Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting responsiveness of cancer cells to chemotherapy by measuring the level of phosphorylated Stat or the level of expression of Survivin in a cancer and comparing the level in the cancer cell to the respective level in a control. Also provided are methods of selecting a chemotherapeutic treatment for a subject diagnosed with cancer by measuring the level of phosphorylated Stat or the level of expression of Survivin in a cancer and comparing the level in the cancer cell to the respective level in a control. Kits for performing the methods are also provided. Methods for modulating Survivin-dependent apoptosis in a cancer cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to the treatment of tumors and cancerous tissues and the prevention of tumorigenesis and malignant transformation through the modulation of JAK/STAT3 intracellular signaling. The subject invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions containing cucurbitacin I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or analog thereof. Another aspect of the invention concerns methods of inhibiting the growth of a tumor by administering a cucurbitacin I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or analog thereof, to a patient, wherein the tumor is characterized by the constitutive activation of the JAK/STAT3 intracellular signaling pathway. The present invention further pertains to methods of moderating the JAK and/or STAT3 signaling pathways in vitro or in vivo using cucurbitacin I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or analog thereof. Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for screening candidate compounds for JAK and/or STAT3 inhibition and anti-tumor activity.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to the treatment of tumors and cancerous tissues and the prevention of tumorigenesis and malignant transformation through the modulation of JAK/STAT3 intracellular signaling. The subject invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions containing cucurbitacin I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or analog thereof, to a patient, wherein the tumor is characterized by the constitutive activation of the JAK/STAT3 intracellular signaling pathway. The present invention further pertains to methods of moderating the JAK and/or STAT3 signaling pathways in vitro or in vivo using cucurbitacin I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or analog therof. Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for screening candidate compounds for JAK AND/or STAT3 inhibition and anti-tumor activity.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing antitumor activity of an immune cell comprising contacting the immune cell with a Stat3 inhibitor are described. Also described are methods of killing a tumor cell or inhibiting tumor growth in a subject comprising contacting an immune cell of the subject with a Stat3 inhibitor.

Abstract: A small-molecule Stat3 dimerization inhibitor, S3I-M2001, is described and the dynamics of intracellular processing of activated Stat3 within the context of the biochemical and biological effects of the Stat3 chemical probe inhibitor are elucidated. S3I-M2001 is a newly-identified oxazole-based peptidomimetic of the Stat3 Src Homology (SH) 2 domain-binding phosphotyrosine peptide that selectively disrupts active Stat3:Stat3 dimers. Stat3-dependent malignant transformation, survival, and migration and invasion of mouse and human cancer cells harboring persistently-activated Stat3 were inhibited by S3I-M2001. S3I-M2001 inhibited Stat3-dependent transcriptional regulation of tumor survival genes, such as Bcl-xL. The disclosed compound is useful as a new potential treatment for certain cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for improving immune function. More particularly, the present invention relates to multifunctional molecules that are capable of being delivered to cells of interest for the treatment of diseases and for the improvement in immune function.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods for inhibition of STAT biological functions using platinum complexes.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns compositions and methods for blocking cancer cell growth or proliferation and/or inducing cancer cell death. Compositions of the present invention are peptidomimetics that inhibit STAT function. Peptidomimetics of the invention include compounds of the formula RY*L (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine), with the R group at the Y-1 position. Peptidomimetics of the invention disrupt Stat3 activation and function. Peptidomimetics of the invention significantly inhibit tumor cell growth and induce tumor cell death.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating and/or preventing cancer. In particular the present invention relates to ex vivo immunotherapeutic methods. The methods comprise decreasing Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcirption3) expression and/or function in tumor cells and the administration of such cells to a subject in need of treatment and/or prevention. Other methods of the invention comprise activation T-cells by co-culturing the T-cells with the tumor cells with decreased Stat3 expression or function. The invention further encompasses methods comprising decreasing Stat3 expression or function in antigen-presenting cells and co-administering tumor cells and the antigen-presenting cells with decreased Stat3 function to a patient. The invention further relates to methods for stimulating dendritic cell differentiation.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides methods for diagnosing and treating diseases and/or conditions associated with dysregulated Stat3-mediated activity.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of enhancing the radiation response of a cell expressing activated Stat1, Stat3, or Stat5. Methods for synergistically affecting a cell expressing activated Stat1, Stat3, or Stat5 are also described. The described methods may also be used to synergistically affect or enhance the radiation response of a cell in a subject.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods for inhibition of STAT biological functions using platinum complexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating and/or preventing cancer. In particular the present invention relates to ex vivo immunotherapeutic methods. The methods comprise decreasing Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription3) expression and/or function in tumor cells and the administration of such cells to a subject in need of treatment and/or prevention. Other methods of the invention comprise activating T-cells by co-culturing the T-cells with the tumor cells with decreased Stat3 expression or function. The invention further encompasses methods comprising decreasing Stat3 expression or function in antigen-presenting cells and co-administering tumor cells and the antigen-presenting cells with decreased Stat3 function to a patient. The invention further relates to methods for stimulating dendritic cell differentiation.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns compositions and methods for blocking cancer cell growth or proliferation and/or inducing cancer cell death. Compositions of the present invention are peptidomimetics that inhibit STAT function. Peptidomimetics of the invention display selective inhibition of specific STAT isoform homo-dimerization. The peptidomimetic probes of STAT1 function, described herein, provide the means to preferentially inhibit STAT1 over STAT3 through the exploration of the C-terminus.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a synthesis of grossularine-1 and N,N-didesmethylgrossularine-1 2 and analogs thereof based on a novel oxidative dimerization-electrocyclization sequence of 2-amino-4-(3-indolyl)imidazoles derived from oxotryptamine 3 is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating, i.e., agonizing or antagonizing, Stat3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription3) signaling activity for use in gene therapy. Inhibition and/or activation of Stat3 signaling is an effective approach to modulate angiogenesis and the immune response for treatment and/or prevention of inflammation, infection, inflammation, immune disorders, and ischemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for improving immune function. More particularly, the present invention relates to multifunctional molecules that are capable of being delivered to cells of interest for the treatment of diseases and for the improvement in immune function.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods for inhibition of STAT biological functions using platinum complexes.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns compositions and methods for blocking cancer cell growth or proliferation and/or inducing cancer cell death. Compositions of the present invention are peptidomimetics that inhibit STAT function. Peptidomimetics of the invention include compounds of the formula RY*L (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine), with the R group at the Y-1 position. Peptidomimetics of the invention disrupt Stat3 activation and function. Peptidomimetics of the invention significantly inhibit tumor cell growth and induce tumor cell death.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a synthesis of grossularine-1 and N,N-didesmethylgrossularine-1 2 and analogs thereof based on a novel oxidative dimerization-electrocyclization sequence of 2-amino-4-(3-indolyl)imidazoles derived from oxotryptamine 3 is described.