Abstract: This invention is concerned with agents for the treatment of primary, metastatic and residual cancer in mammals (including humans) by inducing the immune system of the mammal or human afflicted with cancer to mount an attack against the tumour lesion. In particular, the invention pertains to the use of whole-cells, derivatives and portions thereof with or without vaccine adjuvants and/or other accessory factors. More particularly, this disclosure describes the use of particular combinations of whole-cells and derivatives and portions thereof that form the basis of treatment strategy.

Abstract: The invention here relates to a product comprised of a cell line or lines intended for use as an allogeneic immunotherapy agent for the treatment of cancer in mammals and humans. All of the studies of cell-based cancer vaccines to date have one feature in common, namely the intention to use cells that contain at least some TSAs and/or TAAs that are shared with the antigens present in patients' tumor. In each case, tumor cells are utilized as the starting point on the premise that only tumor cells will contain TSAs or TAAs of relevance, and the tissue origins of the cells are matched to the tumor site in patients. A primary aspect of the invention is the use of immortalized normal, non-malignant cells as the basis of an allogeneic cell cancer vaccine. Normal cells do not possess TSAs or relevant concentrations of TAAs and hence it is surprising that normal cells are effective as anti-cancer vaccines.

Abstract: The invention here relates to a product comprised of a cell line or lines intended for use as an allogeneic immunotherapy agent for the treatment of cancer in mammals and humans. All of the studies of cell-based cancer vaccines to date have one feature in common, namely the intention to use cells that contain at least some TSAs and/or TAAs that are shared with the antigens present in patients' tumour. In each case, tumour cells are utilised as the starting point on the premise that only tumour cells will contain TSAs or TAAs of relevance, and the tissue origins of the cells are matched to the tumour site in patients. A primary aspect of the invention is the use of immortalised normal, non-malignant cells as the basis of an allogeneic cell cancer vaccine. Normal cells do not possess TSAs or relevant concentrations of TAAs and hence it is surprising that normal cells are effective as anti-cancer vaccines.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microspheres and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microspheres. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microspheres have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of size, size distribution and degree of insolubilisation and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced. In particular, the microspheres may be 15-20 ?m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product comprised of specific combinations of cell lines intended for use as an allogeneic immunotherapy agent for the treatment of prostate cancer in humans. The heterogeneity of the immunotherapeutic matches the heterogeneity of the antigenic profile in the target prostate cancer and immunises the recipients with many of the potential TAA and TSA which are expressed at various stages of the disease. The invention discloses a vaccine comprising a combination of three different cell lines prepared from primary or metastatic prostate cancer biopsy material. The cell lines are lethally irradiated utilising gamma irradiation at 50-300 Gy to ensure that they are replication incompetent.

Abstract: A process for forming microcapsules comprising (i) providing a solution of a protein in an aqueous solvent and (ii) spraying the said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules, characterised in that the aqueous solution contains a liquid of greater volatility than water. The protein is preferably albumin and the volatile liquid is preferably ethanol. The microcapsules may be used as ultrasound echogenic contrast agents.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microspheres and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microspheres. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microspheres have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilisation and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced. In particular, the microspheres may be 15-20 &mgr;m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microspheres and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microspheres. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microsphere have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilisation and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced. In particular, the microspheres may be 15-20 &mgr;m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microspheres and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microspheres. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microsphere have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilisation and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced. In particular, the microspheres may be 15-20 &mgr;m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: Transcytosis of a physiologically-active agent that exerts its action following passage across endothelia, epithelia or mesothelia containing the GP60 receptor is enhanced by formulation with or conjugation to a transcytosis enhancer or vehicle selected from albumin and fragments thereof, anti-GP60 antibody and fragments thereof, GP60 peptide fragments, and PDI (protein disulphide isomerase) and fragments thereof.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microcapsules and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microcaspsules.Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin.The microcapsules have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilization and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microspheres and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microspheres. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microsphere have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilization and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced. In particular, the microspheres may be 15-20 .mu.m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: A sterile powder comprising microparticles, 0.1 to 50 .mu.m in diameter, obtainable by spray-drying and cross-linking a water-soluble material having free functional groups, is characterized in that the microparticles are hydrophilic, can be reconstituted in water to give a monodisperse suspension, and have retained said groups available for derivatization. The particles are linked to drugs or other functional molecules, and used as vehicles in therapy.

Abstract: A process for forming microcapsules comprising (i) providing a solution of a protein in an aqueous solvent and (ii) spraying the said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules, characterised in that the aqueous solution contains a liquid of greater volatility than water.The protein is preferably albumin and the volatile liquid is preferably ethanol.The microcapsules may be used as ultrasound echogenic contrast agents.