Abstract: Methods for treating a subject with a cancer that is characterized by overexpression of HER2 receptor protein using a combination of interleukin-2 (IL-2) or variant thereof and at least one anti-HER2 antibody or fragment thereof are provided. These anti-tumor agents are administered as two separate pharmaceutical compositions, one containing IL-2 (or variant thereof), the other containing at least one anti-HER2 antibody (or fragment thereof), according to a dosing regimen. Administering of these two agents together potentiates the effectiveness of the anti-HER2 antibody alone, resulting in a positive therapeutic response that is improved with respect to that observed with this anti-tumor agent.

Abstract: Methods of vaccination to prevent virus-associated diseases, which methods generally result in an increase of virus-specific memory T cells that provide or restore host immunity and result in control of the viral-associated disease process. Polypeptides and DNA sequences for achieving these results are also described. In some embodiments, the virus is Epstein-Barr virus.

Abstract: Cell preparations comprising a plurality of apoptotic EBV-transformed B lymphocytes, and methods of producing cell preparations comprising a plurality of apoptotic EBV-transformed B lymphocytes are provided. The methods comprise transforming B lymphocytes with EBV, incubating the transformed B lymphocytes with a flavin photosensitizer, such as riboflavin or a lumichrome-resistant photosenstizer, adding a non-toxic anti-oxidant, and exposing the lymphocytes to photoradiation of an appropriate wavelength to activate the photosensitizer. Also provided are methods of using the apoptotic EBV-transformed B lymphocyte cell preparations to elicit production of EBV-specific T cells in human patients. Finally, methods of treating organ transplant patients comprising administering an effective amount of the apoptotic EBV-transformed B-lymphocytes cell preparation to the patients prior to transplantation are provided.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subject with a cancer that is characterized by overexpression of HER2 receptor protein using a combination of interleukin-2 (IL-2) or variant thereof and at least one anti-HER2 antibody or fragment thereof are provided. These anti-tumor agents are administered as two separate pharmaceutical compositions, one containing IL-2 (or variant thereof), the other containing at least one anti-HER2 antibody (or fragment thereof), according to a dosing regimen. Administering of these two agents together potentiates the effectiveness of the anti-HER2 antibody alone, resulting in a positive therapeutic response that is improved with respect to that observed with this anti-tumor agent.

Abstract: A method for treating a primary central nervous system lymphoma in an individual relates to administering intrathecally or intralesionally a therapeutically effective amount of a Fas-cross-linking composition thereby inducing the lymphoma cells to undergo Fas-mediated cytotoxicity. The Fas-cross-linking composition may be an agonist anti-human Fas monoclonal antibody or fragments thereof, soluble Fas-ligand (Fas-L), and a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the lymphoma is pretreated with a composition that enhances Fas-mediated cytotoxicity induced by a Fas-cross-linking composition, followed by treatment with the Fas-cross-linking composition.