Abstract: This invention concerns various methods of using labeled HSP90 inhibitors to improve treatment of cancer patients with HSP90 inhibitors, including ex vivo and in vivo methods for determining whether a tumor will likely respond to therapy with an HSP90 inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention concerns various methods of using labeled HSP90 inhibitors to improve treatment of cancer patients with HSP90 inhibitors, including ex vivo and in vivo methods for determining whether a tumor will likely respond to therapy with an HSP90 inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention concerns various methods of using labeled HSP90 inhibitors to improve treatment of cancer patients with HSP90 inhibitors, including ex vivo and in vivo methods for determining whether a tumor will likely respond to therapy with an HSP90 inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging methods to assess the efficacy of anticancer drugs in vitro using spontaneously-forming spheroids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging methods to assess the efficacy of anticancer drugs in vitro using spontaneously-forming spheroids.

Abstract: The disclosure provides evidence that the abundance of this particular “oncogenic HSP90” species, which is not dictated by HSP90 expression alone, predicts for sensitivity to HSP90 inhibition therapy, and thus is a biomarker for HSP90 therapy. The disclosure also provides evidence that identifying and measuring the abundance of this oncogenic HSP90 species in tumors predicts of response to HSP90 therapy. “Oncogenic HSP90” is defined herein as the HSP90 fraction that represents a cell stress specific form of chaperone complex, that is expanded and constitutively maintained in the tumor cell context, and that may execute functions necessary to maintain the malignant phenotype. Such roles are not only to regulate the folding of overexpressed (i.e. HER2), mutated (i.e. mB-Raf) or chimeric proteins (i.e. Bcr-Abl), but also to facilitate scaffolding and complex formation of molecules involved in aberrantly activated signaling complexes (i.e. STATS, BCL6).

Abstract: The invention concerns various methods of using labeled HSP90 inhibitors to improve treatment of cancer patients with HSP90 inhibitors, including ex vivo and in vivo methods for determining whether a tumor will likely respond to therapy with an HSP90 inhibitor. The disclosure provides a method for determining whether a tumor will likely respond to therapy with an HSP90 inhibitor which comprises the following steps: (a) contacting the tumor or a sample containing cells from the tumor with a detectably labeled HSP90 inhibitor which binds preferentially to a tumor-specific form of HSP90; (b) measuring the amount of labeled HSP90 inhibitor bound to the tumor or the tumor cells in the sample; and (c) comparing the amount of labeled HSP90 inhibitor bound to the tumor or the tumor cells in the sample measured in step (b) to the amount of labeled-HSP90 inhibitor bound to a reference.

Abstract: The disclosure provides evidence that the abundance of this particular “oncogenic HSP90” species, which is not dictated by HSP90 expression alone, predicts for sensitivity to HSP90 inhibition therapy, and thus is a biomarker for HSP90 therapy. The disclosure also provides evidence that identifying and measuring the abundance of this oncogenic HSP90 species in tumors predicts of response to HSP90 therapy. “Oncogenic HSP90” is defined herein as the HSP90 fraction that represents a cell stress specific form of chaperone complex, that is expanded and constitutively maintained in the tumor cell context, and that may execute functions necessary to maintain the malignant phenotype. Such roles are not only to regulate the folding of overexpressed (i.e. HER2), mutated (i.e. mB-Raf) or chimeric proteins (i.e. Bcr-Abl), but also to facilitate scaffolding and complex formation of molecules involved in aberrantly activated signaling complexes (i.e. STATS, BCL6).

Abstract: The present invention provides human transplantable inflammatory breast carcinoma xenografts. Such xenografts exhibit a number of unique characteristics which allows their use in experimental models of inflammatory carcinoma in order to dissect out the molecular basis of this phenotype. This experimental model of inflammatory carcinoma can be used to identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and to assess the efficacy of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Specific animal models of inflammatory breast cancer are described as well as methods for evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic agents for treating inflammatory breast cancer. Methods for identifying molecules whose expression is modulated in inflammatory breast cancer are provided. In addition, methods for diagnosing and inhibiting the growth of inflammatory breast cancer metastases in vivo are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the selective transduction of a cell in a ductal system in a mammary gland by contacting, via ductal cannulation, the cell with a vector that selectively targets the cell. In this context, the invention provides prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treating the ductal epithelium of the breast, for disease, in particular cancer. The present invention further provides diagnostic methods of determining the presence of disease in the ductal epithelium of the breast, in particular cancer.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and apparatus for locating, labelling, and accessing breast ducts are described. An orifice to one or more ductal networks is marked to enhance visibility. In a first embodiment, the orifice is labelled using a specific binding substance, typically an antibody, specific for a tissue marker present on the orifice. Exemplary tissue markers include those present on the ductal epithelium, such as cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 18; cadhedrins, such as E cadhedrin; and epithelial membrane antigens. In a second embodiment, a dye is injected into the base of the nipple and preferentially accumulates at at least some of the orifices. Other marking techniques are also described. Marking of the ductal orifices permits reliable identification and access to each of the multiple ductal networks which may be present in an individual breast.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and apparatus for locating, labelling, and accessing breast ducts are described. An orifice to one or more ductal networks is marked to enhance visibility. In a first embodiment, the orifice is labelled using a specific binding substance, typically an antibody, specific for a tissue marker present on the orifice. Exemplary tissue markers include those present on the ductal epithelium, such as cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 18; cadhedrins, such as E cadhedrin; and epithelial membrane antigens. In a second embodiment, a dye is injected into the base of the nipple and preferentially accumulates at at least some of the orifices. Other marking techniques are also described. Marking of the ductal orifices permits reliable identification and access to each of the multiple ductal networks which may be present in an individual breast.