Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a tumor or treating cancer in a subject having a p53 DNA contact mutation that involve administering, to the subject, a ROCK inhibitor. Also disclosed is a method of identifying a subject as a candidate for such treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preventing or treating resistance to EGFR inhibitors in cancer patients. More particularly, after performing a screen for small molecules potentially capable of countering cancer resistance to EGFR TKI, inventors identified the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib, which has the property, in combination with EGFR TKI, to prevent the enrichment of tumor cells containing mutations responsible for NSCLC resistance to first and third generation EGFR TKI. These data indicate that this multikinase inhibitor can prevent resistance to several generations of EGFR TKI. These in vitro data were confirmed in an in vivo xenograft mouse model of NSCLC. Finally these data were reproduced in cancer cells using SC-1, a sorafenib analogue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a tumor or treating cancer in a subject having a p53 DNA contact mutation that involve administering, to the subject, a ROCK inhibitor. Also disclosed is a method of identifying a subject as a candidate for such treatment.

Abstract: The invention demonstrates that canonical Wnt signaling is activated in certain primary tumors and tumor cell lines in the absence of ?-catenin or APC mutations and that inhibition of such activated canonical Wnt signaling in such tumor cells inhibits tumor growth and, at least in some cases, induces death of tumor cells. As further demonstrated herein, the activation of canonical Wnt signaling is associated with a higher rate of cancer recurrence in patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), which provides a new method for cancer prognosis, wherein activation of canonical Wnt signaling reflects a more aggressive tumor phenotype suggesting the need for a more aggressive therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for treating cancers in which the autocrine Wnt canonical signaling pathway is activated. In particular, there is provided a method for inhibiting growth of a tumor cell or sensitizing a cancer cell to treatment by contacting such a tumor cell with a compound that alters Wnt signaling. The compound that alters Wnt signaling can be a Wnt antagonist, a Wnt receptor antagonist, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention demonstrates that canonical Wnt signaling is activated in certain primary tumors and tumor cell lines in the absence of ?-catenin or APC mutations and that inhibition of such activated canonical Wnt signaling in such tumor cells inhibits tumor growth and, at least in some cases, induces death of tumor cells. As further demonstrated herein, the activation of canonical Wnt signaling is associated with a higher rate of cancer recurrence in patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), which provides a new method for cancer prognosis, wherein activation of canonical Wnt signaling reflects a more aggressive tumor phenotype suggesting the need for a more aggressive therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for treating cancers in which the autocrine Wnt canonical signaling pathway is activated. In particular, there is provided a method for inhibiting growth of a tumor cell or sensitizing a cancer cell to treatment by contacting such a tumor cell with a compound that alters Wnt signaling. The compound that alters Wnt signaling can be a Wnt antagonist, a Wnt receptor antagonist, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, secreted protein that contains a region homologous to ligand binding domain of a cytokine receptor. This protein, called Frizzled-related protein (FRP), antagonizes the signaling of the Wnt family of cytokines. Extracellular signaling molecules such as the Wnt family members have essential roles as inducers of cellular proliferation, migration, differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis. As Wnt molecules are known to participate in the aberrant growth associated with neoplasia, Wnt antagonists such as FRP are valuable tools which both for understanding oncogenesis and for the design of new cancer therapies.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce a hitherto unknown type of human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) receptor protein free of other PDGF receptors. These proteins can be produced from DNA segments in cells in various functional forms. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of these novel receptors as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for specific types of PDGF receptor proteins, for example, by measuring mRNA in cells with PDGF receptor type-specific DNA probes or by measuring antigen in biological samples with type-specific antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, secreted protein that contains a region homologous to ligand binding domain of a cytokine receptor. This protein, called Frizzled-related protein (FRP), antagonizes the signaling of the Wnt family of cytokines. Extracellular signaling molecules such as the Wnt family members have essential roles as inducers of cellular proliferation, migration, differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis. As Wnt molecules are known to participate in the aberrant growth associated with neoplasia, Wnt antagonists such as FRP are valuable tools which both for understanding oncogenesis and for the design of new cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating the migratory, invasive and metastatic properties of cells expressing N-cadherin for the treatment of proliferative disorders including, but not limited to, cancers such as melanomas, breast, and prostate cancer. The invention further relates to drug screening assays designed to identify compounds that modulate N-cadherin activity and the use of such compounds in the treatment of disorders involving N-cadherin modulated cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. The invention also relates to methods for diagnosis and prognosis of disorders such as cancer that rely on detection of N-cadherin expression levels. The invention is based on the discovery that N-cadherin expression increases the migratory, invasive and metastatic properties of cells. It is additionally based on the discovery that increased N-cadherin expression sensitizes cells to growth factors such as FGF-2 and increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) accumulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, secreted protein that contains a region homologous to ligand binding domain of a cytokine receptor. This protein, called Frizzled-related protein (FRP), antagonizes the signaling of the Wnt family of cytokines. Extracellular signaling molecules such as the Wnt family members have essential roles as inducers of cellular proliferation, migration, differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis. As Wnt molecules are known to participate in the aberrant growth associated with neoplasia, Wnt antagonists such as FRP are valuable tools which both for understanding oncogenesis and for the design of new cancer therapies.