Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of drug delivery, and specifically, cationic liposome-based vaccines. In embodiments, this invention provides methods of making ligand-targeted (e.g., antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted) liposomes useful for the delivery of molecules to induce immune responses against viral antigens or to treat or prevent viral diseases. The specificity of the delivery system is derived from the targeting ligands.

Abstract: Nucleic acid-immunoliposome compositions useful as therapeutic agents are disclosed. These compositions preferably comprise (i) cationic liposomes, (ii) a single chain antibody fragment which binds to a transferrin receptor, and (iii) a nucleic acid encoding a wild type p53. These compositions target cells which express transferrin receptors, e.g., cancer cells. These compositions can be used therapeutically to treat persons or animals who have cancer, e.g., head and neck cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gene transfer and gene therapy technology. More specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods for targeted virus delivery. The method utilizes a method of mixing the virus, which may be a recombinant virus which will express a protein of interest or a nucleic acid of interest, with a cell-targeting ligand, e.g., transferrin. The virus and ligand are mixed without crosslinkers or agents which would covalently bond the virus and ligand. This simple mixing causes less inactivation than chemically linking the ligand to the virus and therefore results in a more active therapeutic composition than obtained by methods which utilize crosslinking agents.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the efficacy in the body of a mammal of a therapeutic agent which acts to stimulate apoptosis comprises:

Abstract: Provided are antisense oligonucleotides directed against the raf-1 gene, Ha-ras gene and HER-2 gene, components of a signal transduction pathway involving oncogenes and their normal counterparts and leading to the phenotype of cellular radioresistance. Administration of these antisense oligonucleotides is shown to reverse the radioresistance phenotype in cells overexpressing HER-2 or a mutant form of Ha-ras. Methods and compositions for reversing radiation resisting among other conditions involving these genes are disclosed.

Abstract: Targeted ligand-liposome-therapeutic molecule complexes (vectors) for the systemic delivery of the therapeutic molecule to various target cell types including cancer cells such as squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, breast and prostate tumors. The preferred ligands, folate and transferrin, target the liposome complex and facilitate transient gene transfection. The systemic delivery of complexes containing DNA encoding wild-type p53 to established mouse xenografts markedly sensitized the tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The combination of systemic p53 gene therapy and conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy resulted in total tumor regression and long tern inhibition of recurrence. This cell-specific delivery system was also used in vivo to successfully deliver, via intravenous administration, small DNA molecules (oligonucleotides) resulting in chemosensitivity and xenograft growth inhibition.

Abstract: A method of preparing an antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted cationic immunoliposome or polymer complex comprises the steps of (a) preparing an antibody or antibody fragment; (b) mixing said antibody or antibody fragment with a cationic liposome to form a cationic immunoliposome or with a cationic polymer to form a polyplex; and (c) mixing said cationic immunoliposome or said polyplex with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to form said antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted cationic immunoliposome or polymer complex.

Abstract: A process for improving the treatment of a tumor by radiation therapy which comprises treating a tumor by radiation therapy wherein the cells of the tumor have been transduced with a polynucleotide encoding wild-type p53, such as, for example, by transducing the tumor cells with an adenoviral vector including a DNA sequence encoding wild-type p53. Such a combination treatment of the transduction of tumor cells with a polynucleotide encoding wild-type p53 and radiation therapy provides a more effective treatment than by using p53 gene therapy alone or radiation therapy alone.

Abstract: Provided are antisense oligonucleotides directed against the raf-1 gene, Ha-ras gene and HER-2 gene, components of a signal transduction pathway involving oncogenes and their normal counterparts and leading to the phenotype of cellular radioresistance. Administration of these antisense oligonucleotides is shown to reverse the radioresistance phenotype in cells overexpressing HER-2 or a mutant form of Ha-ras. Methods and compositions for reversing radiation resistance among other conditions involving these genes are disclosed.