Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving a treatment outcome comprising administering a heat shock protein (HSP) preparation or an ?-2-macroglobulin (?2M) preparation with a non-vaccine treatment modality. In particular, an HSP preparation or an ?2M preparation is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality for the treatment of cancer or infectious diseases. In the practice of the invention, a preparation comprising HSPs such as but not limited to, hsp70, hsp90 and gp96 alone or in combination with each other, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules or ?2M, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving a treatment outcome comprising administering a heat shock protein (HSP) preparation or an ?-2-macroglobulin (?2M) preparation with a non-vaccine treatment modality. In particular, an HSP preparation or an ?2M preparation is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality for the treatment of cancer or infectious diseases. In the practice of the invention, a preparation comprising HSPs such as but not limited to, hsp70, hsp90 and gp96 alone or in combination with each other, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules or ?2M, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and cancers. The methods of the invention comprises complexing a population of antigenic proteins or antigenic peptides derived from antigenic cells or viral particles to one or more different heat shock proteins in vitro. The population or the protein preparation used to produce the antigenic peptides comprises at least 50% of the different proteins or at least 50 different proteins of the antigenic cells or viral particles. Methods for making antigenic peptides comprise digesting a protein preparation of antigenic cells, a cellular fraction thereof, or of viral particles with one or more proteases, or exposing the protein preparation to ATP, guanidium hydrochloride, and/or acidic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response and the prevention and treatment of primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases and infectious diseases. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a complex, in which the complex consists essentially of a heat shock protein (hsp) noncovalently bound to an antigenic molecule. “Antigenic molecule” as used herein refers to the peptides with which the hsps are endogenously associated in vivo as well as exogenous antigens/immunogens (i.e., with which the hsps are not complexed in vivo) or antigenic/immunogenic fragments and derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the complex is autologous to the individual. The effective amounts of the complex are in the range of 10-600 micrograms for complexes comprising hsp70, 50-1000 micrograms for hsp90, and 10-600 micrograms for gp96.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of alpha (2) macroglobulin associated with antigenic molecules for use in immunotherapy. The invention relates to methods for using such compositions in the diagnosis and treatment of immune disorders, proliferative disorders, and infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving a treatment outcome comprising administering a heat shock protein (HSP) preparation or an ?-2-macroglobulin (?2M) preparation with a non-vaccine treatment modality. In particular, an HSP preparation or an ?2M preparation is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality for the treatment of cancer or infectious diseases. In the practice of the invention, a preparation comprising HSPs such as but not limited to, hsp70, hsp90 and gp96 alone or in combination with each other, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules or ?2M, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of alpha (2) macroglobulin associated with antigenic molecules for use in immunotherapy. The invention relates to methods for using such compositions in the diagnosis and treatment of immune disorders, proliferative disorders, and infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alpha (2) macroglobulin (“?2M”) receptor as a heat shock protein receptor, cells that express the ?2M receptor bound to an HSP, and antibodies and other molecules that bind the ?2M receptor-HSP complex. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that modulate the interaction of an HSP with the ?2M receptor, and methods for using compositions comprising ?2M-receptor sequences for the diagnosis and treatment of immune disorders, proliferative disorders, and infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alpha (2) macroglobulin (“?2M”) receptor as a heat shock protein receptor, cells that express the ?2M receptor bound to an HSP, and antibodies and other molecules that bind the ?2M receptor-HSP complex. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that interact with the ?2M receptor, and modulate the interaction of the ?2M receptor with its ligand, such as HSPs, and methods for using compositions comprising ?2M-receptor sequences for the diagnosis and treatment of immune disorders, proliferative disorders, and infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of using heat shock proteins (HSPs) to amplify the immune response initiated by a vaccine. HSPs can be introduced into a subject before, concurrently, or after the administration of a vaccine. The HSPs can also be used to activate antigen presenting cells which are then introduced into a subject in conjunction with a vaccine. The HSPs used in the methods of the invention can be unbound or can be covalently or noncovalently bound to a peptide that is unrelated to the vaccine. The subject is preferably mammalian, and most preferably human. It is shown by way of example herein that HSPs induces secretion of cytokines and surface expression of antigen-presenting and co-stimulatory molecules. The invention also encompasses methods of treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and cancers. The methods of the invention comprises administering (a) a composition comprising a population of complexes of antigenic proteins or antigenic peptides derived from antigenic cells or viral particles and one or more different heat shock proteins; and (b) a non-heat shock protein and non-alpha-2-macroglobulin-based treatment modality. The population or the protein preparation used to produce the antigenic peptides comprises at least 50% of the different proteins or at least 50 different proteins of the antigenic cells or viral particles. Methods for making antigenic peptides comprise digesting a protein preparation of antigenic cells, a cellular fraction thereof, or of viral particles with one or more proteases, or exposing the protein preparation to ATP, guanidium hydrochloride, and/or acidic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptors for heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as gp96, Hsp70 and Hsp90. The heat shock receptor is associated with the cell membranes of a subset of antigen presenting cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. The present invention relates to the use of the heat shock protein receptor positive cells, heat shock protein receptor protein, and heat shock protein receptor genes in methods for screening a molecule for the ability to modulate heat shock protein levels or activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alpha (2) macroglobulin (“&agr;2M”) receptor as a heat shock protein receptor, cells that express the &agr;2M receptor bound to an HSP, and antibodies and other molecules that bind the &agr;2M receptor-HSP complex. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that interact with the &agr;2M receptor, and modulate the interaction of the &agr;2M receptor with its ligand, such as HSPs, and methods for using compositions comprising &agr;2M-receptor sequences for the diagnosis and treatment of immune disorders, proliferative disorders, and infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response and the prevention and treatment of primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases and infectious diseases. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a complex, in which the complex consists essentially of a heat shock protein (hsp) noncovalently bound to an antigenic molecule. “Antigenic molecule” as used herein refers to the peptides with which the hsps are endogenously associated in vivo as well as exogenous antigens/immunogens (i.e., with which the hsps are not complexed in vivo) or antigenic/immunogenic fragments and is derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the complex is autologous to the individual. The effective amounts of the complex are in the range of 10-600 micrograms for complexes comprising hsp70, 50-1000 micrograms for hsp90, and 10-600 micrograms for gp96.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving or prolonging a subject's immune response to a vaccine composition comprising heat shock protein (HSP)-peptide complexes or alpha-2-macroglobulin (&agr;2M)-peptide complexes (hereinafter “HSP/&agr;2M vaccine composition”). The HSP-peptide complexes or &agr;2M-peptide complexes of the vaccine composition comprise HSP(s) or &agr;2M complexed to a component against which an immune response is desired to be induced. In particular the invention is directed to methods of improving or prolonging a subject's immune response comprising administering an HSP/&agr;2M vaccine composition in conjunction with a preparation comprising HSP or &agr;2M, alone or complexed to a peptide that is not the component against which an immune response is desired to be induced (hereinafter “HSP/&agr;2M preparation”), i.e., the HSP/&agr;2M preparation does not display the immunogenicity of the component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases, including, but not limited to human sarcomas and carcinomas. In the practice of the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and cancer, compositions comprising unfractionated cellular proteins are used to augment the immune response to genotoxic and nongenotoxic factors, tumors and infectious agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving a treatment outcome comprising administering a heat shock protein (HSP) preparation or an &agr;-2-macroglobulin (&agr;2M) preparation with a non-vaccine treatment modality. In particular, an HSP preparation or an &agr;2M preparation is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality for the treatment of cancer or infectious diseases. In the practice of the invention, a preparation comprising HSPs such as but not limited to, hsp70, hsp90 and gp96 alone or in combination with each other, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules or &agr;2M, noncovalently or covalently bound to antigenic molecules is administered in conjunction with a non-vaccine treatment modality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a family of vaccines that contain stress protein-peptide complexes which when administered to a mammal are operative to initiate in the mammal a cytotoxic T cell response against cells infected with a preselected intracellular pathogen. Also disclosed are methodologies for preparing and administering vaccines containing such stress protein-peptide complexes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a family of vaccines that contain stress protein-peptide complexes which when administered to a mammal are operative to initiate in the mammal a cytotoxic T cell response against cells infected with a preselected intracellular pathogen. Also disclosed are methodologies for preparing and administering vaccines containing such stress protein-peptide complexes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting the proliferation of a tumor in a mammal. The method involves the steps of (a) isolating a stress protein-peptide complex from tumor cells previously removed from the mammal and (b) administering the isolated stress protein-peptide complex back to the mammal in order to stimulate in the mammal an immune response against the tumor from which the complex was isolated. Stress protein-peptide complexes having particular utility in the practice of the instant invention include the Hsp70-peptide, Hsp90-peptide and gp96-peptide complexes.