Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and vaccines that may stimulate the immune system and that may be used for treating malignancies associated with overexpression of the HER3 protein. Such compositions include epitopes of the HER3 protein.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and vaccines that may stimulate the immune system and that may be used for treating malignancies associated with overexpression of the HER3 protein. Such compositions include epitopes of the HER3 protein.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and vaccines that may stimulate the immune system and that may be used for treating malignancies associated with overexpression of the HER3 protein. Such compositions include epitopes of the HER3 protein.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing or treating a mammalian subject having, or at risk of developing cancer, comprising: generating a circulating anti-cancer CD4+ Th1 response from antigen presenting cells or their precursors and CD4+ T-cells from a sample of said subject's blood which causes secretion of interferon-gamma (“IFN-?”); and detecting said anti-cancer CD4+ Th1 response to determine if said response is depressed. A method for restoring HER2-specific CD4+ Th1 immune response in a HER2-positive breast cancer patient in need thereof, comprising: administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a dendritic cell (“DC”) vaccine comprising autologous DCs pulsed with HER2-derived MHC class II binding peptides (“DC vaccination”) to elevate said patient's anti-HER2 CD4+ Th1 response, and measuring said anti-HER2 Th1 response of said patient pre- and post-DC vaccination to determine the amount of increase in said response.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing or treating a mammalian subject having, or at risk of developing cancer, comprising: generating a circulating anti-cancer CD4+ Th1 response from antigen presenting cells or their precursors and CD4+ T-cells from a sample of said subject's blood which causes secretion of interferon-gamma (“IFN-?”); and detecting said anti-cancer CD4+ Th1 response to determine if said response is depressed. A method for restoring HER2-specific CD4+ Th1 immune response in a HER2-positive breast cancer patient in need thereof, comprising: administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a dendritic cell (“DC”) vaccine comprising autologous DCs pulsed with HER2-derived MHC class II binding peptides (“DC vaccination”) to elevate said patient's anti-HER2 CD4+ Th1 response; and measuring said anti-HER2 Th1 response of said patient pre- and post-DC vaccination to determine the amount of increase in said response.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing or treating a mammalian subject having, or at risk of developing cancer, comprising: generating a circulating anti-cancer CD4+ Th1 response from antigen presenting cells or their precursors and CD4+ T-cells from a sample of said subject's blood which causes secretion of interferon-gamma (“IFN-?”); and detecting said anti-cancer CD4+ Th1 response to determine if said response is depressed. A method for restoring HER2-specific CD4+ Th1 immune response in a HER2-positive breast cancer patient in need thereof, comprising: administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a dendritic cell (“DC”) vaccine comprising autologous DCs pulsed with HER2-derived MHC class II binding peptides (“DC vaccination”) to elevate said patient's anti-HER2 CD4+ Th1 response; and measuring said anti-HER2 Th1 response of said patient pre- and post-DC vaccination to determine the amount of increase in said response.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for generating and cryopreserving dendritic cells with superior functionality in producing stronger signals to T cells, resulting in a more potent DC-based anti-tumor vaccine. The present invention includes mature, antigen loaded DCs activated by Toll-like receptor agonists that induce clinically effective immune responses, preferably when used earlier in the disease process. The DCs of the present invention produce desirable levels of cytokines and chemokines, and further have the capacity to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. The cells can be cryopreserved and thawed for later use, thereby reducing the need for repeated pheresis and elutriation processes during vaccine production. These methods can also be utilized to directly target molecules involved in carcinogenetic signaling pathways and cancer stem cells.

Abstract: A method of generating a population of dendritic cell (DC) precursors includes obtaining a population of progenitor cells from a subject and culturing the progenitor cells in a culture medium. The culture medium can include Flt3 ligand and interleukin-6 and be free of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Abstract: A method of generating a population of dendritic cell (DC) precursors includes obtaining a population of progenitor cells from a subject and culturing the progenitor cells in a culture medium. The culture medium can include Flt3 ligand and interleukin-6 and be free of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of increasing the antigen presenting ability of leukemia cells by contacting them with an agent which increases the intracellular calcium level. Methods of treating leukemia are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of increasing the antigen presenting ability of monocytes by contacting them with an agent which increases the intracellular calcium level. Methods of obtaining the monocytes are also disclosed. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of inducing bone marrow progenitor cells and endothelial cells to express molecules involved in generating immune responses. Methods of modulating the expression of molecules involved in generating immune responses are also disclosed, as are methods of treating cancer and leukemia.