Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancers such as pancreatic cancer and synovial sarcoma are disclosed. Compounds comprising a sigma-2 receptor-binding moiety and a ferroptosis-inducing moiety are described. At least one described molecular species exhibits an IC50 value below 5 ?M against human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Administration of this species promoted shrinkage of pancreatic cancer tumors in a murine model system in vivo, and led to 100% survival of experimental animals over a time course in which control therapies provided only 30% or 40% survival. Methods of synthesis of molecular species are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancers such as pancreatic cancer and synovial sarcoma are disclosed. Compounds comprising a sigma-2 receptor-binding moiety and a ferroptosis-inducing moiety are described, such as the methanesulfonate salt of a compound of structural Formula IV, , wherein n is an integer chosen from 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and R2 is H or methyl. At least one described molecular species exhibits an IC50 value below 5 ?M against human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Administration of this species promoted shrinkage of pancreatic cancer tumors in a murine model system in vivo. It led to a 100% survival of experimental animals over a time course in which control therapies provided only 30% or 40% survival. Methods of synthesis of molecular species are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancers such as pancreatic cancer and synovial sarcoma are disclosed. Compounds comprising a sigma-2 receptor-binding moiety and a ferroptosis-inducing moiety are described. At least one described molecular species exhibits an IC50 value below 5 ?M against human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Administration of this species promoted shrinkage of pancreatic cancer tumors in a murine model system in vivo, and led to 100% survival of experimental animals over a time course in which control therapies provided only 30% or 40% survival. Methods of synthesis of molecular species are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds of structural Formula III: or a salt thereof, wherein Y is chosen from Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods for treating cancer, such as pancreatic cancer or synovial sarcoma, using the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancers such as pancreatic cancer and synovial sarcoma are disclosed. Compounds comprising a sigma-2 receptor-binding moiety and a ferroptosis-inducing moiety are described. At least one described molecular species exhibits an IC50 value below 5 ?M against human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Administration of this species promoted shrinkage of pancreatic cancer tumors in a murine model system in vivo, and led to 100% survival of experimental animals over a time course in which control therapies provided only 30% or 40% survival. Methods of synthesis of molecular species are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancers such as pancreatic cancer and synovial sarcoma are disclosed. Compounds comprising a sigma-2 receptor-binding moiety and a ferroptosis-inducing moiety are described. At least one described molecular species exhibits an IC50 value below 5 ?M against human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Administration of this species promoted shrinkage of pancreatic cancer tumors in a murine model system in vivo, and led to 100% survival of experimental animals over a time course in which control therapies provided only 30% or 40% survival. Methods of synthesis of molecular species are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancers such as pancreatic cancer and synovial sarcoma are disclosed. Compounds comprising a sigma-2 receptor-binding moiety and a ferroptosis-inducing moiety are described. At least one described molecular species exhibits an IC50 value below 5 ?M against human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Administration of this species promoted shrinkage of pancreatic cancer tumors in a murine model system in vivo, and led to 100% survival of experimental animals over a time course in which control therapies provided only 30% or 40% survival. Methods of synthesis of molecular species are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) trimers (TR3) and nucleic acids encoding covalently linked TRAIL trimers. A TRAIL trimer can have greater stability compared to native TRAIL, and can retain the native killing ability of TRAIL. Target specificity of a TR3 can be shown by blocking its activity with soluble death receptor 5 (DR5-Fc). Also disclosed are modified TRAIL trimers and nucleic. acids encoding them. These modifications include additional functional domains, such as antibody fragments (scFvs). A TR3 comprising an additional functional domain can allow for cell-specific delivery of the TR3. The inventors disclose TR3-decorated RBCs that target cell killing in a model of pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) trimers (TR3) and nucleic acids encoding covalently linked TRAIL trimers. A TRAIL trimer can have greater stability compared to native TRAIL, and can retain the native killing ability of TRAIL. Target specificity of a TR3 can be shown by blocking its activity with soluble death receptor 5 (DR5-Fc). Also disclosed are modified TRAIL trimers and nucleic acids encoding them. These modifications include additional functional domains, such as antibody fragments (scFvs). A TR3 comprising an additional functional domain can allow for cell-specific delivery of the TR3. In some configurations, a modification such as the addition of a functional domain can be stoichiometrically controlled. In some configurations, a modification can be inconsequential with regard to the bioactivity of TRAIL. In various embodiments, a TR3, including a modified TR3, can be a cancer-selective drug.

Abstract: Murine retroviruses are the most important transfer systems for human gene therapy. However, their application is currently limited. One of the major restrictions both for an application in vivo resides in the problem that this virus type is sensitive to inactivation by human complement factors. Our invention overcomes this limitation. We have modified murine recombinant retroviruses in a way that they are resistant to human complement factors. This was achieved by genetic modification of the retroviral surface protein env which is responsible for receptor interaction: the receptor interacting domain of env was fused to catalytically active domains of human complement inactivation factors. These modified env were expressed in complement-sensitive cells and specifically integrated into virus particles. By this strategy cells and viruses are generated that are fully resistant to complement attack.