The present invention is directed to protocells for specific targeting of hepatocellular and other cancer cells which comprise a nanoporous silica core with a supported lipid bilayer; at least one agent which facilitates cancer cell death (such as a traditional small molecule, a macromolecular cargo (e.g. siRNA or a protein toxin such as ricin toxin A-chain or diphtheria toxin A-chain) and/or a histone-packaged plasmid DNA disposed within the nanoporous silica core (preferably supercoiled in order to more efficiently package the DNA into protocells) which is optionally modified with a nuclear localization sequence to assist in localizing protocells within the nucleus of the cancer cell and the ability to express peptides involved in therapy (apoptosis/cell death) of the cancer cell or as a reporter, a targeting peptide which targets cancer cells in tissue to be treated such that binding of the protocell to the targeted cells is specific and enhanced and a fusogenic peptide that promotes endosomal escape of protocells and encapsulated DNA. Protocells according to the present invention may be used to treat cancer, especially including hepatocellular (liver) cancer using novel binding peptides (c-MET peptides) which selectively bind to hepatocellular tissue or to function in diagnosis of cancer, including cancer treatment and drug discovery.

Factor VIII variants and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In particular embodiments, Factor VIII variants are expressed more efficiently by cells over wild-type Factor VIII proteins, are secreted at increased levels by cells over wild-type Factor VIII proteins, exhibit enhanced activity over wild-type Factor VIII proteins and are packaged more efficiently into viral vectors.

The present disclosure provides, among other aspects, codon-altered polynucleotides encoding Factor VIII variants for expression in mammalian cells. In some embodiments, the disclosure also provides mammalian gene therapy vectors and methods for treating hemophilia A.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising Vaccinia virus and hydroxyurea as active ingredients for prevention or treatment of cancer. The pharmaceutical composition comprising Vaccinia virus and hydroxyurea as active ingredients for treatment of cancer according to the present invention exhibits higher anticancer effects and safety than the conventional administration of Vaccinia virus alone. Therefore, the pharmaceutical composition comprising Vaccinia virus and hydroxyurea as active ingredients according to the present invention may be advantageously used for treating cancer.

Intact bacterially derived minicells containing functional nucleic acids or plasmids encoding functional nucleic acids can reduce, in targeted mammalian cells, drug resistance, apoptosis resistance, and neoplasticity, respectively. Methodology that employs minicells to deliver functional nucleic acids, targeting the transcripts of proteins that contribute to drug resistance or apoptosis resistance, inter alia, can be combined with chemotherapy to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.

The invention provides methods for enhancing the delivery of therapeutic compounds to the eye of a subject by administering plasmin or derivatives thereof and the therapeutic compounds to the eye.

The present disclosure relates to polynucleotides comprising an open reading frame of linked nucleosides encoding human interleukin-12 (IL12), functional fragments thereof, and fusion proteins comprising IL12. In some embodiments, the open reading frame is sequence-optimized. In particular embodiments, the disclosure provides sequence-optimized polynucleotides comprising nucleotides encoding the polypeptide sequence of human IL12, or sequences having high sequence identity with those sequence optimized polynucleotides.

The invention provides compositions comprising a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance, liposomes, and a polynucleotide, and methods for using such compositions for delivering a polynucleotide to a subject.

The present invention relates to Adeno-associated virus type 9 methods and materials useful for intrathecal delivery of polynucleotides. Use of the methods and materials is indicated, for example, for treatment of lower motor neuron diseases such as SMA and ALS as well as Pompe disease and lysosomal storage disorders. It is disclosed that administration of a non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast agent, together with a rAA9 vector for the expression of Survival Motor Neuron protein, improves the survival of SMN mutant mice as compared to the administration of the expression vector alone.

The present invention relates to means and method for AAV based gene therapies in humans. In particular, the present invention relates to the treatment of human patients that may be suspected to have antibodies directed against the AAV intended for use in the treatment.