Abstract: Methods and kits for monitoring or providing a prognosis for a subject having uveal melanoma are described. The methods include obtaining a biological sample from the subject, determining the expression level of one or more uveal melanoma-associated miRs and/or miR biogenesis factors in the biological sample, and characterizing the subject as high risk if one or more uveal melanoma-associated miRs and/or miR biogenesis factors are differentially expressed as compared with a corresponding control.

Abstract: Antibody compositions and methods for inhibition of the effects of gonadotropin hormones are provided. Methods for treating cancer and methods for regulating fertility are provided by administration of the antibody compositions to a mammalian subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Compositions for stimulating the immune system and for treating malignancies associated with overexpression of the HER-2 protein are provided. Such compositions include immunogenic epitopes of the HER-2 proteins and chimeric and multivalent peptides which comprise such epitopes. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides which encode the chimeric peptides. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such immunogenic compositions. Methods for stimulating an immune response to HER-2 protein are provided. Methods for treating breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer are provided.

Abstract: A new factor, Factor C, is produced by the activated-expanded autologous cells of cancer patients, HIV-1 infected patients, CFS patients, healthy patients, etc. Factor C has a molecular weight of about 70,000 to 80,000 daltons, is heat stable, has an amino acid sequence that is absent from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, and whose amino acid sequence is not homologous to TNF family ligands. Factor C is derived from CD4 cells in a much greater quantity than from CD8 cells, and is derived from lymph cells in a greater quantity than from PBL cells. A double activation and expansion (activation-expansion) process using immobilized and soluble anti-CD3 mAb makes such Factor C. Factor C appears to inhibit transcription in virally-infected and tumor cells, and stimulates the proliferation of normal lymphocytes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the treatment of a cancer patient which is undergoing (adjuvant) chemotherapy. Prior to or concomitant with the patient receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient is administered mitogenically stimulated lymph node lymphocytes or the supernatant therefrom. The lymph node lymphocytes are patient excised lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells, such as CD4+ tumor reactive cells. Radiolabeled locators (e.g., antibodies) can be used along with a portable radiation detector to intraoperatively determine which lymph nodes bear lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells. The patient excised lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells then are subjected to mitogenic stimulation for their expansion and administration to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reliably determining lymph nodes enriched in tumor reactive cells, e.g., CD4+tumor-specific lymphocytes. This method includes the steps of administering to a patient an effective amount of a radiolabeled locator which specifically binds a marker produced by or associated with neoplastic tissue. Time is permitted to elapse following the administration for the radiolabeled locator to preferentially concentrate in any neoplastic tissue and for unbound radiolabeled locator to be cleared, so as to increase the ratio of photon emissions from neoplastic tissue to background photon emissions in the patient. After the time has elapsed, the patient is accessed with a radiation detection probe for determining lymph node sites exhibiting accretion of the radiolabeled locator by detecting with the probe elevated levels of radiation at the lymph node sites.

Abstract: A method for improving interleukin-2 induced lymphocyte killing of cancer cells comprises administering to a patient having cancer an effective amount of at least one aci-reductone compound containing a --C(OH).dbd.C(OH)--C.dbd.O redox functionality or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof together with a physiologically acceptable carrier or excipient.