The present invention concerns compositions and methods related to approaches to render ineffective Th1 T cells resistant to the inhibitory cytokine milieu present in a cancer microenvironment. In particular embodiments, tumor-specific T cells are modified to employ a chimeric receptor that binds inhibitory/suppressive cytokines and converts their intracellular consequences to a Th1 immunostimulaotyr/activating signal. In specific embodiments, the T cells employ a chimeric antigen receptor having exodomains for IL10, IL13 and/or IL4 fused with the signal transducing endodomains for IL2 and/or IL7.

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 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.

The present disclosure provides methods for treating a progressive ovarian cancer using an allogeneic leukemia-derived cell. Also provided are immunogenic compositions comprising an allogeneic leukemia-derived cell, and pharmaceutical compositions and formulations thereof.

A fusion protein comprising: a first component comprising an antibody, or a fragment or variant thereof; and a second component comprising a cytokine trap or an adenosine deaminase or a fragment or variant thereof. In certain embodiments, the antibody is an anti-PD-1 antibody. In certain embodiments, the antibody binds to a tumor antigen, for example a MUC16 or MUC1 antigen. In certain embodiments, the cytokine trap is a TGF-β trap. A polynucleotide encoding such a fusion protein and a vector comprising such a polynucleotide. A composition comprising the fusion protein. A method of using the composition, including in the treatment of cancer.

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 presently described subject matter relates to cancer vaccines composed of the signal peptide domain of tumor associated antigens or proteins. The described peptide vaccines have multiple MHC class I and class II epitopes which are highly abundant in the population. Therefore, these vaccines induce a strong, comprehensive immune response against the target proteins in the majority of the vaccinated population, and thereby induce an immune reaction against tumors expressing such target proteins. Specifically, the presently described subject matter relates to peptide vaccines composed of the signal peptide domain of Mucin (MUC1), BAGE-1 or ARMET, and their use for the treatment of cancers which express Mucin (MUC1), BAGE-1 or ARMET.

The present disclosure provides T-cell modulatory multimeric polypeptides that comprise an immunomodulatory N polypeptide, a MUC1 epitope-presenting peptide, and class I MHC polypeptides. A T-cell modulatory multimeric polypeptide is useful for modulating the activity of a T cell, and for modulating an immune response in an individual. The present disclosure provides a T-cell modulatory multimeric polypeptide (TMMP) comprising: a) a first polypeptide; and b) a second polypeptide, wherein the TMMP comprises a MUC1 peptide; a first major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polypeptide; a second MHC polypeptide; one or more immunomodulatory polypeptides; and optionally an immunoglobulin (Ig) Fc polypeptide or a non-lg scaffold.

Cancer is treated using coordinated treatment regimens that uses various compounds and compositions that drive a tumor from the escape phase of cancer immunoediting to the elimination and equilibrium phase of cancer immunoediting.

The technology relates generally to the field of immunology and relates in part to methods for activating T cells and other cells resulting in an immune response against a target antigen. The technology also relates to costimulation of therapeutic cells that express chimeric antigen receptors that recognize target antigens using chimeric MyD88- and CD40-derived polypeptides. The technology further relates in part to therapeutic cells that express chimeric antigen receptors, wherein the chimeric antigen receptors have an endodomain that includes MyD88- and CD40-derived polypeptides, and methods for treating patients using the modified therapeutic cells.