Abstract: The invention provides for compositions, e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a T lymphocyte, or a population thereof, expressing at least one recombinant polynucleotide encoding a cytokine that enhances T lymphocyte survival during the contraction phase of an immune response. The invention further provides an isolated T lymphocyte, or population thereof, expressing at least one recombinant polynucleotide encoding the cytokine, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a non-native coding sequence encoding the cytokine. Also provided is the use of such compositions and T lymphocytes, or populations thereof, for the treatment or prevention of a medical condition e.g., cancer. A method of preparing the a T lymphocyte with enhanced T cell survival is further provided herein.

Abstract: A polyurethane adhesive which is useful in bonding porous and non-porous surfaces is provided. The adhesive is especially useful in bonding windshield glass into automotive frames under a variety of environmental conditions, particularly in after market windshield replacement applications. The polyurethane includes at least one urethane prepolymer which is based on at least one thermoplastic polyol. In one embodiment, the urethane prepolymer may be formed from one or more polyisocyanates, one or more polyetherpolyols and one or more thermoplastic polyesterpolyols, wherein the prepolymer has a free isocyanate content of from about 0.6 to about 3.5% by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane. In another embodiment, a one-part adhesive composition is provided which includes an isocyanate-functional and thermoplastic polyurethane prepolymer having a free isocyanate content of from about 0.6 to about 3.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding antitumor TCRs recognizing MART-1, NY-ESO-1, and melanoma gp100 peptides; vectors and cells comprising the same; and methods of using the foregoing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of promoting regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising (i) culturing autologous T cells; (ii) expanding the cultured T cells; (iii) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy; and (iv) after administering nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, administering to the mammal the expanded T cells, wherein the T cells administered to the mammal are about 19 to about 35 days old and have not been screened for specific tumor reactivity, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated or purified immunogenic peptide comprising 8-15 contiguous amino acids of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 121) and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use. The invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from gp100 which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a modified T cell receptor (TCR) comprising an amino acid sequence of a wild-type (WT) TCR with one or more amino acid substitutions in the CDR2 and/or CDR3 regions of the alpha and/or beta chains of the TCR, wherein the modified TCR, as compared to the WT TCR, (i) has an enhanced ability to recognize target cells when expressed by CD4+ T cells and/or CD8+ T cells and (ii) does not exhibit a decrease in antigen specificity when expressed by the CD4+ T cells and/or CD8+ T cells. Polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions related to the modified TCR also are part of the invention. Further, the invention is directed to methods of treating or preventing a disease in a host and methods of detecting a diseased cell in a host.

Abstract: Immunogenic peptides of a melanoma antigen recognized by T cells, designated gp100, bioassays using the peptides to diagnose, assess or prognose a mammal afflicted with cancer, more specifically melanoma or metastatic melanoma, and use of the proteins and peptides as immunogens to inhibit, prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MRT-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: An epoxy sealer/healer formulation for sealing and strengthening cracked concrete. This sealer/healer has reduced fuming and exhibits a lower exotherm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: Immunogenic peptides of a melanoma antigen recognized by T cells, designated gp100, bioassays using the peptides to diagnose, assess or prognose a mammal afflicted with cancer, more specifically melanoma or metastatic melanoma, and use of the proteins and peptides as immunogens to inhibit, prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic compositions and methods employing lymphocytes having T-cell receptors and chimeric receptors. In particular, the invention relates to pre-selected dual-specificity lymphocytes having endogenous T-cell receptors and chimeric T-cell receptors that recognize a strong antigen and tumor associated antigens where the pre-selected population of adoptively transferred lymphocytes is activated by in vivo immunization, thereby increasing the effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic compositions and methods employing lymphocytes having T-cell receptors and chimeric receptors. In particular, the invention relates to pre-selected dual-specificity lymphocytes having endogenous T-cell receptors and chimeric T-cell receptors that recognize a strong antigen and tumor associated antigens where the pre-selected population of adoptively transferred lymphocytes is activated by in vivo immunization, thereby increasing the effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a modified T cell receptor (TCR) comprising an amino acid sequence of a wild-type (WT) TCR with no more than three amino acid substitutions, wherein the modified TCR, as compared to the WT TCR, (i) has an enhanced ability to recognize target cells when expressed by CD4+ T cells and (ii) does not exhibit a decrease in antigen specificity when expressed by CD8+ T cells. Polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions related to the modified TCR also are part of the invention. Further, the invention is directed to methods of detecting a diseased cell in a host, methods of treating or preventing a disease in a host, and methods of identifying a candidate adoptive immunotherapy TCR.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the identification and isolation of novel MHC class II epitopes derived from the cancer antigen, NY ESO-1. The novel MHC class II epitopes from NY-EsO-1 are recognized by CD4+ T lymphocytes in an HLA class II restricted manner, in particular HLA-DR or HLA-DP restricted. The products of the gene are promising candidates for immunotherapeutic strategies for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of patients with cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides human cells, particularly human T cells, comprising a murine T Cell Receptor (TCR) having antigen specificity for the cancer antigen gp100. Isolated or purified TCRs having antigenic specificity for amino acids 154-162 of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 1), as well as related polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof, conjugates, and pharmaceutical compositions, are further provided. The invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a host comprising the use of the inventive materials described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric T cell receptor (TCR) comprising a variable region of a human TCR and a constant region comprising at least an extracellular domain of a constant region of a non-human TCR, as well as functional variants thereof. The invention also provides polypeptides and proteins related to the inventive TCRs, as well as nucleic acids encoding the TCRs, polypeptides, or proteins, recombinant expression vectors, and host cells. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions related to the inventive TCRs and methods of preventing or treating a disease, e.g., an infectious disease, cancer, in a host, methods of detecting a diseased cell in a host, and methods of improving the biological activity of a TCR.