Abstract: A method of inhibiting growth of tumor cells which overexpress a growth factor receptor or growth factor by treatment of the cells with antibodies which inhibit the growth factor receptor function, is disclosed. A method of treating tumor cells with antibodies which inhibit growth factor receptor function, and with cytotoxic factor(s) such as tumor necrosis factor, is also disclosed. By inhibiting growth factor receptor functions tumor cells are rendered more susceptible to cytotoxic factors.

Abstract: A method for transducing a pathologic hyperproliferative mammalian cell is provided by this invention. This method requires contacting the cell with a suitable retroviral vector containing a nucleic acid encoding a gene product having a tumor suppressive function. Also provided by this invention is a method for treating a pathology in a subject caused by the absence of, or the presence of a pathologically mutated tumor suppressor gene.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying potential therapeutic agents by contacting a target cell with a candidate therapeutic agent which is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme in the cell which is enhanced in its expression as a result of selection by biologic or chemotherapy. This invention also provides methods and examples of molecules for selectively killing a pathological cell by contacting the cell with a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme. The prodrug is subsequently converted to a cellular toxin. Further provided by this invention is a method for treating a pathology characterized by pathological, hyperproliferative cells in a subject by administering to the subject a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, overexpressed, intracellular enzyme, and converted by the enzyme to a cellular toxin in the hyperproliferative cell.

Abstract: An extracellular portion of the HER2 molecule, essentially free of transmembrane and cytoplasmic portions, which is antigenic in animals. Isolated DNA encoding the extracellular portion; an expression vector containing the isolated DNA; and a cell containing the expression vector. A process for producing the extracellular domain. A vaccine containing the extracellular domain.

Abstract: Novel cationic amphiphiles are provided that facilitate transport of biologically active (therapeutic) molecules into cells. The amphiphiles contain lipophilic groups derived from steroids, from mono or dialkylamines, or from alkyl or acyl groups; and cationic groups, protonatable at physiological pH, derived from amines, alkylamines or polyalkylamines. There are provided also therapeutic compositions prepared typically by contacting a dispersion of one or more cationic amphiphiles with the therapeutic molecules. Therapeutic molecules that can be delivered into cells according to the practice of the invention include DNA, RNA, and polypeptides. Representative uses of the therapeutic compositions of the invention include providing gene therapy, and delivery of antisense polynucleotides or biologically active polypeptides to cells. With respect to therapeutic compositions for gene therapy, the DNA is provided typically in the form of a plasmid for complexing with the cationic amphiphile.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying potential therapeutic agents by contacting a target cell with a candidate therapeutic agent which is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme in the cell which is enhanced in its expression as a result of selection by biologic or chemotherapy. This invention also provides methods and examples of molecules for selectively killing a pathological cell by contacting the cell with a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme. The prodrug is subsequently converted to a cellular toxin. Further provided by this invention is a method for treating a pathology characterized by pathological, hyperproliferative cells in a subject by administering to the subject a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, overexpressed, intracellular enzyme, and converted by the enzyme to a cellular toxin in the hyperproliferative cell.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying potential therapeutic agents by contacting a target cell with a candidate therapeutic agent which is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme in the cell which is enhanced in its expression as a result of selection by biologic or chemotherapy. This invention also provides methods and examples of molecules for selectively killing a pathological cell by contacting the cell with a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme. The prodrug is subsequently converted to a cellular toxin. Further provided by this invention is a method for treating a pathology characterized by pathological, hyperproliferative cells in a subject by administering to the subject a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, overexpressed, intracellular enzyme, and converted by the enzyme to a cellular toxin in the hyperproliferative cell.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying potential therapeutic agents by contacting a target cell with a candidate therapeutic agent which is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme in the cell which is enhanced in its expression as a result of selection by biologic or chemotherapy. This invention also provides methods and examples of molecules for selectively killing a pathological cell by contacting the cell with a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme. The prodrug is subsequently converted to a cellular toxin. Further provided by this invention is a method for treating a pathology characterized by pathological, hyperproliferative cells in a subject by administering to the subject a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, overexpressed, intracellular enzyme, and converted by the enzyme to a cellular toxin in the hyperproliferative cell.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting growth of tumor cells which overexpress a growth factor receptor or growth factor by treatment of the cells with antibodies which inhibit the growth factor receptor function, is disclosed. A method of treating tumor cells with antibodies which inhibit growth factor receptor function, and with cytotoxic factor(s) such as tumor necrosis factor, is also disclosed. By inhibiting growth factor receptor functions tumor cells are rendered more susceptible to cytotoxic factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for targeting toxic antimetabolites to gram negative infections. It provides a means of taking advantage of a key disease resistance mechanism to activate these drugs locally, and to overcome the resistance phenotype of the microbes. The invention further provides a method for selecting for antibiotic sensitivity, since a likely mechanism by which organisms are likely to gain resistance to the prodrugs is via loss of enzyme activity, which will make the bacteria sensitive to antibiotics once again.

Abstract: A method of treating a human patient via active immunotherapy comprising administrating an effective amount of extracellular portion of human HER2 receptor to the patient wherein the method provokes a cell-mediated immune response to HER2 receptor in the patient treated therewith.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preventing or inhibiting the proliferation of a pathologically proliferating cell, wherein the pathological proliferation of the cell is the result of the absence of a functional retinoblastoma protein or polypeptide in the cell. The method requires contacting the cell with an effective amount of retinoblastoma protein or polypeptide. This method also is useful to prevent or treat retinoblastoma or a secondary cancer to retinoblastoma by administering to a patient a functional retinoblastoma protein or polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for purifying viral vectors containing therapeutic genes for use in gene therapy. The invention comprises a method of purification from a cell lysate of a recombinant viral vector containing a therapeutic gene, which comprises: a) treating said lysate with an enzymatic agent that selectively degrades both unencapsulated DNA and RNA; b) chromatographing the treated lysate from step a) on a first resin; and c) chromatographing the eluant from step b) on a second resin; wherein one resin is an anion exchange resin and the other is an immobilized metal ion chromatography (IMAC) resin.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting growth of tumor cells which overexpress a growth factor receptor or growth factor by treatment of the cells with antibodies which inhibit the growth factor receptor function, is disclosed. A method of treatment tumor cells with antibodies which inhibit growth factor receptor function, and with cytotoxic factor(s) such as tumor necrosis factor, is also disclosed. By inhibiting growth factor receptor functions tumor cells are rendered more susceptible to cytotoxic factors.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting growth of tumor cells which overexpress a growth factor receptor or growth factor by treatment of the cells with antibodies which inhibit the growth factor receptor function, is disclosed. A method of treating tumor cells with antibodies which inhibit growth factor receptor function, and with cytotoxic factor(s) such as tumor necrosis factor, is also disclosed. By inhibiting growth factor receptor functions tumor cells are rendered more susceptible to cytotoxic factors.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting growth of tumor cells which overexpress a growth factor receptor or growth factor by treatment of the cells with antibodies which inhibit the growth factor receptor function, is disclosed. A method of treating tumor cells with antibodies which inhibit growth factor receptor function, and with cytotoxic factor(s) such as tumor necrosis factor, is also disclosed. By inhibiting growth factor receptor functions tumor cells are rendered more susceptible to cytotoxic factors.

Abstract: This invention provides a family of monoclonal antibodies specific for epitopes of p110.sup.RB protein present in the nucleus. These antibodies have superior properties that prove useful for the detection of p110.sup.RB or its complexes with other cellular regulatory proteins in cells and in cell lysates. This invention also provides hybridoma cell lines that produce such monoclonal antibodies and methods of using these antibodies diagnostically, prognostically and therapeutically. Further, the invention provides a method for isolating proteins associated with p110.sup.RB proteins.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which bind to the extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor and inhibit growth of SK-BR-3 breast tumor cells, which overexpress HER2, are disclosed. The monoclonal antibodies can be used for in vitro assays for detecting a tumor characterized by amplified expression of HER2.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factors, alone or together with cytokines such as IL-1 or INF-.gamma., are capable of serving as non-toxic vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factors possess the unexpected ability to induce angiogenesis, or neovascularization. Novel methods and TNF-containing compositions and articles are provided for the induction of neovascularization and rapid wound healing.