Patents by Inventor Dennis A. Carson

Dennis A. Carson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6545034
    Abstract: A method of treating cancer is provided comprising administering an amount of etodolac to a subject afflicted with cancer that is effective to reduce the viability and/or to sensitize the cancer to an anti-cancer agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Howard B. Cottam, Soichi Adachi, Lorenzo M. Leoni
  • Publication number: 20030044409
    Abstract: This invention is in the field of immunology. More specifically, it relates to compositions and methods for identifying, treating and preventing cancer by targeting the extracellular domains of the frizzled receptor family of proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Maripat Corr, Chae-Seo Rhee, Lorenzo M. Leoni, Malini Sen
  • Publication number: 20030032615
    Abstract: A method for delivering an isolated polynucleotide to the interior of a cell in a vertebrate, comprising the interstitial introduction of an isolated polynucleotide into a tissue of the vertebrate where the polynucleotide is taken up by the cells of the tissue and exerts a therapeutic effect on the vertebrate. The method can be used to deliver a therapeutic polypeptide to the cells of the vertebrate, to provide an immune response upon in vivo translation of the polynucleotide, to deliver antisense polynucleotides, to deliver receptors to the cells of the vertebrate, or to provide transitory gene therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Vical Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Felgner, Jon Asher Wolff, Gary H. Rhodes, Robert Wallace Malone, Dennis A. Carson
  • Publication number: 20030031679
    Abstract: A method of modulating an immune response in a subject is disclosed. The invention is based on the discovery that an effective therapeutic strategy for ameliorating the inflammation-related symptoms of an immune-mediated disease, such as arthritis, can be achieved by modulation of the underlying immune response itself, rather than by merely addressing the resulting inflammation. This strategy can be used to regulate the inflammatory response and is applicable to a variety of contexts in which immune modulation is desired, such as mucosal tolerization, DNA vaccination, anergy induction, active immunization, and ex vivo modulation of antigen-specific T cells. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to the subject a bacterial dnaJ peptide or a human homolog or a non-homologous human isoform thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Salvatore Albani, Dennis A. Carson, Berent J. Prakken, Alberto Martini
  • Publication number: 20030027782
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for treating both the early and late phases of allergic asthma by introducing naked polynucleotides which operatively encode for the asthma-initiating antigen into the host. The antigen-encoding polynucleotides are administered to host tissues which contain a high concentration of antigen presenting cells (e.g., skin and mucosa) relative to other host tissues. Expression of the asthma-initiating antigen encoding polynucleotides of the invention inside of antigen presenting cells (without substantial secretion therefrom) induces antigen tolerance while suppressing IgE antibody formation in the early phase of the disease, and also suppresses cytokine-mediated eosinophil accumulation in the late phase of the disease. Devices and compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Eyal Raz
  • Publication number: 20020165202
    Abstract: Novel, heterocyclic compounds having at least one ring nitrogen, disclosed side chains and, in some embodiments, an oxygen ortho to the ring nitrogen inhibit inflammatory responses associated with TNF-&agr; and fibroblast proliferation in vivo and in vitro. The compounds of the invention neither appreciably inhibit the activity of cAMP phosphodiesterase nor the hydrolysis of phosphatidic acid, and are neither cytotoxic nor cytostatic. Preferred compounds of the invention are esters. Methods for the use of the novel compounds to inhibit ceramide-mediated intracellular responses in stimuli in vivo (particularly TN-&agr;) are also described. The methods are expected to be of use in reducing inflammatory responses (for example, after angioplasty), in limiting fibrosis (for example, of the liver in cirrhosis), in inhibiting cell senescence, cell apoptosis and UV induced cutaneous immune suppression. Compounds having enhanced water solubility are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Howard Cottam
  • Publication number: 20020146695
    Abstract: A method for detecting whether methyladenosine phosphatase (MTAse) is present in a cell sample. In one respect, the method comprises adding oligonucleotide probes to the sample, which probes are capable of specifically hybridizing to any MTAse encoding nucleic acid in the sample under conditions favoring that hybridization. Absence of MTAse in a sample is considered to be indicative of malignancy. Polynucleotides encoding MTAse, MTAse peptides and antibodies to MTAse, as well as kits for performing the methods of the invention, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nobori, Dennis A. Carson, Kenji Takabayashi
  • Patent number: 6426336
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for treating both the early and late phases of allergic asthma by introducing naked polynucleotides which operatively encode for the asthma-initiating antigen into the host. The antigen-encoding polynucleotides are administered to host tissues which contain a high concentration of antigen presenting cells (e.g., skin and mucosa) relative to other host tissues. Expression of the asthma-initiating antigen encoding polynucleotides of the invention inside of antigen presenting cells (without substantial secretion therefrom) induces antigen tolerance while suppressing IgE antibody formation in the early phase of the disease, and also suppresses cytokine-mediated eosinophil accumulation in the late phase of the disease. Devices and compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Eval Raz
  • Patent number: 6413942
    Abstract: A method for delivering an isolated polynucleotide to the interior of a cell in a vertebrate, comprising the interstitial introduction of an isolated polynucleotide into a tissue of the vertebrate where the polynucleotide is taken up by the cells of the tissue and exerts a therapeutic effect on the vertebrate. The method can be used to deliver a therapeutic polypeptide to the cells of the vertebrate, to provide an immune response upon in vivo translation of the polynucleotide, to deliver antisense polynucleotides, to deliver receptors to the cells of the vertebrate, or to provide transitory gene therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignees: Vical, Inc., Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Philip L. Felgner, Jon Asher Wolff, Gary H. Rhodes, Robert Wallace Malone, Dennis A. Carson
  • Publication number: 20020010125
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying compounds that can induce cellular chemokinesis. According to the present invention, chemokinesis interferes with immune and inflammatory responses by increasing cell movements and altering cell migration patterns. Surprisingly, compounds isolated according to the present invention can interfere with the spread of malignant cells through the body, reduce inflammatory responses and can cause leukocytes to be retained in lymph nodes, the spleen and other organs of the reticulo-endothelial system. Several methods are contemplated by the present invention for identifying compounds which can induce chemokinesis. In one embodiment the method involves contacting a population of target cells with a test compound and observing whether the target cells produce a chemotactic molecule; wherein the target cell has a cognate receptor for the chemotactic molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Lorenzo M. Leoni, Howard B. Cottam
  • Patent number: 6323201
    Abstract: Novel, heterocyclic compounds having at least one ring nitrogen, disclosed side chains and, in some embodiments, an oxygen ortho to the ring nitrogen inhibit inflammatory responses associated with TNF-&agr; and fibroblast proliferation in vivo and in vitro. The compounds of the invention neither appreciably inhibit the activity of cAMP phosphodiesterase nor the hydrolysis of phosphatidic acid, and are neither cytotoxic nor cytostatic. Preferred compounds of the invention are esters. Methods for the use of the novel compounds to inhibit ceramide-mediated intracellular responses in stimuli in vivo (particularly TN-&agr;) are also described. The methods are expected to be of use in reducing inflammatory responses (for example, after angioplasty), in limiting fibrosis (for example, of the liver in cirrhosis), in inhibiting cell senescence, cell apoptosis and UV induced cutaneous immune suppression. Compounds having enhanced water solubility are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Howard Cottam
  • Patent number: 6214571
    Abstract: An in vivo method for depleting mammalian cells of adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) useful in the treatment of certain cancers is provided. According to the method, a population of cells is obtained from a host and assayed for loss of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAse) activity. MTAse catabolizes methylthioadenosine to adenine for endogenous salvage incorporation into the intracellular AMP pool. The preferred method for assaying loss of MTAse activity is a hybridization technique for detection of a homozygous loss of the gene which encodes MTAse. Hosts having MTAse deficient tumors are treated with a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which inhibits the activity of adenylsuccinate synthetase, which converts inosine 5-monophosphate to AMP, thus depleting the tumor cells of substrates for de novo AMP production. L-alanosine is the preferred ASS inhibitory agent for use in the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Carlos J. Carrera, Dennis A. Carson, Howard B. Cottam, Tsutomu Nobori
  • Patent number: 6214804
    Abstract: A method for delivering an isolated polynucleotide to the interior of a cell in a vertebrate, comprising the interstitial introduction of an isolated polynucleotide into a tissue of the vertebrate where the polynucleotide is taken up by the cells of the tissue and exerts a therapeutic effect on the vertebrate. The method can be used to deliver a therapeutic polypeptide to the cells of the vertebrate, to provide an immune response upon in vivo translation of the polynucleotide, to deliver antisense polynucleotides, to deliver receptors to the cells of the vertebrate, or to provide transitory gene therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Vical Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Felgner, Jon Asher Wolff, Gary H. Rhodes, Robert Wallace Malone, Dennis A. Carson
  • Patent number: 6210917
    Abstract: Methods for treating and preventing the onset and maintainance of multiple drug resistance (MDR) in animals undergoing chemotherapy for cancer are provided. According to the methods, target cells are depleted of adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) such that the cells are unable to support P-glycoprotein activity. According to one method, a population of target cells is obtained from a host and assayed for loss of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAse) activity. MTAse catabolizes methylthioadenosine to adenine for endogenous salvage incorporation into the intracellular AMP pool. MTAse deficient cells are treated with a purine synthesis inhibitor, such as L-alanosine, which starves the cells of adenine and suppresses P-glycoprotein activity. MTAse competent cells are also treated for MDR with purine synthesis inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Carlos J. Carrera
  • Patent number: 6174872
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for treating both the early and late phases of allergic asthma by introducing naked polynucleotides which operatively encode for the asthma-initiating antigen into the host. The antigen-encoding polynucleotides are administered to host tissues which contain a high concentration of antigen presenting cells (e.g., skin and mucosa) relative to other host tissues. Expression of the asthma-initiating antigen encoding polynucleotides of the invention inside of antigen presenting cells (without substantial secretion therefrom) induces antigen tolerance while suppressing IgE antibody formation in the early phase of the disease, and also suppresses cytokine-mediated eosinophil accumulation in the late phase of the disease. Devices and compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Eval Raz
  • Patent number: 6162810
    Abstract: A new family of inadone and tetralone tubulin-binding compounds (TBs) is disclosed. Unlike classical TBs, which inhibit mitosis among affected dividing cells, the TBs of the invention possess two unique properties: (1) they induce apoptosis among stationary phase (non-dividing) malignant cells, yet do not impair the viability of normal nonproliferating cells; and, (2) they affect cells which have acquired MDR more powerfully than they affect cells without MDR. Thus, the TBs of the invention provide means to target malignant cells for chemotherapy, even after previous therapies have failed, without affecting normal cells and tissues in the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Hsien C. Shih, Howard B. Cottam, Lorenzo Leoni
  • Patent number: 6153200
    Abstract: Vaccine compositions useful in inducing immune protection in a host against arthritogenic peptides involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis are disclosed. Each vaccine composition provides antigenic dnaJp1 peptide (by including the peptide or a polynucleotide which encodes the peptide) and, optionally, other peptide fragments of the microbial dnaJ protein and/or human homologs thereof. Methods for identifying persons who are predisposed to develop rheumatoid arthritis and methods for use of the inventive vaccines are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Salvatore Albani
  • Patent number: 5985847
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and compositions for administering antigens and immunostimulatory peptides to a mammalian host by the introduction of one or more naked polynucleotides to operatively encode for the antigens and immunostimulatory peptides, preferably by non-invasive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Eyal Raz
  • Patent number: 5942393
    Abstract: A method for the detecting whether methyladenosine phosphatase (MTAse) is present in a cell sample in either a catalytically active or catalytically inactive form. In one respect, the method comprises adding oligonucleotide probes to the sample, which probes are capable of specifically hybridizing to any MTAse encoding nucleic acid in the sample under conditions favoring that hybridization. Absence of MTAse in a sample is considered to be indicative of malignancy. Polynucleotides encoding MTAse, MTAse peptides and antibodies to MTAse, as well as kits for performing the methods of the invention, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nobori, Dennis A. Carson, Kenji Takabayashi
  • Patent number: 5849719
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for treating both the early and late phases of allergic asthma by introducing naked polynucleotides which operatively encode for the asthma-initiating antigen into the host. The antigen-encoding polynucleotides are administered to host tissues which contain a high concentration of antigen presenting cells (e.g., skin and mucosa) relative to other host tissues. Expression of the asthma-initiating antigen encoding polynucleotides of the invention inside of antigen presenting cells (without substantial secretion therefrom) induces antigen tolerance while suppressing IgE antibody formation in the early phase of the disease, and also suppresses cytokine-mediated eosinophil accumulation in the late phase of the disease. Devices and compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis A. Carson, Eyal Raz