The present invention relates to a compounds consisting of one or more peptides comprising the structure in the following order: A-L1-B-L2-C wherein A corresponds to a first amino acid sequence that is derived from A or C alpha helical region of human or animal IL-4 or IL-13, B corresponds to a second amino acid sequence that is derived from A or C alpha helical region of human or animal IL-4 or IL-13, C corresponds to a third amino acid sequence that is derived from D or B alpha helical region of human or animal IL-4, or D alpha helical region of human or animal IL-13. L1 and L2 correspond to one or more linking amino acids, wherein said compound is capable of stimulating neuronal axon outgrowth.

Disclosed herein are compositions of retroviruses and methods of using the same for gene delivery, wherein the retroviruses comprise a viral envelope protein comprising at least one mutation that diminishes its native function, a non-viral membrane-bound protein comprising a membrane-bound domain and an extracellular targeting domain.

De novo designed polypeptides that bind to IL-2 receptor .sub.c heterodimer (IL-2R.sub.c), IL-4 receptor .sub.c heterodimer (IL-4R.sub.c), or IL-13 receptor subunit (IL-13R) are disclosed, as are methods for using and designing the polypeptides.

The present invention relates to chimeric transmembrane immunoreceptors, named zetakines, comprised of an extracellular domain comprising a soluble receptor ligand linked to a support region capable of tethering the extracellular domain to a cell surface, a transmembrane region and an intracellular signalling domain. Zetakines, when expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes, direct T cell activity to those specific cells expressing a receptor for which the soluble receptor ligand is specific. Zetakine chimeric immunoreceptors represent a novel extension of antibody-based immunoreceptors for redirecting the antigen specificity of T cells, with application to treatment of a variety of cancers, particularly via the autocrin/paracrine cytokine systems utilized by human malignancy. In a preferred embodiment is a glioma-specific immunoreceptor comprising the extracellular targeting domain of the IL-13R2-specific IL-13 mutant IL-13(E13Y) linked to the Fc region of IgG, the transmembrane domain of human CD4, and the human CD3 zeta chain.

Provided herein is a construct comprising, in combination: an EphA3, EphA2 and/or EphB2 binding ligand; and at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the at least one effector molecule comprises a therapeutic agent, a nanoparticle, a detectable group, a lipid, or a liposome. In some embodiments, the construct is a fusion protein and/or a covalent conjugate. Further provided is a construct comprising, in combination: a ligand that binds to EphA2, EphA3 and/or EphB2; a ligand that binds to IL-13R2; and at least one effector molecule. Also provided are methods of use thereof for treating cancer.

De novo designed polypeptides that bind to IL-2 receptor .sub.c heterodimer (IL-2R.sub.c), IL-4 receptor .sub.cheterodimer (IL-4R.sub.c), or IL-13 receptor subunit (IL-13R) are disclosed, as are methods for using and designing the polypeptides.

De novo designed polypeptides that bind to IL-2 receptor .sub.c heterodimer (IL-2R.sub.c), IL-4 receptor .sub.c heterodimer (IL-4R.sub.c), or IL-13 receptor subunit (IL-13R) are disclosed, as are methods for using and designing the polypeptides.

Recombinant oncolytic viruses (OVs) that express one or more metabolic modulator proteins, such as an adipokine (e.g., leptin or chemerin), insulin, and/or IGF-1, and methods of their use to treat cancer, for example in immunotherapy anti-cancer treatments. In some examples, such recombinant OVs and methods increase T cell infiltration into the tumor or tumor microenvironment.

Chimeric transmembrane immunoreceptors (CAR) which include an extracellular domain that includes IL-13 or a variant thereof that binds interleukin-13R2 (IL13R2), a transmembrane region, a costimulatory domain and an intracellular signaling domain are described.

De novo designed polypeptides that bind to IL-2 receptor .sub.c heterodimer (IL-2R.sub.c), IL-4 receptor .sub.c heterodimer (IL-4R.sub.c), or IL-13 receptor subunit (IL-13R) are disclosed, as are methods for using and designing the polypeptides.