Abstract: The present invention relates to Notch-binding agents and Notch antagonists and methods of using the agents and/or antagonists for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of one or more human Notch receptor, such as Notch2 and/or Notch3, and inhibit tumor growth. The present invention further provides methods of treating cancer, the methods comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing, and diagnosing cancer. In particular, the present invention provides gene expression profiles and signatures associated with solid tumor stem cells, as well as novel stem cell cancer markers useful for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of solid tumor stem cells. More particularly, the present invention identifies two profiles of cancer stem cells useful for the diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of cancer and cancer metastases. The invention also provides a variety of reagents such as stem cell gene signatures for use in the diagnosis and management of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Lactobacillus species recombinantly altered to express a biologically active protein. The invention also related to methods of providing the bacteria to the vagina.

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds to an extracellular domain of human DDR2 and has a therapeutic effect on a solid tumor is described. Also described is a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering to a patient having a solid tumor an antibody of the present disclosure in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor and inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor protein and inhibits growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to inhibit TGF-? and/or p38-? kinase using compounds of the formula or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R3 is a noninterfering substituent; each Z is CR2 or N, wherein no more than two Z positions in ring A are N, and wherein two adjacent Z positions in ring A cannot be N; each R2 is independently a noninterfering substituent; L is a linker; n is 0 or 1; and Ar? is the residue of a cyclic aliphatic, cyclic heteroaliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety optionally substituted with 1-3 noninterfering substituents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Lactobacillus species recombinantly altered to express a biologically active protein. The invention also related to methods of providing the bacteria to the vagina.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides a soluble FZD receptor comprising an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor that inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention still further provides a soluble receptor comprising a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor that binds a ligand of a human FZD receptor and said soluble receptor is capable of inhibiting tumor growth. The present invention still further provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering a soluble FZD receptor comprising for example, either an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor or a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor, in an amount effective to inhibit tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Lactobacillus species recombinantly altered to express a biologically active protein. The invention also related to methods of providing the bacteria to the vagina.

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds to an extracellular domain of two or more human FZD receptors and inhibits growth of tumor cells is described. Also described is a method of treating cancer comprising administering an antibody of the present disclosure in an amount effective to inhibit tumor cell growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing, and diagnosing cancer. In particular, the present invention provides gene expression profiles and signatures associated with solid tumor stem cells, as well as novel stem cell cancer markers useful for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of solid tumor stem cells. More particularly, the present invention identifies two profiles of cancer stem cells useful for the diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of cancer and cancer metastases. The invention also provides a variety of reagents such as stem cell gene signatures for use in the diagnosis and management of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing, and diagnosing cancer. In particular, the present invention provides gene expression profiles associated with solid tumor stem cells, as well as novel stem cell cancer gene signatures useful for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of solid tumor stem cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compounds of the formula and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Ar1 is indole, benzimidazole, or benzotriazole, optionally substituted with lower alkyl (1–4C), halo, or lower alkoxy (1–4C); X1 is CO or an isostere thereof; Y is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted arylalkyl; n is 0 or 1; Z is CH or N; X2 is CH, CH2 or an isostere thereof; and Ar2 consists of one or two phenyl moieties directly coupled to X2 and optionally substituted by halo, nitro, alkyl (1–6C), CN or CF3, or by RCO, COOR, CONR2, NR2, OR or SR, wherein R is H or alkyl (1–6C) or by phenyl, itself optionally substituted by the foregoing substituents; with the proviso that if Z is N, X1 is CO, and Ar1 is indole, Ar1 must be coupled to X1 through the 2-, 5-, 6- or 7-position. These compounds are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Lactobacillus species recombinantly altered to express a biologically active protein. The invention also related to methods of providing the bacteria to the vagina.

Abstract: Peptides comprising the effective portion of human brain natriuretic peptide are provided in pharmaceutical compositions and methods to effect vasodilation and/or natriuresis.

Abstract: Immunoassays for the biological precursor of human brain natriuretic peptide are described.

Abstract: Peptides comprising the effective portion of human brain natriuretic peptide are provided in pharmaceutical compositions and methods to effect vasodilation and/or natriuresis.

Abstract: The cDNA sequence encoding porcine brain natriuretic peptide and related genes encoding canine and human peptides with natriuretic activity are disclosed. The gene is shown to make accessible the DNAs encoding analogous natriuretic peptides in other vertebrate species. The genes encoding these NPs can be used to effect modifications of the sequence to produce alternate forms of the NPs and to provide practical amounts of these proteins. The NPs of the invention can also be synthesized chemically.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to inhibit TGF-? and/or p38-? kinase using compounds of the formula or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R3 is a noninterfering substituent; each Z is CR2 or N, wherein no more than two Z positions in ring A are N, and wherein two adjacent Z positions in ring A cannot be N; each R2 is independently a noninterfering substituent; L is a linker; n is 0 or 1; and Ar? is the residue of a cyclic aliphatic, cyclic heteroaliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety optionally substituted with 1-3 noninterfering substituents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to inhibit TGF-? and/or p38-? kinase using compounds of the formula or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R3 is a noninterfering substituent; each Z is CR2 or N, wherein no more than two Z positions in ring A are N, and wherein two adjacent Z positions in ring A cannot be N; each R2 is independently a noninterfering substituent; L is a linker; n is 0 or 1; and Ar? is the residue of a cyclic aliphatic, cyclic heteroaliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety optionally substituted with 1-3 noninterfering substituents.