Abstract: A modified human TNF? molecule is capable of raising neutralizing antibodies towards unmodified human TNF? following administration of the modified TNF? to a human host, wherein one or more peptide fragments of the human TNF? molecule has been substituted by one or more peptides containing immunodominant T cell epitopes or a truncated form of the molecule containing the immunodominant epitope and one or both flanking regions of the human TNF?-molecule containing at least one TNF? B cell epitope, wherein the substitution introduces a substantial change in the amino acid sequence of any one of the strands of the front ?-sheet, in any one of the connecting loops, or in any one of the B?, I, or D strands of the back ?-sheet.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for identification of molecules expressed at a different level on the cell surface of cancer cells compared to non-malignant cells and methods of identification of cancer specific promoters to be used singly or in combination for delivery and expression of therapeutic genes for treatment of cancer. The invention furthermore describes targeting complexes targeted to cell surface molecules identified by the methods of the invention. In embodiments of the invention said targeting complexes comprise the promoters identified by the methods of the invention. In addition the invention describes methods of identifying binding partners for the cell surface molecules and the binding partners per se. Methods of treatment using the targeting complexes and uses of the targeting complexes for the preparation of a medicament arc also disclosed by the invention. Furthermore, the invention describes uses of the cell surface molecules or fragments thereof for preparation of vaccines.

Abstract: A novel method for utilizing the immune apparatus to remove and/or down-regulate self-proteins. The method consists in providing a self-protein analog by molecular biological means by substitution of one or more peptide fragments of the self-protein by corresponding number of peptides known to contain immunodominant foreign T-cell epitopes, said substitution being carried out so as to essentially preserve the overall tertiary structure of the original self-protein. This render the self-protein immunogenic and leads to a rapid induction of high-titered autoantibodies against the native self-proteins. The modulated self-proteins can be used to prepare vaccines against undesirable proteins in humans or animals, said vaccine being useful as therapeutics against a number of diseases, e.g. cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, allergic symptoms or diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: A method of modifying the binding properties on a surface of a solid phase on which there are nucleophilic groups, which is characterized in that the surface is treated with a solution of an activated polysaccharide; a method of immobilizing a chemical compound to a solid phase on which there are immobilized activated polysaccharides, whereby the chemical compound is contacted with the surface of the solid phase the binding properties of which are modified by the method according to the invention; an article which is characterized in that to the surface thereof an activated polysaccharide is fixated, such as activated dextran or activated agarose, and use of this article for use in solid phase reactions, in solid phase assay, solid phase peptide synthesis, solid phase nucleotide synthesis, solid phase enzyme processing, and joining of biological surfaces.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tresyl-activated dextran is disclosed in which an aqueous solution of dissolved dextran is reacted with a tresylating agent in a hexamethylphosphoric triamide and/or N-methyl pyrrolidinone solvent, and the formed tresyl-activated dextran is recovered. A method of immobilizing a chemical compound to the surface of a solid phase having nucleophilic groups covalently bound or non-covalently bound is also disclosed, the method involving treating the surface with a solution of tresyl-activated dextran prepared as described above, and contacting the chemical compound with the treated surface. An article is also disclosed wherein tresy-activated dextran prepared as described above is fixed covalently to its surface.

Abstract: A method for modifying the surface of a solid polymer wherein the polymer surface is exposed to an aqueous solution containing a two-ring heterocyclic compound that is described in more detail herein. The polymer and the two-ring heterocyclic compound are irradiated with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 10 nm to about 400 nm to photochemically immobilize the two-ring heterocyclic compound to the polymer.