Liposomal spherical nucleic acids that function as multivalent immune modulators are provided according to the invention. The liposomal spherical nucleic acids of the invention are useful prophylactic and therapeutic applications as well as research and diagnostic indications.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active agent that causes reduction of the level of systemic immunosuppression in an individual for use in treating a disease, disorder, condition or injury of the CNS that does not include the autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), is provided. The pharmaceutical composition is for administration by a dosage regimen comprising at least two courses of therapy, each course of therapy comprising in sequence a treatment session followed by an interval session.

The present invention provides for a composition and a method for treating a subject afflicted with a cancer, wherein the composition comprises therapeutically effective amounts of: (a) an anti-Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody and (b) a targeted/immunomodulatory fusion protein comprising at least one tumor targeting moiety and at least one immunomodulatory moiety that counteracts the immune tolerance of cancer cells.

Described herein are nanoparticle conjugates that demonstrate enhanced penetration of tumor tissue (e.g., brain tumor tissue) and diffusion within the tumor interstitium, e.g., for treatment of cancer. Further described are methods of targeting tumor-associated macrophages, microglia, and/or other cells in a tumor microenvironment using such nanoparticle conjugates. Moreover, diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic (diagnostic and therapeutic) platforms featuring such nanoparticle conjugates are described for treating targets in both the tumor and surrounding microenvironment, thereby enhancing efficacy of cancer treatment. Use of the nanoparticle conjugates described herein with other conventional therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and the like, is also envisaged.

Provided herein are novel Lactobacillus fermentum strains, NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060, compositions containing the NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060 strains, and fermented dairy products and bioactive compounds prepared using the NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060 strains. Also provided are methods of modulating the immune system of a subject.

Described are methods of reducing pulmonary exacerbations and methods of treating cystic fibrosis, including methods of reducing pulmonary inflammation, comprising administration of an LTA4h inhibitor.

A composition for cross talk between estrogen receptors and cannabinoid receptors including a chelator and a receptor ligand is provided. A method of synthesizing the composition is also provided, and the composition may be further prepared in pharmaceutical formulations or kits for therapy or molecular imaging.

Disclosed herein are methods of treating subjects suffering from estrogen receptor positive cancer of the brain by administering a selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERM). Also disclosed are methods of treating a cancer that is resistant to an estrogen receptor modulator by administering a SERM.

Compositions and methods for detecting, monitoring and imaging inflammatory sites or tumors in a subject have been developed. Compositions of hydroxyl-terminated dendrimers conjugated to radionuclide(s) via ether linkages are provided for both imaging and radiotherapy (tumors). Methods for the non-invasive and specific positron emission tomography (PET) imaging or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of dendrimer conjugated to one or more imaging agents in a subject in vivo are also provided. The methods selectively deliver dendrimer conjugated to radionuclides or MRI contrast agents to reactive microglia or reactive immune cells in tumors in the recipient. In some embodiments, the dendrimers conjugated to imaging agents also deliver targeted radiotherapy agents to a tumor, and/or deliver additional diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic agents to reactive microglia in the recipient. Methods of making dendrimers conjugated to imaging agents are also described.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active agent that causes reduction of the level of systemic immunosuppression in an individual for use in treating a disease, disorder, condition or injury of the CNS that does not include the autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), is provided. The pharmaceutical composition is for administration by a dosage regimen comprising at least two courses of therapy, each course of therapy comprising in sequence a treatment session followed by an interval session of non-treatment.