OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120195922 | METHODS FOR PREPARING COMPLEX MULTIVALENT IMMUNOGENIC CONJUGATES - Methods for preparing complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates that include simultaneously reacting a plurality or immunogenic-distinct polysaccharides with at least one protein to make the complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates. The simultaneous reaction involves reaction of a hydrazide group on one reactant with an aldehyde or cyanate ester group on the other reactant. | 08-02-2012 |
20110263974 | METHOD FOR PRESSURE MEDIATED SELECTIVE DELIVERY OF THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES AND CANNULA - Methods and devices are disclosed for selective delivery of therapeutic substances to specific histologic or microanatomic areas of organs. Introduction of the therapeutic substance into a hollow organ space (such as an hepatobiliary duct or the gallbladder lumen) at a controlled pressure, volume or rate allows the substance to reach a predetermined cellular layer (such as the ephithelium or sub-epithelial space). The volume or flow rate of the substance can be controlled so that the intralumenal pressure reaches a predetermined threshold level beyond which subsequent subepithelial delivery of the substance occurs. Alternatively, a lower pressure is selected that does not exceed the threshold level, so that delivery occurs substantially only to the epithelial layer. Such site specific delivery of therapeutic agents permits localized delivery of substances (for example to the interstitial tissue of an organ) in concentrations that may otherwise produce systemic toxicity. Occlusion of venous or lymphatic drainage from the organ can also help prevent systemic administration of therapeutic substances, and increase selective delivery to superficial epithelial cellular layers. Delivery of genetic vectors can also be better targeted to cells where gene expression is desired. The access device comprises a cannula with a wall piercing tracar within the lumen. Two axially spaced inflatable balloons engage the wall securing the cannula and sealing the puncture site. A catheter equipped with an occlusion balloon is guided through the cannula to the location where the therapeutic substance is to be delivered. | 10-27-2011 |
20110124521 | Use of MiR-26 Family as a Predictive Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Responsiveness to Therapy - It is disclosed herein that expression of microRNA-26 is decreased in hepatocellular (HCC) tumor tissue relative to non-cancerous tissue, and that a low level of microRNA-26 is associated with a poor clinical outcome. It is also disclosed herein that a low expression level of microRNA-26 is correlated with a favorable response to interferon (IFN)-α therapy in HCC patients. Thus, provided herein is a method of predicting the clinical outcome of a patient diagnosed with HCC comprising detecting the level of microRNA-26 expression in a sample obtained from the patient. Also provided is a method of selecting a patient diagnosed with HCC as a candidate for IFN-α therapy, comprising detecting the level of microRNA-26 expression in a sample obtained from the patient. A method of identifying therapeutic agents for the treatment of HCC, comprising screening candidate agents in vitro to select an agent that increases expression of microRNA-26 in HCC cells are also provided. Further provided are methods of treating a patient diagnosed with HCC and expressing a low level of miR-26, wherein treatment comprises IFN-α therapy. | 05-26-2011 |
20100322950 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF TUMORS - Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5 kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5 kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5 kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5 kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5 kD. | 12-23-2010 |
20100291130 | CLONED GENOME OF INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS C VIRUS STRAIN HC-TN AND USES THEREOF - Embodiments described herein include nucleic acid sequences, which encode hepatitis C virus of strain HC-TN, genotype 1a, proteins and polypeptides and fragments thereof. Use of these compositions, and diagnostics for HCV and in the development of screening assays for the identification of antiviral agents for HCV are also contemplated. | 11-18-2010 |
20100267582 | DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF MOLECULES ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE STROKE - Methods are provided for evaluating a stroke, for example for determining whether a subject has had an ischemic stroke, determining the severity or likely neurological recovery of a subject who has had an ischemic stroke, and determining a treatment regimen for a subject who has had an ischemic stroke, as are arrays and kits that can be used to practice the methods. In particular examples, the method includes screening for expression in ischemic stroke related genes (or proteins), such as white blood cell activation and differentiation genes (or proteins), genes (or proteins) related to hypoxia, genes (or proteins) involved in vascular repair, and genes (or proteins) related to a specific peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) response to the altered cerebral microenvironment. Also provided are methods of identifying one or more agents that alter the activity (such as the expression) of an ischemic stroke-related molecule. | 10-21-2010 |
20100233762 | THERMOSTABLE Y-FAMILY POLYMERASES AND CHIMERAS - The present disclosure is related to thermostable Y-family polymerases, in particular several novel Y-family polymerases and chimeras made therefrom, as well as methods of identifying other Y-family polymerases, methods of generating other chimeric Y-family polymerases, methods of amplifying ancient or damaged DNA, and methods of incorporating fluorescent or modified nucleotides into a DNA molecule. | 09-16-2010 |
20100222236 | MULTIPLE ANTIGENIC PEPTIDE ASSAY FOR DETECTION OF HIV OR SIV TYPE RETROVIRUSES - A method for detecting at least one antibody directed against at least one primate immunodeficiency virus in a biological sample that includes contacting a biological sample with (i) at least one detection multiple antigenic peptide comprising a portion of an immunodominant region of a transmembrane protein of a primate immunodeficiency virus and (ii) at least one differentiation multiple antigenic peptide comprising a portion of a V3-loop of an envelope protein of a primate immunodeficiency virus. Also disclosed is an enzyme immunoassay that includes a first substrate to which are bound at least one of the detection multiple antigenic peptides and a second substrate to which are bound at least one of the differentiation multiple antigenic peptides. | 09-02-2010 |
20090142794 | Mutated anthrax toxin protective antigen proteins that specifically target cells containing high amounts of cell-surface metalloproteinases or plasminogen activator receptors - The present invention provides methods of specifically targeting compounds to cells overexpressing matrix metalloproteinases, plasminogen activators, or plasminogen activator receptors, by administering a compound and a mutant protective antigen protein comprising a matrix metalloproteinase or a plasminogen activator-recognized cleavage site in place of the native protective antigen furin-recognized cleavage site, wherein the mutant protective antigen is cleaved by a matrix metalloproteinase or a plasminogen activator overexpressed by the cell, thereby translocating into the cell a compound comprising a lethal factor polypeptide comprising a protective antigen binding site. | 06-04-2009 |