Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits a) for preventing and/or treating neuroblastoma (e.g., high-risk neuroblastoma) that is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine content, b) for predicting cancer patient survival, especially cancer patients whose cancer is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine contents, and c) for selecting treatment options for such patients based on the allelic nucleotide sequence or SNP at positions +263 and/or +316 of the ODC1 gene. The invention also provides, cancer treatment methods comprising the determination of the ODC1 genotype at the +263 and/or +316 positions, as a means to guide treatment selection, which includes, in some aspects the administration of pharmaceutically effective amounts of ?-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), either as a monotherapy or in combination with one or more other drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits a) for preventing and/or treating neuroblastoma (e.g., high-risk neuroblastoma) that is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine content, b) for predicting cancer patient survival, especially cancer patients whose cancer is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine contents, and c) for selecting treatment options for such patients based on the allelic nucleotide sequence or SNP at positions +263 and/or +316 of the ODC1 gene. The invention also provides, cancer treatment methods comprising the determination of the ODC1 genotype at the +263 and/or +316 positions, as a means to guide treatment selection, which includes, in some aspects the administration of pharmaceutically effective amounts of ?-difluoromethylomithine (DFMO), either as a monotherapy or in combination with one or more other drugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bispecific single chain antibodies comprising a first binding domain that immunospecifically binds to the T-cell antigen CD3 and a second binding domain that immunospecifically binds to the EphA2 receptor. Such bispecific single chain antibodies are encompassed by the term “EphA2-BiTEs.” The present invention further relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, prevention and/or management of disorders associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of EphA2. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, cancer, non-cancer hyperproliferative cell disorders, and infections. The invention further relates to vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding the EphA2-BiTEs of the invention, host cells transformed therewith, and their use in the production of said EphA2-BiTEs.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to viral vectors and their use as expression vectors for transforming human cells, both in vitro and in vivo. More particularly, the present invention relates to adenoviral vectors containing propapoptotic genes and their use in cancer therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly metastatic cancer and cancers of T cell origin, and hyperproliferative diseases involving EphA2-expressing cells. The methods of the invention entail the use of a Listeria-based EphA2 vaccine. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more Listeria-based vaccines of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other agents useful for cancer therapy. In certain aspects of the invention, the methods entail eliciting both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses against EphA2 and/or EphA2-expressing cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of antitumor compositions capable of inhibiting PCDGF biological activity for the treatment of cancers. In particular the present invention relates to the use of PCDGF antagonist, e.g., antibodies that prevent PCDGF from binding its receptor, Rse (also referred to as “Sky” and “Tyro3”).