Disclosed are methods and compositions for at least preventing, treating, inhibiting, or attenuating an Ebola virus infection of a subject. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a composition as described herein to the subject thereby at least preventing, treating, inhibiting, or attenuating the Ebola virus infection of the subject. The compositions comprise a therapeutic double-stranded RNA (tdsRNA) and additional optional components such as an Ebola antigen.

Amphiphilic oligonucleotide conjugates that enhance adjuvant function are disclosed. The conjugates typically include: a lipophilic component, and conjugated thereto (directly or indirectly) an immunomodulating oligonucleotide that, if it were not conjugated to the lipophilic component, would suppress TLR7 and/or TLR8 stimulation. In the presence of albumin, these conjugates significantly enhance adjuvant function, in particular the function of TLR7/8-mediated adjuvants such as an imidazoquinolinamine. The conjugates can be administered, along with an adjuvant compound, to a subject in order to cause and/or enhance an immune response (for instance, to an infectious agent or a cancer antigen) in the subject.

Polynucleotide constructs are disclosed, that are potent activators of a STING-independent DNA sensing pathway (SIDSP), in which the DNA damage response protein DNA-PK is the sensor of the SIDSP, along with tire heat shock protein HSPA8 as a unique SIDSP target. The polynucleotide constructs of the disclosure are also potent activators of the cGAS-STING DNA sensing pathway. These pathways arm key components of the innate immune response that is important for antiviral immunity, contributes to specific autoimmune diseases, and mediate important aspects of antitumor immunity.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for inhibiting the growth of cells or inducing cell death. The composition capable of inhibiting the growth of cells or inducing cell death comprises a 5′-triphosphate non-linear RNA. The RNA comprises a first stem-loop formed from the complete or partial hybridization of at least 8 nucleotide pairings and may optionally comprise a second stem-loop formed from the complete or partial hybridization of at least 8 nucleotide pairings and a spacer between the first stem-loop and the second stem loop. Methods for inhibiting the growth of cells or inducing cell death comprise contacting cells with the composition or administering the composition to a subject in an amount effective to inhibit the growth of the cells or induce death of the cells.

A nucleic acid-drug complex is provided in the present disclosure, which includes a nucleic acid sequence of an anti-PD-L1 aptamer and a CpG oligonucleotide sequence capable of activating TLR9, in which the CpG oligonucleotide sequence consists of a first fragment and a second fragment, and the nucleic acid sequence of the anti-PD-L1 aptamer is inserted between the first fragment and the second fragment.

The present disclosure provides small hairpin nucleic acid molecules capable of stimulating interferon production. The nucleic acid molecules of the present disclosure has a double-stranded section of less than 19 base pairs and at least one blunt end. In certain embodiments, the molecule comprises at least one 5′-triphosphate and/or at least one 5′-diphosphate. In certain embodiments, compounds and/or compositions of the disclosure are useful for treating, ameliorating, and/or preventing SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, and/or ameliorating, minimizing, reversing, and/or preventing persistent SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, and/or minimizing or preventing SARS-CoV-2 viral infection-derived mortality and/or lethality, in a subject. In certain embodiments, compounds and/or compositions of the disclosure are useful for treating, ameliorating, and/or preventing SARS-CoV-2 viral infection in a tumor-bearing subject. In certain embodiments, compounds and/or compositions of the disclosure are useful for treating, ameliorating, and/or preventing SARS-CoV-2 viral infection in an immune-compromised and/or immunodeficient subject.

Compositions and methods for treating cancer are provided. In particular, the compositions comprise an anti-neoplastic agent and either an interferon type I agonist or an interferon type II agonist, or a combination of an interferon type I agonist and an interferon type II agonist.

The present disclosure relates to immunogenic compositions comprising tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) antigens, and a toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist, such as oligonucleotide comprising an unmethylated cytidine-phospho-guanosine (CpG) motif. The immunogenic compositions may further comprise an aluminum salt adjuvant to which the Tdap antigens are adsorbed. The immunogenic compositions are suitable for active booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in an individual in need thereof.

The present disclosure provides for antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, methods of preparation thereof, and methods of use thereof. Also provided are related compounds, compositions and kits.

The present invention discloses a combinational therapy for enhancing efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade for tumors with immune suppressive microenvironment. More specifically, this combination therapy involves the treatment of cancer through immune checkpoint inhibitors and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides.