Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly, metastatic cancer. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and agonizes EphA2, thereby increasing EphA2 phosphorylation and decreasing EphA2 levels. In other embodiments, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and inhibits cancer cell colony formation in soft agar, inhibits tubular network formation in three-dimensional basement membrane or extracellular matrix preparation, preferentially binds to an EphA2 epitope that is exposed on cancer cells but not non-cancer cells, and/or has a low Koff, thereby, inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, prevention and/or amelioration of non-neoplastic hyperproliferative epithelial and/or endothelial cell disorders, including but not limited to disorders associated with increased deposition of extracellular matrix components (e.g., collagen, proteoglycans, tenascin and fibronectin) and/or aberrant angiogenesis. Non-limiting examples of such disorders include cirrhosis, fibrosis (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds and methods for the treatment of cancer. The compounds of this invention have specificity for EphA2, an epithelial cell tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in metastatic tumor cells. The compounds used in accordance with this invention may be provided in a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of metastatic cancer.

Abstract: A method for identifying host genes and encoded proteins for potential targets for therapeutic intervention employs a Gene Search Vector that is either lentivirus or MMLV-based, and can be used to interrogate an entire cell genome without prior knowledge of the genomic sequence. This Random Homozygous Gene Perturbation (RUGP) technique is rapidly verifiable and is used to identify potential host targets for intervention for influenza, HIV and other viral infections. Using Thermal Assymetric Interlaced (TAIL)-PCR, the period for identification of promising targets is reduced from months to weeks or less. Specific targets including PTCH1, Robo1 and Nedd4 are reviewed in detail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly, metastatic cancer. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more antibodies that bind to EphA4 and agonize EphA4. In another embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more antibodies that bind to EphA4 and inhibit cancer cell colony formation in soft agar or tubular network formation in three-dimensional basement membrane or extracellular matrix preparation. In another embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more antibodies that preferentially binds to an EphA4 epitope that is exposed on cancer cells but not non-cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly, metastatic cancer. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more antibodies that bind to and agonize EphA2, thereby increasing EphA2 phosphorylation and decreasing EphA2 levels in cells which EphA2 has been agonized. The invention also encompasses antibodies that preferentially bind an EphA2 epitope exposed on cancer cells but not non-cancer cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more EphA2 antibodies of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other agents useful for cancer therapy.

Abstract: Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) is identified as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. The invention provides diagnostic and treatment methods useful in connection with cancers expressing LMW-PTP and, optionally, EphA2 receptor. Also provided is a screening method that utilizes changes in the amount and/or activity of LMW-PTP to identify candidate cancer therapeutic agents that effectively target the oncoprotein EphA2.

Abstract: Compounds that possess anti-infective activity are described. Methods of using these compounds for the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are also described. The compounds inhibit HIV infectivity and do not exhibit significant cytotoxicity in HIV producing cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing cell death or stasis in cancer cells or other hyperproliferative cells using anti-EphA2 or anti-EphA4 antibodies conjugated to toxins.

Abstract: The invention provides agonistic anti-EphA4 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of a non-neoplastic hyperproliferative cell or excessive cell accumulation disorders, particularly those involving hyperproliferation of epithelial or endothelial cells. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more EphA2 agonistic agents that bind to EphA2 and increase EphA2 cytoplasmic tail phosphorylation and/or increase EphA2 autophosphorylation, in cells which EphA2 has been agonized. In another embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more EphA2 agonistic agents that bind to EphA2 and reduce EphA2 activity (other than autophosphorylation). In another embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise administration of an effective amount of one or more EphA2 agonistic agents that bind to EphA2 and decrease a pathology-causing cell phenotype (e.g.

Abstract: EphA2 T-cell epitope are provided herein. The epitopes include peptides corresponding to specific fragments of human EphA2 protein containing one or more T-cell epitopes, and conservative derivatives thereof. The EphA2 T-cell epitopes are useful in an assay, such as an ELISPOT assay, that may be used to determine and/or quantify a patient's immune responsiveness to EphA2. The epitopes also are useful in methods of modulating a patient's immune reactivity to EphA2, which has substantial utility as a treatment for cancers that overexpress EphA2, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The EphA2 epitopes also can be used to vaccinate a patient against EphA2, by in vivo or ex vivo methods.

Abstract: EphA2 T-cell epitope are provided herein. The epitopes include peptides corresponding to specific fragments of human EphA2 protein containing one or more T-cell epitopes, and conservative derivatives thereof. The EphA2 T-cell epitopes are useful in an assay, such as an ELISPOT assay, that may be used to determine and/or quantify a patient's immune responsiveness to EphA2. The epitopes also are useful in methods of modulating a patient's immune reactivity to EphA2, which has substantial utility as a treatment for cancers that overexpress EphA2, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The EphA2 epitopes also can be used to vaccinate a patient against EphA2, by in vivo or ex vivo methods.

Abstract: Method and kits are provided for the detection and diagnosis of metastatic disease. More particularly, the methods and kits employ compounds that can detect EphA2, a specific epithelial cell tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in metastatic tumor cells. In one embodiment the compound is an antibody capable of binding to an epitope of EphA2.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds and methods for the treatment of metastatic disease. The compounds of this invention have specificity for EphA2, an epithelial cell tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in metastatic tumor cells. The compounds used in accordance with this invention may be provided in a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of metastatic disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly, metastatic cancer. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more antibodies that bind to and agonize EphA2, thereby increasing EphA2 phosphorylation and decreasing EphA2 levels in cells which EphA2 has been agonized. The invention also encompasses antibodies that preferentially bind an EphA2 epitope exposed on cancer cells but not non-cancer cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more EphA2 antibodies of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other agents useful for cancer therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly, metastatic cancer. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and agonizes EphA2, thereby increasing EphA2 phosphorylation and decreasing EphA2 levels. In other embodiments, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and inhibits cancer cell colony formation in soft agar, inhibits tubular network formation in three-dimensional basement membrane or extracellular matrix preparation, preferentially binds to an EphA2 epitope that is exposed on cancer cells but not non-cancer cells, and/or has a low Koff, thereby, inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis.