Abstract: In one embodiment, methods are provided for assessing the presence of mesothelin-expressing tumor cells in a human subject. In another embodiment, methods are provided for monitoring the efficacy of treatment of a human cancer patient diagnosed with a mesothelin-expressing tumor.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods directed to cell surface receptor antigen specific vaccines. More specifically, vaccines are provided that induce or enhance host antibody titers specific for cell surface receptor antigens and that include recombinant expression constructs containing nucleic acids encoding a target cell surface receptor antigen and one or more immune response altering molecules, or the expressed products themselves.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the detection of a malignant condition, and relates to the discovery of soluble forms of mesothelin polypeptides, including mesothelin related antigen (MRA). In particular the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding MRA and an MRA variant. The invention also provides a method of screening for the presence of a malignant condition in a subject by detecting reactivity of an antibody specific for a mesothelin polypeptide with a molecule naturally occurring in soluble form in a sample from such a subject, and by hybridization screening using an MRA nucleotide sequence, as well as other related advantages.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the detection of a malignant condition, and relates to the discovery of soluble forms of mesothelin polypeptides, including mesothelin related antigen (MRA). In particular the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding MRA and an MRA variant. The invention also provides a method of screening for the presence of a malignant condition in a subject by detecting reactivity of an antibody specific for a mesothelin polypeptide with a molecule naturally occurring in soluble form in a sample from such a subject, and by hybridization screening using an MRA nucleotide sequence, as well as other related advantages.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods directed to cell surface receptor antigen specific vaccines. More specifically, vaccines are provided that induce or enhance host antibody titers specific for cell surface receptor antigens and that include recombinant expression constructs containing nucleic acids encoding a target cell surface receptor antigen and one or more immune response altering molecules, or the expressed products themselves.

Abstract: An improved method for ex-vivo generation of tumor-reactive T cells is provided, comprising culturing PBMC from a patient with cancer with autologous tumor cells and magnetic beads which activate T lymphocytes via CD3 in combination with CD28, CD40, or CD28 plus CD40. The invention also provides genes encoding anti-CD3 or anti-4-1BB scFv and methods to transfect cells of neoplastic or normal origin for expression of those genes at their surface. The genes and transfected tumor cells are useful compositions for induction of a tumor-destructive immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins reactive with human carcinoma cells. More particularly, the antibodies, conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins of the invention include: a murine monoclonal antibody, BR96; a human/murine chimeric antibody, ChiBR96; a F(ab′)2 fragment of BR96; ChiBR96-PE, ChiBR96-LysPE40, ChiBR96 F(ab′)2-LysPE40 and ChiBR96 Fab′-LysPE40 conjugates and recombinant BR96 sFv-PE40 immunotoxin. These molecules are reactive with a cell membrane antigen on the surface of human carcinomas. The BR96 antibody and its functional equivalents, displays a high degree of selectivity for carcinoma cells and possess the ability to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity.

Abstract: This invention describes molecules for regulating the interactions between CD83 and CD83 ligands and their use for therapy of inflammation, autoimmune diseases, transplantation, and cancer. In one particular embodiment, the invention describes CD83Ig soluble fusion proteins that demonstrate functional activity in vivo with utility for immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the detection of a malignant condition, and relates to the discovery of soluble and cell surface forms of HE4a polypeptides, including HE4a that is overexpressed in ovarian carcinomas. In particular the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding HE4a, and also provides a method of screening for the presence of a malignant condition in a subject by detecting reactivity of an antibody specific for a HE4a polypeptide with a molecule naturally occurring in soluble and/or cell surface form in a sample from such a subject, and by hybridization screening using an HE4a nucleotide sequence, as well as other related advantages.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods directed to cell surface receptor antigen specific vaccines. More specifically, vaccines are provided that induce or enhance host antibody titers specific for cell surface receptor antigens and that include recombinant expression constructs containing nucleic acids encoding a target cell surface receptor antigen and one or more immune response altering molecules, or the expressed products themselves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins reactive with human carcinoma cells. More particularly, the antibodies, conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins of the invention include: a murine monoclonal antibody, BR96; a human/murine chimeric antibody, ChiBR96; a F(ab′)2 fragment of BR96; ChiBR96-PE, ChiBR96-LysPE40, ChiBR96 F(ab′)2-LysPE40 and ChiBR96 Fab′-LysPE40 conjugates and recombinant BR96 sFv-PE40 immunotoxin. These molecules are reactive with a cell membrane antigen on the surface of human carcinomas. The BR96 antibody and its functional equivalents, displays a high degree of selectivity for carcinoma cells and possess the ability to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting tumor cell growth. Tumor cells from a pateint are recombinantly engineered to express the B7 surface protein and these cells are then readminsistered to the pateint. The presence of the B7 molecule on the tumor cell surface stimulates a broad immunologic response against both the B7-transfected and non-transfected tumor cells and results in the immunologic killing of localized and metastatic tumor cells. B7 transfection of the tumor cells, or cell membranes, serves as a stimulant to engender a potent immunologic response against the surface antigens present on the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins reactive with human carcinoma cells. More particularly, the antibodies, conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins of the invention include: a murine monoclonal antibody, BR96; a human/murine chimeric antibody, ChiBR96; a F(ab').sub.2 fragment of BR96; ChiBR96-PE, ChiBR96-LysPE40, ChiBR96 F(ab').sub.2 -LysPE40 and ChiBR96 Fab'-LysPE40 conjugates and recombinant BR96 sFv-PE40 immunotoxin. These molecules are reactive with a cell membrane antigen on the surface of human carcinomas. The BR96 antibody and its functional equivalents, displays a high degree of selectivity for carcinoma cells and possess the ability to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins reactive with human carcinoma cells. More particularly, the antibodies, conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins of the invention include: a murine monoclonal antibody, BR96; a human/murine chimeric antibody, ChiBR96; a F(ab').sub.2 fragment of BR96; ChiBR96-PE, ChiBR96-LysPE40, ChiBR96 F(ab').sub.2 -LysPE40 and ChiBR96 Fab'-LysPE40 conjugates and recombinant BR96 sFv-PE40 immunotoxin. These molecules are reactive with a cell membrane antigen on the surface of human carcinomas. The BR96 antibody and its functional equivalents, displays a high degree of selectivity for carcinoma cells and possess the ability to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins reactive with human carcinoma cells. More particularly, the antibodies, conjugates and single-chain immunotoxins of the invention include: a murine monoclonal antibody, BR96; a human/murine chimeric antibody, ChiBR96; a F(ab').sub.2 fragment of BR96; ChiBR96-PE, ChiBR96-LysPE40, ChiBR96 F(ab').sub.2 -LysPE40 and ChiBR96 Fab'-LysPE40 conjugates and recombinant BR96 sFv-PE40 immunotoxin. These molecules are reactive with a cell membrane antigen on the surface of human carcinomas. The BR96 antibody and its functional equivalents, displays a high degree of selectivity for carcinoma cells and possess the ability to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides internalizing ligands (i.e., BR110 ligands) which specifically recognize and bind the BR110 antigen. After binding the antigen, the ligand and antigen form a complex. As a complex, the antigen can be detected using well known and developed methods and commercial systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods which utilize anti-idiotypic antibodies, or fragments thereof, for tumor immunotherapy or immunoprophylaxis. Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies which recognize an idiotype present on a second antibody or on a T lymphocyte or on an immune suppressor factor which is directed against a defined tumor antigen, can be used for immunization against a tumor, for immune anti-tumor activation or inhibition of suppression, or for in vitro activation of lymphocytes to be used in adoptive immunotherapy. The anti-idiotypic antibodies, or fragments thereof, can also be used to monitor anti-antibody induction in patients undergoing passive immunization to a tumor antigen by administration of anti-tumor antibody. In another embodiment, administration of T lymphocytes which express an idiotype directed against a defined tumor antigen can be used to transfer delayed-type hypersensitivity to the tumor.

Abstract: A steerable carriage for transferring wheeled vehicles includes a device for engaging in the carriage with a vehicle in a propulsion force transmitting manner and for elevating at least one wheel of the vehicle from a ground level, with the carriage transmitting a propulsion force to the vehicle through the engaging device and through the at least one elevated wheel of the vehicle, at least one support member on the engaging device arranged to be respectively movable to cause the wheel and the support member to assume a relative position in which at least a part of the wheel is located on the support member and is supported by the support member, at least one actuating a member on the engaging device, a chassis having at least one steerable wheel in its forward part, and legs on the chassis extending between the forward part and the engaging device, wherein said legs have an adjustable length to permit adjustment of a distance between the forward part of the chassis and the engaging device.

Abstract: A root end cutting device for automatically aligning and cutting off the root ends of pieces of lumber. A conveying means transversely conveys the lumber through the device. Each piece of lumber is marked with a photosensitive transverse mark to indicate the location of a cut or with a longitudinal mark to indicate a second cut is not necessary. Each piece of lumber is then end cut by a first cutting blade. The pieces of lumber with a transverse mark are then aligned with a second cutting blade to make a second cut at the transverse mark.

Abstract: A device for continuously stacking layers of pieces of board or lumber has a lower conveyor transporting the layers of lumber at a first substantially constant speed. An upper conveyor haing L-shaped carrying members overlies the lower conveyor with the open ends of the L-shaped members facing rearwardly. The upper conveyor and L-shaped members move at a second substantially constant speed which is slower than the speed of the lower conveyor. The timing of the two conveyors is arranged such that an L-shaped carrying member drops down slightly below the carrying plane of the lower conveyor in front of one of the layers of lumber. Prior to reahing the end of the lower conveyor the layer of lumber is conveyed above a lower leg of the L-shaped member, due to its faster speed, and the lower conveyor is then lowered so that the layer of lumber is deposited upon the L-shaped carrying member.