Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of their use for treating mesenchymally-derived or mesenchymally transformed cancers, such as breast cancers and sarcomas, and for treating diseases or disorders that are characterized by the expression of vimentin.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating cancer patients who have elevated expression of FOXC2. In certain aspects, patients having elevated FOXC2 are treated with an anti-cancer therapy in conjunction with a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Methods of identifying cancer patients to be treated with p38 MAPK inhibitors are also provided. Further provided herein are methods for treating and/or preventing breast cancer metastasis by the administration of a p38 MAPK inhibitor. In certain aspects, patients are treated with an anti-cancer therapy in conjunction with a p38 MAPK inhibitor. In addition, methods are provided for the treatment of BCR-ABL positive cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, by the administration of a p38 MAPK inhibitor and/or a glucocorticoid inhibitor in combination with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: Methods for determining the presence of cancer stem cells by detecting GD2 expression. Also provided are methods for reducing proliferation of cancer stem cells by contacting the cells with a GD2 targeting agent, such as an anti-GD2 antibody or a GD3 synthase inhibitor. GD3 synthase inhibitor compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities.

Abstract: Methods for determining the presence of cancer stem cells by detecting GD2 expression. Also provided are methods for reducing proliferation of cancer stem cells by contacting the cells with a GD2 targeting agent, such as an anti-GD2 antibody or a GD3 synthase inhibitor. GD3 synthase inhibitor compounds are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying compounds and compositions that target cancer stem cells. In some aspects, the invention relates to treatment methods that use compounds and compositions that specifically target cancer stem cells for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof. Other aspects of the invention relate to the use of cancer stem cell biomarkers in the selection of a treatment for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomarkers of cancer stem cells, as well as cells that have undergone EMT. In addition, the present invention provides methods of treating patients determined to comprise cancer stem cells with PDGFR-? inhibitors to eliminate the cancer stem cells. Methods of predicting sensitivity to PDGFR-? inhibitors, monitoring efficacy of treatment, and determining a prognosis are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: The invention utilizes gene expression profiles in methods of predicting the likelihood that a patient's cancer will respond to standard-of-care therapy. Also provided are methods of identifying therapeutic agents that target cancer stem cells or epithelial cancers that have undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition using such gene expression profiles.

Abstract: An assay and associated methodologies for detection of breast cancer are described. Circulating tumor cells (“CTCs”) undergo epithelial mesenchymal transition (“EMT”) prior to entering circulation, resulting in the loss of epithelial markers. These CTCs and EMT-related gene transcripts in the peripheral blood of patients are tested by quantitative RT-PCR to detect and diagnose breast cancer.

Abstract: Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying compounds and compositions that target cancer stem cells. In some aspects, the invention relates to treatment methods that use compounds and compositions that specifically target cancer stem cells for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof. Other aspects of the invention relate to the use of cancer stem cell biomarkers in the selection of a treatment for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities.