Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer are provided. In one embodiment the composition comprises Gamitrinib and a MAPK inhibitor selected from the MAPK inhibitor is selected from RAF265, AZD6244, PLX4720, PD0325901, LGX818, MEK162, vemurafenib, trametinib and dabrafenib. Methods of treating cancer are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating melanoma are provided. Compositions include BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with T helper peptides. Other compositions include nucleic acid sequences encoding the BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with nucleic acid sequences T helper peptides. Dendritic cells pretreated with the BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with T helper peptides, are also provided. These compositions are useful to treat melanoma, optionally co-administered with antibodies to checkpoint inhibitors or molecules that mimic the action of such antibodies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating melanoma are provided. Compositions include BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with T helper peptides. Other compositions include nucleic acid sequences encoding the BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with nucleic acid sequences T helper peptides. Dendritic cells pretreated with the BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with T helper peptides, are also provided. These compositions are useful to treat melanoma, optionally co-administered with antibodies to checkpoint inhibitors or molecules that mimic the action of such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humanized mouse, methods for generating a humanized mouse, and methods of using the humanized mouse for testing a vaccine, drug or treatment. Also provided are other uses for the humanized mouse.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating melanoma are provided. Compositions include BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with T helper peptides. Other compositions include nucleic acid sequences encoding the BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with nucleic acid sequences T helper peptides. Dendritic cells pretreated with the BRAFV600E-based peptides, alone or admixed with T helper peptides, are also provided. These compositions are useful to treat melanoma, optionally co-administered with antibodies to checkpoint inhibitors or molecules that mimic the action of such antibodies.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer are provided. In one embodiment the composition comprises Gamitrinib and a MAPK inhibitor selected from the MAPK inhibitor is selected from RAF265, AZD6244, PLX4720, PD0325901, LGX818, MEK162, vemurafenib, trametinib and dabrafenib. Methods of treating cancer are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating melanoma in a mammalian subject by reducing, inhibiting or down-regulating tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) production or activity in the subject. The methods can involve a combination of reducing macrophage production and number while administering an anti-cancer therapy. The treatment can involve the combined blocking or down-regulating of the nucleic acid or protein expression or activity, or the downstream pathway of CCL-2; with the blocking or down-regulating of the nucleic acid or protein expression or activity, or the downstream pathway of a matrix metalloprotease (e.g., MMP9). Another aspect involves blocking the expression or activity of VEGF. Another aspect involves blocking or down-regulating the expression, activity or signaling of the MAPK pathway or the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.

Abstract: Isolated human multipotent adult stem cell and isolated populations of cells that include human multipotent adult stem cells are disclosed. Human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cells and methods of preparing isolated populations of cells that include human multipotent adult stem cells are disclosed. Isolated human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cell that can differentiate in culture into a neuronal cell, a glial cell, a melanocyte cell, a muscle cell, an osteocyte, a chondrocyte, and a lymphocyte. Isolated human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cell that can grow in cell culture in spheres are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for treating cancers such as melanoma, which have a subpopulation of self-renewing JARIDIB-positive cells essential to maintenance and metastatic progression of the cancer.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for producing a dedifferentiated melanocyte. The method involves contacting a melanocyte with an agent that activates Notch1 and selecting for a dedifferentiated melanocyte which exhibits a premelanoma stem cell-like state. Agents for activating Notch1 and methods for using the cells and agents are also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional reconstruct model containing solid layers of collagen and fibroblasts closely mimic the condition of patients in vivo, preserving in vivo phenotypic and functional characteristics of the cells. Reconstructs can be used to detect cellular migration, including active migration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes towards tumor cells, which can be measured by detecting tumor cell lysis. Reconstructs also can be used to identify factors that influence migration of cells, including chemokines that influence migration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, as well as to identify tumor antigens.

Abstract: Isolated human multipotent adult stem cell and isolated populations of cells that include human multipotent adult stem cells are disclosed. Human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cells and methods of preparing isolated populations of cells that include human multipotent adult stem cells are disclosed. Isolated human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cell that can differentiate in culture into a neuronal cell, a glial cell, a melanocyte cell, a muscle cell, an osteocyte, a chondrocyte, and a lymphocyte. Isolated human hair-follicle derived multipotent adult stem cell that can grow in cell culture in spheres are disclosed.

Abstract: An organotypic culture comprises an artificial stroma overlayed with epithelial cells isolated from a human colon or intestine. The stroma comprises a mixture of collagen and human fibroblasts isolated from a human colon or intestine. The culture contains a factor that binds the IGF-1 receptor, a factor that binds the EGF receptor, and a factor that binds the LIF receptor. These factors may be added exogenously to the culture via medium or may be expressed by various recombinantly engineered cell types in the culture. The organotypic culture can result in growth that is in situ-like or emphasizes other physiological or morphological states, depending on the balance of factors in the growth media. The organotypic culture may be used in methods for screening of therapeutic, carcinogenic, or growth enhancement factors, or for treating intestinal injuries by applying to the site of an injury the intact culture or the components thereof.

Abstract: A three-dimensional reconstruct model containing solid layers of collagen and fibroblasts closely mimic the condition of patients in vivo, preserving in vivo phenotypic and functional characteristics of the cells. Reconstructs can be used to detect cellular migration, including active migration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes towards tumor cells, which can be measured by detecting tumor cell lysis.

Abstract: An organotypic culture comprises an artificial stroma overlayed with epithelial cells isolated from a human colon or intestine. The stroma comprises a mixture of collagen and human fibroblasts isolated from a human colon or intestine. The culture contains a factor that binds the IGF-1 receptor, a factor that binds the EGF receptor, and a factor that binds the LIF receptor. These factors may be added exogenously to the culture via medium or may be expressed by various recombinantly engineered cell types in the culture. The organotypic culture can result in growth that is in situ-like or emphasizes other physiological or morphological states, depending on the balance of factors in the growth media. The organotypic culture may be used in methods for screening of therapeutic, carcinogenic, or growth enhancement factors, or for treating intestinal injuries by applying to the site of an injury the intact culture or the components thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to new compositions and methods for preparing vascularized dermal reconstructs, vascularized skin grafts, and for enhancing vascularization in situ in response to a variety of medical conditions.

Abstract: A method for repairing defects and inducing vascularization in mammalian tissue, preferably skin, involves administering to the tissue a recombinant replication defective virus, preferably adenovirus, carrying a selected growth factor gene, preferably VEGF or PDGF, under operative control of regulatory sequences which direct the expression of the growth factor(s). Also provided is a method for infecting a tissue to be transplanted with such recombinant adenoviruses prior to transplantation and, as a composition, an infected culture of human tissue to be transplanted which is infused with a selected growth factor prior to transplantation. Screening methods for the treatment of angiogenic disorders, e.g., hemangiomas and cancers, also employ an animal model on which is engrafted a full thickness human tissue infused with a growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing proliferation of melanoma cells by contacting melanoma cells with an agent which is capable of modulating the expression of E-cadherin in the melanoma cells thereby restoring keratinocyte control over melanoma cell proliferation.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions for inhibiting a phenotype associated with diseased cells in a mammal and compositions and methods for generating genetic suppressor elements for inhibiting such phenotypes. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment for mammals (e.g. humans) afflicted with melanoma or other solid tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides three unique monoclonal antibodies directed against a portion of the Wilms' tumor antigen, and methods of use therefor in detecting, monitoring and diagnosing malignancies characterized by over-expression or inappropriate expression of the WT 1 protein.