Methods for extracting and analyzing a sample, and methods for predicting or diagnosing thyroid cancers and disorders, are described.

The present disclosure provides a method of treating cancer by immune checkpoint blockade, or selecting patients for treatment with immune checkpoint blockers, by detecting tumors with high levels of T-lymphocytes with low levels of activation and proliferation. In various embodiments the tissue sample may be from a conventional biopsy. In various embodiments the cancer may be non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods of selecting test compounds on the basis of their cellular response profiles are disclosed. For a given test compound, a cellular response is determined by introducing into an array of individually addressable microwells a population of cells comprising a plurality of cell types and contacting the cells with the test compound. The cellular response profile for the test compound is then compared to a desired cellular response profile, and the test compound is selected based on the comparison.

The present disclosure relates in some aspects to methods, cells, and compositions for preparing cells and compositions for genetic engineering and cell therapy. Provided in some embodiments are streamlined cell preparation methods, e.g., for isolation, processing, incubation, and genetic engineering of cells and populations of cells. Also provided are cells and compositions produced by the methods and methods of their use. The cells can include immune cells, such as T cells, and generally include a plurality of isolated T cell populations or types. In some aspects, the methods are capable of preparing of a plurality of different cell populations for adoptive therapy using fewer steps and/or resources and/or reduced handling compared with other methods.

The invention relates to a method of determining an increased risk of cancer in an immunosuppressed patient, the method comprising: (a) determining the percentage of CD8+CD57+ T-cells in a population of CD8+ T-cells in a sample from the patient; wherein a percentage of 40% or greater of CD8+CD57+ T-cells is indicative of an increased risk of cancer; and/or (b) determining the percentage of CD4+CD57+ T-cells in a population of CD4+ T-cells in a sample from the patient; wherein a percentage of 10% or greater of CD4+CD57+ T-cells is indicative of an increased risk of cancer.

The present invention relates to the use of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a first reporter gene, bordered by at least one first pair and one second pair of sequences targeting a site-specific recombinase in order to detect cells of a mammal infected with a virus responsible for an immunodeficiency.

Disclosed are synthetic nanocarrier compositions that provide controlled release of immunosuppressants as well as related methods. The synthetic nanocarrier compositions may also include antigen in some embodiments.

The present invention relates to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M tuberculosis) proteins and immunologically active fragments (peptides or mimotope peptides) thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a group of M. tuberculosis proteins and peptides thereof that are both highly antigenic and characteristic of clinical strains of M. tuberculosis. Accordingly, the further relates to the use of these M. tuberculosis proteins or peptides in diagnosing, treating or preventing M. tuberculosis complex infection.

Provided herein are methods of detecting and/or monitoring the presence or severity of an immune disorder in a subject, including detecting a frequency of a Th2a subset of CD4+ T cells in a biological sample of the subject. In some embodiments, the detecting includes: (a) detecting a frequency of CD4+ T cells in a biological sample of said subject; (b) detecting a frequency of a Th2a subset of the CD4+ T cells in the biological sample; and (c) comparing the frequency of the Th2a subset with the frequency of the CD4+ T cells.

Disclosed are synthetic nanocarrier compositions that provide controlled release of immunosuppressants as well as related methods. The synthetic nanocarrier compositions may also include antigen in some embodiments.