Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing virus infections by interfering with the activity or function of Ras, the Ras pathway, the ERK pathway, MEK1/2, PKR or eIF-2 &agr;, includes the use of agents which inhibit Ras or otherwise modulate anti-PKR activity. Also, a method of diagnosing such virus infections includes the use of cell lines that have an activated Ras pathway, including cell lines which have been transformed with a gene that activates the Ras pathway. The virus infections may be herpes virus infections and HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections in particular.

Abstract: Methods for treating neoplasia, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated neoplasm, and use of reovirus for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of neoplasia, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts cells of the neoplasm. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, type 1 (e.g., strain Lang), type 2 (e.g., strain Jones), type 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other sterotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain or reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.

Abstract: Methods for treating neoplasia, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated neoplasm, and use of reovirus for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of neoplasia, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts cells of the neoplasm. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, type 1 (e.g., strain Lang), type 2 (e.g., strain Jones), type 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other serotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain of reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.

Abstract: Methods for treating proliferative disorders, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated proliferative disorder, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts ras-mediated proliferating cells. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, serotype 1 (e.g., strain Lang), serotype 2 (e.g., strain Jones), serotype 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other serotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain of reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.

Abstract: Methods for treating neoplasia, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated neoplasm, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts cells of the neoplasm. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, type 1 (e.g., strain Lang), type 2 (e.g., strain Jones), type 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other serotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain of reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.