Patents by Inventor Minzhen Xu
Minzhen Xu 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).
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Patent number: 11389475Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunology and to methods for inducing an M1/Th1 dominated immune response in an M2 macrophage dominated and/or Th2/Treg dominated human patient or animal. These methods are useful for developing therapies for treating or preventing M2 macrophage mediated and/or Th2/Treg mediated disease states.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Inventor: Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20210137976Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunology and to methods for inducing an M1/Th1 dominated immune response in an M2 macrophage dominated and/or Th2/Treg dominated human patient or animal. These methods are useful for developing therapies for treating or preventing M2 macrophage mediated and/or Th2/Treg mediated disease states.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventor: Minzhen Xu
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Patent number: 9289487Abstract: Disclosed is an antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide which includes three elements. The first element is an N-terminal element consisting essentially of 4-16 residues of the mammalian li-Key peptide LRMKLPKPPKPVSKMR (SEQ ID NO: 1) and non-N-terminal deletion modifications thereof that retain antigen presentation enhancing activity. The second element is a chemical structure covalently linking the N-terminal element described above to the MHC Class II-presented epitope described below. The chemical structure is a covalently joined group of atoms which when arranged in a linear fashion forms a flexible chain which extends up to the length of 20 amino acids likewise arranged in a linear fashion, the chemical structure being selected from the group consisting of: i) immunologically neutral chemical structures, ii) a MHC Class I epitope or a portion thereof, and/or iii) an antibody-recognized determinant or a portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Minzhen Xu, Nikolenta Kallinteris
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Publication number: 20150093402Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK [SEQ ID NO: 2] residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Robert E. Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Patent number: 8889143Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK (SEQ ID NO: 2) residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Patent number: 8815249Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid molecule comprising a first expressible sequence encoding a protein of interest or polypeptide of interest which contains an MHC Class II-presented epitope, or said encoded protein or peptide. In addition, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a second expressible nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide, or said encoded protein or peptide.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Patent number: 8748130Abstract: The present invention is directed towards compositions comprising Ii-Key/HPV hybrid peptides. The hybrid peptides of the present invention are effective in the generation of CD4+ helper T cell immune responses directed towards the specific HPV epitopes encoded in the hybrid peptide. The inclusion of the Ii-key peptide in the hybrid causes the peptide to have greater immunogenicity as compared to control peptide. The inclusion of Ii-Key/HPV hybrid in a peptide vaccine formulation composing both HPV hybrid and HPV CTL epitope peptide (administered concurrently or sequentially) leads to a greater CTL activity against HPV CTL epitopes. The hybrid peptides of the present invention may be useful, for example, for the immunization of subjects against HPV.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Minzhen Xu, Eric von Hofe
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Patent number: 7935350Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK (SEQ ID NO: 2) residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20100291145Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid molecule comprising a first expressible sequence encoding a protein of interest or polypeptide of interest which contains an MHC Class II-presented epitope, or said encoded protein or peptide. In addition, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a second expressible nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide, or said encoded protein or peptide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: ANTIGEN EXPRESS, INC.Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20100255019Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK [SEQ ID NO.: 2] residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Minzhen Xu, George E. Peoples, Sathibalan Ponniah
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Publication number: 20100150953Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20100080817Abstract: The present invention is directed towards compositions comprising Ii-Key/HPV hybrid peptides. The hybrid peptides of the present invention are effective in the generation of CD4+ helper T cell immune responses directed towards the specific HPV epitopes encoded in the hybrid peptide. The inclusion of the Ii-key peptide in the hybrid causes the peptide to have greater immunogenicity as compared to control peptide. The inclusion of Ii-Key/HPV hybrid in a peptide vaccine formulation composing both HPV hybrid and HPV CTL epitope peptide (administered concurrently or sequentially) leads to a greater CTL activity against HPV CTL epitopes. The hybrid peptides of the present invention may be useful, for example, for the immunization of subjects against HPV.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Minzhen Xu, Eric von Hofe
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Patent number: 7541334Abstract: The present invention provides an MHC class II antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide. The hybrid has an N-terminus comprising the mammalian Ii key peptide LRMKLPKPPKPVSKMR (SEQ ID NO: 1) and modifications thereof which retain antigen presentation enhancing activity, a C-terminus comprising an antigenic epitope in the form of a polypeptide or peptidomimetic structure which binds to the antigenic peptide binding site of an MHC class II molecule, and an intervening chemical structure covalently linking the N-terminal and C-terminal components.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Humphreys, Sharlene Adams, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20090060889Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods involving the inhibition of Ii expression in cells for the purpose of altering antigen presentation pathways. Human Ii-RNAi constructs that effectively inhibit Ii expression in human cancer cells have been generated. The combination of different Ii-RNAi constructs that target different positions of Ii mRNA has a synergistic effect on Ii inhibition. Furthermore, specific promoters for driving Ii-RNAi expression are critical for the activity of Ii-RNAi in different types of cells. Active Ii-RNAi sequences were cloned into plasmids in which Ii-RNAi sequences are driven by either a CMV or an EF-1? promoter. Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting Ii and treating cancer. Provided are siRNAs and expression constructs comprising DNA sequences which encode siRNAs effective to inhibit Ii expression, cells containing such DNA constructs or siRNAs, and methods for use of the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Eric von Hofe, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20090060936Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK (SEQ ID NO: 2) residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20080305122Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid molecule comprising a first expressible sequence encoding a protein of interest or polypeptide of interest which contains an MHC Class II-presented epitope. In addition, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a second expressible nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Robert E. Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20070178094Abstract: The present invention provides an MHC class II antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide. The hybrid has an N-terminus comprising the mammalian Ii key peptide LRMKLPKPPKPVSKMR (SEQ ID NO: 1) and modifications thereof which retain antigen presentation enhancing activity, a C-terminus comprising an antigenic epitope in the form of a polypeptide or peptidomimetic structure which binds to the antigenic peptide binding site of an MHC class II molecule, and an intervening chemical structure covalently linking the N-terminal and C-terminal components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Robert Humphreys, Sharlene Adams, Minzhen Xu
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Patent number: 7205274Abstract: The present invention provides an MHC class II antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide. The hybrid has an N-terminus comprising the mammalian Ii key peptide LRMKLPKPPKPVSKMR (SEQ ID NO: 1) and modifications thereof which retain antigen presentation enhancing activity, a C-terminus comprising an antigenic epitope in the form of a polypeptide or peptidomimetic structure which binds to the antigenic peptide binding site of an MHC class II molecule, and an intervening chemical structure covalently linking the N-terminal and C-terminal components.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Humphreys, Sharlene Adams, Minzhen Xu
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Patent number: 7179645Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid molecule comprising a first expressible sequence encoding a protein of interest or polypeptide of interest which contains an MHC Class II-presented epitope. In addition, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a second expressible nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen presentation enhancing hybrid polypeptide.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Antigen Express, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Humphreys, Minzhen Xu
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Publication number: 20060008448Abstract: The present invention is directed toward compositions and methods involving the inhibition of Ii expression in cells for the purpose of altering antigen presentation pathways. More specifically, disclosed are compositions and methods which relate to MHC Class II molecule presentation of antigenic epitopes which, under normal circumstances, would not be presented in association with MHC Class II molecules. The invention relates to presentation in cells which normally express MHC Class II molecules, as well as cells which can be induced to express MHC Class II molecules. Embodiments relating to RNA interference of Ii are specifically disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2004Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Minzhen Xu, Robert Humphreys