The present invention is related to an L-nucleic acid molecule capable of binding to human CXCL8, wherein the L-nucleic acid molecule comprises a central stretch of nucleotides, wherein the central stretch of nucleotides comprises a nucleotide sequence of 5′-GG A AGU ACGUGGA AAGCCRA(Xu)RAGUGUGUCCCG-3′ [SEQ. ID. NO: 27], wherein Xu is U or absent.

An antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which binds with a high pM-level affinity to a human IL-4 receptor alpha chain that is a human IL-4 receptor, is provided. The antibody or antigen-binding fragment has a different epitope and a different antigen dissociation rate than existing antibodies. A nucleic acid encoding the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, a vector including the nucleic acid, a cell transformed with the vector, a method for producing the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, a conjugate comprising the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, a composition for preventing or treating inflammatory diseases, and a composition for diagnosing inflammatory diseases are disclosed.

A compound comprising, in combination: a cell surface binding ligand or internalizing factor, such as an IL-13Rα2 binding ligand; at least one effector molecule (e.g., one, two, three or more effector molecules); optionally but preferably, a cytosol localization element covalently coupled between said binding ligand and said at least one effector molecule; and a subcellular compartment localization signal element covalently coupled between said binding ligand and said at least one effector molecule (and preferably with said cytosol localization element between said binding ligand and said subcellular compartment localization signal element). Methods of using such compounds and formulations containing the same are also described.

Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods for detecting and treating IL-17 and/or IL-13 related conditions, such as asthma, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In some embodiments, methods, compositions, and systems are provided for detecting elevated protein or RNA levels of IL-17 (and/or IL-13) and a second marker selected from: SAA, LCN2, and YKL-40, and treating the subject with an IL-17 (or IL-13) inhibitor or IL-17 (or IL-13) receptor inhibitor. In other embodiments, methods, compositions, and systems are provided for detecting a biomarker in a sample from a subject that has been treated with an IL-17 (or IL-13) inhibitor or IL-17 (or IL-13) receptor inhibitor, where the biomarker is SAA, LCN2, or YKL-40, and where at least one action is performed, such as identifying elevated levels of the biomarker in the biological sample and treating the subject with an IL-17 (or IL-13) inhibitor and/or IL-17 (or IL-13) receptor inhibitor.

Provided are various embodiments relating to IL13R/IL4R heterodimeric proteins derived from companion animal species and that bind to IL13 and/or IL4. Such heterodimeric proteins can be used in methods to treat IL13 and/or IL4-induced conditions in companion animals, such as canines, felines, and equines.

In certain aspects, disclosed herein are novel compositions and methods related to either the enhancement or inhibition of erythropoiesis that are useful, for example, in the treatment of anemia or erythrocytosis.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for discriminating infectious from non-infectious CNS disorders, and providing appropriate treatment thereof.

The invention relates to method of diagnosis a subject suffering from Adult-onset Still's disease and further to determine the disease course of the subject suffering from Adult-onset Still's disease.

The present invention includes a composition and a method of modulating an immune response with a composition that comprises an anti-BAFF receptor antibody or binding fragment thereof that is bound or conjugated to an siRNA, and shRNA, or both, that targets a BAFF receptor mRNA.

The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.