Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for microdissecting a biological sample. In particular, apparatuses of the invention include a cell collecting device 100 that is operated by a pneumatic device 200. In one particular embodiment, apparatuses of the invention are used for collecting and transferring cell sample to and from cell collecting device 100.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomarkers, methods and assay kits for the identification of cancer patients who are predicted to benefit, or not to benefit, from the therapeutic administration of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. The biomarkers of the present invention include detection of EGFR and HER 2 gene amplification and polysomy, EGFR protein expression, EGFR mutations, phosphorylated Akt protein expression, and various combinations of such biomarkers, as well as the combination of these biomarkers with mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR gene. Increased EGFR gene copy number, increased HER2 gene copy number, increased EGFR protein expression, activated AKT protein expression (phosphorylated AKT) and EGFR mutations are all associated with better outcome for cancer patients treated with EGFR inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to obtain an expression score to evaluate gene expression in a tissue specimen obtained from a person having or suspected of having cancer.

Abstract: A method is described wherein a beam of charged particles is confined to an orbit within a compact region of space as it is accelerated across a wide range of energies. This confinement is achieved using a non-scaling magnetic field based on the Fixed Alternating Gradient principle where the field strength includes non-linear components. Examples of magnet configurations designed using this method are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for microdissecting a biological sample. In particular, apparatuses of the invention include a cell collecting device 100 that is operated by a pneumatic device 200. In one particular embodiment, apparatuses of the invention are used for collecting and transferring cell sample to and from cell collecting device 100.

Abstract: A method is described wherein a beam of charged particles is confined to an orbit within a compact region of space as it is accelerated across a wide range of energies. This confinement is achieved using a non-scaling magnetic field based on the Fixed Alternating Gradient principle where the field strength includes non-linear components. Examples of magnet configurations designed using this method are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomarkers, methods and assay kits for the identification of cancer patients who are predicted to benefit, or not to benefit, from the therapeutic administration of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. The biomarkers of the present invention include detection of EGFR and HER 2 gene amplification and polysomy, EGFR protein expression, EGFR mutations, phosphorylated Akt protein expression, and various combinations of such biomarkers, as well as the combination of these biomarkers with mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR gene. Increased EGFR gene copy number, increased HER2 gene copy number, increased EGFR protein expression, activated AKT protein expression (phosphorylated AKT) and EGFR mutations are all associated with better outcome for cancer patients treated with EGFR inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed is the identification, provision and use of a panel of biomarkers that predict sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, and products and processes related thereto. In one embodiment, a method is described for selecting a cancer patient who is predicted to benefit from therapeutic administration of an EGFR inhibitor, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitor. Also described is a method to identify molecules that interact with the EGFR pathway to allow or enhance responsiveness to EGFR inhibitors, as well as a plurality of polynucleotides or antibodies for detection of the expression of genes that are indicative of sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitors. A method to identify a compound with the potential to enhance the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors is also described.

Abstract: A method is described wherein a beam of charged particles is confined to an orbit within a compact region of space as it is accelerated across a wide range of energies. This confinement is achieved using a non-scaling magnetic field based on the Fixed Alternating Gradient principle where the field strength includes non-linear components. Examples of magnet configurations designed using this method are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the identification, provision and use of a panel of biomarkers that predict sensitivity or resistance to gefitinib and other EGFR inhibitors, and products and processes related thereto. Specifically, a method is described for selecting a cancer patient who is predicted to benefit from therapeutic administration of an EGFR inhibitor, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitor. Also described is a method to identify molecules that interact with the EGFR pathway to allow or enhance responsiveness to EGFR inhibitors, as well as a plurality of polynucleotides or antibodies for the detection of the expression of genes that are indicative of sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitors. A method to identify a compound with the potential to enhance the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is the identification, provision and use of a panel of biomarkers that predict sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, and products and processes related thereto. In one embodiment, a method is described for selecting a cancer patient who is predicted to benefit from therapeutic administration of an EGFR inhibitor, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitor. Also described is a method to identify molecules that interact with the EGFR pathway to allow or enhance responsiveness to EGFR inhibitors, as well as a plurality of polynucleotides or antibodies for detection of the expression of genes that are indicative of sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitors. A method to identify a compound with the potential to enhance the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is the identification, provision and use of a panel of biomarkers that predict sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, and products and processes related thereto. In one embodiment, a method is described for selecting a cancer patient who is predicted to benefit from therapeutic administration of an EGFR inhibitor, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitor. Also described is a method to identify molecules that interact with the EGFR pathway to allow or enhance responsiveness to EGFR inhibitors, as well as a plurality of polynucleotides or antibodies for detection of the expression of genes that are indicative of sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitors. A method to identify a compound with the potential to enhance the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomarkers, methods and assay kits for the identification of cancer patients who are predicted to benefit, or not to benefit, from the therapeutic administration of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. The biomarkers of the present invention include detection of EGFR and HER 2 gene amplification and polysomy, EGFR protein expression, EGFR mutations, phosphorylated Akt protein expression, and various combinations of such biomarkers, as well as the combination of these biomarkers with mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR gene. Increased EGFR gene copy number, increased HER2 gene copy number, increased EGFR, protein expression, activated AKT protein expression (phosphorylated AKT) and EGFR mutations are all associated with better outcome for cancer patients treated with EGFR inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed is the identification, provision and use of a panel of biomarkers that predict sensitivity or resistance to gefitinib and other EGFR inhibitors, and products and processes related thereto. Specifically, a method is described for selecting a cancer patient who is predicted to benefit from therapeutic administration of an EGFR inhibitor, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitor. Also described is a method to identify molecules that interact with the EGFR pathway to allow or enhance responsiveness to EGFR inhibitors, as well as a plurality of polynucleotides or antibodies for the detection of the expression of genes that are indicative of sensitivity or resistance to EGFR inhibitors, an agonist thereof, or a drug having substantially similar biological activity as EGFR inhibitors. A method to identify a compound with the potential to enhance the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors is also described.

Abstract: A combination tampon/panty shield that is inserted and removed without the need for the user's hands or fingers contacting the vagina. The combination tampon/panty shield includes a panty shield portion including the moisture proof outer layer provided with two exterior pockets and a centrally located finger insertion cavity extending inward through an in inner absorbent layer adhesively bonded to a backside of the moisture proof outer layer and a tampon extending upward from the inner absorbent layer and having a portion of the finger insertion cavity extending into a bottom tampon portion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding and conditioning tobacco which includes a housing into which steam is supplied to treat tobacco being uniformly conveyed therethrough and wherein the inlet and outlet to the housing include rotating vanes for allowing for the passage of tobacco while restricting the discharge of steam.