The present invention provides biodegradable, biomimetic particles for interacting with cells, including immune cells. In various embodiments, the particles comprise a polymer blend comprising a polyester, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a polyamine, such as poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE). The particles further comprise, on their surface, one or more ligands for one or more cell surface receptor(s) or cell surface molecule(s). In some embodiments, the cell surface receptor or cell surface molecule is on an immune cell, such as a lymphocyte (T cell or B cell), natural killer cell, dendritic cell, or other cell of the immune system or tumor microenvironment.

The present invention provides biodegradable, biomimetic particles for interacting with cells, including immune cells. In various embodiments, the particles comprise a polymer blend comprising a polyester, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a polyamine, such as poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE). The particles further comprise, on their surface, one or more ligands for one or more cell surface receptor(s) or cell surface molecule(s). In some embodiments, the cell surface receptor or cell surface molecule is on an immune cell, such as a lymphocyte (T cell or B cell), natural killer cell, dendritic cell, or other cell of the immune system or tumor microenvironment.

Provided herein are methods for delaying or inhibiting T cell maturation or differentiation in vitro for a T cell therapy, comprising contacting one or more T cells from a subject in need of a T cell therapy with an AKT inhibitor and at least one of exogenous Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and exogenous Interleukin-15 (IL-15), wherein the resulting T cells exhibit delayed maturation or differentiation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering the one or more T cells to a subject in need of a T cell therapy.

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 as vaccines and/or for 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 a chemotherapeutic agent, wherein the arenavirus has been engineered to include a nucleotide sequence encoding a tumor antigen, tumor associated antigen or antigenic fragment thereof.

A set of target peptides are presented by HLA A*0201, B*0301, B*0702 and B*2705 on the surface of disease cells. They are envisioned to, among other things, stimulate an immune response to the proliferative disease, e.g., colorectal cancer, to function as immunotherapeutics in adoptive T cell therapy or as a vaccine, facilitate antibody recognition of tumor boundaries in surgical pathology samples, act as biomarkers for early detection and/or diagnosis of the disease, and/or act as targets in the generation antibody-like molecules which recognize the target-peptide/MHC complex.

A modified vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) that includes at least one peptide, preferably an antigen or fragment thereof, nucleic acid sequence coding therefor, and vectors containing the nucleic acid sequence. Also vaccines and methods for the treatment of a disease or condition, in particular a cancer or an infectious disease.

A CMV-based vaccine that promotes immune-mediated destruction of cancer through a onetime or repeated intratumoral administration of a recombinant CMV to generate a robust, long-lasting anti-tumor immune response.

This document provides methods and materials for expanding antigen-specific T cells (e.g., antigen-specific CD4.sup.+ T cells and/or antigen-specific CD8.sup.+ T cells) in culture. For example, methods and materials for performing a polyclonal stimulation step for a particular duration (e.g., from about 1 hour to about 48 hours) to increase the expansion of T cells having a desired antigen specificity are provided.

Described herein are compositions and methods for treating a disease, particularly a melanoma, with a Dengue Virus and, optionally, primed dendritic cells recognizing a tumor antigen. Lysis protocols are described where the lysis does not result in complete or less than complete lysis of cells in order to provide cell surface molecules maintained in a cell surface-embedded state. Non-lethal Dengue virus strains are also provided for therapeutic purposes.

Described herein are compositions and methods for treating a disease, particularly a melanoma, with a Dengue Virus and, optionally, primed dendritic cells recognizing a tumor antigen. Lysis protocols are described where the lysis does not result in complete or less than complete lysis of cells in order to provide cell surface molecules maintained in a cell surface-embedded state. Non-lethal Dengue virus strains are also provided for therapeutic purposes.