The present disclosure provides (i) isolated immunogenic TAA polypeptides (i.e., an immunogenic MUC1 polypeptides, an immunogenic MSLN polypeptides, and an immunogenic TERT polypeptides), (ii) isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding one or more immunogenic TAA polypeptides, (iii) compositions comprising an immunogenic TAA polypeptide or an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic TAA polypeptide, and (iv) methods relating to uses of the polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, and compositions.

Provided are engineered cells for adoptive therapy, including NK cells and T cells. Also provided are compositions for engineering and producing the cells, compositions containing the cells, and methods for their administration to subjects. In some aspects, features of the cells and methods provide specificity and/or efficacy. In some embodiments, the cells contain genetically engineered antigen receptors that specifically bind to antigens, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and costimulatory receptors. In some embodiments, the cells include receptors targeting multiple antigens. In some embodiments, the cells include repression of one or more gene product, for example, by disruption of a gene encoding the gene product. In some embodiments, a gene encoding an antigen recognized by the engineered antigen receptor is disrupted, reducing the likelihood of targeting of the engineered cells.

Compositions and methods are provided herein for improved dual immunization strategies that induce in a subject a robust immune response. The methods described are therefore useful for treating and/or preventing (i.e., reducing the likelihood or risk of occurrence) different diseases, disorders, and conditions such as cancers and infectious diseases for which induction of a humoral immune response and/or cellular immune response is desired and beneficial.

Compositions are provided comprising a replication-competent herpesvirus vector system and/or a herpesvirus vector particle comprising a heterologous recombinant transgene of interest encoding an antigen of interest (e.g., a tumor-associated antigen, a microbial antigen, etc.), wherein the recombinant transgene has been modified to comprise a codon usage signature of a herpesvirus late gene operably linked to an active promoter. Such compositions find use in a variety of methods including, for example, methods of generating an immune response against an antigen of interest in a subject in need thereof, as well as methods for treating or preventing cancer or a microbial infection.

The invention pertains to an optimized chimeric polypeptide for use in HLA-337 cancer patients, which comprises four optimized peptides derived from cryptic tumor epitopes (CEA, TERT, MAGE and HER-2/neu) to enhance their immunogenicity.

The invention relates to a peptide of 15 to 20 amino acids deriving from TERT protein, which peptide is capable of (i) binding to HLA class II and (ii) stimulating a CD4 Th response. These universal cancer peptides are especially useful in anti-tumor immunotherapy and immunomonitoring.

Materials and methods for identifying and using MHC molecule variants for activating self-reactive T cells in a peptide-specific manner, and their use to focus autoimmune cellular responses against diseases such as cancers and persisting viral infections, are described.

Provided is a dendritic cell therapeutic agent, and more particularly, a composition which include dendritic cells activated by peptides including a telomerase-derived peptide, the composition administered to treat an individual having disease and disorder symptoms which require target-specific treatments. Also, provided is a therapeutic method effective on diseases requiring target-specific immunotherapy. In the method, co-administration of the dendritic cell therapeutic agent and an immunotherapeutic agent including the telomerase-derived peptide results in decreased factors causing one of the disease and disorder symptoms requiring the target-specific treatment, such as cancer, in a tumor disease treatment.

A composition includes a metal chemically bound to at least one heat-denatured tumor antigen and at least one heat-denatured alloantigen. The tumor antigen and/or the alloantigen are hydrolyzed. The composition can be formulated in a tablet or pill. Methods of treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases are also provided by administering, e.g., orally, the composition to a subject in need thereof.

The present invention provides immunoresponsive cells, including T cells, cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells, expressing at least one of an antigen recognizing receptor and one of a chimeric costimulatory receptor. Methods of using the immunoresponsive cell include those for the treatment of neoplasia and other pathologies where an increase in an antigen-specific immune response is desired.