Patents by Inventor Melinda Sanders

Melinda Sanders has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10969392
    Abstract: A method of detecting cell membrane expression of an MHC molecule in a subject, a method of treating cancer in a subject with an immunotherapeutic agent, and an MHC complex are provided. The method of detecting cell membrane expression of an MHC molecule includes obtaining a tumor cell sample from a subject, and detecting cell membrane expression of the MHC molecule by contacting the tumor cell sample with an antibody targeting the MHC molecule and detecting binding between the MHC molecule and the antibody. The method of treating cancer in a subject with an immunotherapeutic agent includes detecting cell membrane expression of an MHC molecule in the subject and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the immunotherapeutic agent if the level of cell membrane expression of the MHC molecule exceeds a predetermined standard. The complex includes a tumor cell in complex with an antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Justin M. Balko, Douglas B. Johnson, Violeta Sanchez de Delgado, Melinda Sanders
  • Publication number: 20190284640
    Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to methods and systems for examining tumor samples, methods and systems for identifying subjects who are likely responders to treatment, and methods for treating cancer. In some embodiments, the presently-disclosed subject matter relates to determining expression of a major histocompatibility complex-II (MHC-II) molecule on a cell from a tumor sample, and further involving determining presence of tumor-infiltrating T cells in the tumor sample, determining the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the tumor sample, detecting chemokine expression in the tumor sample, and/or detecting TP53 mutations in the tumor sample. In some embodiments, the method involves treatment with an immunotherapeutic agent either alone or in combination with an MDM2 antagonist or an MEK inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Justin M. Balko, Douglas B. Johnson, Violeta Sanchez de Delgado, Melinda Sanders
  • Patent number: 9964550
    Abstract: Disclosed is an at-home blood pregnancy test kit that can identify the presence of hCG in a blood sample to detect pregnancy in female mammals. The present kit includes a housing having a sample strip that is in fluid communication with a sample pad for holding a blood sample, a test pad, and a conjugate pad. The housing further includes a test window and a push button for releasing a reagent that can react with hCG. The reagent and the test pad include antibodies that can bind with hCG antigens to detect presence of the same. The test window is adapted to display a symbol that indicates a negative pregnancy test result in the absence of hCG, or display a symbol that indicates a positive pregnancy test result in the presence of hCG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Melinda Sanders
  • Publication number: 20170168054
    Abstract: A method of detecting cell membrane expression of an MHC molecule in a subject, a method of treating cancer in a subject with an immunotherapeutic agent, and an MHC complex are provided. The method of detecting cell membrane expression of an MHC molecule includes obtaining a tumor cell sample from a subject, and detecting cell membrane expression of the MHC molecule by contacting the tumor cell sample with an antibody targeting the MHC molecule and detecting binding between the MHC molecule and the antibody. The method of treating cancer in a subject with an immunotherapeutic agent includes detecting cell membrane expression of an MHC molecule in the subject and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the immunotherapeutic agent if the level of cell membrane expression of the MHC molecule exceeds a predetermined standard. The complex includes a tumor cell in complex with an antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Justin M. Balko, Douglas B. Johnson, Violeta Sanchez de Delgado, Melinda Sanders
  • Publication number: 20150153366
    Abstract: Disclosed is an at-home blood pregnancy test kit that can identify the presence of hCG in a blood sample to detect pregnancy in female mammals. The present kit includes a housing having a sample strip that is in fluid communication with a sample pad for holding a blood sample, a test pad, and a conjugate pad. The housing further includes a test window and a push button for releasing a reagent that can react with hCG. The reagent and the test pad include antibodies that can bind with hCG antigens to detect presence of the same. The test window is adapted to display a symbol that indicates a negative pregnancy test result in the absence of hCG, or display a symbol that indicates a positive pregnancy test result in the presence of hCG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Melinda Sanders
  • Publication number: 20150044707
    Abstract: Disclosed is an at-home blood pregnancy test kit that can identify the presence of hCG in a blood sample to detect pregnancy in female mammals. The present kit includes a housing having a sample strip that is in fluid communication with a sample pad for holding a blood sample, a test pad, and a conjugate pad. The housing further includes a test window and a push button for releasing a reagent that can react with hCG. The reagent and the test pad include antibodies that can bind with hCG antigens to detect presence of the same. The test window is adapted to display a symbol that indicates a negative pregnancy test result in the absence of hCG, or display a symbol that indicates a positive pregnancy test result in the presence of hCG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Melinda Sanders