Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for analyzing a sample such as a biological sample obtained from a subject having, suspected of having, or being at risk for a cancer to assess presence of cancer stem cells in the sample, which is indicative of poor cancer prognosis.

Abstract: Ironized viral particles such as ironized adeno-associated viral particles, which may carry a photosensitizer such as a KillerRed protein, and uses thereof in light-triggered virotherapy against tumor.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind to and antagonize programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such anti-PD-1 aptamers and methods for using the same for promoting T cell proliferation, treating cancer or infectious diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of antipsychotic phenothiazine derivative for treatment of cancer. The invention also provides a use for manufacture a medicament, a pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating a cancer, and/or preventing or delaying cancer recurrence based on trifluoperazine. The invention further provides a use for manufacture a medicament, a pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating cancer based on thioridazine and its enantiomers. Additionally, the invention provides a use for manufacture a medicament, a pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating KRAS mutant NSCLC comprising thioridazine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds of Formulas (I?) and (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds described herein may be useful in treating and/or preventing proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). Also provided in the present disclosure are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and uses thereof for treating proliferative diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining whether a subject having or is at risk of developing lung cancer. The presence of the SNP locus of rs193100333, which corresponds to a mutation on YAP1 protein with a substitution of an arginine to a tryptophan at position 331, indicates the subject has or is at risk of developing lung cancer. Accordingly, also disclosed herein is a kit for facilitating the detection of the SNP locus of rs193100333.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind to and antagonize PDL1 and uses thereof in enhancing immune activity (e.g., promoting T cell proliferation), treating cancer, and/or infectious diseases such as infections caused by enterovirus, HBV, or HCV infection.

Abstract: An in vitro co-culture system comprising cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and cancer cells for producing and maintaining cancer stem cells and uses thereof for identifying agents capable of reducing cancer cell stemness. Also disclosed herein are a paracrine network through which CAFs facilitate production and/or maintenance of cancer stem cells and the use of components of such a paracrine network for prognosis purposes and for identifying cancer patients who are likely to respond to certain treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a PINK1-C-terminal domain (PINK1-CTD) polypeptide that binds to ERBB tyrosine kinase domain (ERBB-TKD) and therefore impedes ERBB from dimerization and activation. The PINK1-CTD polypeptide inhibits, prevents and/or treats ERBB-expressing cancers. The disclosure demonstrates the anti-tumor function of the PINK1-CTD, which provides a new direction for ERBB-expressing cancer therapy.

Abstract: Methods of assaying a biological target are disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a sample containing the biological target; (b) providing biotin-labeled first aptamers conjugated to a gold nanoparticle (GNP), and second aptamers conjugated to a magnetic bead, wherein the first and the second aptamers exhibit specific binding affinities to the target; (c) incubating the sample with the first and the second aptamers to obtain target-bound aptamers; (d) separating the target-bound aptamers from unbound aptamers; (e) eluting the first aptamers from the GNP; (f) incubating the eluted biotin-labeled first aptamers with streptavidin-magnetic beads and reporter gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to obtain a complex comprising: the bead, the first aptamers, attached to the bead; and the reporter GNPs captured by the bead through the first aptamers; (g) eluting the reporter GNPs captured; and (h) detecting the target by measuring and analyzing a light-scattering signal of the eluted reporter GNPs.

Abstract: The invention provides DNAzymes which are capable to silence the expression of EGFR at allele-specific level. These allele-specific DNAzymes against EGFR T790M mutation will knockdown the expression of EGFR T790M mRNA while keeping EGFR wild-type mRNA intact. Hence, these allele-specific DNAzymes against EGFR T790M mutation may overcome T790M-derived TKI resistance accompanied with lower unwanted side effects on normal cells in lung cancer patients.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind to and antagonize PD-1 and uses thereof in promoting T cell proliferation, treating cancer or infectious diseases such as HIV infection.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind to and inhibit CTLA-4 and uses thereof in enhancing immune activities, and treating cancer and HIV infection are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining whether a subject having or is at risk of developing lung cancer. The presence of the SNP locus of rs193100333, which corresponds to a mutation on YAP1 protein with a substitution of an arginine to a tryptophan at position 331, indicates the subject has or is at risk of developing lung cancer. Accordingly, also disclosed herein is a kit for facilitating the detection of the SNP locus of rs193100333.

Abstract: The present invention found that host miRNAs might be involved in Picornavirus pathogenesis through suppression of type I IFNs induction and could act as candidates for developing antiviral therapy. Thus, the invention suggests enterovirus-induced miR-146a facilitates viral pathogenesis by suppressing IFN production and provide a clue to develop the preventive and therapeutic strategies for enterovirus infections.

Abstract: The invention provides DNAzymes which are capable to silence the expression of EGFR at allele-specific level. These allele-specific DNAzymes against EGFR T790M mutation will knockdown the expression of EGFR T790M mRNA while keeping EGFR wild-type mRNA intact. Hence, these allele-specific DNAzymes against EGFR T790M mutation may overcome T790M-derived TKI resistance accompanied with lower unwanted side effects on normal cells in lung cancer patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of antipsychotic phenothiazine derivative for treatment of cancer. The invention also provides a use for manufacture a medicament, a pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating a cancer, and/or preventing or delaying cancer recurrence based on trifluoperazine. The invention further provides a use for manufacture a medicament, a pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating cancer based on thioridazine and its enantiomers. Additionally, the invention provides a use for manufacture a medicament, a pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating KRAS mutant NSCLC comprising thioridazine.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I-IV): compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof such as for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Methods of assaying a biological target are disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a sample containing the biological target; (b) providing biotin-labeled first aptamers conjugated to a gold nanoparticle (GNP), and second aptamers conjugated to a magnetic bead, wherein the first and the second aptamers exhibit specific binding affinities to the target; (c) incubating the sample with the first and the second aptamers to obtain target-bound aptamers; (d) separating the target-bound aptamers from unbound aptamers; (e) eluting the first aptamers from the GNP; (f) incubating the eluted biotin-labeled first aptamers with streptavidin-magnetic beads and reporter gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to obtain a complex comprising: the bead, the first aptamers, attached to the bead; and the reporter GNPs captured by the bead through the first aptamers; (g) eluting the reporter GNPs captured; and (h) detecting the target by measuring and analyzing a light-scattering signal of the eluted reporter GNPs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the prognosis of lung cancer patient based on the expression levels of miRNA-135b, LZTS1, LATS2 and nuclear TAZ. The invention also provides a method for treatment of lung cancer.