Provided herein are nanoparticles configured for the rapid detection of disease-specific peptides from patient samples, including blood-based samples. Also provided are methods of measuring the level of an infection by isolation and quantification of disease-specific peptides from patient samples. The nanoparticles may act as a co-matrix for matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Presented herein, in certain aspects, are conjugates capable of binding phosphatidylserine (PS) and toll-like receptors (TLRs), and their uses for the treatment of selected diseases and disorders, such as cancer.

The present relates generally to a method for stimulating the activation of an antigen presenting cell. The method includes activating antigen presenting cells by contacting the cells with an effective amount of a GC polymer that has a molecular weight of less than 420 kDa, followed by determining whether the antigen presenting cells are activated by measuring the amount of co-stimulatory marker CD40 expressed by the cells. Also, the present relates to an injectable pharmaceutical composition for stimulating the activation of an antigen presenting cell.

Specific binding molecules, including T cell receptors (TCRs), which bind the HLA-A*02 restricted peptide SLYNTVATL (SEQ ID NO: 1) derived from the HIV Gag gene product, p17 are presented. TCRs of the present invention comprise non-natural mutations within the alpha and/or beta variable domains relative to a native TCR. The specific binding molecules of the invention have improved stability and/or yield and yet unexpectedly retain the advantageous properties of the specific binding molecules from which they are derived. Such specific binding molecules are particularly useful in the development of soluble immunotherapeutic reagents for the treatment of HIV infected individuals.

The present invention relates to specific binding molecules that bind the HLA-A*02 restricted peptide GLSPTVWLSV (SEQ ID NO: 1) derived from HBV envelope protein. The specific binding molecules may comprise alpha and/or beta TCR variable domains and may comprise non-natural mutations within the alpha and/or beta variable domains relative to a native TCR. The specific binding molecules of the invention are particularly suitable for use as novel immunotherapeutic reagents for the treatment of infectious or malignant disease.

Provided herein are engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) having nanomolar affinity for the immuno-dominant pp65 peptide residing between residues 495-503 (NLV) in complex with HLA-A2*02:01. The TCRs may be membrane-hound TCRs, soluble TCRs, chimeric TCRs, or chimeric antigen receptors. Also provided are methods of using the engineered TCRs to treat diseases, monitor disease progression, monitor vaccine efficacy, and detecting NLV/A2 presentation on the surface of cells.

A conjugate may comprise a first component capable of binding to a therapeutic target in the eye, one or more second component(s) capable of binding to hyaluronan, and one or more third component(s) comprising hyaluronan, wherein each second component is covalently bound to the first component and non-covalently bound to a third component, a composition comprising the conjugate for use as a medicament or for use in the treatment of an eye disease and a method of treating an eye disease in a subject. Additionally, a therapeutic molecule targeted to a tissue in a patient may comprises a hyaluronic acid binding moiety and a therapeutically active agent, wherein the hyaluronic acid binding moiety comprises at least two link domains of Versican.

Provided are methods of treating myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), oligoblastic acute myelogenous leukemia (O-AML), or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) using 765IGF-MTX and other IGF-receptor-targeted agents, and formulations for delivering 765IGF-MTX and other IGF-receptor-targeted agents to patients. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating MDS, O-AML, and CMML.

Provided herein are a subset of alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GC) compounds having improved immunomodulatory activity, particularly with respect to NKT cell number and activity. Also provided herein are methods of use of such compounds, including in the modulation of NKT cells and/or activity in vivo. Further provided are combinatorial synthesis methods for generating alpha-GC compounds of specifically defined structure and thereby generating pure preparations thereof.

A bifunctional polypeptide comprising a specific binding partner for a peptide-MHC epitope, such as an antibody or T cell receptor, and an immune effector, such as an antibody or a cytokine, the immune effector part being linked to the N-terminus of the peptide-MHC binding part.