Disclosed herein are engineered natural killer cells that have been modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). The cells optionally contain other modifications that improve tumor specific cytotoxicity and homing to tumor sites. Also contemplated are methods for using the engineered natural killer cells to treat patients with cancer.

PD-1 antagonists are disclosed that can be used to reduce the expression or activity of PD-1 in a subject. An immune response specific to an infectious agent or to tumor cells can be enhanced using these PD-1 antagonists in conjunction with an antigen from the infectious agent or tumor. Thus, subjects with infections, such as persistent infections can be treated using PD-1 antagonists. In addition, subjects with tumors can be treated using the PD-1 antagonists. In several examples, subjects can be treated by transplanting a therapeutically effective amount of activated T cells that recognize an antigen of interest and by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PD-1 antagonist.

A method of therapy for a tumor or other pathology by administering a combination of thermotherapy, immunotherapy, and vaccination optionally combined with gene delivery. The combination therapy beneficially treats the tumor and prevents tumor recurrence, either locally or at a different site, by boosting the patient's immune response both at the time or original therapy and/or for later therapy. With respect to gene delivery, the inventive method may be used in cancer therapy, but is not limited to such use; it will be appreciated that the inventive method may be used for gene delivery in general. The controlled and precise application of thermal energy enhances gene transfer to any cell, whether the cell is a neoplastic cell, a pre-neoplastic cell, or a normal cell.

The invention relates to a kinase inhibitor, in particular an inhibitor of protein kinases including the protein-tyrosine kinases LCK, ABL, SRC, KIT, SIK-family and/or their mutants. Although structurally similar to dasatinib, the kinase inhibitor of the invention displays, eg functional and ADMET properties distinct to dasatinib. Also, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise the kinase inhibitor, including those formulated for oral administration, such as in unit dose form that comprise particular ranges or amounts of the kinase inhibitor. The kinase inhibitor or pharmaceutical composition may be used in the treatment of a proliferative disorder, such as a leukaemia or solid tumour. The kinase inhibitor or pharmaceutical composition may be used in a treatment regimen that corresponds to, is similar to or is distinct from that used with dasatinib for a corresponding disorder, and in particular may be used in a combination treatment regimen together with one or more additional therapeutic agents, such as immune-checkpoint inhibitors.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include substituted riluzole prodrugs useful for the treatment of cancers including melanoma, breast cancer, brain cancer, and prostate cancer through the release of riluzole. Prodrugs of riluzole have enhanced stability to hepatic metabolism and are delivered into systemic circulation by oral administration, and then cleaved to release riluzole in the plasma via either an enzymatic or general biophysical release process.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include substituted riluzole prodrugs useful for the treatment of cancers including melanoma, breast cancer, brain cancer, and prostate cancer through the release of riluzole. Prodrugs of riluzole have enhanced stability to hepatic metabolism and are delivered into systemic circulation by oral administration, and then cleaved to release riluzole in the plasma via either an enzymatic or general biophysical release process.

Lipocalin muteins specific to a predetermined antigen can be transduced into a T cell to bring therapeutic benefits to patients in need. In one example, a lipocalin mutein specific to a predetermined antigen (e.g., a target differentially expressed on the surface of a tumor cell) can be transduced into a T cell membrane to serve as an antigen receptor, offering benefits over conventionally deployed antibody-derived protein moieties such as a single chain variable fragment (scFv). Benefits include a more stable structure, leading to superior target engagement, for example. Further, lipocalin muteins specific to a predetermined antigen (e.g. an immunomodulatory target such as an immune checkpoint or costimulatory molecule) can be transduced into a T cell for secretion thereby, bringing an added therapeutic benefit. Specific examples of such modified T cells and methods of making and using the same are provided herein.