Abstract: Disclosed is a set of genes differentially expressed in chemotherapy and radiation resistant tumors useful in predicting response to therapy and assessing risk of local-regional failure, survival and metastasis in cancer patients. Also disclosed are methods for characterizing tumors according to gene expression and kits for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating cancer by administering an effective amount of a modified Herpes simplex virus.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for the identification of cells exhibiting a cell proliferative disorder that are amenable to treatment with a herpes simplex virus that does not express an approximately wild-type level of ICP34.5. Also provided are methods of treating cell proliferative diseases, disorders or conditions, such as cancers, rheumatoid arthritis and macular degeneration, using these HSVs. Further provided are methods for preventing such cell proliferative disorders by administering the HSVs as well as methods for ameliorating a symptom associated with a cell proliferative disorder by administering such HSVs.

Abstract: Recombinant herpes simplex viruses comprising DNA encoding cytokines and methods for treating neoplastic diseases using the inventive recombinant viruses are disclosed.

Abstract: Live, attenuated, phenotypically stable HSV-2 viruses and methods of making and using the virus are provided. Live, attenuated HSV-2 viruses are constructed using recombinant techniques and can be used in a pharmaceutical composition for prophylactic treatment of HSV-2 infections and for treatment of recurrent HSV-2 related diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific binding pair members, such as receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles are provided. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention are useful for targeting cells that express the selected receptor, which itself may be a product of genetic engineering. The ability to selectively target cells renders the HSV particles particularly useful in selectively diagnosing, treating, and imaging cells bearing the selected binding pair member, such as a receptor. The invention also provides for polynucleotide-based therapy to cells bearing the selected binding pair member such as a receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific binding pair members, such as receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles are provided. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention are useful for targeting cells that express the selected receptor, which itself may be a product of genetic engineering. The ability to selectively target cells render the HSV particles. particularly useful in selectively diagnosing, treating, and imaging cells bearing the selected binding pair member, such as a receptor. The invention also provides for polynucleotide-based therapy to cells bearing the selected binding pair member such as a receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention may be used for targeting cells that express the selected receptor. The ability to selectively target cells renders the HSV particles particularly useful in selectively killing the selected receptor-bearing cells (such as tumor cells), imaging cells bearing the selected receptor, and providing gene replacement therapy to cells bearing the selected receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a set of genes differentially expressed in chemotherapy and radiation resistant tumors useful in predicting response to therapy and assessing risk of local-regional failure, survival and metastasis in cancer patients. Also disclosed are methods for characterizing tumors according to gene expression and kits for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of enhancing the effectiveness of DNA damaging agents by exposing cells to viruses prior to or during exposure to the damaging agent. In certain embodiments of the invention, the DNA damaging agent is ionizing radiation, the virus is an adenovirus, and the increase in cell killing is synergistic when compared to radiation alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific binding pair members, such as receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles are provided. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention are useful for targeting cells that express the selected receptor, which itself may be a product of genetic engineering. The ability to selectively target cells renders the HSV particles particularly useful in selectively diagnosing, treating, and imaging cells bearing the selected binding pair member, such as a receptor. The invention also provides for polynucleotide-based therapy to cells bearing the selected binding pair member such as a receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific binding pair members, such as receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles are provided. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention are useful for targeting cells that express the selected receptor, which itself may be a product of genetic engineering. The ability to selectively target cells renders the HSV particles particularly useful in selectively diagnosing, treating, and imaging cells bearing the selected binding pair member, such as a receptor. The invention also provides for polynucleotide-based therapy to cells bearing the selected binding pair member such as a receptor.

Abstract: Recombinant herpes simplex viruses comprising DNA encoding cytokines and methods for treating neoplastic diseases using the inventive recombinant viruses are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention may be used for targeting cells that express the selected receptor. The ability to selectively target cells renders the HSV particles particularly useful in selectively killing the selected receptor-bearing cells (such as tumor cells), imaging cells bearing the selected receptor, and providing gene replacement therapy to cells bearing the selected receptor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of enhancing the effectiveness of DNA damaging agents by exposing cells to viruses prior to or during exposure to the damaging agent. In certain embodiments of the invention, the DNA damaging agent is ionizing radiation, the virus is an adenovirus, and the increase in cell killing is synergistic when compared to radiation alone.

Abstract: Live, attenuated, phenotypically stable HSV-2 viruses and methods of making and using the virus are provided. Live, attenuated HSV-2 viruses are constructed using recombinant techniques and can be used in a pharmaceutical composition for prophylactic treatment of HSV-2 infections and for treatment of recurrent HSV-2 related diseases and conditions.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and kits for use in selecting approaches to treating cancer, as well as methods for identifying genes that can be used in such methods and kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of expressing a nucleic acid or producing a proteinaceous composition encoded by a nucleic acid in vascular and cardiovascular cells by administration of a herpesvirus vector. The present invention provides methods of producing a therapeutic benefit in vascular and cardiovascular tissue by administration of a herpesvirus vector. In additional aspects, the invention concerns combination therapies for vascular and cardiovascular diseases comprising administration of a herpesvirus vector and treatment with at least one addition pharmacological agent or surgical procedure.

Abstract: The ICP4 protein of herpes simplex virus plays an important role in the transactivation of viral genes. The present invention discloses that ICP4 also has the ability to inhibit apoptosis. This function appears to reside in functional domain distinct from the transactivating function, as indicated by studies using temperature sensitive mutants of ICP4 that transactivating function at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are methods for inhibition of apoptosis using ICP4 or an ICP4 encoding gene, such as an &agr;4 gene, methods of inhibiting ICP4's apoptosis-inhibiting function, and methods for the production of recombinant proteins and treatment of HSV infections.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating cancer by administering an effective amount of a modified Herpes simplex virus.