Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention encompass the collection of multispectral images from a population of objects, and the analysis of the collected images to measure at least one characteristic of the population, using photometric and/or morphometric features identifiable in the collection of images. In an exemplary application, the objects are biological cells. In a particularly preferred, but not limiting implementation, the plurality of images for each individual object are collected simultaneously. In an empirical study, the characteristic being measured involves the synapse between conjugated cells. The conjugated cells may represent a subpopulation of the overall population of objects that were imaged. In a particularly preferred, yet not limiting embodiment, the present invention enables the quantization of the redistribution of cellular molecules due to the conjugation of different biological cells. Significantly, such quantization is not feasible with standard microscopy and flow cytometry.

Abstract: Methods of treating a fibrosacroma using flt-3 ligand are disclosed, as well as methods of increasing the number of dendritic cells in a patient having a fibrosarcoma.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins and 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: An improved method for treatment of an individual suffering from or at risk for an infectious disease, comprising administering to said individual a combination of from two to five agents is disclosed. The agents may be agents that mobilize dendritic cells, agents that cause death or growth inhibition of infectious agents, chemoattractants, agents that stimulate maturation of dendritic cells, and agents that enhance an immune response of an effector T cell. Antigen-expressing, activated dendritic cells are disclosed. Such dendritic cells are used to present antigens (specifically, antigens derived from infectious agents) to T cells, and can be useful in vaccination protocols. Useful cytokines can be used in separate sequential or simultaneous combination with the activated, antigen-pulsed dendritic cells. Also disclosed are methods for stimulating an immune response using the antigen-expressing, activated dendritic cells.

Abstract: An improved method for treatment of a tumor bearing subject comprising administering to said subject a combination of from two to five agents is disclosed. The agents may be agents that mobilize dendritic cells, agents that cause apoptosis and/or necrosis of tumor cells, chemoattractants, agents that stimulate maturation of dendritic cells, and agents that enhance an anti-tumor response of a T cell.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins, 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, CD30 ligand antagonists, RANKL, and/or interferon alpha the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins, 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, CD30 ligand antagonists, RANKL, and/or interferon alpha the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins, 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, CD30 ligand antagonists, RANKL, and/or interferon alpha the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Bispecific antibodies that bind TRAIL receptor 1 and TRAIL receptor 2 are provided. Bispecific antibodies that induce apoptosis of tumor cells and virally infected cells are employed in treating cancer and viral infections.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel of monoclonal antibodies and binding proteins which specifically bind to human Fas antigen. Some of the antibodies and binding proteins are capable of stimulating T cell proliferation, inhibiting binding of anti-Fas CH-11 monoclonal antibody to cells expressing Fas antigen, blocking anti-Fas CH-11 monoclonal antibody-mediated lysis of cells, and blocking Fas ligand-mediated lysis of cells. The invention also provides for therapeutic compositions comprising the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel of monoclonal antibodies and binding proteins which specifically bind to human Fas antigen. Some of the antibodies and binding proteins are capable of stimulating T cell proliferation, inhibiting binding of anti-Fas CH-11 monoclonal antibody to cells expressing Fas antigen, blocking anti-Fas CH-11 monoclonal antibody-mediated lysis of cells, and blocking Fas ligand-mediated lysis of cells. The invention also provides for therapeutic compositions comprising the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel of monoclonal antibodies and binding proteins which specifically bind to human Fas antigen. Some of the antibodies and binding proteins are capable of stimulating T cell proliferation, inhibiting binding of anti-Fas CH-11 monoclonal antibody to cells expressing Fas antigen, blocking anti-Fas CH-11 monoclonal antibody-mediated lysis of cells, and blocking Fas ligand-mediated lysis of cells. The invention also provides for therapeutic compositions comprising the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: There is disclosed an immunotherapy method for treating an individual with cancer or a viral infection comprising obtaining lymphoid cells previously exposed to a specific antigen, culturing the lymphoid cells ex vivo in a culture medium containing an effective amount of an IL-7 polypeptide or a functional derivative thereof to induce CTL activity in the lymphoid cells and administering the lymphoid cells having CTL activity for cells displaying the specific antigen to an individual.