The present invention relates to improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), as well as to polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such Nanobodies. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to methods for preparing such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such Nanobodies or polypeptides; to compositions comprising such Nanobodies, polypeptides, nucleic acids or host cells; and to uses of such Nanobodies, such polypeptides, such nucleic acids, such host cells or such compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as the prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

The present invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles comprising a cytokine or a nucleic acid encoding for a cytokine, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering these polymeric nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof.

The present invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles comprising a cytokine or a nucleic acid encoding for a cytokine, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering these polymeric nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof.

The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) TNFR2, and methods of use thereof.

The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) TNFR2, and methods of use thereof.

The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, bifunctional compounds that can be used to promote or enhance degradation of certain circulating proteins. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides bifunctional compounds that can be used to promote or enhance degradation of certain autoantibodies. In certain embodiments, treatment or management of a disease and/or disorder requires degradation, removal, or reduction in concentration of the circulating protein or the autoantibody in the subject. Thus, in certain embodiments, administration of a compound of the disclosure to the subject removes or reduces the circulation concentration of the circulating protein or the autoantibody, thus treating, ameliorating, or preventing the disease and/or disorder. In certain embodiments, the circulating protein is TNF.

Provided is a use of a recombinant cytokine gene derived protein or a fragment thereof for inhibiting the activity of a Coronaviridae virus. The recombinant cytokine gene derived protein includes an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1. Also provided is a use of the described recombinant cytokine gene derived protein or a fragment thereof in the preparation of a drug for preventing or treating a disease or symptom related to the Coronaviridae virus in a subject.

Methods are provided for targeting cells for depletion, including without limitation tumor cells, in a regimen comprising contacting the targeted cells with a combination of agents that modulate immunoregulatory signaling. Immunoregulatory modulating agents include (i) an agent that blockades CD47 activity; and (ii) an agent that agonizes an immune costimulatory molecule, e.g. CD137. The regimen may further comprise an agent that specifically binds to the target cell, e.g. an antibody or biologically active fragment or derivative thereof. The level of depletion of the targeted cell is enhanced relative to a regimen in which a single immunoregulatory modulating agent is used; and the effect may be synergistic relative to a regimen in which a single immunoregulatory modulating agent is used.

Methods are provided for targeting cells for depletion, including without limitation tumor cells, in a regimen comprising contacting the targeted cells with a combination of agents that modulate immunoregulatory signaling. Immunoregulatory modulating agents include (i) an agent that blockades CD47 activity; and (ii) an agent that agonizes an immune costimulatory molecule, e.g. CD137. The regimen may further comprise an agent that specifically binds to the target cell, e.g. an antibody or biologically active fragment or derivative thereof. The level of depletion of the targeted cell is enhanced relative to a regimen in which a single immunoregulatory modulating agent is used; and the effect may be synergistic relative to a regimen in which a single immunoregulatory modulating agent is used.

The present invention aims to provide a method for simply and highly accurately detecting castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and a reagent that can be used for this method. By measuring the level of GDF15 propeptide present in a sample as a novel detection marker for CRPC, acquisition of castration resistance in a prostate cancer patient during or after endocrine therapy is detected. An antibody that specifically recognizes GDF15 propeptide is included in the CRPC detection reagent.