Abstract: Provided are methods for identifying antigens containing amino acid sequences for use in a cancer vaccine. The vaccines and methods of use for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer are included. The method involves: i) exposing cancer cells to a chemotherapeutic agent that damages DNA; ii) determining open reading frames encoded by mRNA transcribed from a gene in the cancer cells of i); iii) comparing the open reading frames of the mRNA of i) to open reading frames encoded by mRNA transcribed from the gene in the cancer cells that were not exposed to the chemotherapeutic agent, iv) determining a different open reading frame encoded by the mRNA of i) and an open reading frame of the mRNA of ii), wherein the different open reading frame encoded by the mRNA of i) encodes a contiguous amino acid sequence comprising the sequence of the antigen for use in the cancer vaccine.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel compounds and compositions that reduce nicotine mediated cravings in humans. In embodiments, the novel compounds blocking CYP2A6-meditated nicotine metabolism thereby reducing the need for additional nicotine. Leading to a desirable treatment option in reducing nicotine craving which does not exacerbate the sympathetic response rate caused by the abused substance and which has favorable pharmacodynamics effects.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of improving immune homeostasis in the gut of a subject suffering from an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the gut by administering, e.g., orally administering, to the subject an effective amount of a cannabinoid receptor agonist to improve immune homeostasis in the gut of the subject. Exemplary cannabinoid receptor ligands include Anandamide. The methods are particularly useful to treat gut inflammation associated with diabetes mellitus Type I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes and fusion proteins comprising an acute phase protein and an antigenic molecule, for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease. The invention specifically provides for complexes comprising an acute phase protein noncovalently bound to, or alternatively crosslinked to, an antigenic molecule. The invention also specifically provides fusion proteins comprising an acute phase protein fused via a peptide bond to an antigenic molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes and fusion proteins comprising a CD91 ligand and an antigenic molecule, for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease. The invention specifically provides complexes comprising a CD91 ligand non-covalently bound to, or alternatively crosslinked to, an antigenic molecule. The invention also specifically provides fusion proteins comprising a CD91 ligand fused via a peptide bond to an antigenic molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alpha (2) macroglobulin complexes isolated from the serum of a mammal. The invention also relates to methods for making such complexes and compositions comprising alpha (2) macroglobulin complexes, isolated from the serum of a mammal, wherein such compositions are used in methods for the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious disease. The invention also relates to methods for treating and preventing cancer and infectious disease using such complexes comprising, isolated from the serum of a mammal. The invention also encompasses methods for production of alpha (2) macroglobulin complexes.

Abstract: The treatment device includes an extraction mechanism, configured to extract a tissue sample from a patient or a tumor, coupled to a lysis mechanism. The lysis mechanism is configured to induce lysis of the tissue sample into a lysed tissue sample. The treatment device also includes an administration mechanism that is coupled to both the extraction mechanism and the lysis mechanism. Further included with the treatment device is an additive mechanism configured to add an additive solution to the lysed tissue sample before the lysed tissue sample is administered to the patient. Furthermore, the invention also provided a method for treating a cancer. The method includes the steps of extracting a tissue sample from a patient or a tumor into a chamber of a treatment device. Lysing the tissue sample into an laysed tissue sample within the chamber of the treatment device and administering the lysed tissue sample directly from the treatment device into the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes and fusion proteins comprising an acute phase protein and an antigenic molecule, for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease. The invention specifically provides for complexes comprising an acute phase protein noncovalently bound to, or alternatively crosslinked to, an antigenic molecule. The invention also specifically provides fusion proteins comprising an acute phase protein fused via a peptide bond to an antigenic molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for the prevention and treatment of any disease wherein the treatment of such disease would be improved by an enhanced immune response, such as infectious diseases, primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases (i.e., cancer), or neurodegenerative or amyloid diseases. In particular, the contemplated invention is directed to method comprising the administration of heat shock/stress proteins (HSPs) or HSP complexes alone or in combination with each other, in combination with the administration of an immunoreactive reagent. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more HSPs or HSP complexes in combination with an immunoreactive reagent. Additionally, the invention contemplates the use of the methods and compositions of the invention to enhance or improve passive immunotherapy and effector cell function.

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 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: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for determining the biological activity of heat shock proteins or heat shock protein-peptide complexes based on the ATPase activity or the multimeric structure of the heat shock proteins or heal shock protein-peptide complexes, and methods for screening agents that modulate the biological activity of heat shock proteins or heat shock protein-peptide complexes. In another aspect, the invention provides complexes, compositions and methods for enhancing the immunogenicity of a heat shock protein or a complex comprising a heal shock protein and an antigenic molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptors for heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as gp96, Hsp70 and Hsp90. The receptor is associated with the cell membranes of a subset of antigen presenting cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells. The invention provides methods for identifying and isolating cells that express the heat shock protein receptor, the heat shock protein receptor, antibodies to heat shock protein receptor and nucleic acid molecules encoding heat shock protein receptor, and fragments thereof. The present invention further provides methods of use of the heat shock protein receptor positive cells, heat shock protein receptor protein, heat shock protein receptor antibodies, and heat shock protein receptor gene. Methods for identifying a molecule that enhance or block the function of heat shock protein receptor are included in the invention. The compositions of the invention may be used in various diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the area of cancer and infectious diseases.