention relates to the altered gene expression of Nr-CAM in a number of primary tumors and cell lines derived from tumors, in addition to, the altered gene expression of ligands for Nr-CAM. Further, the present invention relates, in part, to the Applicants' surprising discovery that the inhibition of Nr-CAM gene expression or the inhibition of Nr-CAM activity in transformed cells reverses the transformed phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a novel role of Nr-CAM in cell transformation and aberrant cellular proliferation. In particular, the present invention relates to the altered gene expression of Nr-CAM in a number of primary tumors and cell lines derived from tumors, in addition to, the altered gene expression of ligands for Nr-CAM. Further, the present invention relates, in part, to the Applicants' surprising discovery that the inhibition of Nr-CAM gene expression or the inhibition of Nr-CAM activity in transformed cells reverses the transformed phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a novel role of CXCR-4 in cell transformation and aberrant cellular proliferation. In particular, the present invention relates to the altered gene expression of CXCR-4 in a number of primary tumors and cell lines derived from tumors, in addition to, the altered gene expression of ligands for CXCR-4. Further, the present invention relates, in part, to the Applicants' surprising discovery that the inhibition of CXCR-4 gene expression or the inhibition of CXCR-4 activity in transformed cells reverses the transformed phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enriching a heterogenous mixture of bone marrow or blood constituents for stem cells by removal of non-stem cell constituents comprising separation of the non-stem cell constituents using a tangential flow filtration device.

Abstract: The present invention provides tangential flow filtration devices and methods for enriching a heterogeneous mixture of blood constituents for leukocytes by removal of non-leukocyte blood constituents. In one particular embodiment the device can provide a composition enriched in monocytes. One embodiment includes a remover unit (1) having a crossflow chamber (3) separated by a microporous filter (5) from a filtrate chamber (4), the remover unit (1) also having a tangential flow inlet (6), a fluid outlet (7) for a fluid enriched in leukocytes and a filtrate outlet (8).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for use of human dendritic cells to activate T cells for immunotherapeutic responses against primary and metastatic cancer are disclosed. In one embodiment, human dendritic cells exposed to a tumor associated antigen, or an antigenic fragment thereof in combination with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), are administered to a cancer patient to activate a predominantly CD8+ T cell response in vivo. In an alternate embodiment, human dendritic cells are exposed to a tumor associated antigen or a specific antigenic peptide in combination with BCG in vitro and incubated or cultured with primed or unprimed T cells to activate a predominantly CD8+ T cell response in vitro. The activated T cells are then administered to a cancer patient. Antigen in combination with BCG is processed by dendritic cells through the MHC-CLASS I compartment which provides for a predominantly CD8+ T cell response.