Abstract: The invention provides an immunostimulatory nucleic acid. In certain embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the sequence of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and/or immunomer is at least partially self-complementary.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunostimulatory nucleic acid. In certain embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the sequence of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and/or immunomer is at least partially self-complementary.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting tumor growth in a mammal, by administering to the mammal composition containing taurolidine, taurultam, or a biologically active derivative thereof. The composition is administered to directly contact a tumor cell at a dose sufficient to induce cell death by apoptosis.

Abstract: The ability of a polysaccharide to act as an immunostimulant may be assessed by comparing the degree of binding of a detection reagent, which contains a fluorescence-labeled version of the polysaccharide, with the binding of a reference reagent, which contains a fluorescence-labeled version of a different polysaccharide. The ability of a polysaccharide to act as an immunostimulant may also be assessed by comparing the degree of binding of a detection reagent, which contains a fluorescence-labeled version of the polysaccharide, with the binding of a different type of reference reagent, which contains both the same fluorescence-labeled version of the polysaccharide and an unlabelled version of the same polysaccharide.

Abstract: Heterodimeric proteins comprising two helical bundle cytokines are disclosed. One of the polypeptides comprises zsig81 and a second polypeptide which comprises either p19 (aka IL-12A) or p35 (aka IL-12A). The proteins may be produced as fusion proteins or expressed as a single chain. The heterdimeric protein comprising zsig81 and p19 is designated zcyto33f2 and the heterodimeric protein comprising zsig81 and p35 is designated zcyto35f2. Zcyto33f2 and zcyto35f2 proteins are associated with epithelial cell types, including lung and gut epithelium, and may play a role in physiological conditions such as inflammation.

Abstract: Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified CD8 molecules whose binding to MHC is enhanced compared to wild-type CD8, wherein Ser53 of at least one CD8? chain thereof is mutated to another amino acid. It also provides nucleic acids encoding such molecules and methods of using such molecules and nucleic acids in immunosuppressive therapy, in particular as inhibitors of cytotoxic T cell responses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polypeptides containing at least three amino acids randomly joined in a linear array; wherein at least one of the three amino acids is an aromatic amino acid, at least one of the three amino acids is a charged amino acid and at least one amino acid is an aliphatic amino acid. In a preferred embodiment the polypeptide contains three or four of the following amino acids: tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid or lysine. According to the present invention, the present polypeptides bind to antigen presenting cells, purified human lymphocyte antigens (HLA) and/or Copolymer 1-specific T cells. Moreover, according to the present invention, these polypeptides can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for treating autoimmune disease. The present invention further contemplates methods of treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of any one of the present polypeptides to the mammal.

Abstract: A method of forming microspheres of a bioactive material, such as a protein polymer or drug by nebulizing a solubilized form of a material to be encapsulated and an encapsulating material, such as albumin, in a stirred chilled solvent system comprising a vegetable oil, mineral oil and/or a lower alcohol such that the formed microspheres demonstrate intracellular bioactivity when taken up by macrophages.

Abstract: The inventors have discovered that hematologic disorders, e.g., both neoplastic (hematologic cancers) and non-neoplastic conditions, can be treated by the induction of mixed chimerism using myeloreductive, but not myeloablative, conditioning. Methods of the invention reduce GVHD, especially GVHD associated with mismatched allogeneic or xenogeneic donor tissue, yet provide, for example, significant graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect and the like.

Abstract: The use of compound 1 and/or 2 of the formulae and of physiologically tolerable salts of compound 2 for the treatment of rejection reactions of the organ recipient to the transplanted organ is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the polymorphic crystalline hydrochloride salts of a nucleoside valinate ester according to formula Ib, methods of treating diseases mediated by Hepatitis C Virus and pharmaceutical composition containing Ib

Abstract: A method of administering an herbal composition, comprising geranium oil and extracts from roots of the plants of the genus Sophora to mammalian animals undergoing cancer treatments that induce bone marrow suppression side effect, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The composition can be in the form of an oil capsule, tablets, pills, and pastes and administered orally at specific dosages. The composition can also take on the form of an injection to be administered intravenously and intraperitoneally at specific dosages. The administration can be made before and or after the cancer treatment.

Abstract: The field of the invention is generally related to pharmaceutical agents useful in treating graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patents that have received allogenic bone marrow transplants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the systemic administration of Fosfluridine Tidoxil, (5-fluorouridine)-5?-phosphoric acid (3-dodecylmercapto-2-decyloxy)propylester or a salt thereof, for the treatment of intraepithelial proliferative diseases such as actinic keratosis. The Fosfluridine Tidoxil can be systemically administered alone or in combination with topical treatment agents.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more of a WT1 polynucleotide, a WT1 polypeptide, an antigen-presenting cell presenting a WT1 polypeptide, an antibody that specifically binds to a WT1 polypeptide; or a T cell that specifically reacts with a WT1 polypeptide. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency diseases, especially human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and its simian and feline counterparts (simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)), and to methods for their use.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, upon the discovery that the use of an anti-HIV drug in combination with at least one cortisol blocker such as procaine, reduces the side effects associated with anti-HIV drugs. The invention also relates to a method of treating the high cortisol catabolic effects of diseases such as AIDS in the HIV positive population and those with AIDS related complexes by the administration of a cortisol blocker. The present invention also discloses a composition comprising an anti-HIV drug and cortisol blocker. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cortisol blocking composition which comprises procaine, ascorbic acid and zinc heptahydrate.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical or medicinal preparation comprising a combination of two herbal compositions to be administered together. The first herbal composition comprises a mixture of the following herbs: Asparagus racemosa, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Momordica charantia, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera, Spirulina, Allium sativum, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia belerica, and Terminalia chebula, or a mixture of the active ingredients that have been extracted from those herbs or chemically synthesized. The second herbal composition comprises a mixture of the following herbs: Moringa oleifera, Boerhavia diffusa, Onosma bracteatum, Bauhinia variegata, Spheranthus indicus, Tecomella undulata, Chlorophytum borivilianum, Ficus racemosa, and Cyperus rotundus, or a mixture of the active ingredients that have been extracted from those herbs or chemically synthesized.

Abstract: This application relates to a material which is suitable for the treatment of atopic disease, non-atopic eczema or psoriasis. The material can be extracted from a freeze-dried decoction of a mixture comprising the following Chinese herbs: Radix Ledebouriella, Fructus Tribuli, Herba Potentilla chinensis, Caulis Clematis armandii, Radix Rehmannia, Radix Glycyrrhiza, Radix Paeonia rubra, Cortex Dictamni radicis, Herba Lopatheri, Spica Schizonepetae. The material comprises one or more of those components present in the freeze-dried decoction which run with Rf values in the ranges 0.00 to 0.100, 0.167 to 0.300, 0.400 to 0.533, 0.700 to 0.833 or 0.900 to 0.967 if the freeze-dried decoction is diluted in aqueous solution and subjected to chromatography on a Whatman 2 cms×55 cms×3 mm cellulose strip for 10 hours using a solvent mixture of butanol, ethanol and water in the proportions 4:1:1.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed that have the chemical structure of Formula (II), and its prodrug esters and acid-addition salts, and that are useful as Interleukin-1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-? modulators, and thus are useful in the treatment of various listed diseases. wherein the R groups are defined as provided in the specification. These compounds are useful, for example, as anti-inflammatory analgesics, in treating immune disorders, as anti-cancer and anti-tumor agents, and in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, skin redness, and viral infection. Completely synthetic and semi-synthetic methods of making these compounds are disclosed, as are methods of using these synthetic and semi-synthetic compounds in the treatment of the above-listed disease states.

Abstract: A method of preparing a human recipient for a graft from a human which includes: inducing mixed chimerism in the recipient (e.g., by administering to the recipient irradiation or chemotherapy), administering thymic irradiation, administering an antibody that depletes T cells, administering donor hematopoietic progenitor cells to the recipient, and administering an immunosuppressant.

Abstract: A method for enhancing or inducing an immune response to WT1 is disclosed. In particular, the method comprises administering to a patient an immunogenic composition comprising an isolated polypeptide consisting of amino acids 1-249 of WT1 and a non-specific immune response enhancer.

Abstract: Methods of using inhibitors of the CD2/LFA-3 interaction in treating skin conditions characterized by increased T cell activation and abnormal antigen presentation in the dermis and epidermis in mammals, including humans. Such conditions include psoriasis, UV damage, e.g., photoaging, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous T cell lymphoma such as mycosis fungoides, allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, lichen planus, alopecia areata, pyoderma gangrenosum, vitiligo, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and urticaria.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more of a WT1 polynucleotide, a WT1 polypeptide, an antigen-presenting cell presenting a WT1 polypeptide, an antibody that specifically binds to a WT1 polypeptide; or a T cell that specifically reacts with a WT1 polypeptide. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for treating inflammatory bowel diseases comprising as an active ingredient at least one member selected from polypeptides belonging a family exhibiting thioredoxin activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation for stimulating or enhancing an immune system comprising one or more agents that stimulate T-lymphocytes in vivo. Such a preparation can be sued in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a medical condition. The invention further relates to a preparation for use in a pharmaceutical or food product and to a preparation for medical use.

Abstract: Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide-based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for delivering cells to a target tissue in a mammal using glycoconjugate to traffic the cell to a desired organ in the mammal. The methods according to the present invention are especially applicable to administering stem cells such as those derived from the bone marrow or from umbilical cord tissue. The methods are also useful for targeting a gene of interest to a tissue in a mammal by introducing a cell containing the gene of interest and administering a glycoconjugate to the mammal.

Abstract: The use of compounds that block complement component C5 or its active fragments C5a and/or C5b (such compounds collectively referred to as “C5 blockers”) to treat established joint inflammation (arthritis) is disclosed. Administration of such C5 blockers has been found to: 1) arrest and/or reduce inflammation in joints which are already inflamed, and 2) inhibit the spread of inflammation to unaffected joints.

Abstract: Isolated human monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to IL-15 (e.g., human IL-15), and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. The human antibodies can be produced in a transfectoma or in a non-human transgenic animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, capable of producing multiple isotypes of human monoclonal antibodies by undergoing V-D-J recombination and isotype switching. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the human antibodies, non-human transgenic animals, and hybridomas which produce the human antibodies, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the human antibodies.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a disease in a mammal by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a conjugate comprising a biospecific affinity counterpart and a peptide, wherein the peptide contains an amino acid sequence that is derived from staphylococcal enterotoxin A, binds to a V? of a T cell receptor, and has a D227A mutation so that the peptide has a modified ability to bind to MHC class II antigens.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mixtures of turmeric extract oils. One mixture of turmeric oils is the hexane soluble fraction obtained by dissolving turmeric powder in hexane to form a hexane mixture, filtering the hexane mixture and evaporating the hexane from the turmeric oil mixture. A more refined turmeric oil combination is the oil left after the turmeric oil mixture is dissolved in hexane, placed on a silica gel/hexane chromatography column, and eluted with hexane into fractions that were then evaporated, thereby leaving the refined turmeric oil combination. Also disclosed are methods for treating inflammation, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and a pharmaceutical dosage form of the refined turmeric oil combination.

Abstract: The invention is directed to chemical processes of preparing fractions from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) and pharmaceutical compositions containing these fractions. The products of the present invention may be used to stimulate the production of cytokines and/or antibodies, or as therapeutics targeted at conditions characterized by low immunity, such as the common cold, influenza, chronic fatigue syndrome, AIDS and cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having increased or reduced immunostimulatory effect, said compounds comprising a CpG dinucleotide and an immunomodulatory moiety wherein the increased or reduced immunomodulatory effect is relative to a similar compound lacking the immunomodulatorv moiety.

Abstract: This present invention discloses use of a chloroform/solvent mixture extraction at different solvent-to-feed ratios, followed by evaporation and extraction with ethyl acetate/water; followed by chromatography of the water phase in Teflon or other non-polar resin and Silica gel column chromatography for recovering of individual triterpene glycosides (saponins) of high purity from the freeze dried or spray dried cooking water or dried powderized tissues of the industrial processed sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa. A resulting glycoside Frondoside A stimulates lysosomal activity of peritoneal macrophages, phagocytosis and oxidative burst in the macrophages at concentrations significantly less than for acute toxicity, hemolysis and sea urchin embryo toxicity.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated HLA DRB1*15-binding peptides consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:7 with 0–10 amino acids added to either or both ends of the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:7, and an endosomal targeting signal comprising an endosomal targeting portion of human invariant chain Ii or LAMP-1.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting virus replication of in a cell infected with a resistant strain of HIV that includes administering to the infected cell a virus replication inhibiting amount of an aryl phosphate derivative of d4T.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more of a WT1 polynucleotide, a WT1 polypeptide, an antigen-presenting cell presenting a WT1 polypeptide, an antibody that specifically binds to a WT1 polypeptide; or a T cell that specifically reacts with a WT1 polypeptide. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.

Abstract: A method of inducing tolerance to a transplant transplanted from a donor to a subject is disclosed. The method comprises (a) restricting outflow of a fluid from a portion of the circulatory system of the subject; and (b) administering a dose of bone marrow cells derived from the donor to a body part delimiting said portion of the circulatory system, prior to, concomitantly with or following transplantation of the transplant, thereby inducing tolerance to the transplant in the subject.

Abstract: Recombinant surfactant protein A and pharmaceutical compositions based thereon are useful for the prevention or treatment of pulmonary infection and inflammation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modulating the immune response caused by CpG dinucleotide-containing compounds. The methods according to the invention enables both decreasing the immunostimulatory effect for antisense applications, as well as increasing the immunostimulatory effect for immunotherapy applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise a WT1 polypeptide comprising an immunogenic portion of WT1, wherein said WT1 polypeptide comprises the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:144. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated peptides of Lol p V, a major protein allergen of the species Lolium perenne. Therapeutic peptides within the scope of the invention comprise at least one T cell epitope, or preferably at least two T cell epitopes of a protein allergen of Lol p V. Diagnostic peptides within the scope of the invention bind IgE. The invention also provides modified peptides having similar or enhanced therapeutic properties or other desirable properties as the corresponding, naturally-occurring allergen or portion thereof. The invention further provides nucleic acid sequences coding for peptides of the invention. Use of the therapeutic compositions comprising one or more peptides of the invention in the manufacture of medicaments for treating sensitivity to Lol p V or an allergen immunologically related to Lol p V, or for general ryegrass sensitivity in an individual, is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modulating the immune response caused by CpG dinucleotide-containing compounds. The methods according to the invention enables both decreasing the immunostimulatory effect for antisense applications, as well as increasing the immunostimulatory effect for immunotherapy applications.

Abstract: The invention features methods of treating a macrophage-associated neurodegenerative disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), or multiple sclerosis (MS) in a subject by administering chlorite in an amount effective to decrease blood immune cell activation. The invention also features methods of monitoring therapy by assessing blood immune cell activation before and after therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides combinations of a tolerance-inducing antigen such as insulin and a mucosal binding component that preferably binds ganglioside GM1. The components are present in a non-covalent arrangement. When administered to a mucosal surface, the combinations are effective in inducing specific immunological tolerance at a 10-fold lower dose than antigen alone. Tolerance is sustained for a number of weeks without the necessity of booster administrations. The compositions and procedures of this invention are of benefit for the prevention or amelioration of conditions attributable to an unwanted immunological response.

Abstract: An adjuvant composition comprising noscapine and its derivatives, for use in the treatment of tumors, cancer, as an adjuvant for vaccines.

Abstract: Nutritional or therapeutic compositions containing glutamic acid, cystine, glycine and a selenium precursor and methods for their utilization to increase glutathione synthesis and thereby enhance the immune system are described.

Abstract: A method for suppressing undesired viral growth in a host which comprises administering to the host an effective amount of a compound of the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of HO—, CH3O— and CH3(C?O) O—. The method is exemplified by inhibiting Tat transactivation of a lentivirus and in suppressing Herpes simplex virus.