Abstract: The present invention relates to differentiation, apoptosis and tumorigenicity. The present invention more particularly relates to compositions comprising ligands which target CEA such that the adhesion, differentiation-Inhibitory and apoptosis-resistance activities (tumorigenic effects) of Ig superfamily member, CEA, can be reduced or blocked. More particularly, the present invention relates to CEA-binding agents comprising compositions which reverse the CEA-mediated tumorigenic effects and enable a lowering of the doses of a chemotherapeutic agent. In one embodiment the invention relates to methods of reducing, preventing or reversing CEA-mediated tumorigenic effects comprising a use of an amount of a CEA declustering agent comprising compositions that can reverse a CEA mediated tumorigenic effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to differentiation and tumorigenicity. The present invention more particularly relates to ligands which target CEA and CEACAM6 such that the adhesion, differentiation-Inhibitory activities and tumorigenic effects of Ig superfamily members, CEA and CEACAM6, can be reduced or blocked. More particularly, the present invention relates to CEA-binding agents which reverse CEA-mediated tumorigenic effects by declustering CEA and CEACAM6. In one embodiment the invention relates to methods of reducing, preventing or reversing a CEA-mediated tumorigenic effect comprising a use of a CEA-mediated tumorigenic effect reducing CEA-declustering agent. In one embodiment, the invention relates to compositions and use thereof for reversing CEA-mediated tumorigenic effects on human cancer cells and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel cancer therapy based on interference with the function or on downregulation of overproduced CEA/NCA, which plays an instrumental role in tumorigenesis and malignant progression through its differentiation-blocking activity. More precisely, there is provided three short amino acid sequence subdomains in the N domain of CEA and NCA that, when applied as peptides, peptide mimetics or anti-sudomain monoclonal antibodies to malignant tumors overproducing CEA/NCA, induce them to differentiate, thereby inhibiting their ability to grow and increasing the efficacy of other modes of treatment. Four other means of releasing the CEA/NCA-imposed differentiation block are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides for methods of immunizing mammals against tumors expressing a carcinoembryonic antigen using a carcinoembryonic immunogen modified to lack cellular immunosuppressive activity or CD1d binding. The invention further provides for use of a carcinoembryonic immunogen having a region recognized by antibody B9 or L12 modified to inactivate cellular immunosuppressive activity. Methods are also provided for modifying the immunogen by deleting, altering, mutating or truncating the immunosuppressive region. The invention also provides for enhancing cellular immunogenicity of an orally delivered immunogen by co-administration of an agent capable of inhibiting the immunosuppressive activity of carcinoembryonic antigen. Further methods are provided for creating a patient having a carcinoembryonic-antigen-family-member-expressing tumor by immunizing the patient with the carcinoembryonic-antigen-family-member lacking the immunosuppressive region.