Combinations of anti-cancer antibodies and inhibitory antibodies to CD223 overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The inhibitory antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.

Galectin-3 is a pro-inflammatory molecule functioning as a cytokine hub, and also regulates unfolded protein responses (UPR) and ER stress. Thus, galectin-3 serves as a target for ameliorating inflammatory diseases such as allergic inflammation and diabetic inflammation and insulin resistance. RNA interference of endogenous galectin-3 expression, upregulates IL-12, IL-10 while downregulating IL-23 production, which offers protection against allergic inflammation. In addition, endogenous galectin-3 knockdown causes upregulation of XBP1, alleviating ER stress. Together, upregulated XBP1 and IL-10 offer protection against obesity-induced inflammation. Therefore, the embodiment of the invention resides in RNA interference of endogenous galectin-3 in appropriate cell types in order to rectify allergic and/or diabetic inflammation.

Combinations of anti-cancer antibodies and inhibitory antibodies to CD223 overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The inhibitory antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.

The present invention relates to (nucleic acids encoding) inducible T cell receptors (iTCRs), compositions and kits, vectors and host cells comprising such (nucleic acids encoding) inducible T cell receptors, uses thereof in preparing inducible T cell receptors and host cells comprising such T cell receptors, methods for preparing such inducible T cell receptors and for dimerizing T cell receptors, as well as medical uses of such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, particularly for treating cancer. The present invention relates to combinations comprising one or more nucleic acid molecules, said one or more nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleic acid sequence A encoding for a TCR alpha chain linked to a dimerization domain, and a nucleic acid sequence B encoding for a TCR beta chain linked to a dimerization domain, as well as proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules and corresponding uses and methods.

The disclosure relates to a method of reprogramming one or more somatic cells, e.g., partially differentiated or fully/terminally differentiated somatic cells, to a less differentiated state, e.g., a pluripotent or multipotent state. In further embodiments the invention also relates to reprogrammed somatic cells produced by methods of the invention, to chimeric animals comprising reprogrammed somatic cells of the invention, to uses of said cells, and to methods for identifying agents useful for reprogramming somatic cells.

A Tumor Micro-Environment (TME) responsive expression vector including a nucleic acid sequence encoding a synthetic promoter comprising one or more promoter-response-elements, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding immune-effector genes, such as chimeric antigen receptor. The TME responsive vector is designed to induce the expression of immune-effector genes within TME, and not in normal healthy tissues, thus focusing immune activities, increasing safety and reducing the ON-target OFF-tumor hazard.

The invention relates to the regulated expression of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) within a lentiviral vector. The CAR comprises a hook-binding domain that interacts with a hook, preferably encoded by the same lentiviral vector, which prevents proper processing and release of the CAR to the cell membrane. The invention encompasses vectors, methods of making the vectors, and methods of using them, including medicinal uses. The vectors can be used for administration to humans to induce immune responses and to treat cancers and tumors.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for the expression of small RNA molecules within a cell using a retroviral vector (FIG. 1A). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be expressed using the methods of the invention within a cell. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for producing siRNA encoding lentivirus where the siRNA activity may interfere with the lentiviral life cycle. In yet a further aspect, the invention provides methods for expression of a small RNA molecule within a cell, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, wherein expression of the small RNA molecule is relatively non-cytotoxic to the cell. The invention also includes small RNA molecules, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, that are relatively non-cytotoxic to cells.

The invention relates to nucleic acids, including lentiviral vectors and lentiviral vector particles, encoding at least one Hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelop surface of genotypes A and/or C antigen, at least one polymerase of genotypes A and/or C antigen, at least one HBX protein of genotypes A and/or C antigen, at least one HBV consensus core of genotypes A and/or C antigen, and at least one HBV consensus core MHCI and MHCII epitopes of genotypes A and/or C antigen. The invention encompasses these lentiviral vectors and lentiviral vector particles, methods of making the vectors, and their use, including medicinal uses. The lentiviral vectors and lentiviral vector particles are for use in administering to humans to induce immune responses against the HBV antigens.

Anti-CD223 antibodies overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The anti-CD223 antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.