Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified arenaviruses suitable as vaccines against neoplastic diseases or cancer. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of certain infections causing neoplastic diseases or cancer, such as infections with oncogenic viruses. Specifically, provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, and methods of preventing or treating diseases and conditions caused by and associated with infections with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), such as cervical cancer, anogenital cancer, head and neck cancer and skin cancers. Also provided herein are immunotherapies for the treatment of a neoplastic disease, such as a neoplastic disease caused by infection with oncogenic viruses.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to increase the in vivo capacity of CD8+ T cells to kill HIV-infected and reactivated latent HIV-infected T cells (LHITC) to functionally cure HIV infection or improve the clinical course. Compositions and methods to increase the in vivo capacity of CD8+ T cells to kill CMV or CMV-infected cells are also provided.

Abstract: Novel human papillomovirus immunogenic compositions and methods of use thereof are provided. The compositions comprise unique combinations of multi-epitope peptide sequences specifically selected and designed to be effectively processed and cross-presented to T-cells. The peptides utilized in the compositions display high levels of binding with HLA-supertypes. The immunogenic compositions are broadly applicable to large proportions of target populations. The compositions comprise adjuvants such as cationic lipids.

Abstract: A method of producing plant virus-like particles includes freeze drying an aqueous solution of plant virus particles to produce a substantially RNA-free plant virus-like particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition comprising PIC for treatment of cancer. More particularly, the present disclosure discloses a composition for treatment of cancer comprising polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, an antibiotic or polyamine compound, a positive ion, and optionally a virus, and the use thereof in manufacture of a medicament for treatment of cancer. No figure for publication.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing an isolated population of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific T cells comprise dividing an HPV-positive tumor sample into multiple fragments; separately culturing the multiple fragments; obtaining T cells from the cultured multiple fragments; testing the T cells for specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; selecting the T cells that exhibit specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; and expanding the number of selected T cells to produce a population of HPV-specific T cells for adoptive cell therapy. Related methods of treating or preventing cancer using the T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating or preventing a disease by raising an innate immune response in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a TLR2 moiety in solution, wherein the TLR2 moiety comprises a TLR2 agonist and wherein the disease is not treated or prevented by a humoral or cellular immune response directed against the TLR2 moiety.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing an isolated population of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific T cells comprise dividing an HPV-positive tumor sample into multiple fragments; separately culturing the multiple fragments; obtaining T cells from the cultured multiple fragments; testing the T cells for specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; selecting the T cells that exhibit specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; and expanding the number of selected T cells to produce a population of HPV-specific T cells for adoptive cell therapy. Related methods of treating or preventing cancer using the T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing an isolated population of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific T cells comprise dividing an HPV-positive tumor sample into multiple fragments; separately culturing the multiple fragments; obtaining T cells from the cultured multiple fragments; testing the T cells for specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; selecting the T cells that exhibit specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; and expanding the number of selected T cells to produce a population of HPV-specific T cells for adoptive cell therapy. Related methods of treating or preventing cancer using the T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) having an attenuated phenotype that contain mutations in the M2-2 open reading frame that interfere with the expression of the M2-2 protein. The M2-2 mutations may be present in combination with mutations at other loci. Using methods described herein, combinations of mutations are provided to achieve desired levels of attenuation. The recombinant RSV strains described here are suitable for use as live-attenuated RSV vaccines. Also provided are polynucleotide sequences of the described viruses, as well as methods for producing and using the viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the treatment of a subject having a Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, e.g., a chronic HBV infection, using a combination of an RNAi agent that targets HBV and an HBV vaccine. It is disclosed a RNAi agent and an HBV vaccine for use in treatment of HBV infection, comprising sequentially administering to the subject having an HBV infection: a) an RNAi agent that inhibits expression of at least three HBV transcripts, wherein the RNAi agent forms a double stranded region; b) a protein-based vaccine comprising a first HBV core antigen (HBcAg) polypeptide, and a first HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) polypeptide; and c) a nucleic acid-based vaccine comprising an expression vector construct encoding a second HBcAg polypeptide, and/or a second HBsAg polypeptide, wherein the second HBcAg polypeptide, and/or the second HBsAg polypeptide, shares at least one epitope with at least one of the first HBcAg polypeptide, and/or the first HBsAg polypeptide.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a group of novel chemical compositions and their use for formulating RNA- and/or DNA-based medicine drugs/vaccines into stable compound complexes useful for both in-vitro and in-vivo delivery. Particularly, the present invention teaches the synthesis of a group of novel trimethylglycyl chemicals and their use for formulating cosmetic, therapeutic- and/or pharmaceutical-grade nucleic acid compositions, including but not limited microRNA precursors (pre-miRNA/miRNA), small hairpin RNAs (shRNA), short interfering RNAs (siRNA), ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides, RNA-DNA hybrids and DNA-based vectors/vaccines, with or without modification, into delivery complexes, which can then be absorbed by cells in vivo, ex vivo and/or in vitro through an active mechanism of endocytosis via acetylcoline receptors for releasing the therapeutic and pharmaceutical effects of the formulated nucleic acid compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are immunogenic compositions containing recombinant viruses capable of inducing protection in poultry against both Marek's disease virus (MDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Such viruses incorporate nucleic acids for expressing at least one MDV antigen, such as glycoprotein B, and antigenic portions thereof, in a recombinant NDV genome.

Abstract: Disclosed are oncolytic viruses comprising chimeric human/mouse CD40 ligands. The chimeric human/mouse CD40 ligand may be MEM40. The oncolytic virus may be replication competent. The oncolytic virus may be an oncolytic herpes simplex virus. Also disclosed are methods comprising administering an oncolytic virus armed with at least one chimeric human/mouse CD40 ligand, for example MEM40, to a patient suffering from cancer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the application discloses a method for the treatment of cancer in a patient, the method comprises a vaccination of the patient with a vaccine, wherein the vaccine comprises an effective amount of mammalian pluripotent stem cells obtained from an embryonic source or obtained by reprogramming of somatic cells from the patient, wherein the vaccination comprising the step of administering a mammalian pluripotent stem cells to the patient in need thereof; and vaccine formulations for use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell line for producing an adenovirus having a limited autoreplication capability, and a method of preparing the same, and more particularly, to a cell line for producing an adenovirus having no autoreplication capability by expressing at least one selected from an adenoviral E1 protein and an E1A or E1B protein, and a method of preparing the same. Also, the present invention relates to the use of the cell line expressing at least one selected from the adenoviral E1 protein and the E1A or E1B protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to VLP derived from human polyoma virus loaded with a drug (cargo) as a drug delivery system for transporting said drug into the CNS, in particular of living humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of oncology, virology and immunotherapy. More particularly, it concerns the use of a recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus comprising an MVA harboring a human Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (hFlt3L) (MVA-hFtl3L). The foregoing vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus can be delivered to tumor cells of a subject afflicted with a malignant solid tumor, to treat the tumor. In a related aspect, the present disclosure concerns a recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara virus with deletion of vaccinia virulence factor E3 (MV At.E3L) modified to express human Fms-like 5 tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (hFlt3L) isolated, suitable for use as an immunotherapeutic agent against a malignant solid tumor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a drug delivery system, in particular for crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), comprising a virus-like particle (VLP) derived from John Cunningham virus (JCV), a drug delivery system and novel VLP obtainable by said method. The method comprises steps of disassembly of VLP into pentamers and reassembly into VLP.

Abstract: The invention relates to MHC-Ia open conformers as immunomodulatory agents, particularly in the treatment or prevention of cancer. The open conformer comprises or consists of a first and a second monomer, and each monomer comprises a HLA-heavy chain from the MHC-Ia molecules. The open conformer further comprises a protein stabilizing polypeptide sequence and optionally an amino acid linker. Further aspects of the invention provide combination medicaments comprising the MHC-Ia open conformers and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of MHC-Ia open conformers as immunomodulators, particularly in diseases where the interaction to diverse immunoregulatory receptors such as KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, LILRB1, LILRB2, and PTPRJ modulates an immune response, and in diseases were the negative modulation of Tregs is a therapeutic strategy, e.g. infectious diseases.