Abstract: This invention discloses a composition for enhancing the protective immunity in a subject, comprising an effective amount of a ?-glucan and a vaccine, wherein the ?-glucan enhances the immune response of the vaccine against cancer or infectious agents. The infectious agents can be viruses, fungi, bacteria or parasites. In one embodiment, the ?-glucan is derived from yeast and comprises side chains attached to a ?-(1,3) backbone. In another embodiment, the vaccine comprises an antibody and whole tumor cells. The invention also provides a method of enhancing protective immunity using said composition.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of (1-3),(1-4)-?-glucan derived from barley capable of enhancing efficacy of antibodies. This invention further provides the above compositions and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administrating the above-described composition to the subject.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of antibodies. This invention further provides the above compositions and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administrating the above-described composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of vaccines. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject comprising administrating the above pharmaceutical composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of natural antibodies. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing host immunity. This invention also provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing the action of an agent in preventing tissue rejection.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide mimics for GD2 ganglioside. The peptide mimics were identified by panning phage display peptide libraries with an anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody. The identified peptide mimics can be used as immunogens for cancer therapy such as for melanoma and neuroblastoma.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of antibodies. This invention further provides the above compositions and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administrating the above-described composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of vaccines. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject comprising administrating the above pharmaceutical composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of natural antibodies. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing host immunity. This invention also provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing the action of an agent in preventing tissue rejection.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying cells expressing a target single chain antibody (scFv) directed against a target antigen from a collection of cells that includes cells that do not express the target scFv, comprising the step of combining the collection of cells with an anti-idiotype directed to an antibody specific for the target antigen and detecting interaction, if any, of the anti-idiotype with the cells, wherein the occurrence of an interaction identifies the cell as one which expresses the target scFv. This invention also provides a method for making a single chain antibody (scFv) directed against an antigen, wherein the selection of clones is made based upon interaction of those clones with an appropriate anti-idiotype, and heretofore inaccessible scFv so made. This invention provides the above methods or any combination thereof. Finally, this invention provides various uses of these methods.

Abstract: Recombinant antibody constructs comprise the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-GD2 antibodies. These antibody constructs may be coupled to a label such as a radiolabel or to a protein such as streptavidin or pro-drug converting enzymes for use in imaging or therapeutic applications. The antibody constructs may also be transduced into T cells to produce populations of T cells which target GD2-producing tumor cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof and a suitable carrier. This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides an antibody other than the monoclonal antibody 8H9 comprising the complementary determining regions of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof, capable of binding to the same antigen as the monoclonal antibody 8H9. This invention provides a substance capable of competitively inhibiting the binding of monoclonal antibody 8H9. This invention also provides an isolated scFv of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof. This invention also provides the 8H9 antigen.

Abstract: Recombinant antibody constructs comprise the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-GD2 antibodies. These antibody constructs may be coupled to a label such as a radiolabel or to a protein such as streptavidin or pro-drug converting enzymes for use in imaging or therapeutic applications. The antibody constructs may also be transduced into T cells to produce populations of T cells which target GD2-producing tumor cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof and a suitable carrier. This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides an antibody other than the monoclonal antibody 8H9 comprising the complementary determining regions of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof, capable of binding to the same antigen as the monoclonal antibody 8H9. This invention provides a substance capable of competitively inhibiting the binding of monoclonal antibody 8H9. This invention also provides an isolated scFv of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof. This invention also provides the 8H9 antigen.

Abstract: Genetically-modified T cells with enhanced survival in vivo are obtained by transducing T cells with a recombinant polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein comprising a single chain Fv antibody (comprising the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of a selected antibody such as an anti-GD2 antibody) linked to CD28 receptor. T cells expressing this recombinant fusion protein exhibit enhanced survival when reintroduced to an in vivo environment.. These T cells can be used to induce an immune response to cells, particularly tumor cells, when express the antigen for which the antibody is specific. Cells expressing recombinant fusion proteins according to the invention can also be used for in vitro purging of stem cells/bone marrow and for in vivo targeting of tumor cells and other antigen-bearing cells for purposes of imaging.

Abstract: Using monoclonal mouse anti-human IgE antibodies, the microtiter solid phase radioimmunoassay (MSPRIA) and the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (EILSA) were modified to quantitatively measure honeybee venom (HBV) and perennial rye grass (PRG) specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE). By using a novel dilution, serial transfer and cummulative counting technique, the inhibiting and interfering effects of specific immunoglobulin G (sIgG) in the assay of (sIgE) can be reduced and the quantitative determination of (sIgE) accomplished with precision and reliability.