The present invention provides a method for enhancing immune cell function by activating various immune cells ex vivo and provides immune cells with enhanced function. The invention further provides an immune-related cell multifunctionality evaluation method. A biguanide antidiabetic drug selected from metformin, phenformin, and buformin is capable of enhancing immune cell multifunctionality by increasing CD8+T cells having a high ability to produce IL-2, INFα, and IFNγ. The immune-related cell multifunctionality may be evaluated by comparing immune cells treated with a biguanide antidiabetic drug selected from metformin, phenformin, and buformin, with control immune cells untreated with the biguanide antidiabetic drug. When the multifunctionality of immune cells treated with the biguanide antidiabetic drug selected from metformin, phenformin, and buformin is determined to be significantly increased compared with the control, it can be evaluated that the sensitivity of the immune cells to the therapeutic agent is improved.

The present invention includes a method of treating prostate cancer in a human subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising interleukin-2 (IL2), and administering to the subject a cell expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) which specifically binds prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), thereby treating prostate cancer in the human subject in need thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide a protective method for liver comprising the administration of an extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus to a patient who needs the treatment and to provide a liver protective agent, etc. where such an extract is an active ingredient. In the present invention, it has been recognized that, in hepatocytes, activation of NF-B, expression of NF-B target genes, activation of JNK, apoptosis and fat accumulation can be inhibited or suppressed. The agent containing the extract as an active ingredient is a drug exhibiting less adverse action and high safety. Accordingly, the present invention provides very useful protective method for liver and liver protecting agent.

Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of high affinity Natural Killer (haNK) cells and a therapeutic antibody in the form of a combined preparation. Also provided herein are methods for treating cancer by using the pharmaceutical composition comprising the haNK cells and the therapeutic antibody.

Methods and compositions for using N-hydroxysuccinimide and N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide to covalently couple protein(s) to the surface of red blood cells universally, rapidly and conveniently are provided. In one embodiment, the compositions promote immune tolerance in a subject. One embodiment provides autologous or allogenic red blood cells having whole protein(s) of interests conjugated to proteins on or within the plasma membrane of the red blood cells, wherein the conjugated proteins display at least one antigen to which immune tolerance is desired. The proteins are conjugated to the RBCs using carbodiimide chemistry. In a preferred embodiment, the whole proteins are conjugated using EDC in combination with NHS or sulfo-NHS.

Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.

This invention relates generally to antibodies that specifically bind Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR-4), and to methods of using the anti-TLR4 antibodies as therapeutics and to methods of using the anti-TLR4 antibodies in methods of preventing transplant rejection and/or prolonging survival of transplanted biological material.

Provided herein are cytoplasts, compositions comprising cytoplasts, methods of using cytoplasts, and methods of treating a subject, such as providing benefits to a healthy or unhealthy subject, or treating or diagnosing a disease or condition in a subject. In some embodiments, methods of treating a subject include: administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that include a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are kits comprising instructions for using the compositions or methods.

The present disclosure provides an adjuvant that can boost the quantitative expansion of immune cells in vivo, and a combination comprising the adjuvant and immune cells. The present disclosure also provides a cascade booster system comprising the adjuvant and modified immune cells. The present disclosure also provides a treatment method using the adjuvant and the immune cells of the present disclosure.

The present application provides formulations of activating antigen carriers (AACs), wherein the formulation comprises: AACs comprise at least one antigen and an adjuvant and a cryopreservation medium.