Embodiments relate to peptide antagonists of γc-family cytokines, which is associated with important human diseases, such as leukemia, autoimmune diseases, collagen diseases, diabetes mellitus, skin diseases, degenerative neuronal diseases and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Thus, inhibitors of γc-cytokine activity are valuable therapeutic and cosmetic agents as well as research tools. Traditional approaches to inhibiting γc-cytokine activity involve raising neutralizing antibodies against each individual γc-cytokine family member/receptor subunit. However, success has been limited and often multiple γc-cytokine family members co-operate to cause the disease state. Combinatorial use of neutralizing antibodies raised against each factor is impractical and poses an increased risk of adverse immune reactions. The present embodiments overcome these shortcomings by utilizing peptide antagonists based on the consensus γc-subunit binding site to inhibit γc-cytokine activity. Such approach allows for flexibility in antagonist design. In several embodiments, peptides exhibit Simul-Block activity, inhibiting the activity of multiple γc-cytokine family members.

Disclosed are cysteine variants of interleukin-11 (IL-11) and methods of making and using such proteins in therapeutic applications.

The present disclosure provides chimeric cytokine receptors comprising an intracellular signaling domain of an interleukin-9 receptor alpha (IL9Ra). The present disclosure also provides modified cell(s), i.e., immune cell(s) or precursor cell(s) thereof, wherein the cell(s) are engineered to express a) interleukin-9 receptor alpha (IL9Ra), or a chimeric cytokine receptor disclosed herein; and b) a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The present disclosure further provides a vector (e.g., an oncolytic adenoviral vector) comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cytokine, as well as methods of using the modified cells and the vector for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof. Also provided are modified immune cell(s) or precursor cell(s) thereof which are engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), wherein expression of Cullin 5 in the cell(s) is reduced and/or eliminated. Also provided are methods and uses of the modified cells, e.g., for treating at least one sign and/or symptom of cancer. Related nucleic acids, vectors, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Recombinant oncolytic viruses (OVs) that express one or more metabolic modulator proteins, such as an adipokine (e.g., leptin or chemerin), insulin, and/or IGF-1, and methods of their use to treat cancer, for example in immunotherapy anti-cancer treatments. In some examples, such recombinant OVs and methods increase T cell infiltration into the tumor or tumor microenvironment.

Featured are recombinant adenoviruses and vectors thereof. In particular, the adenoviruses are simian (rhesus) adenoviruses having a low seroprevalence and high immunogenicity (when expressing, e.g., an antigenic polypeptide) relative to other adenoviruses and vectors thereof. Also featured are methods for producing the adenoviruses and methods of treatment of diseases by administering the adenoviral vector(s) to a subject (e.g., a human).

The present disclosure is directed recombinant T cell receptors capable of binding a CCND1 epitope and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. In some aspects, the nucleic acid molecules further comprise a second nucleotide sequence, wherein the second nucleotide sequence or the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleotide sequence inhibits the expression of an endogenous TCR. Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule and cells comprising the recombinant TCR, the nucleic acid molecule, or the vector. Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods of using the same. In some aspects, the methods comprise treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof.

The present disclosure is directed recombinant T cell receptors capable of binding a MAGE-A2 epitope and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. In some aspects, the nucleic acid molecules further comprise a second nucleotide sequence, wherein the second nucleotide sequence or the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleotide sequence inhibits the expression of an endogenous TCR. Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule and cells comprising the recombinant TCR, the nucleic acid molecule, or the vector. Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods of using the same. In some aspects, the methods comprise treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Embodiments relate to peptide antagonists of γc-family cytokines, which is associated with important human diseases, such as leukemia, autoimmune diseases, collagen diseases, diabetes mellitus, skin diseases, degenerative neuronal diseases and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Thus, inhibitors of γc-cytokine activity are valuable therapeutic and cosmetic agents as well as research tools. Traditional approaches to inhibiting yc-cytokine activity involve raising neutralizing antibodies against each individual γc-cytokine family member/′ receptor subunit. However, success has been limited and often multiple γc-cytokine family members co-operate to cause the disease state. Combinatorial use of neutralizing antibodies raised against each factor is impractical and poses an increased risk of adverse immune reactions. The present embodiments overcome these shortcomings by utilizing peptide antagonists based on the consensus γc-subunit binding site to inhibit γc-cytokine activity. Such approach allows for flexibility in antagonist design. In several embodiments, peptides exhibit Simul-Block activity, inhibiting the activity of multiple γc-cytokine family members.

Featured are recombinant adenoviruses and vectors thereof. In particular, the adenoviruses are simian (rhesus) adenoviruses having a low seroprevalence and high immunogenicity (when expressing, e.g., an antigenic polypeptide) relative to other adenoviruses and vectors thereof. Also featured are methods for producing the adenoviruses and methods of treatment of diseases by administering the adenoviral vector(s) to a subject (e.g., a human).

Recombinant oncolytic viruses (OVs) that express one or more metabolic modulator proteins, such as an adipokine (e.g., leptin or chemerin), insulin, and/or IGF-1, and methods of their use to treat cancer, for example in immunotherapy anti-cancer treatments. In some examples, such recombinant OVs and methods increase T cell infiltration into the tumor or tumor microenvironment.