Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in reducing inflammation, reducing inflammatory exudates, enhancing epithelial tissue generation or regeneration, and/or reducing mean pulmonary artery pressure in the lungs of a subject in need thereof. In particular, the compositions comprise vitamin D, an analog, or metabolite thereof, and the methods include administering the composition to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject is suffering from an infection, such as a viral infection, which affects the lungs. In some embodiments, the viral infection comprises SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in reducing inflammation, reducing inflammatory exudates, enhancing epithelial tissue generation or regeneration, and/or reducing mean pulmonary artery pressure in the lungs of a subject in need thereof. In particular, the compositions comprise vitamin D, an analog, or metabolite thereof, and the methods include administering the composition to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject is suffering from an infection, such as a viral infection, which affects the lungs. In some embodiments, the viral infection comprises SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an increased risk of a cancer in a subject includes the steps of obtaining a blood sample from the subject and determining, in the blood sample, a level of two or more of the polypeptides selected from the group consisting of VNN2, KCNJ15, SERPINB2, CREB5, ICAM3, NFE2, MNDA, PXN, FCAR, TSHZ3, NRG1, ALOX5AP, PAD14, PAD12, QPC, VNN1, SERPINB10, CLEC4D, TREM1, CLEC4E, CD82, MGAM, TMEM45B and VNN3, wherein an increase in the level of two or more of the polypeptides compared to a control level is indicative of an increased risk of cancer in the subject.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of glioblastomas and/or recurrent glioblastomas in a subject in need thereof includes isolating CD14+ cells from a blood sample of the subject and determining the ratio of isolated CD14+ cells expressing low levels of HLA-DR to isolated CD14+ cells expressing VNN2, wherein the subject has increased risk of glioblastomas or recurrent glioblastoma if the ratio of isolated CD14+ cells expressing low levels of HLA-DR to isolated CD14+ cells expressing VNN2 is greater than about 2.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of glioblastomas and/or recurrent glioblastomas in a subject in need thereof includes isolating CD14+ cells from a blood sample of the subject and determining the ratio of isolated CD14+ cells expressing low levels of HLA-DR to isolated CD14+ cells expressing VNN2, wherein the subject has increased risk of glioblastomas or recurrent glioblastoma if the ratio of isolated CD14+ cells expressing low levels of HLA-DR to isolated CD14+ cells expressing VNN2 is greater than about 2.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an increased risk of a cancer in a subject includes the steps of obtaining a blood sample from the subject and determining, in the blood sample, a level of two or more of the polypeptides selected from the group consisting of VNN2, KCNJ15, SERPINB2, CREB5, ICAM3, NFE2, MNDA, PXN, FCAR, TSHZ3, NRG1, ALOX5AP, PAD14, PAD12, QPC, VNN1, SERPINB10, CLEC4D, TREM1, CLEC4E, CD82, MGAM, TMEM45B and VNN3, wherein an increase in the level of two or more of the polypeptides compared to a control level is indicative of an increased risk of cancer in the subject.

Abstract: A method of generating a hyper iNOS expressing cell includes administering to a myeloid derived cell an amount of a PPAR? agonist and an IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway antagonist effective to substantially inhibit STAT3 activation in the cell and administering an inflammatory insult to the cell to stimulate hyper iNOS expression from the cell.

Abstract: A method of photodynamic therapy is described that includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a photosensitizer to an area of tissue such as the skin of a subject, delivering a first photoirradiation with light having a wavelength suitable to activate the photosensitizer to the area of skin, allowing a sufficient interval of time to pass for an effective amount of the photosensitizer to penetrate the tissue, and then delivering a second photoirradiation with light having a wavelength suitable to activate the photosensitizer to provide a therapeutic effect. Use of multiple photoirradiations increases the speed with which the photosensitizer can penetrate the tissue to reach the area where the source of the disease is present.

Abstract: A method of generating a hyper iNOS expressing cell includes administering to a myeloid derived cell an amount of a PPAR? agonist and an IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway antagonist effective to substantially inhibit STAT3 activation in the cell and administering an inflammatory insult to the cell to stimulate hyper iNOS expression from the cell.

Abstract: An affinity ligand is reactive to the GARP protein may be capable of binding to an extracellular domain of GARP protein expressed on regulatory T (Treg) cells. The affinity ligand may be an antibody and may be used to identify Treg cells. A method comprises providing a blood sample from a subject and determining the amount of Treg cells in that sample. A composition containing Treg cells may be administered to an individual to suppress effector T cell activity in the individual. A composition containing an affinity ligand capable of binding to a GARP domain may be administered to an individual to suppress Treg cell activity and increase effector T cell activity in the individual. A kit for detecting Treg cells may include an affinity ligand reactive with mammalian GARP protein.

Abstract: A method of generating a hyper iNOS expressing cell includes administering to a myeloid derived cell an amount of a PPAR? agonist and an IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway antagonist effective to substantially inhibit STAT3 activation in the cell and administering an inflammatory insult to the cell to stimulate hyper iNOS expression from the cell.

Abstract: A method of generating a hyper iNOS expressing cell includes administering to a myeloid derived cell an amount of a PPAR? agonist and an IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway antagonist effective to substantially inhibit STAT3 activation in the cell and administering an inflammatory insult to the cell to stimulate hyper iNOS expression from the cell.

Abstract: As one example, a photodynamic therapy system can include a flexible panel comprising a plurality of light sources distributed across a conformable light delivery surface thereof. The plurality of light sources can be configured to provide a treatment light to achieve a desired therapeutic effect at a predetermined distance from the light delivery surface. The system can also include a spacer configured at the light delivery surface to position the light delivery surface at the predetermined distance from a treatment area of a patient.

Abstract: A method is described for the photodynamic treatment of a fungal infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a phthalocyanine compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the subject and activating the phthalocyanine compound with light. The method is useful for treating various dermatophyte infections such as onychomycosis, and in particular fungal infection by Candida and Trichophyton.

Abstract: The invention relates to topical pharmaceutical compositions comprising a phthalocyanine, wherein a diamagnetic metal ion moiety is either coordinated or covalently bound to the phthalocyanine core. The invention also relates to methods for destroying cancer tissue, precancerous cells, photo-aged cells, damaged cells, or otherwise pathologic cells, or activated cells, such as lymphocytes or other cells of the immune system, or activated or inflamed tissue cells comprising topically administering to the cancer tissue or surrounding tissue an effective amount of a phthalocyanine composition.

Abstract: A method of photodynamic therapy is described that includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a photosensitizer to an area of tissue such as the skin of a subject, delivering a first photoirradiation with light having a wavelength suitable to activate the photosensitizer to the area of skin, allowing a sufficient interval of time to pass for an effective amount of the photosensitizer to penetrate the tissue, and then delivering a second photoirradiation with light having a wavelength suitable to activate the photosensitizer to provide a therapeutic effect. Use of multiple photoirradiations increases the speed with which the photosensitizer can penetrate the tissue to reach the area where the source of the disease is present.

Abstract: The invention relates to topical pharmaceutical compositions comprising a phthalocyanine, wherein a diamagnetic metal ion moiety is either coordinated or covalently bound to the phthalocyanine core. The invention also relates to methods for destroying cancer tissue, precancerous cells, photo-aged cells, damaged cells, or otherwise pathologic cells, or activated cells, such as lymphocytes or other cells of the immune system, or activated or inflamed tissue cells comprising topically administering to the cancer tissue or surrounding tissue an effective amount of a phthalocyanine composition.

Abstract: An affinity ligand is reactive to the GARP protein may be capable of binding to an extracellular domain of GARP protein expressed on regulatory T (Treg) cells. The affinity ligand may be an antibody and may be used to identify Treg cells. A method comprises providing a blood sample from a subject and determining the amount of Treg cells in that sample. A composition containing Treg cells may be administered to an individual to suppress effector T cell activity in the individual. A composition containing an affinity ligand capable of binding to a GARP domain may be administered to an individual to suppress Treg cell activity and increase effector T cell activity in the individual. A kit for detecting Treg cells may include an affinity ligand reactive with mammalian GARP protein.

Abstract: Methods of using inhibitors of the CD2/LFA-3 interaction in treating skin conditions characterized by increased T cell activation and abnormal antigen presentation in the dermis and epidermis in mammals, including humans. Such conditions include psoriasis, UV damage, e.g., photoaging, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous T cell lymphoma such as mycosis fungoides, allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, lichen planus, alopecia areata, pyoderma gangrenosum, vitiligo, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and urticaria.

Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing an epidermal or dermal disorder, e.g., psoriasis, using a CD2-binding agent, e.g., an inhibitor of the CD2/LFA-3 interaction (e.g., an LFA-3/IgG fusion polypeptide), in combination with an auxiliary agent, e.g., UVB irradiation, are disclosed.