Abstract: Described herein are combination therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. In one aspect, the methods described herein for the treatment of cancer and other diseases comprise administering an RSPO-LGR pathway inhibitor in combination with a mitotic inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RSPO-binding agents, particularly RSPO3-binding agents and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human RSPO3 proteins and modulate ?-catenin activity. The present invention further provides methods of using agents that modulate the activity of RSPO3 proteins and inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RSPO-binding agents, particularly antibodies that specifically bind human RSPO1. Also described are methods of treating cancer and other diseases, comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods comprising combination therapy for treating cancer. Wnt pathway inhibitors in combination with mitotic inhibitors administered in a staggered or sequential dosing manner for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Abstract: Novel anti-cancer agents, including, but not limited to, antibodies and other polypeptides, that bind to human frizzled receptors are provided. Novel epitopes within the human frizzled receptors which are suitable as targets for anti-cancer agents are also identified. Methods of using the agents or antibodies, such as methods of using the agents or antibodies to inhibit Wnt signaling and/or inhibit tumor growth are further provided. Screening methods are also provided.

Abstract: Polypeptides and agents that bind a TNF receptor superfamily protein are disclosed, particularly agents that specifically bind GITR, OX40, or CD40. The polypeptides or agents may include fusion polypeptides, particularly polypeptides comprising GITRL, OX40L, or CD40L and/or bispecific agents. Also disclosed are methods of using the polypeptides or agents for inducing and/or enhancing the immune response, as well as methods for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising Wnt antagonists and methods of treating Wnt-associated diseases and disorders, such as cancer, inducing differentiation, and reducing the frequency of cancer stem cells, as well as novel methods of screening for such Wnt antagonists. In particular, the invention discloses soluble FZD, SFRP and Ror receptors and their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing and treating cancer. In particular, the present invention identifies LGR5 as a protein over-expressed in solid tumor stem cell. The present invention further identifies an interaction between RSPO1 and LGR5 as an alternative pathway for the activation of beta-catenin signaling. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides biomolecules that disrupt functional signaling via a LGR protein, including, in certain embodiments, molecules that inhibit the interaction between one or more RSPO proteins and one or more LGR proteins, such as LGR5. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating cancer comprising disrupting functional LGR signaling and inhibiting growth of a solid tumor comprising solid tumor stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Notch-binding agents and Notch antagonists and methods of using the agents and/or antagonists for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of one or more human Notch receptor, such as Notch2 and/or Notch3, and inhibit tumor growth. The present invention further provides methods of treating cancer, the methods comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor and inhibits tumor growth. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to VEGF-binding agents, DLL4-binding agents, VEGF/DLL4 bispecific binding agents, and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF, antibodies that specifically bind human DLL4, and bispecific antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF and/or human DLL4. The present invention further provides methods of using the agents to inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor and inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor protein and inhibits growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RSPO-binding agents and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human RSPO proteins and modulate ?-catenin activity. The present invention further provides methods of using agents that modulate the activity of RSPO proteins, such as antibodies that specifically bind RSPO1, RSPO2, and/or RSPO3 and inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing and treating cancer. In particular, the present invention identifies LGR5 as a protein over-expressed in solid tumor stem cells. The present invention further identifies an interaction between RSPO1 and LGR5 as an alternative pathway for the activation of beta-catenin signaling. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides biomolecules that disrupt functional signaling via a LGR protein, including, in certain embodiments, molecules that inhibit the interaction between one or more RSPO proteins and one or more LGR proteins, such as LGR5. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating cancer comprising disrupting functional LGR signaling and inhibiting growth of a solid tumor comprising solid tumor stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RSPO-binding agents, particularly RSPO3-binding agents and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human RSPO3 proteins and modulate ?-catenin activity. The present invention further provides methods of using agents that modulate the activity of RSPO3 proteins and inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel naturally occurring human cytokine that is comprised of a heterodimer of interleukin-17 and interleukin-17F designated herein as interleukin 17A/F (IL-17A/F). Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, specific antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising Wnt antagonists and methods of treating Wnt-associated diseases and disorders, such as cancer, inducing differentiation, and reducing the frequency of cancer stem cells, as well as novel methods of screening for such Wnt antagonists. In particular, the invention discloses soluble FZD, SFRP and Ror receptors and their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to VEGF-binding agents, DLL4-binding agents, VEGF/DLL4 bispecific binding agents, and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF, antibodies that specifically bind human DLL4, and bispecific antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF and/or human DLL4. The present invention further provides methods of using the agents to inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: Novel anti-cancer agents, including, but not limited to, antibodies, that bind to human frizzled receptors are provided. Novel epitopes within the human frizzled receptors which are suitable as targets for anti-cancer agents are also identified. Methods of using the agents or antibodies, such as methods of using the agents or antibodies to inhibit Wnt signaling and/or inhibit tumor growth are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a recently discovered macrophage specific receptor, CRIg, and its use in the treatment of complement-associated disorders.