The present invention relates to compositions and methods for generating a modified T cell with a nucleic acid capable of downregulating endogenous gene expression selected from the group consisting of TCR chain, TCR chain, beta-2 microglobulin, a HLA molecule, CTLA-4, PD1, and FAS and further comprising a nucleic acid encoding a modified T cell receptor (TCR) comprising affinity for a surface antigen on a target cell or an electroporated nucleic acid encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Also included are methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified T cell for adoptive therapy and treating a condition, such as an autoimmune disease.

Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4.sup.+ T cells, CD8.sup.+ T cells, natural killer T cells, T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR. Methods for making expression vectors and/or cells which express a recombinant TCR and identifying TCRs to make the expression vectors are also included.

The present disclosure provides gene edited modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g., gene edited modified T cells) comprising an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) and/or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having specificity for a target antigen, and an insertion and/or deletion in one or more endogenous gene loci, wherein the endogenous gene loci encode regulators of T cell function, thereby resulting in immune cells having enhanced function. Compositions and methods of treatment are also provided. The present invention provides methods of screening for TCR- or CAR-T cells with enhanced immune function (e.g., T cell efficacy, T cell memory, and/or T cell persistence).

The presently disclosed subject matter provides for methods and compositions for treating cancer (e.g., breast cancer). It relates to mutant phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA)-targeted T cell receptors (TCRs) that specifically target a mutant PIK3CA peptide (e.g., a human mutant PIK3CA peptide), and immunoresponsive cells comprising such TCRs. The presently disclosed mutant PIK3CA peptide-specific TCRs have enhanced immune-activating properties, including anti-tumor activity.

The present disclosure provides improved compositions for adoptive T cell therapies for treating, preventing, or ameliorating at least one symptom of a cancer, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease, and immunodeficiency, or condition associated therewith.

The instant disclosure provides chimeric polypeptides which modulate various cellular processes following a cleavage event induced upon binding of a specific binding member of the polypeptide with its binding partner. Methods of using chimeric polypeptides to modulate cellular functions, including e.g., induction of gene expression, are also provided. Nucleic acids encoding the subject chimeric polypeptides and associated expression cassettes and vectors as well as cells that contain such nucleic acids and/or expression cassettes and vectors are provided. Also provided, are methods of treating a subject using the described components and methods as well as kits for practicing the subject methods.

Provided methods of obtaining a plurality of T cell receptors specifically recognizing a target tumor antigen peptide from an individual that has clinically benefitted from an immunotherapy, such as Multiple Antigen Specific Cell Therapy. Also provided tumor-specific TCRs, engineered immune cells expressing the TCRs and methods of treating a disease using the engineered immune cells.

Disclosed are compositions and methods for targeted treatment of cancer. The present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptors and cells expressing such chimeric antigen receptors. In certain embodiments, engineered cells expressing the chimeric antigen receptors are specific for a low density cancer antigen or peptide in groove antigen.

Provided are a CAR library used to screen scFvs that can be functional in CAR-T cells, and an scFv manufacturing method in which the CAR library is used. A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) library of the present invention includes nucleic acids coding for first CARs. Each of the first CARs includes a first antigen-binding domain, a first transmembrane domain, and a first intracellular signaling domain. The first antigen-binding domain includes a first single-chain antibody (scFv) to be screened for the ability to bind to a target antigen. The first scFv includes a first heavy-chain variable region and a first light-chain variable region. The first heavy-chain variable region and the first light-chain variable region meet a predetermined condition.

The present invention relates to recombinant T-cell receptors that bind specifically, in a MHC restricted manner, to a particular epitope present in the shared cancer-testis antigen known as NY-ESO-1 and/or a particular epitope present in the closely related antigen LAGE-1. The invention provides T-cell receptor related polypeptides, fragments, and functional variants thereof, as well as nucleic acids encoding the T-cell receptor polypeptides of the invention, recombinant expression vectors, and genetically modified cells (for example, T-cells) expressing the T-cell receptors, and their use in methods for diagnosing, treating or preventing cancer in a subject.