Human Antibodies Against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

No effective therapeutics or vaccines against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are available. The human-to-human aspect of transmission and the high mortality rate associated with MERS-CoV infection have raised concerns over the potential for a future MERS-CoV pandemic and emphasized the need for development of effective therapeutics and vaccines.

Improved HIV Vaccines Through Ras Activation

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed a new method of improving the efficacy of vaccines in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by activating Ras. This method can be used to develop more efficacious vaccine compositions by activating Ras before, during, or after vaccination. Additionally, the researchers discovered that modulation of the Ras pathways could be a predictive biomarker of protection against HIV.

High Efficacy Vaccine and Microbicide Combination For Use Against HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major global health challenge despite the advancement made in development of effective antiretrovirals (ARVs). ARVs are effective at limiting replication and spread of the virus, and progression to acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, ARVs often lead to emergence of drug-resistant virus strains insensitive to treatment and with toxic effects following long-term usage.

Modified griffithsin tandemers for enhanced activity and reduced viral aggregation

Griffithsin (GRFT) is a lectin with potent antiviral properties that is capable of preventing and treating infections caused by a number of enveloped viruses (including HIV, SARS, HCV, HSV, and Japanese encephalitis) and is currently in clinical development as an anti-HIV microbicide. In addition to its broad antiviral activity, GRFT is stable at high temperature and at a broad pH range, displays low toxicity and immunogenicity, and is amenable to large-scale manufacturing.

Novel Anti-HIV Compounds Using Peptides or Peptide Mimetics

The subject invention describes a new class of compounds (such as peptides or mimetics) that target viral RNAs and inhibit the viral life cycle by blocking the viral recognition process. More specifically, these compounds are the first against an RNA Target - currently there are no clinical drugs against RNA targets in the treatment of any type of human disease.

Methods for Selection of Cancer Patients and Predicting Efficacy of Combination Therapy

Available for licensing from the Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a novel gene signature of thirty-seven drug-responsive genes that links changes in gene expression to the clinically desirable outcome of improved overall survival. Expression of these genes has been linked to prognosis in several cancers, including, but not limited to: multiple myeloma, melanoma, and lung and breast cancers.

Increased Therapeutic Effectiveness of PE-Based Immunotoxins

Patients receiving immunotoxin cancer therapy are less likely to experience the deleterious side-effects associated with non-discriminate therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Unfortunately, the continued administration of immunotoxins often leads to a reduced patient response due to the formation of neutralizing antibodies against immunogenic epitopes contained within Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE). 

Fully Human Antibodies and Antibody Drug Conjugates Targeting CD276 (B7-H3) for the Treatment of Cancer

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels. Angiogenesis occurs during normal growth and development, where it is known as physiological angiogenesis, and during the growth of solid tumors, where it is known as pathological angiogenesis. CD276, also known as B7-H3, is a cell surface tumor endothelial marker that is highly expressed in the tumor vessels of human lung, breast, colon, endometrial, renal, and ovarian cancer, but not in the angiogenic vessels of healthy tissue.