Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CARTs) compositions and methods of their use are provided. One embodiment provides a chimeric antigen receptor T cell composition including 8F8 chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Another embodiment provides a chimeric antigen receptor T cell composition including 6G11 chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Still another embodiment provide a chimeric antigen receptor T cell composition including 12D7 chimeric antigen receptor T cells. The disclosed CARTs can be used to treat cancer, for example hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: A lentivector has been engineered to express a fusion antigen composed of hepatitis B surface protein (HBsAg) and IgG2a Fc fragment (HBS-Fc-Iv) to increase both the magnitude of CD8 response and to induce effective co-activation of CD4 T cells. Immunization with this HBS-Fc-Iv caused significant regression of established tumors. Immunological analysis revealed that, compared to HBS-Iv without the Fc fragment, immunization with HBS-Fc-Iv markedly increased the number of functional CD8 and CD4 T cells and the level of Th1/Tc1-like cytokines in the tumor, while substantially decreasing the Treg ratio. The favorable immunologic changes in tumor lesions and the improvement of antitumor effects from HBS-Fc-Iv immunization were dependent on the CD4 activation, which was Fc receptor mediated. Adoptive transfer of the CD4 T cells from the HBS-Fc-Iv immunized mice could activate endogenous CD8 T cells in an IFN?-dependent manner.

Abstract: The immunoregulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is expressed by a subset of murine plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in tumor-draining LNs, where it can potently activate Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs). We now show that IDO functions as a molecular switch in tumor-draining LNs, maintaining Tregs in their normal suppressive phenotype when IDO was active, but allowing inflammation-induced conversion of Tregs to a polyfunctional T-helper phenotype similar to proinflammatory TH17 cells when IDO was blocked. In vitro, conversion of Tregs to the TH17-like phenotype was driven by antigen-activated effector T cells, and required IL-6 produced by activated pDCs. IDO regulated this conversion by dominantly suppressing production of IL-6 in pDCs, in a GCN2-kinase dependent fashion.

Abstract: A nucleic acid is provided comprising an expression cassette which includes transcription control sequences of a member of a class of Pol III-transcribed genes in which no transcribed portion of the Pol III gene is required for transcription of the gene. In the expression cassette, the transcribed 5? hairpin structure of the Pol III gene is deleted. The transcription control sequences are operably linked to a sequence of an EGFR gene in an antisense orientation suitable for decreasing expression of EGFR in the cell when transcribed. Lastly, a method for decreasing expression of EGFR in cells is provided that includes the step of contacting target cells either parenterally or directly into the tumor or tissue adjacent to the tumor cells with the nucleic acid of the present invention.

Abstract: A nucleic acid is provided comprising an expression cassette which includes transcription control sequences of a member of a class of Pol III-transcribed genes in which no transcribed portion of the Pol III gene is required for transcription of the gene. In the expression cassette, the transcribed 5′ hairpin structure of the Pol III gene is deleted. The transcription control sequences are operably linked to a sequence of an EGFR gene in an antisense orientation suitable for decreasing expression of EGFR in the cell when transcribed. A pharmaceutical composition including the nucleic acid is also provided. The pharmaceutical composition may include cationic liposomes, preferably DC-Chol/DOPE liposomes with which the nucleic acid is complexed. Lastly, a method for decreasing expression of EGFR in cells is provided that includes the step of contacting target cells with the nucleic acid of the present invention.