Disclosed are a universal CAR-T cell knocking out one or more of CD3 delta, CD3 gamma, CD3 epsilon and CD3 zeta, and simultaneously introducing the HSV-TK gene. Also disclosed are a method for preparing the above-mentioned CAR-T cell, a preparation comprising the CAR-T cell, and the use of the CAR-T cell.

Embodiments of the disclosure encompass methods and compositions for treatment of cancer utilizing fibroblasts that have been modified to enhance their ability to deliver one or more anti-cancer agents to an individual in need thereof. In particular embodiments, the fibroblasts have been modified to express on or more chemokine receptors and/or have been exposed to hypoxia to enhance their ability to home to cancer cells. In specific cases the modified fibroblasts are engineered to encompass an oncolytic virus as a tumor inhibitory agent.

Described herein are chimeric receptors. Chimeric receptors comprise a cytoplasmic domain; a transmembrane domain; and an extracellular domain. In embodiments, the cytoplasmic domain comprises a cytoplasmic portion of a receptor that when activated polarizes a macrophage. In further embodiments, a wild-type protein comprising the cytoplasmic portion does not comprise the extracellular domain of the chimeric receptor. In embodiments, the binding of a ligand to the extracellular domain of the chimeric receptor activates the intracellular portion of the chimeric receptor. Activation of the intracellular portion of the chimeric receptor may polarize the macrophage into an M1 or M2 macrophage.

Described herein are chimeric receptors. Chimeric receptors comprise a cytoplasmic domain; a transmembrane domain; and an extracellular domain. In embodiments, the cytoplasmic domain comprises a cytoplasmic portion of a receptor that when activated polarizes a macrophage. In further embodiments, a wild-type protein comprising the cytoplasmic portion does not comprise the extracellular domain of the chimeric receptor. In embodiments, the binding of a ligand to the extracellular domain of the chimeric receptor activates the intracellular portion of the chimeric receptor. Activation of the intracellular portion of the chimeric receptor may polarize the macrophage into an M1 or M2 macrophage.

The present disclosure provides a replication-competent, recombinant oncolytic vaccinia virus, compositions comprising the vaccinia virus, and use of the vaccinia virus or composition for inducing oncolysis in an individual having a tumor.

Nucleic acid sequences encoding improved Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinases are provided, including their use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The thymidine kinases may be mutated using conservative mutations, non-conservative mutations, or both. Also provided are gene therapeutic systems, including viral and retroviral particles.

A DNA plasmid useful for diagnostic and therapeutic gene therapy is disclosed. Improvements to gene therapy methods known in the art are provided to ensure cancer-targeting, high efficacy, and long durability of expression. The DNA plasmid is combined with compositions of polymeric nanoparticles for non-viral gene therapy to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer.

A viral gene therapy combination therapy for cancer, using a virus to deliver a gene to a human patient, where the gene expresses a polypeptide which is not native to the wild-type virus, yet which is nonetheless therapeutically useful when administered in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent.

The present disclosure provides an engineered stem cell, comprising a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence of suicide gene, a nucleic acid sequence of immune checkpoint gene and a natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor or a TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, wherein the stem cell is a tumor-targeting cell. The present disclosure also provides a method for treating a cancer or enhancing intratumor immunity or enhancing immunity in tumor microenvironment in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of the engineered stem cell of the present disclosure to the subject.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions, methods, and kits for transfecting adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) in freshly extracted adipose tissue using nanoparticles comprising biodegradable polymers self-assembled with nucleic acid molecules. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods for treating a neurological disease in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering the AMSCs transfected with the nucleic acid molecules to the patient, wherein the nucleic acid molecules encode one or more bioactive molecules functional in the treatment of a neurological disease, particularly wherein the neurological disease is a brain tumor.