This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treatment of pancreatic cancer. The present invention relates more particularly to use of JNK inhibition together with administration of TRAIL to selectively suppress cancer stem cells.

This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treatment of pancreatic cancer. The present invention relates more particularly to use of JNK inhibition together with administration of TRAIL to selectively suppress cancer stem cells.

The invention features homo-multimers, e.g., homo-trimers, of TNFSF or TNF-like ligand muteins in which each TNFSF ligand or TNF-like ligand mutein monomer contains at least one cysteine residue substitution or insertion that promotes the formation of a disulfide bond with a cysteine residue on a neighboring TNFSF or TNF-like ligand mutein monomer. The invention features methods of producing such TNFSF and TNF-like ligand muteins, pharmaceutical compositions containing such muteins, and methods of using such muteins in cancer immunotherapy, in treating autoimmune and neurological diseases, and in reducing or eliminating the complications and risks of rejection in organ transplantation or tissue or organ repair or regeneration.

The object of the invention is to provide an anaerobic enterobacterium having a higher therapeutic effect on an anaerobic site such as a solid tumor tissue and an ischemic disease site. A bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium, which is transformed with a plasmid co-expressing two types of heterologous polypeptides and comprising two types of secretory expression cassettes each sequentially comprising a promoter DNA functioning in the bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium; a DNA encoding a secretory signal peptide; a DNA encoding a heterologous polypeptide; and a terminator DNA functioning in the bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium, efficiently secretes the two types of heterologous peptides, i.e., two types of antibodies having anticancer effects, outside the bacterial cell.

A medical device for delivering a drug compound through a stratum corneum includes a support having an aperture, an array of microneedles extending outwardly from the support, a plurality of nanostructures associated with each microneedle, and a reservoir wherein the drug compound is retained. At least one microneedle contains a shaft extending from the support. The shaft includes a tip configured to penetrate the stratum corneum. The shaft defines a channel extending from the support to the tip. The channel is in at least partial alignment with the aperture. At least some of the microneedles of the array of microneedles each have a cross-sectional dimension of from about 1 micrometer to about 1 millimeter. At least some of the nanostructures have a cross-sectional dimension less than about 500 nanometers and greater than about 5 nanometers and an aspect ratio of from about 0.2 to about 5.

Acellular compositions for treating inflammation, comprising two or more of IL1-ra, sTNF-R1, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-β1, and sIL-1RII. Components of the acellular compositions may be derived from biologic materials, such as blood clots and urine. Components may also be obtained from cell cultures.

The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a bioactive fraction derived from a platelet concentrate, methods of making the bioactive fraction, and culture medium supplemented with the bioactive fraction. Preferred bioactive fractions have relatively low fibrinogen concentrations while retaining native growth factors in beneficial amounts and ratios.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating an inflammatory respiratory disorder. Exemplified are compositions comprising interferon-beta of IFN-beta-fusion peptides.

The present disclosure provides methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis) or reducing inflammation by administering at least a B-cell activating Factor (BAFF) polypeptide to a subject in need thereof. The effect of BAFF on plasmablast/plasma cells and their role in autoimmune diseases is also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis) or reducing inflammation by administering at least a B-cell activating Factor (BAFF) polypeptide to a subject in need thereof. The effect of BAFF on plasmablast/plasma cells and their role in autoimmune diseases is also disclosed.