Virginia Commonwealth University

Johns Hopkins University

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

Mitchell E Menezes

Paul B Fisher

Swadesh K Das

Devanand Sarkar

Luni Emdad

Martin Gilbert Pomper

Maurizio Pellecchia

Jun Wei

Bainan Wu

Surya K De

Timothy P Kegelman

Praveen Bhoopathi

Anjan K Pradhan

Xiang-yang Wang

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein, as well as vectors, cells, and compositions comprising the same. In embodiments, the fusion protein includes an insulin signal peptide and an MDA-7/IL-24 protein. Methods of using the polynucleotides, vectors, cells, and compositions, such as in the treatment or prevention of cancer, are also provided.

MDA-7/IL-24 secretory variants and methods of use

Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions that bind to a PDZ1 domain of MDA-9/Syntenin (syndecan binding protein: SDCBP), thereby inhibiting MDA-9/Syntenin activity, and methods of use of same. The compositions and methods provided herein are useful for treating cancer and preventing cancer metastasis, particularly in cancers that have increased MDA-9/Syntenin expression.

Inhibitors of cancer invasion, attachment, and/or metastasis

The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to genetic constructs and methods for their use in cancer imaging, cancer treatment, and combined imaging and treatment protocols. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to tripartite cancer theranostic nucleic acid constructs that permit simultaneous cancer specific viral replication, expression of a diagnostic gene product, and expression of a therapeutic gene.

Tripartite cancer theranostic nucleic acid constructs

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to compositions and methods directed to cancer theranostic nucleic acid constructs that permit simultaneous cancer-specific viral replication, expression of a diagnostic gene product, and expression of a therapeutic gene.

[object Object]

Recombinant vectors in which expression of one or more elements (e.g. gene required for viral replication, detectable imaging agents, therapeutic agents, etc.) is driven by an mda-9/syntenin (mda-9) cancer selective promoter are provided, as are cells and transgenic animals that contain such vectors. The vectors are used in cancer therapy and/or diagnostics, especially to visualize (image) and treat metastasis (including in rapid in vitro assays), and the transgenic mice are used to monitor cancer progression and/or the efficacy of candidate therapeutic agents in screening assays.

mda-9/syntenin promoter to image and treat metastatic cancer cells

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, VA, United States of America

Mitchell E Menezes