Scytovirin Domain 1 Related Polypeptides

Despite therapeutic advances, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is still a pervasive disease, with approximately 37 million people infected worldwide. Peptides have become popular therapeutic agents, as these proteins offer structural diversity for many different diseases. Several peptides were commercially developed as HIV therapeutics, demonstrating the high potential for peptides in treating HIV. 

HIV-1 IN Mutant in a Single Round Vector

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has changed the prognosis of HIV-1 infection to a chronic illness that, in most cases, can be managed or controlled. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) and reverse transcription inhibitors are essential components of ART drug cocktails. In compliant individuals, ART has been found to block viral replication completely. Additionally, blocking viral replication can prevent the emergence of drug resistance.

Use of a Modified Adaptor Molecule LAT to Improve Immunotherapy for Cancer and Other Diseases

One problem with the development of immunotherapy for cancer or other diseases is the inability to stimulate a sufficient immune response in patients to tumor associated antigens. The Linker Adapted for T Cell Signaling molecule (LAT) has been shown to be an important molecule in T cell signaling. The inventions described and claimed in this patent application illustrate a new supportive role for LAT which may be harnessed to improve a patient's immune response to tumor-associated antigens.

Renal Selective Unsaturated Englerin Analogues

Englerin A, a natural product, has shown growth-inhibiting activity against renal cancer cell lines. The compound is an agonist of protein kinase C (PCK) theta, which results in cell cytotoxicity, insulin inhibition, and selective activation of viral replication in T cells.  Englerin A derivatives are promising treatment strategies for any diseases associated with PKC theta and/or ion channel proteins.

Method of Neoantigen-Reactive T Cell Receptor (TCR) Isolation from Peripheral Blood of Cancer Patients

Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) uses tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) that recognize antigens expressed by cancer cells (neoantigens). Neoantigen specific TIL administration in patients has resulted in long-term regression of certain metastatic cancers. However, current procedures for TIL therapy are highly invasive, labor-intensive, and time consuming. The success of these procedures is limited and differs between patients and histologies.

Analogues of Modafinil for treating sleep and attention disorders

Modafinil has attracted attention for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as cocaine and methamphetamine dependence.  However, modafinil has relatively low affinity for binding to the dopamine transporter (DAT) to block dopamine reuptake, and is water-insoluble, thus requiring large doses to achieve pharmacological effects.

Target for Anti-Tumor Immune Responses

The Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to carry out genotypic as well as phenotypic analysis of the 888 mel cell line in order to better understand the nature of tumor cells that respond to therapy. In addition, this cell line can be used as a target of humoral or cell mediated immune responses as a part of studies characterizing the nature of immune responses directed against tumor cells.