Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of killing tumor cells are provided. The methods may include contacting the tumor cell with a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule. In another embodiment, methods of treating cancer are provided. The methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective promoter element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer with a combination of neural stem cells (NSCs) and a replication-competent oncolytic virus such as conditionally replication-competent chimeric orthopoxvirus (CF33). The cancer includes but is not limited to primary, recurrent, and metastatic brain cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of killing tumor cells are provided. The methods may include contacting the tumor cell with a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule. In another embodiment, methods of treating cancer are provided. The methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective promoter element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of killing tumor cells are provided. The methods may include contacting the tumor cell with a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule. In another embodiment, methods of treating cancer are provided. The methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective promoter element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of killing tumor cells are provided. The methods may include contacting the tumor cell with a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule. In another embodiment, methods of treating cancer are provided. The methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective promoter element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of killing tumor cells are provided. The methods may include contacting the tumor cell with a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule. In another embodiment, methods of treating cancer are provided. The methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective promoter element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon a surprising finding that stem cells, more particularly neural stem cells, can migrate throughout a brain tumor and track metastatic brain tumor cells. The invention provides a method for treating brain tumors by administering genetically engineered neural stem cells in an individual affected by brain tumors. The invention also provides a method of preparing genetically engineered neural stem cells and a composition comprising genetically engineered neural stem cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cellular and molecular therapy with modified (genetically or growth factor engineered) and unmodified stem cells (SCs). More particularly, the invention relates to a method of systemic treatment of central nervous system (CNS) and other tumors in both intracranial/intraspinal and extracranial/extraspinal sites, using neural stem cells (NSCs), a prototype for solid organ, non-hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: One of the impediments to the treatment of some human brain tumors (e.g. gliomas) has been the degree to which they expand, migrate widely, and infiltrate normal tissue. We demonstrate that a clone of multipotent neural progenitor stem cells, when implanted into an experimental glioma, will migrate along with and distribute themselves throughout the tumor in juxtaposition to widely expanding and aggressively advancing tumor cells, while continuing to express a foreign reporter gene. Furthermore, drawn somewhat by the degenerative environment created just beyond the infiltrating tumor edge, the neural progenitor cells migrate slightly beyond and surround the invading tumor border. When implanted at a distant sight from the tumor bed (e.g., into normal tissue, into the contralateral hemisphere, into the lateral ventricles) the donor neural progenitor/stem cells will migrate through normal tissue and specifically target the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon a surprising finding that stem cells, more particularly neural stem cells, can migrate throughout a brain tumor and track metastatic brain tumor cells. The invention provides a method for treating brain tumors by administering genetically engineered neural stem cells in an individual affected by brain tumors. The invention also provides a method of preparing genetically engineered neural stem cells and a composition comprising genetically engineered neural stem cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method of treating Alzheimer's disease provides for administering NSC to a susceptible individual. Preferably the NSCs are administered intracisternally. Other administration routes are spinal injection, ventricular injection or systemic injection. Preferably, the quantity of NSC administered is in a range of about 400,000 to about 40,000,000. More preferably, the quantity of NSC is about 1,000,000 to about 10,000,000. The NSCs are administered at multiple locations. The NSCs can be administered to the neocortex or other affected areas of both hemispheres. The method of preventing further deterioration in cognitive function in a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease provides for administering NSC to the person in sufficient quantity to prevent additional loss of cognitive function.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon a surprising finding that stem cells, more particularly neural stem cells, can migrate throughout a brain tumor and track metastatic brain tumor cells. The invention provides a method for treating brain tumors by administering genetically engineered neural stem cells in an individual affected by brain tumors. The invention also provides a method of preparing genetically engineered neural stem cells and a composition comprising genetically engineered neural stem cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.