The present invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising: (i) a B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-binding domain which comprises at least part of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL); (ii) a spacer domain (iii) a transmembrane domain; and (iv) an intracellular T cell signaling domain. The invention also provides the use of such a T-cell expressing such a CAR in the treatment of plasma-cell mediated diseases, such as multiple myeloma.

An immunoresponsive cell, such as a T-cell expressing (i) a second generation chimeric antigen receptor comprising: (a) a signalling region; (b) a co-stimulatory signalling region; (c) a transmembrane domain; and (d) a binding element that specifically interacts with a first epitope on a target antigen; and (ii) a chimeric costimulatory receptor comprising (e) a co-stimulatory signalling region which is different to that of (b); (f) a transmembrane domain; and g) a binding element that specifically interacts with a second epitope on a target antigen.

This arrangement is referred to as parallel chimeric activating receptors (pCAR). Cells of this type are useful in therapy, and kits and methods for using them as well as methods for preparing them are described and claimed.

The inventors explored in an allogeneic situation the regulatory potential of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells (MAIT cells), a population of unconventional T cells that exhibit potent antibacterial activity, expressing a semi-invariant TCR which recognizes vitamin B2 derivatives of microbial origin presented by the MR1 molecule. In particular, the inventors used i) an allogenic reaction model in vitro (mixed lymphocyte reaction, MLR) and ii) murine model of xenogeneic aGvHD They first verified that human MAIT cells do not proliferate in response to allogeneic stimulation in vitro (MLR) or in vivo (immunodeficient mice) alone but require for their expansion both an inflammatory environment and TCR ligation by its ligand. In contrast, MAIT cells are able to inhibit the proliferation of allospecific LT in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the adoptive transfer of MAIT cells in a mouse model of xeno-GVHD resulted in a delay in early or late GvHD development. Altogether, these data describe a new regulatory function of MAIT cells in an allogeneic context, allowing us to consider their use in cell therapy to limit GvHD.

The present invention relates to a cell comprising a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a constitutively active or inducible Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) molecule.

The present disclosure generally relates to, inter alia, a new class of receptors engineered to modulate transcriptional regulation in a ligand-dependent manner. Particularly, the new receptors, even though derived from Notch, do not require the Notch negative regulatory regions previously believed to be essential for the functioning of the receptors. In addition, the new receptors described herein incorporate an extracellular oligomerization domain to promote oligomer formation of the chimeric receptors. The disclosure also provides compositions and methods useful for producing such receptors, nucleic acids encoding same, host cells genetically modified with the nucleic acids, as well as methods for modulating an activity of a cell and/or for the treatment of various health conditions such as cancers.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for expanding T cells or tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in vitro. K562 feeder cells engineered to express a costimulatory molecule (e.g., 41BB ligand (41BBL)) and either interleukin 21 (IL21) or interleukin 7 (IL7) can be used in a rapid expansion protocol (REP) step to expand the T cells or TILs. Thus, provided herein is a culture comprising T-cells or TILs and modified K562 feeder cells. The T cells can be modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a T cell receptor (TCR) or the TILs can be modified to express membrane-bound IL15 (mbIL15). The T cells or TILs can be expanded in vitro using aREP without the use of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL2), and the expanded cells can be used in adoptive cell therapy for treatment of cancer without concomitant use of an exogenous cytokine such as IL2.

Provided are compositions and methods that relate to Inflammasome Agonist Proteins (IAPS) that are used to stimulate immune responses. IAPS are used with Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) ligands, antigens, cell surface binding proteins, and binding partners that direct to IAPs or fusion proteins containing the IAP to a particular target. The IAP constructs can be used directly to stimulate immune responses, or in conjunction with other components such as antigens, whereby the IAPs function as adjuvants.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating diseases, disorders or conditions associated with the expression of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked GDNF family protein ?-receptor 4 (GFR?4).

The present disclosure relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which bind to Globo series antigens (e.g. Globo H, SSEA-3 or SSEA-4), including an antigen-binding fragment (Fab) or a single-chain variable fragment (scFv). Further, the present methods are also provided for administering CARs to a subject in an amount effective to inhibit cancer cells.

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of CD20 or CD22. The invention also relates to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to CD20 or CD22, vectors encoding the same, and recombinant T or natural killer (NK) cells comprising the CD20 CAR or CD22 CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell or NK cell expressing a CAR that comprises a CD20 or CD22 binding domain.