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The present invention describes methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer in mammals, more particularly in human subjects. More specifically, the invention concerns anti-tumor vaccines based upon plasmid DNA and/or genetic vectors carrying a codon-usage optimized sequence and coding for a mutant form of the ErbB-3 receptor. Furthermore, the invention refers to monoclonal antibodies directed against the ErbB-3 receptor, obtained using these methods and capable to block its activity in cancer cells.

The present invention relates to the use of miRNAs for the diagnosis of in vitro resistance in tumours to drugs that inhibit the BRAF/MEK pathway. This phenomenon can in fact stimulate or inhibit the expression of specific miRNAs. 
Therefore, the tumours concerned are characterised by mutations in BRAF kinase, such as melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, brain tumours and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. According to the present invention, the method may comprise measuring the expression of the following combinations of miRNAs: miR-199b-5p and miR-4488; miR-199b-5p and miR-4443; miR-4488 and miR-4443; miR-199b-5p, miR-4443 and miR-4488; miR-199b-5p and miR-204-5p.

FcϒR-CARs (Chimeric Antigen Receptors) code for transmembrane chimeric molecules with dual functions: a) Binding to the Fc fragment of IgG via the extracellular portion of the FcγR fragment of CD16 (CD16-CR); FcγRIRI CD64 (CD32-CR FcϒRIIb CD32 (CD32-CR) 
b) Activation of the lithic machinery in the immune effector cells, via the CD28 and ζ-chain domains embedded in the CAR. FcϒR-CARs are "Universal CARs" designed to redirect T cells functions against opsonized target cells recruiting T-dependent ADCC-like responses, while maintaining the clinically relevant effects of the therapeutic antibodies available for tumors treatment. Advantages: Combining T cell redirection with mAbs, FcϒR-CARs offer the possibility to quickly shift target antigen at the appearance of a new neoplastic phenotype; FcϒR-CAR T cell therapies can be widely optimized by the administration of mAbs targeting different antigens, simultaneously or in different moments of the therapy. Scheda brevetto in italiano
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The present invention relates to fusion peptides consisting of the peptide fragment corresponding to the N-terminal domain derived from the human TIMP3 protein, both in native and mutated form, bound by the N-terminal end to a highly selective and efficient carrier peptide for transport in renal proximal tubule cells, the medical use thereof, in particular the use thereof in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, and the compositions comprising them