Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery vehicle that can improve the pharmacokinetics of pharmacological agents. The invention relates to a multifunctional carrier capable of delivering a carried material such as a pharmacological agent or genetic material to a recipient. The multifunctional carrier includes a multifunctional core and a plurality of adduct molecules bonded thereto. The molecular carrier has surface functional groups which can be associated with a carried material. The carried material can be associated with the molecular carrier through covalent interactions or ionic interactions. The polyvalent core can be ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or succinic acid. The invention also relates to methods for producing and using such molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for the treatment or prevention of disease with gene therapy or vaccines comprising host optimized GM-CSF nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the invention provides methods for codon optimized GM-CSF with enhanced expression and adjuvant activity ex vivo and in vivo. The present invention also provides for methods of optimizing homologous gene expression ex vivo and in vitro or in transgenic animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using compositions for stimulate an immunological response against cancer. The method comprising contacting colloidal metal with a tumor cell in an aqueous solution to form a colloidal metal-protein complex, separating the colloidal metal-protein complex from other cellular components, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the colloidal metal-protein complexes to a tumor-bearing subject. The present invention further relates to a composition which is made by contacting colloidal metal with a cell in an aqueous solution to form a colloidal metal-protein complex, and separating the colloidal metal-protein complex from other cellular components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for the treatment or prevention of disease with gene therapy or vaccines comprising host optimized GM-CSF nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the invention provides methods for codon optimized GM-CSF with enhanced expression and adjuvant activity ex vivo and in vivo. The present invention also provides for methods of optimizing homologous gene expression ex vivo and in vitro or in transgenic animals.

Abstract: Cell transfection compositions including an amphipathic compound and an enzyme inhibitor such as a histone deacetylase inhibitor for delivery of genetic material into cells are provided. The cell transfection compositions can express high levels of an encoding protein with minium cytotoxicity. Exemplary histone deacetylase inhibitors include trichostatin A (TSA), FR901464, FR901228, trapoxin A (TPX). The amphipathic compounds can be cationic compounds, neutral compounds or combinations thereof. The enzyme inhibitor can be encapsulated in a liposome formed by the amphipathic compound or the enzyme inhibitor can be mixed with a pre-formed liposome of the amphipathic compound.

Abstract: Lipids and compositions of lipids that can be used as lipid aggregates (i.e., liposomes) for the delivery of macromolecules and other compounds into cells are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery vehicle that can improve the pharmacokinetics of pharmacological agents. The invention relates to a multifunctional carrier capable of delivering a carried material such as a pharmacological agent or genetic material to a recipient. The multifunctional carrier includes a multifunctional core and a plurality of adduct molecules bonded thereto. The molecular carrier has surface functional groups which can be associated with a carried material. The carried material can be associated with the molecular carrier through covalent interactions or ionic interactions. The polyvalent core can be ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or succinic acid. The invention also relates to methods for producing and using such molecules.

Abstract: A method and compositions for modulating an immune system response to an antigen in a mammal are disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mammal a conjugate comprising substantially particle-free hyaluronic acid (HA), or a polymer analogue thereof, covalently linked to a peptide that comprises a T cell epitope, or a plurality of epitopes. Typically, the epitope is defined by a sequence of at least about eight amino acids of the antigen.