The present invention relates to methods, systems, and compositions for treating and preventing cancer in a subject with the combination of radiation therapy and antigen presenting cells that have been exposed cancer stem cells or a portion thereof. In certain embodiments, the antigen presenting cells are dendritic cells that have been pulsed with ALDH.sup.high cancer stem cells.

Methods and compositions are provided for combined transplantation of a solid organ and hematopoietic cells to an HLA mismatched recipient, where tolerance to the graft is established through development of a persistent mixed chimerism. An individual with persistent mixed chimerism, usually for a period of at least six months, is able to withdraw from the use of immunosuppressive drugs after a period of time sufficient to establish tolerance.

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.

Provided are compositions for use in methods for treating diseases associated with expression of mesothelin comprising administering a cell that expresses a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to mesothelin in combination with a PD-L1 inhibitor.

Genetically modified compositions, such as non-viral vectors and T cells, for treating cancer are disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods of making and using the genetically modified compositions in treating cancer.

The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions useful for initiating and propagating ICOS-mediated signaling. In particular, the present disclosure provides three peptide motifs which promote ICOS binding and whose ablation leads to modulated ICOS signaling and modulated signaling mediated by TBK1, IRF4, IKK?, or TBKBP1. The binding of these peptide motifs or the addition of such motifs as co-stimulatory agents leads to modulated immune responses, and provides new and unexpected therapies for neurodegenerative, autoimmune, metabolic, cancer inflammatory, or immunodeficiency conditions, diseases, or disorders.

This disclosure relates to chimeric antigen receptors targeting T cell malignancies. The present disclosure also relates to the development of methods for inactivation with engineered CARs, to enhance T cell functions or reduce T cell suppression.

Use of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) for increasing the capacity for self-renewal and/or persistence in a T cell; increasing the capacity for engraftment in a T cell; and/or increasing the memory function of a T cell.

The invention provides methods of increasing the efficacy of a T cell therapy in a patient in need thereof. The invention includes a method of conditioning a patient prior to a T cell therapy, wherein the conditioning involves administering a combination of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine.

Described herein are agents and methods for targeting antigen-specific B cells using engineered T cells, such as regulatory T cells or cytotoxic T cells, or bi-specific antibodies. The agents and methods can be used to reduce undesirable immune responses.