Anticancer, Inc.

Other

Meng Yang

Lingna Li

Ping Jiang

Mingxu Xu

Eugene Baranov

Ming Zhao

Yasuyuki Amoh

Eligio Reynoso

Jin Wei Wang

Eligio Reynose

Bacteria that are auxotrophic for at least two amino acids found in at least one tumor are effective anti tumor treatments, labeling agents, and vaccines against infection. Improved antitumor effects can also be provided such strains by passage through an appropriate tumor model.

Cancer selective auxotrophs

The disclosed invention relates to the observation that nestin expression is a marker for endothelial cell proliferation. Nestin expression is particularly useful as a marker for angiogenesis, particularly for tumor-related angiogenesis. Specifically, nestin serves as an excellent endothelium marker for brain tumors such as gliomas, hemangioblastomas, Schwannomas, medulloblastomas, and meningiomas. Accordingly, the disclosed invention relates to the use of this marker as a basis to model angiogenic activity.

Angiogensis models using nestin-expressing stem cells to image nascent blood vessels

Hair follicle stem cells are isolated in a method which relies on the identification of stem cells as being small, spindle, oval or round shaped nestin-expressing cells that are located in the permanent upper part of telogen hair follicles below the sebaceous glands and in the bulge area.

Nestin-expressing hair follicle stem cells

Immunocompromised rodents that have been modified to express a fluorescent protein in substantially all tissues are described. These rodents are useful as models for gene expression, tumor progression and angiogenesis. Also provided are model systems where heterologous tissues fluorescing in a first color are transplanted into hosts that have been modified to fluoresce in substantially all tissues with a second color.

Immunocompromised rodents as dual color tumor models

Hair follicle stem cells are isolated from mammals by isolating nestin-expressing cells. These hair follicle stem cells are a source of adult stem cells for autologous or heterologous stem cell therapy. The stem cells can be systemically implanted into the mammal or directly implanted into the organ. In addition, the stem cells may be further differentiated in vitro and then implanted systemically or directly into the mammal.

A enhanced method for observing tumor progression, angiogenesis and/or metastasis in animal models in real time is described. The invention employs a skin flap over the area to be observed that can be opened and closed reversibly. The invention also permits simultaneous observation of more than one tumor by use of multiple colors.

Enhanced resolution of tumor metastasis using a skin flap model

Living cells can be stably modified to emit different colors from the cytoplasm and nucleus, thus permitting analysis of the status of said cells and the effect of agents on said cells either by visual or instrumentally-aided observation. These observations may be made, if desired, in real time. In addition, rates of proliferation and drug sensitivities can be determined in vitro in real time by the use of cells modified to express a single fluorescent protein and observing fluorescence intensity as a function of time.

Real time measurement of cellular responses

The invention relates to the whole-body external optical imaging of gene expression. Specifically, methods for whole-body external optical imaging of gene expression and methods for evaluating a candidate protocol or drug for treating diseases or disorders using a fluorophore operatively linked to the promoter of a gene and external optical imaging are provided herein. Methods to screen for substances or genes that regulate target promoters are also provided.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Meng Yang