The present disclosure provides methods of evaluating a therapeutic agent for cancer, and methods of cancer treatment.

A composition and a method for generating clinically safe NK cells derived from non-fully differentiated stem cells are provided. The non-fully differentiated stem cells are co-cultured with endogenous NK cells isolated from adipocyte-containing tissue to generate a high percentage of clinically safe NK cells, where anti-tumor activity of the clinically safe NK cells in vitro is similar to that of endogenous NK cells. Optimized Production of the clinically safe autologous NK cells from stem cells provides platform for treating cancer patients by applying an effective adoptive immunotherapy ranging from the early to terminal stages.

The present invention is directed to a mammalian-avian chimeric model system comprising a fertilized avian egg comprising a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM); and multiple types of mammalian cells dispersed in a hydrogel. Further provided is a method for preparing the system and a method of using the same.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and compositions that facilitate cancer treatment including at least because they concern therapies that circumvent the tumor microenvironment. In specific embodiments, compositions are utilized for therapy that utilize NK cells that are protected from the direct inhibition of their activity (using TGF-beta inhibitors) and/or that are indirectly protected from TGF-beta (using integrin inhibitors). In specific embodiments, the NK cells have deficient expression and/or activity for TGF-beta Receptor 2 and/or glucocorticoid receptor.

The present disclosure provides methods of evaluating a therapeutic agent for cancer, and methods of cancer treatment.

Methods for generating clinically safe NK cells derived from non-fully differentiated stem cells and their use in treating cancer are provided. The non-fully differentiated stem cells are co-cultured with endogenous NK cells isolated from adipocyte-containing tissue to generate a high percentage of clinically safe NK cells, where anti-tumor activity of the clinically safe NK cells in vitro is similar to that of endogenous NK cells. Optimized Production of the clinically safe autologous NK cells from stem cells provides platform for treating cancer patients by applying an effective adoptive immunotherapy ranging from the early to terminal stages.

The present application relates to probiotic compositions, e.g., comprising at least one bacterial strain selected from: Streptococcus thermophiles, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, KE99, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, optionally wherein the at least one bacterial strain is either alive or sonicated.

Disclosed is a rapid and efficient method for expanding a human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. In the method, immune cells in human peripheral blood and human mesenchymal stem cells are co-cultured at a cell number ratio of 1:1 to 400:1, which can significantly enhance the expansion ability of human mesenchymal stem cells; the number of expansion in vitro is more than ten times that of commonly used methods, and the expanded cells still maintain the biological characteristics of stem cells while having stronger self-renewal ability and multidirectional differentiation potential. There is no statistical difference in the expansion-promoting effects of the human peripheral blood immune cells from people of different ages on the human mesenchymal stem cells, regardless of age. Subjects use immune cells in autologous peripheral blood to expand human mesenchymal stem cells, which can avoid the risk of immune rejection.

This disclosure describes efficient methods for separating desired populations of cells, including Multilineage-Differentiating Stress-Enduring (MUSE) cells. Also described are the methods for isolating and enriching MUSE cells through a sorting, expanding, and re-sorting procedure. The enriched cells or cell populations can be used for treating cancer, repairing various tissues, and treating various degenerative or inherited diseases.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating immunotherapeutic cells (e.g., NK and T cells) with enhanced cytotoxicity and capacity for expansion thereof. The methods and compositions disclosed herein can further be used for enhanced expansion of CAR-modified NK and T cells with increased cytotoxicity.