The present disclosure is generally directed to antibodies, e.g., monoclonal, antibodies, antibody fragments, etc., that specifically bind a MerTK polypeptide, e.g. a mammalian MerTK or human MerTK, and use of such compositions in preventing, reducing risk, or treating a disease or disorder an individual in need thereof.

The present invention relates to the use of Axl as a biomarker for detecting the occurrence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a subject. More specifically, the invention relates to various methods for detecting the occurrence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a subject by measuring Axl expression and/or activity.

The invention relates to methods and compositions for regulation of GSK3 activity. The invention provides phosphorylated GSK3 polypeptides and antibodies that recognize such polypeptides. The invention further includes methods for treating disorders that are associated with elevated or reduced GSK3 activity.

The invention refers to a method for diagnosing an individual who is to be subjected to or is being subjected to an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF or TNF) treatment to assess the responsiveness to an anti-TNF treatment which comprises the detection of immunoglobulin(s) against one or more biomarker proteins in a bodily fluid or an excrement of said patient, and sorting the individual into one of two categories based on detection of said immunoglobulin(s), wherein individuals are classified as NON-responder or responder. The invention refers to diagnostic kits comprising said one or more biomarker proteins and the use of these kits for assessing the responsiveness to an anti-TNF treatment of an individual who is to be subjected to or is being subjected to an anti-TNF treatment.

Novel gene deletions and translocations involving chromosome 2 resulting in fusion proteins combining part of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) kinase with part of a secondary protein have now been identified in human solid tumors, e.g. non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Secondary proteins include Echinoderm Microtubule-Associated Protein-Like 4 (EML-4) and TRK-Fusion Gene (TFG). The EML4-ALK fusion protein, which retains ALK tyrosine kinase activity, was confirmed to drive the proliferation and survival of NSCLC characterized by this mutation. The invention therefore provides, in part, isolated polynucleotides and vectors encoding the disclosed mutant polypeptides, probes for detecting it, isolated mutant polypeptides, and reagents for detecting the fusion and truncated polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for determining the presence of these mutant polypeptides in a biological sample, methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the proteins, and methods for inhibiting the progression of a cancer characterized by the mutant polynucleotides or polypeptides.

Novel gene deletions and translocations involving chromosome 2 resulting in fusion proteins combining part of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) kinase with part of a secondary protein have been identified herein in human solid tumors, e.g. non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Secondary proteins include Echinoderm Microtubule-Associated Protein-Like 4 (EML-4) and TRK-Fusion Gene (TFG). The EML4-ALK fusion protein, which retains ALK tyrosine kinase activity, was confirmed to drive the proliferation and survival of NSCLC characterized by this mutation. The invention therefore provides, in part, isolated polynucleotides and vectors encoding the disclosed mutant ALK kinase polypeptides, probes for detecting it, isolated mutant polypeptides, recombinant polypeptides, and reagents for detecting the fusion and truncated polypeptides. The disclosed identification of this new fusion protein enables methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the proteins, and methods for inhibiting the progression of a cancer characterized by the mutant polynucleotides or polypeptides.

A fluorescent probe for detecting a tyrosine kinase using a compound having an ortho-hydroxy-benzaldehyde structure, and use thereof are provided. The fluorescent probe can show a change in fluorescence when the compound binds with a tyrosine kinase. The compound can be readily synthesized and has high stability and low cytotoxicity in vivo. The fluorescent probe can be used to image cells or tissues overexpressing the tyrosine kinase, the fluorescent probe can be effectively used in a composition for imaging the tissues and a method of imaging the tissues. Also, the fluorescent probe can be used to image cancer cells or tissues since the fluorescent probe can exhibit fluorescence when the fluorescent probe binds to the cancer cells or tissues overexpressing the tyrosine kinase.

The invention relates to the field of medicinal research, cartilage physiology and diseases involving the degeneration of cartilage tissue. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and means for identifying compounds that inhibit catabolic processes in chondrocytes and that decrease the degradation of cartilage and/or ECM. The invention also relates to the compounds that are useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The invention also relates to targets, the modulation of which results in a decrease in the degradation of ECM and/or cartilage and decrease inflammation. In addition, the invention relates to compositions and methods for the use thereof in treating conditions that are characterized by the degradation of ECM and/or cartilage and inflammation.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of detecting Cowden syndrome (CS) or CS-like syndrome in an individual comprising detecting the presence of a mutated succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), mutated succinate dehydrogenase D (SDHD) or combination thereof in the individual, wherein detection of a mutated SDHB, SDHD or a combination thereof indicates that the individual is positive for CS or CS-like syndrome. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of determining whether an individual is at risk for developing Cowden syndrome (CS) or CS-like syndrome comprising detecting the presence of a mutated succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), mutated succinate dehydrogenase D (SDHD) or combination thereof in the individual, wherein detection of a mutated SDHB, SDHD or a combination thereof indicates that the individual is at risk for developing for CS or CS-like syndrome. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to an article of manufacture for detecting Cowden syndrome (CS) or Cowden-like syndrome in an individual, comprising one or more agents that detects mutated succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), mutated succinate dehydrogenase D (SDHD) or combination thereof in the individual, and instructions for use.

This invention provides methods for determining or predicting response to HER2-directed therapy in an individual.