Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant antibody fragments which include a variable domain which has been modified by the addition of a tail sequence to its C-terminal end. The tail sequence comprises a terminal cysteine residue and an amino acid spacer and does not substantially affect the fragment's target-binding affinity. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the described antibody fragments and a pharmaceutically acceptable ? carrier and methods of delivering an agent to cells of interest in a subject using the fragments as delivery vehicles. The invention further provides compositions comprising the described antibody fragments for the in vitro detection and measurement of target molecules which bind to the fragments and method of determining the presence or amount of such targets in a biological sample by contacting the sample with such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant antibody fragments which include a variable domain which has been modified by the addition of a tail sequence to its C-terminal end. The tail sequence comprises a terminal cysteine residue and an amino acid spacer and does not substantially affect the fragment's target-binding affinity. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the described antibody fragments and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and methods of delivering an agent to cells of interest in a subject using the fragments as delivery vehicles. The invention further provides compositions comprising the described antibody fragments for the in vitro detection and measurement of target molecules which bind to the fragments and method of determining the presence or amount of such targets in a biological sample by contacting the sample with such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant antibody fragments which include a variable domain which has been modified by the addition of a tail sequence to its C-terminal end. The tail sequence comprises a terminal cysteine residue and an amino acid spacer and does not substantially affect the fragment's target-binding affinity. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the described antibody fragments and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and methods of delivering an agent to cells of interest in a subject using the fragments as delivery vehicles. The invention further provides compositions comprising the described antibody fragments for the in vitro detection and measurement of target molecules which bind to the fragments and method of determining the presence or amount of such targets in a biological sample by contacting the sample with such compositions.

Abstract: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is expressed in the majority of prostate cancer patients, making it an ideal target for cancer immunotherapy. Murine monoclonal antibody 1G8 binds to PSCA with nanomolar affinity, but its efficacy as a therapeutic agent is limited by the generation of a HAMA response. The present invention discloses humanized 1G8 antibodies in which the majority of the mouse-derived epitopes have been removed. These humanized antibodies bind PSCA with high affinity and specificity, and have been shown to reduce human bladder tumor take in a nude mouse model. These characteristics make the humanized antibodies of the present invention attractive agents for the treatment and detection of tumors expressing PSCA.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant antibody fragments which include a variable domain which has been modified by the addition of a tail sequence to its C-terminal end. The tail sequence comprises a terminal cysteine residue and an amino acid spacer and does not substantially affect the fragment's target-binding affinity. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the described antibody fragments and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and methods of delivering an agent to cells of interest in a subject using the fragments as delivery vehicles. The invention further provides compositions comprising the described antibody fragments for the in vitro detection and measurement of target molecules which bind to the fragments and method of determining the presence or amount of such targets in a biological sample by contacting the sample with such compositions.

Abstract: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is expressed in the majority of prostate cancer patients, making it an ideal target for cancer immunotherapy. Murine monoclonal antibody 1G8 binds to PSCA with nanomolar affinity, but its efficacy as a therapeutic agent is limited by the generation of a HAMA response. The present invention discloses humanized 1G8 antibodies in which the majority of the mouse-derived epitopes have been removed. These humanized antibodies bind PSCA with high affinity and specificity, and have been shown to reduce human bladder tumor take in a nude mouse model. These characteristics make the humanized antibodies of the present invention attractive agents for the treatment and detection of tumors expressing PSCA.

Abstract: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is expressed in the majority of prostate cancer patients, making it an ideal target for cancer immunotherapy. Murine monoclonal antibody 1G8 binds to PSCA with nanomolar affinity, but its efficacy as a therapeutic agent is limited by the generation of a HAMA response. The present invention discloses humanized 1G8 antibodies in which the majority of the mouse-derived epitopes have been removed. These humanized antibodies bind PSCA with high affinity and specificity, and have been shown to reduce human bladder tumor take in a nude mouse model. These characteristics make the humanized antibodies of the present invention attractive agents for the treatment and detection of tumors expressing PSCA.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for contributor compensation. In some embodiments, a user contributes content data to a wiki. The user is compensated for the contribution of the content data to the wiki. In other embodiments, a reviewer reviews contributed content data. The review is compensated for the review of the contributed content data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a more efficient CDR grafting technique to generate humanized versions of the T84.66 antibody. The technique used to generate these antibodies utilizes crystallographic structural data to select an immunoglobulin framework having maximum structural overlap with a non-human donor molecule. This technique was used to develop humanized T84.66 antibodies exhibiting in vitro binding affinity and specificity for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) nearly identical to that of T84.66 and the ability to specifically target tumors expressing CEA in vivo.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a more efficient CDR grafting technique to generate humanized versions of the T84.66 antibody. The technique used to generate these antibodies utilizes crystallographic structural data to select an immunoglobulin framework having maximum structural overlap with a non-human donor molecule. This technique was used to develop humanized T84.66 antibodies exhibiting in vitro binding affinity and specificity for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) nearly identical to that of T84.66 and the ability to specifically target tumors expressing CEA in vivo.

Abstract: A method for measuring and reducing the cost of complexity in producing products or providing a service by comparing selected non-value added steps in the manufacturing or service process with the number of different products or services provided, so as to provide the non-value added cost of the product or service for various selected complexities. The number of products required to be processed or held in inventory for a particular demand, or the number of different specific services required for a particular demand of the service is determined by comparing the number of different product part numbers, or service categories offered, with selected non-value added steps in the respective processes. Mathematical analyses are derived from equations of motion of process improvement including the first derivative of process velocity.

Abstract: A method for measuring and reducing the cost of complexity in producing products or providing a service by comparing selected non-value added steps in the manufacturing or service process with the number of different products or services provided, so as to provide the non-value added cost of the product or service for various selected complexities. The number of products required to be processed or held in inventory for a particular demand, or the number of different specific services required for a particular demand of the service is determined by comparing the number of different product part numbers, or service categories offered, with selected non-value added steps in the respective processes. Mathematical analyses are derived from equations of motion of process improvement including the first derivative of process velocity.

Abstract: The batch size of materials required for each process within a workstation based on a given shipment schedule, as well as the values of several other workstation variables that are determinative of workstation and factory performance are determined. With this information, the user of the invention may schedule production for the factory or spot and prioritize workstations requiring the most improvement, and determine the character and quantity of improvement.

Abstract: The invention determines the batch size of materials required for each process within a workstation based on a given shipment schedule, as well as the values of several other workstation variables that are determinative of workstation and factory performance. With this information, the user of the invention may schedule production for the factory or spot and prioritize workstations requiring the most improvement, and determine the character and quantity of improvement.