The present invention relates, in part, to agents that bind CD8 and their use as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the CD8 binding agents and their use in the treatment of various diseases, including, for example, cancers.

The invention generally relates to novel therapeutic uses of interferon tau as an antiviral agent. More particularly, the invention provides novel compositions of interferon tau and methods of therapeutic use thereof in treating viral infections and related diseases and conditions.

Disclosed are cysteine variants of interleukin-11 (IL-11) and methods of making and using such proteins in therapeutic applications.

A proprotein containing a functional protein coupled to a peptide mask that inhibits binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. An activatable proprotein contains a functional protein coupled to a peptide mask, and further coupled to an activatable linker, wherein in an non-activated state, the peptide mask inhibits binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner and in an activated state the peptide mask does not inhibit binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. Proproteins can provide for reduced toxicity and adverse side effects that could otherwise result from binding of a functional protein at non-treatment sites if it were not inhibited from binding its binding partner. Proproteins can further provide improved biodistribution characteristics. Proproteins containing a peptide mask can display a longer in vivo or serum half-life than the corresponding functional protein not containing a peptide mask.

A proprotein containing a functional protein coupled to a peptide mask that inhibits binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. An activatable proprotein contains a functional protein coupled to a peptide mask, and further coupled to an activatable linker, wherein in an non-activated state, the peptide mask inhibits binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner and in an activated state the peptide mask does not inhibit binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. Proproteins can provide for reduced toxicity and adverse side effects that could otherwise result from binding of a functional protein at non-treatment sites if it were not inhibited from binding its binding partner. Proproteins can further provide improved biodistribution characteristics. Proproteins containing a peptide mask can display a longer in vivo or serum half-life than the corresponding functional protein not containing a peptide mask.

The present invention relates to methods of treating a disease characterised by aberrant cell proliferation (e.g., a cancer) in a human subject in need thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to treating the above conditions by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that increases activation of a receptor of at least one type II interferon and/or type I interferon, and administering to the subject at least one agent that inhibits the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway (e.g., Vismodegib). Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, including controlled release pharmaceutical compositions, containing at least one agent that increases activation of a receptor of at least one type II interferon and/or type I interferon (e.g., a checkpoint inhibitor), an inhibitor of Hh signalling pathway, and a controlled release matrix such as a SiO.sub.2 matrix gel.

Provided herein are methods of treating an aging-related disease or condition in a subject in need thereof, killing or reducing the number of senescent cells in a subject in need thereof, improving the texture and/or appearance of skin and/or hair in a subject in need thereof, and assisting in the treatment of obesity in a subject in need thereof, that include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of one or more natural killer (NK) cell activating agent(s) and/or a therapeutically effective number of activated NK cells.

A polypeptide and polynucleotides comprising at least two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a non-human peptide-of-interest are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using both human and non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides are also disclosed.

A polypeptide and polynucleotides comprising at least two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a non-human peptide-of-interest are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using both human and non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to methods of treating a disease characterised by aberrant cell proliferation (e.g., a cancer) in a human subject in need thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to treating the above conditions by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that increases activation of a receptor of at least one type II interferon and/or type I interferon, and administering to the subject at least one agent that inhibits the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway (e.g., Vismodegib). Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, including controlled release pharmaceutical compositions, containing at least one agent that increases activation of a receptor of at least one type II interferon and/or type I interferon (e.g., a checkpoint inhibitor), an inhibitor of Hh signalling pathway, and a controlled release matrix such as a SiO.sub.2 matrix gel.