The present invention provides a novel complex for use in the prevention and/or treatment of glioma, in particular glioblastoma, 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 glioma, in particular glioblastoma, such as a pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines are provided.

The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for the generation and use of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that target multiple viruses or that are specific for multiple tumor antigens. In specific embodiments, the generation methods employ use of certain cytokines to promote proliferation and reduce cell death in an activated T cell population and/or that employ a particular bioreactor having a gas permeable membrane.

The invention provides compositions and methods for delivering agents to localized regions, tissues, or organs in vivo by conjugating agent-loaded nanoparticles to cells having homing capability. The agents may be therapeutic or diagnostic agents such as cancer chemotherapeutic agents and imaging agents respectively.

Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material.

The invention provides an isolated, purified population of human cells comprising CD8.sup.+ T cells with reduced Cbl-b activity. The invention provides uses of such cells in methods for inducing or enhancing an anti-tumor immune response in a subject. These methods comprise: (a) providing a cell population, from a subject or from another source, which comprises CD8.sup.+ T cells, (b) reducing Cbl-b activity in the CD8.sup.+ T-cells, (c) administering the cells of step (b) to the subject. The invention provides methods for making CD8.sup.+ T cells that do not require stimulation through a co-receptor in order for the cell to become activated or proliferated in response to contact via its T cell receptor. Such methods are based upon reducing function of Cbl-b. The invention also provides methods for identifying agents which affect Cbl-b expression or activity.

A recombinant Flagrp170 protein and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a Flagrp170 protein and related molecules encoding same, and cells presenting such a protein are provided. The Flagrp170 protein comprises an NF-?B-activating domain of Flagellin and an ATP-binding domain truncated Grp170. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be used for the treatment or prevention of cancer or infectious disease.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions related to the modification of immune effector cells to increase therapeutic efficacy. In some embodiments, immune effector cells modified to reduce expression of one or more endogenous target genes, or to reduce one or more functions of an endogenous protein to enhance effector functions of the immune cells are provided. In some embodiments, immune effector cells further modified by introduction of transgenes conferring antigen specificity, such as exogenous T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are provided. Methods of treating a cell proliferative disorder, such as a cancer, using the modified immune effector cells described herein are also provided.

Disclosed are methods of preparing an isolated population of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific T cells comprise dividing an HPV-positive tumor sample into multiple fragments; separately culturing the multiple fragments; obtaining T cells from the cultured multiple fragments; testing the T cells for specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; selecting the T cells that exhibit specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; and expanding the number of selected T cells to produce a population of HPV-specific T cells for adoptive cell therapy. Related methods of treating or preventing cancer using the T cells are also disclosed.

Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for the inhibition of ENPP1. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sample with a cell impermeable ENPP1 inhibitor to inhibit cGAMP hydrolysis activity of ENPP1. Aspects of the methods include administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a CAR expressing immune cell in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a cell impermeable ENPP1 inhibitor to inhibit the hydrolysis of cGAMP.

The present invention provides a medicine containing a Toll-like receptor agonist, LAG-3 protein, a variant or derivative thereof.