The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Other

Cellact Pharma Gmbh

Wesleyan University

US Genomics, Inc.

Mundipharma International Limited

Steven R Gullans

Nalan Utku

Roderick V Jensen

Raphael Bueno

Edgar L Milford

Gavin J Gordon

Li-Li Hsiao

Eugene Y Chan

Martin Fuchs

Jeffrey D Randall

Jenny Ellen Rooke

Xiaojian (David) Zhao

Bijit Kundu

Jessica Kesty

Jeffrey Randall

Ryoji Kojima

Clemens R Scherzer

Charles W Heilig

The present invention pertains to the use of podophyllotoxin derivatives, such as CAP7.1, in methods for inhibition of and/or prevention of the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells. The invention discloses the surprisingly specific activity of the compounds in accordance with the invention against a cancer stem cell population. In this respect the present invention provides the use of the compounds as described in the treatment of cancer, specifically of cancers which have a high risk of developing metastases, chemotherapeutic resistances and/or cancer relapse. Provided are novel methods of cancer treatment, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds as described, for use in such treatment methods.

Etoposide and prodrugs thereof for use in targeting cancer stem cells

The present invention pertains to the use of podophyllotox in derivatives, such as CAP7.1, in methods for inhibition of and/or prevention of the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells. The invention discloses the surprisingly specific activity of the compounds in accordance with the invention against a cancer stem cell population. In this respect the present invention provides the use of the compounds as described in the treatment of cancer, specifically of cancers which have a high risk of developing metastases, chemotherapeutic resistances and/or cancer relapse. Provided are novel methods of cancer treatment, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds as described, for use in such treatment methods.

The invention provides methods for diagnosing biological states or conditions based on ratios of gene expression data from tissue samples, such as cancer tissue samples. The invention also provides sets of genes that are expressed differentially in malignant pleural mesothelioma. These sets of genes can be used to discriminate between normal and malignant tissues, and between classes of malignant tissues. Accordingly, diagnostic assays for classification of tumors, prediction of tumor outcome, selecting and monitoring treatment regimens and monitoring tumor progression/regression also are provided.

Diagnostic and prognostic tests

Described are generally a T cell immune response cDNA 7 (TIRC7) encoding a novel T-cell transmembrane protein as well as peptides und polypeptides derived therefrom and antibodies recognizing said (poly)peptides. More particularly, peptide and polypeptide as well as antibodies being capable of inhibiting T-cell stimulation through the T-cell membrane protein (TIRC7) are provided. Furthermore, vectors comprising the aforementioned polynucleotides and host cells transformed therewith as well as their use in the production of the above-defined proteins, peptides or polypeptides are described. Additionally, pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions are provided comprising any one of the afore described polynucleotide, vector, protein, peptide, polypeptide, or antibody. Furthermore, methods and uses for modulating immune responses through the novel TIRC7 membrane protein as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising agents which act on the TIRC7 membrane protein or its ligand are described. Also, the use of said polynucleotide, vector, protein, peptide, polypeptide, or antibody for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for use in organ transplantation, for the treatment of autoimmune, allergic or infectious diseases, or for treatment of tumors is provided. Furthermore, methods for modulating (antigen-specific) T cell unresponsiveness inducing maintaining or reversing T cell unresponsiveness by inhibiting or stimulating an (unresponsive) T cell through the novel TIRC7 membrane protein are encompassed herein.

T-cell membrane protein (TIRC7), peptides and antibodies derived therefrom and uses thereof

Described are a T cell immune response cDNA 7 (TIRC7) encoding a T-cell transmembrane protein, peptides and polypeptides derived therefrom and antibodies recognizing such (poly)peptides. Peptides, polypeptides and antibodies capable of inhibiting T-cell stimulation through the T-cell membrane protein (TIRC7) are provided. Vectors comprising polynucelotides encoding such polypeptides and peptides, host cells transformed therewith, and their use in the production of such, peptides or polypeptides are also described.

T-cell membrane protein (TIRC7) and peptides derived therefrom

The present invention identifies a number of gene markers whose expression is altered in neurodegenerative diseases (ND). These markers can be used to diagnose or predict ND in subjects, and can be used in the monitoring of therapies. In addition, these genes identify therapeutic targets, the modification of which may prevent ND development or progression.

Prediction of Parkinson's disease using gene expression levels of peripheral blood samples

The invention relates to methods for analyzing and characterizing single polymers such as nucleic acid molecules. In preferred embodiments, the single molecules are analyzed using single molecule detection and analysis systems.

Methods and apparati using single polymer analysis

A method for conducting sequential nucleic acid hybridization steps is described, whereby the ability of earlier-used primers or probes to participate in subsequent hybridization steps can be minimized, even though the differences between primer lengths are relatively small. It also relates to a rapid and quantitative method for the sequential synthesis of polynucleotide sequences by using a plurality of oligonucleotide primers, with the earlier utilized primers causing a minimum of interference with the subsequent primed synthesis reactions, yet without the need for intermediate purification steps. One preferred embodiment described is a method for differential display reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR), wherein complementary DNAs (cDNAs) are first synthesized using oligo-dT-primed reverse transcription (RT), and selected subsets of said cDNAs are then amplified using a second primer in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with a minimum degree of background being caused in the PCR step by residual amounts of the oligo-dT primer.

Method for conducting sequential nucleic acid hybridization steps

A method of treating an osmotic disturbance in an animal which comprises administering to an animal an effective amount of an organic osmolyte, wherein the organic osmolyte is a polyol. Specific polyols include myo-inositol and sorbitol. Also included are precursors of organic osmolytes including precursors of polyols. Other polyol precursors are selected from the group consisting of glucose, glucose polymers, and glycerol. Also inclu

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Natick, MA, United States of America

Steven R Gullans