Abstract: A method of inducing cell death in a glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell is provided, the method comprising administering to the cell a combination of therapeutic agents comprising: saposin C and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (SapC-DOPS), and nucleolin aptamer AS1411, wherein cell death of the cancer cell is induced. Also provided are methods of treating glioblastoma multiforme, methods of inhibiting growth of a glioblastoma multiforme tumor, kits, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising SapC-DOPS and AS1411.

Abstract: A method of non-invasively diagnosing and treating a cancer characterized by high surface phosphatidylserine (PS) expression in a subject in need thereof is provided, the method including: obtaining a liquid biological sample from the subject; detecting a presence of cancer-secreted soluble phosphorylated Heat shock protein-70 (Hsp70) in the liquid biological sample; diagnosing the subject with a cancer characterized by high surface PS expression when cancer-secreted soluble phosphorylated Hsp70 is present in the liquid biological sample; and administering an anti-cancer therapy targeted to high surface PS expressing-cancers to the diagnosed subject. Also provided is a method for monitoring therapeutic efficacy of a treatment in a subject with a cancer characterized by high surface PS expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating cancers such as glioblastoma. SapC-DOPS was found to be synergistically effective at inducing cell death when administered in conjunction with rampamycin. SapC-DOPS/rapamycin combination therapy allows physicians to give lower doses of each drug and achieve better therapeutic efficacy. The compositions also allow for less toxicity and fewer off-target effects. Related methods and materials are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods for treating pancreatic cancer cells with a combination of gemcitabine (GEM) and SapC-DOPS. In some aspects, GEM treatment preferentially targets G1 phase cells which are low in surface phosphatidylserine (PS), resulting in an increased median surface PS level of PDAC cells. Inversely, SapC-DOPS targets high surface PS cells which are predominantly in the G2/M phase. In other aspects, a combination therapy on tumors in vivo with SapC-DOPS and GEM or Abraxane® (Abr)/GEM is demonstrated to significantly inhibit tumor growth and increases survival.

Abstract: Many tumors induce and maintain an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that enables tumor to escape host immune system. The present disclosure identifies that cancer cells secrete exosome/microparticle-free, soluble, phosphorylated Hsp70 (pHsp70 (Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70))), which triggers macrophage (M) M2 polarization. It is a further aspect that lipid nanovesicles (NVs) made of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) and of DOPG complexed with saposin C (SapC) bind to cancer secreted Hsp70, inhibit M differentiation and polarization, and reduce tumor growth. In addition, administration of DOPG-NVs rendered monocytes insensitive to TLR2 (Toll Like Receptor 2) and TLR6 (Toll Like Receptor 6) ligands, suggesting that administration of DOPG-NVs interferes with TLR function.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject suffering from Gaucher Disease is provided, the method including administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition including saposin C, dioleoylphosphatidylserine (SapC-DOPS), and acid ?-glucosidase (GCase). Also provided is a nanovesicle including saposin C, dioleoylphosphatidylserine, and acid ?-glucosidase and pharmaceutical compositions including the SapC-DOPS-GCase nanovesicles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, according to the present invention, are methods of treating pancreatic cancer comprising administering a first pharmaceutical composition comprising Saposin C and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (SapC-DOPS) and administering a second pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-neoplastic agent. Optionally, additional pharmaceutical compositions may be administered. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting tumor growth. Also disclosed are kits for the treatment of pancreatic cancer comprising at least two pharmaceutical compositions, wherein a first pharmaceutical composition comprises SapC-DOPS and wherein a second pharmaceutical composition comprises a first antineoplastic agent.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating a malignant solid tumor in a patient in need thereof are provided, the methods including administering to the patient a combination therapy comprising: fractionated radiation therapy and a therapeutically effective amount of saposin C (SapC) and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (SapC-DOPS), wherein the fractionated radiation therapy includes a plurality of radiation fractions, each of said fractions delivering a radiation dose lower than a dose effective to inhibit tumor growth when administered alone. Also provided are methods of enhancing anti-tumor efficacy of SapC-DOPS.

Abstract: A method of inducing cell death in a glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell is provided, the method comprising administering to the cell a combination of therapeutic agents comprising: saposin C and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (SapC-DOPS), and nucleolin aptamer AS1411, wherein cell death of the cancer cell is induced.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating cancers such as glioblastoma. SapC-DOPS was found to be synergistically effective at inducing cell death when administered in conjunction with rampamycin. SapC-DOPS/rapamycin combination therapy allows physicians to give lower doses of each drug and achieve better therapeutic efficacy. The compositions also allow for less toxicity and fewer off-target effects. Related methods and materials are also provided herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating subjects with disorders characterized by hyper-proliferating cells such as tumors and cancers are provided. The compositions comprise agents that are combinations of saposin C (or prosaposin-related polypeptides) and phospholips (or inner leaflet components). This anti-tumor agent is administered in the methods of the invention according to a dosing regimen. Administering an agent of the invention results in a positive therapeutic response in a subject with a tumor.

Abstract: Compositions that include a phenol group conjugated to a lipid group to form a phenolic lipid. The lipid group may include a fluorophore and at least one lipid anchor. The lipid anchor may have a carbon number that ranges between 7 carbon atoms and 22 carbon atoms. Also, included are methods of making and using such phenolic lipids. Further included are methods of iodinating hydrophobic compounds such as phenolic lipids in aqueous based iodination protocols. Cosolvent formulations for use in such methods are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating subjects with disorders characterized by hyper-proliferating cells such as tumors and cancers are provided. The compositions comprise agents that are combinations of saposin C (or prosaposin-related polypeptides) and phospholips (or inner leaflet components). This anti-tumor agent is administered in the methods of the invention according to a dosing regimen. Administering an agent of the invention results in a positive therapeutic response in a subject with a tumor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for delivering pharmaceutical and/or imaging agents within and/or through the dermal, mucosal and other cellular membranes, and across the blood-brain barrier, utilizing a fusogenic protein. The fusogenic protein is associated with a phospholipid membrane, such as a liposome. The liposome may include dioleoylphosphatidylserine, a negatively charged long-chain lipid. Alternatively, the liposome is comprised of a mixture of negatively charged long-chain lipids, neutral long-chain lipids, and neutral short-chain lipids. Preferred fusogenic proteins include saposin C and other proteins, polypeptides and peptide analogs derived from saposin C. The active agent contained within the liposome may comprise biomolecules and/or organic molecules. This technology can be used for both cosmetic and medicinal applications in which the objective is delivery of the active agent within and/or beneath biological membranes or across the blood-brain barrier and neuronal membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, according to the present invention, are methods of treating pancreatic cancer comprising administering a first pharmaceutical composition comprising Saposin C and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (SapC-DOPS) and administering a second pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-neoplastic agent. Optionally, additional pharmaceutical compositions may be administered. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting tumor growth. Also disclosed are kits for the treatment of pancreatic cancer comprising at least two pharmaceutical compositions, wherein a first pharmaceutical composition comprises SapC-DOPS and wherein a second pharmaceutical composition comprises a first antineoplastic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating cancers such as glioblastoma. SapC-DOPS was found to be synergistically effective at inducing cell death when administered in conjunction with rampamycin. SapC-DOPS/rapamycin combination therapy allows physicians to give lower doses of each drug and achieve better therapeutic efficacy. The compositions also allow for less toxicity and fewer off-target effects. Related methods and materials are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating cancers such as glioblastoma. SapC-DOPS was found to be synergistically effective at inducing cell death when administered in conjunction with rapamycin. SapC-DOPS/rapamycin combination therapy allows physicians to give lower doses of each drug and achieve better therapeutic efficacy. The compositions also allow for less toxicity and fewer off-target effects. Related methods and materials are also provided herein.