Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of molecular biology and more specifically to methods for detecting anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of molecular biology and more specifically to methods for detecting anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition includes CD40 binding molecules together with CTL-activating peptides, e.g., tumor antigens. Such composition is useful for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of a peptide tumor vaccine, or for otherwise activating CTLs so that the activated CTLs can act against tumorous or infected cells. The CD40 binding molecules can include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, F(ab?)2 and Fv, as well as other molecules including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds which bind to CD40 and activate the CTL response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition includes CD40 binding molecules together with CTL-activating peptides, e.g., tumor antigens. Such composition is useful for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of a peptide tumor vaccine, or for otherwise activating CTLs so that the activated CTLs can act against tumorous or infected cells. The CD40 binding molecules can include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, (Fab?)2 and Fv, as well as other molecules including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds which bind to CD40 and activate the CTL response.

Abstract: Use of a non-human mammalian disease model, wherein the non-human mammal has been implanted with human synovial tissue or other human inflamed tissue containing anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibody producing cells for (i) analyzing cellular processes in a disease associated with anti-CCP antibodies in such human synovial tissue or other human inflamed tissue, (ii) studying the role of anti-CCP antibodies in the induction and progression of a disease associated with anti-CCP antibodies, (iii) testing the efficacy of a therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with anti-CCP antibodies, and (iv) identifying a therapeutic agent useful for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with anti-CCP antibodies. In one embodiment the non-human mammalian disease model is a mouse, such as a SCID mouse, and the disease associated with anti-CCP antibodies is arthritis, such as RA (rheumatoid arthritis).

Abstract: The invention is concerned with epitopes derived from human papilloma virus, and peptides having a size of about 22-45 amino acid residues comprising minimal T cell epitopes. The invention further provides clinically relevant approaches for immunizing subjects against (Myco)bacterially and/or virally infected cells or tumor cells, and in particular against HPV. The invention demonstrates that peptide sequences of 22-35 amino acid residues in length can induce both peptide-specific CD8+ cytolytic cells and CD4+ T-helper cells. Moreover, the invention demonstrates that vaccination with 22-35 residue long peptides results in a more vigorous CD8+ cytolytic T-cell response than vaccination with peptides of the exact minimal CTL epitope length. The invention further demonstrates that the intrinsic capacity of certain minimal CTL epitopes which instead of activating cytolytic effector cells tolerize these cytolytic cells, can be overcome by use of these 22-35 amino acid long peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition comprises an agonistic anti-CD40 antibody or a fragment thereof, and/or an agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody or a fragment thereof. The agonistic antibody molecules include fragments like Fab, (Fab?)2 and Fv. The methods and compositions may further comprise polypeptides or nucleic acid sequences having or encoding a class 1 MHC or class II MHC-resisted T cell epitope.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition comprises an agonist anti-CD40 antibody or a fragment thereof. The anti-CD40 antibody molecules include fragments like Fab, (Fab′)2 and Fv. The composition can also include an agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition includes CD40 binding molecules together with CTL-activating peptides, e.g., tumor antigens. Such composition is useful for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of a peptide tumor vaccine, or for otherwise activating CTLs so that the activated CTLs can act against tumorous or infected cells. The CD40 binding molecules can include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, (Fab′)2 and Fv, as well as other molecules including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds which bind to CD40 and activate the CTL response.