Variant guinea pig L-asparaginases which are truncated and humanized are described as are fusion proteins containing the L-asparaginase and use of the L-asparaginases in the treatment of cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.

Described herein are methods and compositions for treating cancer. Aspects of the invention relate to determining if a biological sample obtained from a subject for GSK3a bodies (puncta), e.g., in response to asparaginase treatment, and administering to a subject having cancer an asparaginase and an agent that inhibits GSK3α to a subject who has been identified as forming GSK3α-positive bodies.

Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions useful for treating cancer in an immunogenic manner so as to elicit local tumor regression, while priming systemic immunity. In one embodiment, there is expansion of tumor-specific immune cells through administration of fibroblasts, either natural or modified in an intratumoral and/or peritumoral manner. In other embodiments, manipulation of a local tumor microenvironment is achieved by injections of immune-modulating fibroblasts to facilitate expansion of immune effector cells, which are subsequently re-stimulated in the periphery by antigenic exposure. In another embodiment, agents are provided that allow for systemic derepression of immunity, while optionally augmenting ability of immune effector cells to expand and kill tumor cells.

Disclosed is a mutant strain having improved aromatic amino acid production capability as a result of the inactivation or weakening of activity of asparaginase which is expressed by ansB gene.

Disclosed herein is an endotoxin-free asparaginase enzyme. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed enzyme to treat subjects with a disease treatable by depletion of asparagine. For example, the disclosed endotoxin-free asparaginase enzyme is useful in the treatment or the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in both adults and children, as well as other conditions where asparagine depletion is expected to have a useful effect.

Disclosed herein are synergistically effective combinations of Amino Acid Depletion Agents (AADA) and Amino Acid Depletion Agent Sensitizers (AADAS). Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed combinations to treat subjects with a disease treatable by amino acid depletion-induced cell death (e.g. apoptosis). For example, the disclosed combinations are useful in the treatment or the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of adult and pediatric cancers, in particular, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as well as other conditions where amino acid depletion-induced apoptosis is expected to have a therapeutically useful effect. The synergistic combinations are also effective against solid tumors and lymphomas, including gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, NK lymphoma, DLBCL, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, hepatic cancer and glioblastoma.

A non-naturally occurring cell comprising an inoperative genomic asparaginase (Aspg) gene and an inoperative glutamine synthetase (Gs) gene, wherein the cell has been transfected with a controllably expressed gene encoding an enzyme having asparaginase activity, a controllably expressed gene encoding an enzyme having glutamine synthetase activity, and a controllably expressed gene encoding a heterologous protein of interest.

Disclosed are methods and related compositions for concomitantly, locally administering immunosuppressants and doses of therapeutic macromolecules for reducing Type I and Type IV hypersensitivity.

The present invention provides compositions comprising one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients, wherein the compositions are in the form of high solids concentration pastes capable of being injected in relatively low volumes into an animal using standard commercially available syringes. The invention also provides methods of making such compositions, particularly those compositions comprising high molecular weight active ingredients (e.g., antibodies, enzymes and other proteins and peptides) at relatively high therapeutic concentrations in the high solids concentration pastes. The invention further provides methods of using such formulations in treating, preventing and/or ameliorating certain diseases and physical disorders in animals, including humans, in need thereof. The invention also provides kits comprising the formulations of the invention and a suitable syringe, which in some aspects may be pre-loaded or pre-filled with a composition of the invention.

The present invention provides a method of treating a disease or condition characterized by inflammation in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a Pediococcus acidilactici probiotic. Compositions of Pediococcus acidilactici probiotic are also provided.