Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for treating a target tissue with one or more active agents. In embodiments, delivering an active agent to a target tissue comprises administration of microbubbles and ultrasound.

Abstract: Recombinant therapeutic cytokines (“therakines”) for the treatment of cancer are provided. The recombinant therakines include a truncated region of MDA-7/TL-24 (“M4”) not normally found in nature that has anti-cancer activity and a secretory signal which causes secretion of the therakine from plasmid/virus transduced normal and cancer cells and interaction of the therakine to MDA-7/IL-24 receptors on adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells. Therakine interaction results in bystander killing of the target cancer cell as well as adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein, as well as vectors, cells, and compositions comprising the same. In embodiments, the fusion protein includes an insulin signal peptide and an MDA-7/IL-24 protein. Methods of using the polynucleotides, vectors, cells, and compositions, such as in the treatment or prevention of cancer, are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, methods of detecting levels of miR-221 and beclin-1 in patients undergoing treatment for miR-221- and/or beclin-1-associated diseases (e.g., cancer, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease). The methods provided herein are useful, inter alia, to monitor and determine treatment efficacy by determining (detecting) levels of miR-221, beclin-1, a combination thereof or of molecules downstream of the miR-221 or beclin-1 signaling pathways, in patients receiving, having received or to be received MDA-7 treatment.

Abstract: Recombinant therapeutic cytokines (“therakines”) for the treatment of cancer are provided. The recombinant therakines include a truncated region of MDA-7/TL-24 (“M4”) not normally found in nature that has anti-cancer activity and a secretory signal which causes secretion of the therakine from plasmid/virus transduced normal and cancer cells and interaction of the therakine to MDA-7/IL-24 receptors on adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells. Therakine interaction results in bystander killing of the target cancer cell as well as adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells.

Abstract: Recombinant therapeutic cytokines (“therakines”) for the treatment of cancer are provided. The recombinant therakines include a truncated region of MDA-7/TL-24 (“M4”) not normally found in nature that has anti-cancer activity and a secretory signal which causes secretion of the therakine from plasmid/virus transduced normal and cancer cells and interaction of the therakine to MDA-7/IL-24 receptors on adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells. Therakine interaction results in bystander killing of the target cancer cell as well as adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells.

Abstract: Recombinant therapeutic cytokines (“therakines”) for the treatment of cancer are provided. The recombinant therakines include a truncated region of MDA-7/TL-24 (“M4”) not normally found in nature that has anti-cancer activity and a secretory signal which causes secretion of the therakine from plasmid/virus transduced normal and cancer cells and interaction of the therakine to MDA-7/IL-24 receptors on adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells. Therakine interaction results in bystander killing of the target cancer cell as well as adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells.