Scoring functions for predicting response of a dMMR and/or MSI-H colorectal tumor to a PD-1 axis-directed therapy are disclosed, as well as methods and systems for evaluating tissue samples for the presence of feature metrics useful in computing such scoring functions. The scoring functions integrate one or more spatial relationships between cell types into a numerical indication of the likelihood that the tumor will respond to the PD-1 axis-directed therapy. Based on the output of the scoring function, a subject may then be selected to receive a PD-1 axis-directed therapy (if the scoring function indicates a sufficient likelihood of positive response) or an alternative therapy (if the scoring function indicates an insufficient likelihood of positive response).

Disclosed are methods for treating active eosinophilic colitis (EoC), or in certain aspects, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in an individual in need thereof. In one aspect, the methods may comprise a) assaying a tissue sample obtained from a colon of an individual who may be in need of such treatment, wherein the assaying comprises detecting expression of one or more gene of a transcriptome gene set; b) calculating a score based on the expression of one or more gene of a transcriptome gene set; and c) selecting a tissue sample that exhibits a score indicative of EoC or IBD. The methods may further comprise administering an EoC or IBD therapy to the individual whose tissue sample exhibited a score indicative of having EoC or IBD.

Provided herein are methods of detecting the presence of a molecule in a sample, such as a bodily fluid or tissue of a patient.

Disclosed a method of identifying high-risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia patients based upon the expression of a leukemic stem-cell (LSC) associated gene known as Serine Protease Inhibitor Kazal type 2 (SPINK2), the method including: (i) Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based detection of SPINK2 protein expression, (ii) quantification of SPINK2 expression using a scoring system (range 0-16), whereby high SPINK2 is defined as a score>3 and (iii) utilization of the score to classify patients as high-risk (score>3) or low risk (score 0-3). Additionally, disclosed is a method of treating AML using a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) that selectively targets a domain of SPINK2 protein in leukemic cells highly expressing SPINK2; wherein the SMI reduces SPINK2 protein expression, alters SPINK2 target gene mRNA expression, inhibits SPINK2 function and consequently LSC proliferation/survival. A method of identifying potential candidates for SPINK2-SMI therapy to enhance treatment outcomes, whereby potential candidates refer to patients with high SPINK2 expression, is also disclosed.

An antibody YWHG-1 against HLA-G molecule and use thereof. The antibody is produced by the hybridoma deposited under CCTCC NO: 202120, and is prepared by an immunogen with amino acids which are common to seven known HLA-G isoforms (HLA-G1, HLA-G2, HLA-G3, HLA-G4, HLA-G5, HLA-G6 and HLA-G7) which is located at positions 72-91 (QTDRMNLQTLRGYYNQSEAS) (SEQ ID NO: 19) in the heavy chain al domain of the HLA-G molecule. Nucleotides encoding the antibody YWHG-1 and encoded amino acid sequences thereof are provided as well. The antibody YWHG-1 can be used for immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, flow cytometry and other assays for HLA-G isoforms.

Described herein are compositions and methods for use in targeting neuropilin 2 (NRP2) in lethal prostate cancer, e.g., in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) or neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC).

Disclosed herein are method and compounds useful in the analysis, diagnosis, and treatment of high grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Also disclosed are methods, compounds, and compositions useful in regulating Chromobox 2 (CBX2) expression and therapies for stemness, anoikis escape, HGSOC dissemination, and HGSOC chemoresistance. Applicants have identified CBX2 expression as being significantly elevated in HGSOC cells and tissues compared to benign counterparts. Also disclosed is elevated CBX2 expression in HGSOC cell lines, as well as elevated CBX2 expression in cells that are forced to grown in suspension. CBX2 expression can be used to identify subjects for treatment with therapies specifically directed to cancers characterized by CBX2 upregulation.

A method to produce a rapid immunohistochemical detection of an antigen from a biological sample is provided. Preferably, the method may be used for rapid immunohistochemical staining of a biological sample that allows completion of the staining process in less than ten minutes, such as during a cancer removal procedure. Preferably, the method may include the steps of: depositing a section of the biological sample on a slide; permeabilizing the section of the biological sample; incubating the section of the biological sample with a secondary antibody having a detectable label; removing unbound secondary antibody from the section of the biological sample; mounting the section of the biological sample; and detecting secondary antibody bound to the section of the biological sample.

Provided are antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to select human neuropilin-2 (NRP2) isoforms with low cross-reactivity to human neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and non-human NRP2, and which are optimized for diagnostic uses such as immunohistochemical or immunofluorescence assays. Also included are related compositions and methods for detecting and measuring human NRP2 in a biological sample.

Disclosed herein is a method for producing a conjunctival epithelial cell population, comprising (1) differentiating pluripotent stem cells into conjunctival epithelial stem and progenitor cells, (2) collecting cells expressing a conjunctival epithelial marker from the conjunctival epithelial stem and progenitor cells, and (3) culturing the cells expressing the conjunctival epithelial marker to allow the cells to mature, wherein the conjunctival epithelial marker is selected from the group consisting of BST2, SLC2A3, AGR2, TMEM54, OLR1, TRIM29, and CITED2. Also disclosed is a method for detecting conjunctival epithelial cells, comprising detecting, from an ocular surface epithelial cell population, cells expressing a conjunctival epithelial marker selected from the group consisting of BST2, SLC2A3, AGR2, TMEM54, OLR1, TRIM29, and CITED2. Further disclosed is a method for increasing the purity of conjunctival epithelial cells in an ocular surface epithelial cell population, comprising collecting cells expressing a conjunctival epithelial marker selected from the group consisting of BST2, SLC2A3, AGR2, TMEM54, OLR1, TRIM29, and CITED2. The present invention is useful for production of a conjunctival epithelial cell population, detection of conjunctival epithelial cells, and increase in the purity of conjunctival epithelial cells.