The presently disclosed subject matter provides for methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward cancers and pathogens. It relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target human mesothelin, and immunoresponsive cells comprising such CARs. The presently disclosed mesothelin-targeted CARs have enhanced immune-activating properties, including anti-tumor activity.

Disclosed are compositions comprising an isolated chimeric interleukin 6 receptor alpha (IL-6Rα) binding protein or cells expressing an isolated chimeric IL-6Rα binding protein. The isolated IL-6Rα chimeric binding protein and cells expressing the protein may be used in methods of treating cancer and reducing the risk of cytokine release syndrome.

The present invention discloses a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising an antigen binding domain specific for BDCA2, a population of engineered cells expressing said CAR and a pharmaceutical composition thereof. Said engineered cells are for treatment of cancer in a subject, wherein the cancerous cells of said cancer express BDCA2 such as Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN).

The disclosure relates generally to polyglutamated antifolates, formulations containing liposomes filled with the polyglutamated antifolates, methods of making the polyglutamated antifolates and liposome containing formulations, and methods of using the polyglutamated antifolates and liposome containing formulations to treat hyerproliferative disorders (e.g., cancer) and disorders of the immune system (e.g., an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis).

A Twin Immune Cell Engager (TWICE) is a kit or composition for treating cancer comprising a first component and second component. Each component comprises a targeting moiety that binds a tumor antigen expressed by the cancer or an antigen expressed by a non-cancer cell in the tumor microenvironment. In some embodiments, the first and second components each comprise an immune cell binding domain capable of immune cell binding activity when binding the immune cell binding domain in the other component, and a complementary binding domain capable of binding to a complementary antigen when binding the complementary binding domain in the other component. In some embodiments, the first and/or second components comprise a complementary functional domain with activity when targeted to the cancer cell or its microenvironment.

Disclosed are antigen binding polypeptides and antigen binding polypeptide complexes (e.g., antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof) having certain structural features. Also disclosed are polynucleotides and vectors encoding such polypeptides and polypeptide complexes; host cells; chimeric antigen receptors (CARs); immune cells; pharmaceutical compositions and kits containing such polypeptides and polypeptide complexes; and methods of using such polypeptides and polypeptide complexes.

Reversibly inhibited antibodies are disclosed, suitable for treatment of diseases such as cancer. The reversibly inhibited antibodies are such that they regain their activity on illumination, for example with UV light. Compositions containing such antibodies, methods of preparation of such antibodies and methods of use of such antibodies are also disclosed. The moiety employed to provide reversible inhibition may comprise a hydrophilic polymer such as polyethylene glycol.

Antibodies that specifically bind to CD47 and antibodies that specifically bind to PD-L1 are provided, as well as CD47/PD-L1 bispecific antibodies. Also provided are uses of these antibodies, and related compositions and methods.

The disclosure provides anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugates and methods of using the same to increase CD4.sup.+ T-cell lymphocyte count or treat 1-IIV infection. The disclosure also provides articles of manufacture or kits comprising said antibody drug-conjugates that bind to CD30 for increasing CD4.sup.+ T-cell lymphocyte count or treating HIV infection.

The present invention is directed to a combination therapy involving a type II anti-CD20 antibody and a selective Bcl-2 inhibitor for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer, particularly, a CD20-expressing cancer.