Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and CAR-expressing T cells are provided that can specifically target cells that express an elevated level of a target antigen. Likewise, methods for specifically targeting cells that express elevated levels of antigen (e.g., cancer cells) with CAR T-cell therapies are provided.

Provided are adoptive cell therapy methods involving the administration of doses of cells for treating B cell malignancies. The cells generally express recombinant receptors such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). In some embodiments, the methods are for treating subjects with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In some embodiments, the methods are for treating subjects with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In some embodiments, the methods involve prior administration of a lymphodepleting therapy, such as prior administration of fluradibine and/or another lymphodepleting chemotherapeutic agent, for example cyclophosphamide. In some embodiments, features of the methods include an increase in complete remission, overall survival and/or progression free survival of subjects treated in accord with the provided methods.

The success of anti-tumor immune responses requires effector T cells to infiltrate solid tumors, a process guided by chemokines. Herein, we demonstrate that in vivo post-translational processing of chemokines by dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP4, also known as CD26) limits lymphocyte migration to sites of inflammation and tumors. Inhibition of DPP4 enzymatic activity enhanced tumor rejection by preserving biologically active CXCL10, and increasing trafficking into the tumor by lymphocytes expressing the counter-receptor CXCR3. Furthermore, DPP4 inhibition improved adjuvant-based immunotherapy, adoptive T cell transfer and checkpoint blockade. These findings provide the first direct in vivo evidence for controlling lymphocyte trafficking through CXCL10 cleavage and support the use of DPP4 inhibitors for stabilizing the biologically active form of chemokines as a strategy to enhance tumor immunotherapy.

The success of anti-tumor immune responses requires effector T cells to infiltrate solid tumors, a process guided by chemokines. Herein, we demonstrate that in vivo post-translational processing of chemokines by dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP4, also known as CD26) limits lymphocyte migration to sites of inflammation and tumors. Inhibition of DPP4 enzymatic activity enhanced tumor rejection by preserving biologically active CXCL10, and increasing trafficking into the tumor by lymphocytes expressing the counter-receptor CXCR3. Furthermore, DPP4 inhibition improved adjuvant-based immunotherapy, adoptive T cell transfer and checkpoint blockade. These findings provide the first direct in vivo evidence for controlling lymphocyte trafficking through CXCL10 cleavage and support the use of DPP4 inhibitors for stabilizing the biologically active form of chemokines as a strategy to enhance tumor immunotherapy.

The present invention provides T-cells expressing at least two different chimeric antigen receptors, wherein one of the CARs binds specifically to CD138 and another CAR binds specifically to CD38. In particular, the present invention provides T-cells expressing two different CARs, when one CAR comprises anti-CD138 sc Fv and the second CAR anti-CD138 sc Fv. Further, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising these dual CAR T-cells and their use in treatment of cancer, in particular multiple myeloma, and methods for preparation of these cells.

The present invention relates to the field of adoptive immunotherapy. The invention provides methods for generating phenotypically defined, functional, and/or expandable T cells from pluripotent stem cells engineered through safe genetic modifications. The engineered cells may provide one or more of: 1) targeting a specific predetermined antigen expressed on the cell surface of a target cell in an HLA independent manner, 2) enhanced survival and functional potential 3) off-the-shelf T cells for administration to multiple recipients, eventually across immunogenic barriers, and/or 4) cytotoxic potential and anti-tumor activity.

Provided herein are methods, compositions and uses involving immunotherapies, such as adoptive cell therapy, e.g., T cell therapy, and inhibitors of a TEK family kinase, such as BTK or ITK. The provided methods, compositions and uses include those for combination therapies involving the administration or use of one or more such inhibitor in conjunction with another agent, such as an immunotherapeutic agent targeting T cells, such as a therapeutic antibody, e.g., a multispecific (e.g., T cell engaging) antibody, and/or genetically engineered T cells, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells. Also provided are methods of manufacturing engineered T cells, compositions, methods of administration to subjects, nucleic acids, articles of manufacture and kits for use in the methods. In some aspects, features of the methods and cells provide for increased or improved activity, efficacy, persistence, expansion and/or proliferation of T cells for adoptive cell therapy or endogenous T cells recruited by immunotherapeutic agents.

The present invention provides T-cells expressing at least two different chimeric antigen receptors, wherein one of the CARs binds specifically to CD138 and another CAR binds specifically to CD38. In particular, the present invention provides T-cells expressing two different CARs, when one CAR comprises anti-CD138 scFv and the second CAR anti-CD138 scFv. Further, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising these dual CAR T-cells and their use in treatment of cancer, in particular multiple myeloma, and methods for preparation of these cells.

The present invention relates to the field of adoptive immunotherapy. The invention provides methods for generating phenotypically defined, functional, and/or expandable T cells from pluripotent stem cells engineered through safe genetic modifications. The engineered cells may provide one or more of: 1) targeting a specific predetermined antigen expressed on the cell surface of a target cell in an HLA independent manner, 2) enhanced survival and functional potential 3) off-the-shelf T cells for administration to multiple recipients, eventually across immunogenic barriers, and/or 4) cytotoxic potential and anti-tumor activity.

The present disclosure provides novel cell compositions engineered to express at least a chimeric antigen receptor and a survival factor. Methods of using such cell compositions are also described.