This document provides methods and materials involved in treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for modulating (e.g., increasing or decreasing) an interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling pathway (e.g., an IL-1signaling pathway) during an adoptive cell therapy (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy) are provided. In some cases, one or more inhibitors of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) polypeptide can be used to increasing IL-1 signaling (e.g., to reduce immunosuppression of the administered cells). In some cases, CAR T cells having a reduced level of an interleukin 1 receptor, type I (IL-1R1) polypeptide can have decreased IL-1 signaling (e.g., to reduce T cell toxicity associated with the administered cells).

Recombinant NK cells, and especially recombinant NK-92 cells express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having an intracellular domain of FcRI. Notably, CAR constructs with an intracellular domain of FcRI had a substantially prolonged duration of expression and significantly extended cytotoxicity over time. The CAR may be expressed from RNA and DNA, preferably as a tricistronic construct that further encodes CD16 and a cytokine to confer autocrine growth support. Advantageously, such constructs also enable high levels of transfection and expression of the recombinant proteins and provide a convenient selection marker to facilitate rapid production of recombinant NK/NK-92 cells.

D domain (DD) containing polypeptides (DDpp) that specifically bind targets of interest (e.g., BCMA, CD123, CS1, HER2, AFP, and AFP p26) are provided, as are nucleic acids encoding the DDpp, vectors containing the nucleic acids and host cells containing the nucleic acids and vectors. DDpp such as DDpp fusion proteins, are also provided as are methods of making and using the DDpp. Such uses include, but are not limited to diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Described herein are engineered polynucleotides comprising chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) comprising a single chain antibody to IL13R2 (scFv); and IL15. The encoded proteins are expressed as IL13R2 scFv/IL15 fusion proteins, as well as soluble IL15. Also, described herein are CAR T cells expressing the encoded proteins, and methods of their use.

The present invention provides inducible chimeric cytokine receptors responsive to a ligand, e.g., a small molecule or protein, uses of such receptors for improving the functional activities of genetically modified immune cells, such as T cells, comprising the inducible chimeric cytokine receptors, and compositions comprising such cells.

The present disclosure relates to an engineered immune cell and use thereof. The present disclosure provides an engineered immune cell comprising a CAR or engineered TCR, which CAR or engineered TCR can comprise a first antigen binding domain and a second antigen binding domain. The engineered immune cells of the present disclosure, when administered into a subject, can inhibit the host immune cells such as T cells and/or NK cells and enhance the survival and persistence of the engineered immune cells in vivo, thereby exhibiting more effective tumor killing activity.

The present invention relates to the use of cells having discernible surface protein with engineered or naturally occurring mutation(s) but functional surface protein for use in therapy. The present invention also relates to the use of cells having discernible CD123 surface protein variants but functional surface protein for use in therapy, in particular adoptive cell therapy.

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of CD33. The invention also relates to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to CD33, vectors encoding the same, and recombinant T cells comprising the CD33 CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR that comprises a CD33 binding domain.

Provided herein are de novo binding domain containing polypeptides (DBDpp) that specifically bind a target of interest. Nucleic acids encoding the DBDpp, and vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acids are also provided. Libraries of DBDpp, methods of producing and screening such libraries and the DBDpp identified from such libraries and screens are also encompassed. Methods of making and using the DBDpp are additionally provided. Such uses include, without limitation, affinity purification, and diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

An improved method of treating cancers with engineered T cells is described.