The present invention relates to an antigen composition comprising at least one mesothelioma cancer cell associated antigen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for use in the treatment of cancer, in particular mesothelioma, wherein dendritic cells are loaded with said antigen composition and wherein said loaded dendritic cells are administered in combination with one or more checkpoint inhibitors, to patients. The present invention also relates to an antigen composition comprising at least two mesothelioma cancer cell associated antigens and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention further relates to an antigen composition comprising at least two mesothelioma cancer cell associated antigens and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use as a pharmaceutical, in particular for use in the treatment of mesothelioma.

Provided herein are interleukin-13 receptor α2 peptide-based brain cancer vaccines and methods for treating and vaccinating against brain cancer comprising administering to patients in need thereof interleukin-13 receptor α2 peptide-based brain cancer vaccines. Also provided herein are regimens comprising interleukin-13 receptor α2 peptides and at least one additional peptide and/or immunostimulant.

Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of compositions and methods of making modified chimeric antigen receptor dendritic cells (CAR-DCs) and methods of use thereof. CAR-DCs can be used for the treatment of tumors and cancers, particularly solid tumors (as well as liquid tumors, blood cancer, and metastatic cancer).

The present application relates generally to genetically modified arenaviruses that are suitable vaccines against neoplastic diseases, such as cancer. The arenaviruses described herein may be suitable for vaccines and/or treatment of neoplastic diseases and/or for the use in immunotherapies. In particular, provided herein are methods and compositions for treating a neoplastic disease by administering a genetically modified arenavirus in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, wherein the arenavirus has been engineered to include a nucleotide sequence encoding a tumor antigen, tumor associated antigen or antigenic fragment thereof.

Disclosed are means, methods and compositions of matter useful for amplification of adaptive immune responses towards neoplastic tissue. In one embodiment, immunization of a patient is performed by a means comprising of administering either an exogenous vaccine or stimulation of immunogenicity of the tumor so as to cause release of antigens/increased exposure of antigens, thus resulting in an “endogenous” vaccine. Subsequent to vaccination a patient is treated by an immunopheresis procedure, in order to allow for removal of “blocking factors” produced by the tumor or produced by cells programmed by tumors to produce said blocking factors. In one embodiment further immunization is performed subsequent to removal of said blocking factors in order to allow for enhancement of adaptive immune responses.

Disclosed herein are cells that are immune cells or precursor cells thereof, which cells recombinantly express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), and a dominant negative form of an inhibitor of a cell-mediated immune response of the immune cell, wherein the CAR binds to a cancer antigen. Also disclosed herein are T cells that recognize and are sensitized to a cancer antigen, which T cells recombinantly express a dominant negative form of an inhibitor of a T cell-mediated immune response. Additionally provided are methods of using such cells to treat cancer in a subject in need thereof.

A chimeric oncolytic virus is described that includes a herpesvirus having a modified nucleic acid sequence, including a modification of the herpesvirus gamma (1)34.5 gene (γ.sub.134.5) or a nucleic acid with at least about 70% homology to the γ.sub.134.5 gene that reduces its expression; a second viral nucleic acid sequence encoding a PKR evasion protein that does not cause virulence; and a third nucleic acid sequence encoding a tumor-associated antigen. Methods of using the chimeric oncolytic virus to treat subjects having cancer, or to vaccinate subjects at risk of developing cancer, are also described.

The present application relates generally to genetically modified arenaviruses that are suitable vaccines against neoplastic diseases, such as cancer. The arenaviruses described herein may be suitable for vaccines and/or treatment of neoplastic diseases and/or for the use in immunotherapies. In particular, provided herein are methods and compositions for treating a neoplastic disease by administering a genetically modified arenavirus in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, wherein the arenavirus has been engineered to include a nucleotide sequence encoding a tumor antigen, tumor associated antigen or antigenic fragment thereof.

Disclosed are means, methods and compositions of matter useful for amplification of adaptive immune responses towards neoplastic tissue. In one embodiment, immunization of a patient is performed by a means comprising of administering either an exogenous vaccine or stimulation of immunogenicity of the tumor so as to cause release of antigens/increased exposure of antigens, thus resulting in an “endogenous” vaccine. Subsequent to vaccination a patient is treated by an immunopheresis procedure, in order to allow for removal of “blocking factors” produced by the tumor or produced by cells programmed by tumors to produce said blocking factors. In one embodiment further immunization is performed subsequent to removal of said blocking factors in order to allow for enhancement of adaptive immune responses

The present invention is directed to adenoviruses for use in cancer therapy which comprise one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding a tumor antigen, whereby the adenovirus expresses the tumor antigen(s) on its surface.