Disclosed is an immunostimulator containing virus-like particles, in which the virus-like particles contain an outer coat protein containing an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 26, SEQ ID No. 33, SEQ ID No. 35, SEQ ID No. 37, SEQ ID No. 39, SEQ ID No. 41, SEQ ID No. 43 and SEQ ID No. 45; the outer coat protein constitutes an outer coat of the virus-like particles; and the virus-like particles do not substantially contain a genome DNA of SV40.

Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding hepatitis B virus (HBV) core proteins, surface antigen proteins, fragments and combinations thereof as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines that express said protein sequences. These vaccines are able to induce an immune response peripherally and in the liver by recruiting both cellular and humoral agents. Also provided are methods for prophylactically and/or therapeutically immunizing individuals against HBV. The combination vaccine can also be used for particular design vaccines for particular levels of immune responses to HBV challenge.

Methods for enhancing an immune response to a vaccine using co-administration of radiation.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of neoplastic and infectious diseases. Specifically, provided herein are combination treatments that combine arenavirus-vectored antigens, such as tumor antigens or antigens of pathogens, with various immune checkpoint modulators or cytokines, which may in turn themselves be expressed using the arenavirus-based expression system.

The present invention relates to ex vivo method for producing outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) by expression or overexpression of the hemolysin F gene (hlyF) in gram-negative bacterium.

An agent that stimulates antiviral immunity may be used, for the treatment of cancer. A product comprising an immunostimulant and a vector comprising a transgene that promotes death of neoplastic cells, may also be used for simultaneous, sequential or separate administration in the treatment of cancer.

Chemical compositions and/or mixtures that allow nucleic acid to remain stable at ambient temperatures. The disclosed technology includes a solution and manufacturing methods thereof. The solution includes a chelating agent, a buffering agent, and a salt. The solution is configured to protect RNA and/or an RNA-based vaccine added to the solution and prevents or reduces degradation of the RNA and/or the RNA-based vaccine for a duration of 2 to 180 days over a temperature range of 20 degrees C. to +38 degrees C. The chelating agent can comprise ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The buffering agent can comprise tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS). The salt can comprise NaCl. The solution is configured to preserve an injectable mRNA vaccine added to the solution, and the solution is safe for injection into mammals.

The invention provides compounds including a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide sequence linked to a lipid by a linker and related compositions and methods. The invention features a compound consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, at its 5 end, bonded or linked by a linker to a lipid. Further, the invention features a method of treating a cancer in a human patient, comprising administering to the patient the compound. Further, the invention features a pharmaceutical composition including the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention features a kit including (I) the compound or a composition comprising the compound; and (ii) a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3.

Isolated polypeptides related to endogenous anti-viral polypeptides; and compositions, including immunogenic compositions, comprising a subject isolated polypeptide are disclosed herein. A subject isolated polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having substantial amino acid sequence identity to a contiguous stretch of amino acids of one or more endogenous anti-viral polypeptides, wherein the endogenous anti-viral polypeptides are polypeptides subject to proteolytic degradation as a result of the activity of one or more viral proteins. Also provided are diagnostic and treatment methods using the subject isolated polypeptides and compositions.

The prior art largely suggests that immune competence in a cancer patient would destroy an antigenic viral vector before it transfects host cells with a transgene-rendering therapy futile. We surprisingly found the opposite is true: cancer patients with competent immune systems obtain the most therapeutic benefit from antigenic viral vector, apparently because the antigenic viral vector, apart from transfecting cells with a transgene, induces a humoral immune response, which in turn attacks cells bearing cancer antigen. Our new therapy works particularly well in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs.