Abstract: The invention relates to new compositions and methods for preparing vascularized dermal reconstructs, vascularized skin grafts, and for enhancing vascularization in situ in response to a variety of medical conditions.

Abstract: A method for repairing defects and inducing vascularization in mammalian tissue, preferably skin, involves administering to the tissue a recombinant replication defective virus, preferably adenovirus, carrying a selected growth factor gene, preferably VEGF or PDGF, under operative control of regulatory sequences which direct the expression of the growth factor(s). Also provided is a method for infecting a tissue to be transplanted with such recombinant adenoviruses prior to transplantation and, as a composition, an infected culture of human tissue to be transplanted which is infused with a selected growth factor prior to transplantation. Screening methods for the treatment of angiogenic disorders, e.g., hemangiomas and cancers, also employ an animal model on which is engrafted a full thickness human tissue infused with a growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing proliferation of melanoma cells by contacting melanoma cells with an agent which is capable of modulating the expression of E-cadherin in the melanoma cells thereby restoring keratinocyte control over melanoma cell proliferation.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions for inhibiting a phenotype associated with diseased cells in a mammal and compositions and methods for generating genetic suppressor elements for inhibiting such phenotypes. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment for mammals (e.g. humans) afflicted with melanoma or other solid tumors.