The present invention provides novel and inventive drug delivery systems with higher loading capability, a capacity to sequester high tumors levels of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents simultaneously, and longer release profiles. Some aspects of these delivery systems include compositions including stabilized multilamellar lipid vesicles having crosslinked lipid bilayers (referred to herein as inter-bilayer-crosslinked multilamellar vesicles or ICMV) covalently conjugated to an agent (e.g., an antigen).

Embodiments of the disclosure include compositions and methods effective for immunotherapy, such as for cancer. The embodiments include cells that recognize a combination of two signals or three signals present at the tumor microenvironment. In certain embodiments, the signals for antigen stimulation, co-stimulation, and cytokine signaling act through separate molecules, although in certain embodiments the signals for antigen stimulation and co-stimulation are transmitted through the same molecule.

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.

The present invention provides a complex for use in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, the complex comprising a) a cell penetrating peptide, b) at least one antigen or antigenic epitope, and c) at least one TLR peptide agonist, wherein the components a)-c) are covalently linked. In particular, compositions for use in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, such as a pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines are provided.

Methods for generating immune responses using adenovirus vectors that allow multiple vaccinations with the same adenovirus vector and vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus are provided.

The invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for cancer therapy using recombinant poxviruses encoding a tumor-associated antigen in combination with antagonists or agonists of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

The present invention relates to nanoparticles complexed with biomacromolecule agents configured for treating, preventing or ameliorating various types of disorders, and methods of synthesizing the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to compositions comprising nanoparticles (e.g., synthetic high density lipoprotein (sHDL)) carrying biomacromolecule agents (e.g., nucleic acid, peptides, glycolipids, etc.), methods for synthesizing such nanoparticles, as well as systems and methods utilizing such nanoparticles (e.g., in diagnostic and/or therapeutic settings).

A method of reducing cancer cell growth, a method of increasing sensitivity of cancer cells to CTL mediated killing, and a method of increasing sensitivity of cancer cells to NK mediated killing are provided. The methods comprise treating cancer cells with a combination of a HDAC inhibitor and immunotherapy.

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

Provided are a monoclonal antibody capable of specifically binding to human carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 5 (CEACAM5) and an antigen binding fragment thereof. Further provided are a preparation method for and use of said antibody and antigen binding fragment thereof.