Described herein are methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis by determining whether a subject having rheumatoid arthritis will respond to an anti-TNF-alpha therapy based on the number of innate and adaptive immune cells in a sample from the subject prior to treatment.

Chimeric molecules and molecule complexes that include an Fc portion of an antibody and an immunomodulatory portion and uses thereof are contemplated. Typically, the chimeric molecule comprises at least two immune effectors, for example, IL-15 antagonist and PD-L1 binding domain. It is contemplated that a tumor cell or an immune competent cell can be exposed to the chimeric molecule to increase the effectiveness tumor cell lysis via an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Chimeric molecules and molecule complexes that include an Fc portion of an antibody and an immunomodulatory portion and uses thereof are contemplated. Typically, the chimeric molecule comprises at least two immune effectors, for example, IL-15 antagonist and PD-L1 binding domain. It is contemplated that a tumor cell or an immune competent cell can be exposed to the chimeric molecule to increase the effectiveness tumor cell lysis via an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

A column for removal of a component from a fluid is disclosed. The column has a compartment with a cross sectional area. The compartment contains beads having a diameter. A ligand selected to bind to the component is coupled to the beads. The cross-sectional area and bead diameter are selected to maintain a flow velocity of the fluid within the compartment below a first threshold, thereby reducing leaching of the ligand into the fluid. Also described herein is an adsorbent comprising a ligand that is attached to a substrate by an amine bond, wherein the ligand is resistant to dissociation from the substrate.

The subject matter of this invention is directed towards chemically and thermodynamically stable single-chain insulin (SCI) analogues that are resistant to deamidation and fibrillation. The invention further discloses improved methods for the recombinant expression, purification and refolding of SCI.

The subject matter of this invention is directed towards chemically and thermodynamically stable single-chain insulin (SCI) analogues that are resistant to deamidation and fibrillation. The invention further discloses improved methods for the recombinant expression, purification and refolding of SCI.

Single domain antibodies that bind to Claudin18.2, and chimeric antigen receptors comprising same are provided. Further provided are engineered immune effector cells (such as T cells) comprising the chimeric antigen receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions, kits and methods of treating a disease or disorder are also provided.

Genetically modified cells that are compatible with multiple subjects, e.g., universal donor cells, and methods of generating said genetic modified cells are provided herein. The universal donor cells comprise at least one genetic modification within or near a gene that encodes one or more MHC-I or MHC-II human leukocyte antigens or a component or a transcriptional regulator of a MHC-I or MHC-II complex, wherein genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a tolerogenic factor and/or survival factor. The universal donor cells may further comprise at least one genetic modification within or near a gene that encodes a survival factor, wherein said genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a second tolerogenic factor and/or a different survival factor.

Genetically modified cells that are compatible with multiple subjects, e.g., universal donor cells, and methods of generating said genetic modified cells are provided herein. The universal donor cells comprise at least one genetic modification within or near a gene that encodes one or more MHC-I or MHC-II human leukocyte antigens or a component or a transcriptional regulator of a MHC-I or MHC-II complex, wherein genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a tolerogenic factor and/or survival factor. The universal donor cells may further comprise at least one genetic modification within or near a gene that encodes a survival factor, wherein said genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a second tolerogenic factor and/or a different survival factor.

The present invention relates to a conjugate comprising a first peptide of sequence CNGRCG (SEQ ID NO: 1) linked to the N-terminus of a protein and a compound X linked to the N-terminus of said peptide and to related medical uses.