Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of treatment which use therapeutically effective amounts of Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) inhibitors to treat a variety of cancers. In certain embodiments, the inhibitor is a CETP-inhibiting small molecule, CETP-inhibiting antisense oligonucleotide, CETP-inhibiting siRNA or a CETP-inhibiting antibody. Related pharmaceutical compositions, kits, diagnostics and screens are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of treatment which use therapeutically effective amounts of Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) inhibitors to treat a variety of cancers. In certain embodiments, the inhibitor is a CETP-inhibiting small molecule, CETP-inhibiting antisense oligonucleotide, CETP-inhibiting siRNA or a CETP-inhibiting antibody. Related pharmaceutical compositions, kits, diagnostics and screens are also provided.

Abstract: Derivatives of plumbagin can be selectively cytotoxic to breast cancer cells. Derivative ‘A’ (Acetyl Plumbagin) has emerged as a lead molecule for testing against estrogen positive breast cancer and has shown low hepatotoxicity as well as overall lower toxicity in nude mice model. The toxicity of derivative ‘A’ was determined to be even lower than vehicle control (ALT and AST markers). The possible mechanism of action identified based on the microarray experiments and pathway mapping shows that derivative ‘A’ could be acting by altering the cholesterol-related mechanisms. The low toxicity profile of derivative ‘A’ highlights its possible role'as future anti-cancer drug and/or as an adjuvant drug to reduce the toxicity of highly toxic chemotherapeutic'drugs.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for detaching adherent cells can include adding a cell lifting solution to the media including a sample of adherent cells and incubating the sample of adherent cells with the cell lifting solution. No scraping or pipetting is needed to facilitate cell detachment. The method do not require inactivation of cell lifting solution and no washing of detaching cells is required to remove cell lifting solution. Detached cells can be stained with dye in the presence of cell lifting solution and are further analyzed using flow cytometer. The method has been tested using 6 different cell lines, 4 different assays, two different plate formats (96 and 384 well plates) and two different flow cytometry instruments. The method is simple to perform, less time consuming, with no cell loss and makes high throughput flow cytometry on adherent cells a reality.