The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for treating cancer (e.g., melanoma). It relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target MDA (e.g., Trp1), and immunoresponsive cells comprising such CARs. The presently disclosed MDA-specific CARs have enhanced immune-activating properties, including anti-tumor activity.

There is described herein, a method for inducing Tc22 lineage T cells from a population of CD8+ T cells, the method comprising: a) providing a population of CD8+ T cells; b) activating the population; and c) culturing or contacting the population of CD8+ T cells with Coenzyme A.

The present disclosure provides recombinant T cells that include a vector encoding one or more of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1?), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), GA binding protein transcription factor alpha subunit (GABPA), and estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERR? ). Such recombinant T cells can also include a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a recombinant T cell receptor (TCR). Methods of using these recombinant T cells in cancer immunotherapy are provided. Also provided are kits and compositions that can be used with such methods.

The invention includes compositions and methods to rapidly isolate and culture cells that are potent for use in adoptive immunotherapy. In one embodiment, the isolated cells of the invention are tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) that express CD137 (also known as 4-1BB and TNFSFR9).

An embodiment of the invention provides a method of promoting regression of cancer in a mammal comprising obtaining a tumor tissue sample from the mammal; culturing the tumor tissue sample in a first gas permeable container containing cell medium therein; obtaining tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from the tumor tissue sample; expanding the number of TIL in a second gas permeable container containing cell medium therein using irradiated allogeneic feeder cells and/or irradiated autologous feeder cells; and administering the expanded number of TIL to the mammal. Methods of obtaining an expanded number of TIL from a mammal for adoptive cell immunotherapy are also provided.

The present disclosure provides gene edited modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g., gene edited modified T cells) comprising an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) and/or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having specificity for a target antigen, and an insertion and/or deletion in one or more endogenous gene loci, wherein the endogenous gene loci encode regulators of T cell function, thereby resulting in immune cells having enhanced function. Compositions and methods of treatment are also provided. The present invention provides methods of screening for TCR- or CAR-T cells with enhanced immune function (e.g., T cell efficacy, T cell memory, and/or T cell persistence).

The present invention provides methods and compositions related to multivalent carbohydrate antigen structures comprising cancer or infection associated ganglioside carbohydrate antigens. Said carbohydrate structures may be used to induce immunity against said carbohydrate antigens. In some embodiments, carbohydrate structures may be administered to a subject thereby inducing immunity in the subject, for example, the administration of a vaccine comprising said carbohydrate structure. Also provided are methods to induce an immune response in a subject in need thereof by administering said carbohydrate structure. Further provided are methods of producing an antibody or TCR that bind said carbohydrate antigens.

An isolated cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), said CTL being a tolerance inducing cell and substantially depleted of alloreactivity, and wherein said CTL does not comprise a central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, the CTL being transduced to express a cell surface receptor comprising a T cell receptor signaling module, is disclosed. Methods of generating same and using same are also disclosed.

Provided herein are tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) engineered to express a membrane-bound interleukin 15 (mbIL15). The mbIL15 TILs can be expanded in vitro using a rapid expansion protocol without the use of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL2) and can be used in adoptive cell therapy without concomitant use of an exogenous cytokine such as IL2. The TIL can be further engineered such that the mbIL15 is operably linked to one or more drug responsive domains (DRDs), polypeptides that can regulate the abundance and/or activity of the IL15 upon binding of the DRD with a ligand. Also provided herein are components for making the modified TILs and methods for making and using the modified TILs.

Provided herein are compositions, kits, and methods for manufacturing cells for adoptive cell therapy comprising engineered immune cells that overexpress miR200c and/or EpCAM.