The University of Oklahoma

Southpac Trust International Inc.

Robert E Hurst

George P Hemstreet, Iii

Rebecca B Bonner

Karl H Bergey

Michael A Ihnat

Jian Yu Rao

Kimberly D Kyker

In vitro and in vivo methods for identifying compounds capable of targeting suppressed cancer cells such as micrometastatic cells. The in vitro method includes the steps of comparing the response to a test compound of cancer cells grown on a suppressing cell support matrix which causes suppression of a malignant phenotype in a growing cancer cell and on a non-suppressing cell support matrix. The in vivo method includes a step of co-injecting labeled cancer cells with a malignant-phenotype suppressing matrix into a test animal to produce suppressed micrometastatic cells therein.

In vivo methods of identifying compounds which target suppressed cancer cells

A method for identifying compounds capable of targeting suppressed cancer cells, the method including the steps of comparing the response to a test compound of cancer cells grown on a suppressing cell support matrix which causes suppression of a malignant phenotype in a growing cancer cell and on a non-suppressing cell support matrix.

Method of identification of compounds effective against suppressed cancer cells

A composition and treatment method for fixating cells and for preparing them for examination. In particular, the invention contemplates compositions effective in inhibiting crystal formation in the cell sample and effective in enhancing cell adherence to examination slides.

Method of treating cells

Cell fixative and preparation composition, kit and method

A fluid collection device having a primary container and a secondary container and a two stage fixation system for facilitating and controlling the fixation of cells in a sample of a biological fluid such as urine. The primary container generally comprises a plastic cup having a filtering apparatus disposed within it for filtering cells from the fluid. The primary container may contain a first stage fixative. The device further comprises a cover comprising a pressurizing chamber for forcing fluid through the filter and fixative delivery chamber for dispensing a fixative into the primary container. The filtered fluid may be reserved within a secondary container attached to the primary container. The filter having the cells retained on its surface is removable from the primary container for the purpose of laboratory analyses of the cells.

Fluid collection device

A composition and treatment method for fixation cells and for preparing them for examination. In particular, the invention contemplates compositions effective in inhibiting crystal formation in the cell sample and effective in enhancing cell adherence to examination slides.

Cell fixative and preparation, kit and method

A system for evaluating one or more biochemical markers for evaluating individual cancer risk, cancer diagnosis and for monitoring therapeutic effectiveness and cancer recurrence, particularly of bladder cancer. The system uses automated quantitative fluorescence image analysis of a cell sample collected from a body organ. Cells are treated with a fixative solution which inhibits crystal formation. Cell images are selected and stored as grey level images for further analysis. Cell images may be corrected for autofluorescence using a novel autofluorescence correction method. A neural net computer may be used to distinguish true-positive images from false-positive images to improve accuracy of cancer risk assessment. Cells having images positive for a marker amy be compared to threshold quantities related to predetermined cancer risk.

Growing community of inventors

Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America

Robert E Hurst