Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and medical kits for treating cancer using combination therapy including a BRAF and/or MEK inhibitor and at least one additional therapeutic agent that inhibits at least one target impacting oxidation state of the cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for evaluating the therapeutic benefit of a combination therapy useful for treating a medical disorder, such as cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding an integrin &bgr;-subunit, designated &bgr;6, are provided along with nucleic acids encoding fragments specific to &bgr;6. Also disclosed are vectors containing a gene encoding &bgr;6 or fragments specific to &bgr;6, and hosts containing such vectors. Nucleic acids that specifically hybridize with the disclosed nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially pure integrins containing a novel .beta. subunit designated as .beta..sub.6. The novel .beta..sub.6 subunit forms heterodimers with .alpha..sub.V and .alpha..sub.F. Methods of controlling cell adhesion using the B.sub.6 -containing integrins are also provided.

Abstract: A method of inducing the proliferation and/or differentiation of human adult pancreatic cells entails contacting primary cultures of such cells with Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF/SF), thereby inducing a proliferation of .beta.-epithelial cells, an increase in the number of .beta.-epithelial cells which form islet-like cell clusters, and an increase in insulin production per cell. The method is improved by culturing the cells on an extracellular matrix such as 804G in the presence of HGF/SF, and is further improved by reaggregating thus-treated cells and contacting said cells with an insulin gene upregulating agent such as a poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase inhibitor such as a nicotinamide or benzamide. The method provides increased numbers of functional islet-like cell clusters for transplantation.

Abstract: Novel hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which react specifically with human pancreatic cancer cells are described. Methods for producing antigenic preparations to generate the hybridoma cell lines and for selecting, purifying and characterizing the monoclonal antibodies reactive with human cells, including pancreatic cancer cells, are disclosed. The antigens to which the antibodies of the invention are specific are characterized.

Abstract: A method for growing epithelial cells in vitro using soluble proteins secreted by 804G and NBT-II rat bladder carcinoma cells. These proteins stimulate cell attachment and hemidesmosome formation in cells grown in contact with the proteins. The protein is purified from conditioned medium by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody generated against the protein. The purification of these proteins may be facilitated by culturing the cells under low serum or serum free conditions.

Abstract: Diagnostic systems, methods, polypeptides and antibodies for detecting the presence of the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin .alpha..sub.6B or .alpha..sub.3B subunit in a body sample are disclosed.

Abstract: A trans-epithelial appliance having a hemidesmosome formation-inducing protein composition derived from rat bladder carcinoma cells deposited thereon. This composition stimulates cell attachment and may be either the cell matrix or a soluble factor isolated from the conditioned medium. The appliance will be useful for diminishing inflammation and/or infection at the site of entry of the appliance. The appliance may also be used to stimulate gum junctional epithelium adhesion in the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. The composition may be used to maintain tissues ex vivo.

Abstract: A method for growing endocrine precursor cells in vitro, such as pancreatic islet precursors, by culturing such cells in the presence or absence of cell matrix proteins capable of promoting hemidesmosome formation, such as those produced by the rat bladder carcinoma cell line 804G.

Abstract: A method for growing epithelial cells in vitro using soluble proteins secreted by 804G rat bladder carcinoma cells. These proteins are able to stimulate cell attachment and hemidesmosome formation in cells grown in contact with the proteins. The purification of these proteins from 804G culture supernatant is greatly facilitated by culturing the cells under low serum conditions.

Abstract: Novel hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which react specifically with human pancreatic cancer cells are described. Methods for producing antigenic preparations to generate the hybridoma cell lines and for selecting, purifying and characterizing the monoclonal antibodies reactive with human cells, including pancreatic cancer cells, are disclosed. The antigens to which the antibodies of the invention are specific are characterized.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel cell surface marker and antigenic portions thereof; antibodies reactive with said marker; polynucleotides encoding said marker and antigenic portions thereof; methods of diagnosis and treatment using said polynucleotides and antibodies.

Abstract: Diagnostic systems, methods, polypeptides and antibodies for detecting the presence of the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin .alpha..sub.6B or .alpha..sub.

Abstract: Novel hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which react specifically with human pancreatic cancer cells are described. Methods for producing antigenic preparations to generate the hybridoma cell lines and for selecting, purifying and characterizing the monoclonal antibodies reactive with human cells, including pancreatic cancer cells, are disclosed.

Abstract: A trans-epithelial appliance having a hemidesmosome formation-inducing protein composition derived from rat bladder carcinoma cells deposited thereon. This composition stimulates cell attachment and may be either the cell matrix or a soluble factor isolated from the conditioned medium. The appliance will be useful for diminishing inflammation and/or infection at the site of entry of the appliance. The appliance may also be used to stimulate gum junctional epithelium adhesion in the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. The composition may be used to maintain tissues ex vivo.