Provided are polynucleotides and viral vectors, particularly, alphavirus vectors such as Sindbis viral vectors, which encode multiple, e.g., two or more, epitopes of at least one tumor associated antigen in which each epitope is separated by a processing or enzyme cleavage site. The multiple epitopes of the two or more tumor associated antigens encoded by the described polynucleotides and viral vectors may be the same or different. Methods of treating mammalian subjects having a cancer or tumor expressing the tumor associated antigen epitopes are provided, in which the viral vectors encoding the multiple epitopes, as well as other immunostimulatory or immunomodulatory components, generate an anti-cancer or anti-tumor immune response in which high levels of effector T cells increase the survivability of tumored mammalian subjects and result in epitope spreading, thus providing a further enhancement of the immune response.

The present invention relates to a complex of a protein comprising zinc oxide-binding peptides and zinc oxide nanoparticles, to the use thereof as a drug delivery carrier for manufacturing medicines, and to a vaccine composition and a contrast agent comprising the composite. The protein comprising zinc oxide-binding peptides significantly improves the in vivo availability of zinc oxide-binding peptides, and therefore the complex of the present invention can be used not only as a drug delivery carrier for in vivo drug delivery or intracellular drug delivery, but also for in vivo imaging or cell imaging. The complex can be used for producing separating agents for effectively separating biological materials, therapeutic agents for hyperthermia, etc., contrast agents for MRI, and beads applicable to biosensors.

Provided herein are methods for delaying or inhibiting T cell maturation or differentiation in vitro for a T cell therapy, comprising contacting one or more T cells from a subject in need of a T cell therapy with an AKT inhibitor and at least one of exogenous Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and exogenous Interleukin-15 (IL-15), wherein the resulting T cells exhibit delayed maturation or differentiation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering the one or more T cells to a subject in need of a T cell therapy.

Disclosed is an SamRNA vaccine, including a recombinant viral vector which includes: i) a viral gene replication complex including nucleotide sequences encoding viral gene replication-related proteins nsP1, nsP2, nsP3, and nsP4; and ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one antigen. According to the SamRNA vaccine of the present invention, in addition to that a promoter of a modified adenoviral vector itself can transcribe an antigen gene to form mRNA, the viral gene replication-related proteins nsP1-4 use RNA as a template to synthesize a large amount of mRNAs, and the immune effect of a target antigen is greatly improved.

Provided herein are immunogenic compositions comprising a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD40 ligand (CD4OL) and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heterologous disease-associated antigen, wherein the immunogenic composition induces increases T-cell immune responses specific for the heterologous disease-associated antigen when administered to a human host, and related methods and uses.

Provided herein are immunogenic compositions comprising a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD40 ligand (CD40L) and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heterologous disease-associated antigen, wherein the immunogenic composition induces increases T-cell immune responses specific for the heterologous disease-associated antigen when administered to a human host, and related methods and uses.

In certain embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for generating immune responses against tumor neo-antigens or neo-epitopes. In particular embodiments there may be provided methods for constructing and producing recombinant adenovirus-based vector vaccines containing nucleic acid sequences encoding tumor neo-antigens and neo-epitopes that allow for vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus. In additional embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of cancer using immunotherapy based on recombinant adenovirus-based vectors combined with engineered natural killer cells. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions further comprises a nucleic acid encoding for an immunological fusion partner.

Provided herein are methods for delaying or inhibiting T cell maturation or differentiation in vitro for a T cell therapy, comprising contacting one or more T cells from a subject in need of a T cell therapy with an AKT inhibitor and at least one of exogenous Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and exogenous Interleukin-15 (IL-15), wherein the resulting T cells exhibit delayed maturation or differentiation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering the one or more T cells to a subject in need of a T cell therapy.

In certain embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for generating immune responses against tumor neo-antigens or neo-epitopes. In particular embodiments there may be provided methods for constructing and producing recombinant adenovirus-based vector vaccines containing nucleic acid sequences encoding tumor neo-antigens and neo-epitopes that allow for vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus. In additional embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of cancer using immunotherapy based on recombinant adenovirus-based vectors combined with engineered natural killer cells. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions further comprises a nucleic acid encoding for an immunological fusion partner.

Provided herein are methods for delaying or inhibiting T cell maturation or differentiation in vitro for a T cell therapy, comprising contacting one or more T cells from a subject in need of a T cell therapy with an AKT inhibitor and at least one of exogenous Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and exogenous Interleukin-15 (IL-15), wherein the resulting T cells exhibit delayed maturation or differentiation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering the one or more T cells to a subject in need of a T cell therapy.