Provided herein are T-cell receptor (TCR) fusion proteins (TFPs), T-cells engineered to express one or more TFPs, and methods of use thereof for the treatment of diseases, including cancer.

The present invention provides a viral vector or bacterial vector, said vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Hantavirus nucleoprotein or antigenic fragment thereof; wherein said vector is capable of inducing a protective immune response in a subject. The present invention also provides compositions and uses of the vector in methods of medical treatment.

Provided herein are T-cell receptor (TCR) fusion proteins (TFPs), T-cells engineered to express one or more TFPs, and methods of use thereof for the treatment of diseases, including cancer.

Covalently modified polypeptide antigens having improved immunogenicity and/or stability, as well as compositions, cells, and methods relating thereto, are described herein. Polypeptide antigens are covalently conjugated to a one or more of steroid acid moieties to improve their stability and/or to trigger improved cellular immunity, or improved cellular and humoral immunity, against the antigen upon administration to a subject. The steroid acids include bile acids and bile acid analogs that enhance endocytosis and/or endosomal escape of endosomally trapped cargoes by potentiating enzymatic cleavage of sphingomyelin to ceramide within endosomal membranes. The steroid acid moieties may be pre-conjugated to a peptide, and the steroid acid-peptide moiety subsequently conjugated to the polypeptide antigen. The peptide may comprise one or more domains that impart an additional functionality to the modified polypeptide antigen.

Compositions and methods for treating cancer are provided. In particular, the compositions comprise an encapsulated CD1d-restricted invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cell antigen, such as glycosphingolipid, for example, α-galactosylceramide. Methods of administering the compositions in combination with a therapy that induces the death of neoplastic cells in the subject are provided.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing immune responses in subjects using HV-based vectors that can be grown in single celled organisms and administered in their nucleic acid form.

Covalently modified polypeptide antigens having improved immunogenicity and/or stability, as well as compositions, cells, and methods relating thereto, are described herein. Polypeptide antigens are covalently conjugated to a one or more of steroid acid moieties to improve their stability and/or to trigger improved cellular immunity, or improved cellular and humoral immunity, against the antigen upon administration to a subject. The steroid acids include bile acids and bile acid analogs that enhance endocytosis and/or endosomal escape of endosomally trapped cargoes by potentiating enzymatic cleavage of sphingomyelin to ceramide within endosomal membranes. The steroid acid moieties may be pre-conjugated to a peptide, and the steroid acid-peptide moiety subsequently conjugated to the polypeptide antigen. The peptide may comprise one or more domains that impart an additional functionality to the modified polypeptide antigen.

The invention provides uses of anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for treating B-cell related conditions, such as BCMA-expressing cancers.

Provided herein are T-cell receptor (TCR) fusion proteins (TFPs), T-cells engineered to express one or more TFPs, and methods of use thereof for the treatment of diseases, including cancer.

An alga, particularly a diatom, comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of: a therapeutic agent (such as an immunogenic agent; antibody; anti-microbial agent; anti-parasitic agent and appetite promoter); an exogenous nutritional agent; and an enhanced level of an endogenous nutritional agent, used as a diet enhancer, a drug delivery device, a vaccine delivery device and/or an animal feed, or for use for use in therapy, a method of preparing an alga comprising: providing a dehydrated alga; and rehydrating the alga in the presence of a therapeutic agent or nutritional agent, and related kits.