Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions of matter, and therapeutic protocols for treatment of cancer by selectively inducing immune responses against blood vessels feeding neoplastic tissue. In one embodiment, placental endothelial cells are stimulated with Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA) to induce release of nanoparticles that possess ability to: a) be taken up by antigen presenting; b) presented through direct and indirect presentation to CD4 and CD8 T cells, respectively; and c) utilized to stimulate cytoxic T cellular and humoral responses to selectively inhibit angiogenesis of tumors.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, protocols, and compositions of matter related to utilization of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing cells for the targeting of tumor endothelium utilizing chimeric antigen receptor expressing stem cells. In one embodiment tumor endothelium specific antigens are utilized as targets of the antigen binding domain of a CAR, which is attached to an extracellular hinge domain, a domain that transverses the T cell membrane and an intracellular domain associated with T cell signaling. Suitable antigens for the practice of the invention include TEM-1, ROBO-4, surviving, and FasL. In other aspects of the invention antigens are identified through serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) using plasma from a patient immunized with placental endothelial cells.

Abstract: Augmenting or stimulating an immune response, to tumor endothelial cells, by: a) obtaining a tumor endothelial antigen or composition of antigens; b) administering said tumor endothelial antigen or composition of antigens in an immunogenic manner to a host; and c) providing a probiotic and/or prebiotic mixture to said host being immunized.

Abstract: Adjuvants acting at the level of antigen presentation useful for stimulation of specific immunity against tumor endothelial cells. In one embodiment the invention teaches the use of activation of specific antigen presenting cell programs to selectively induce cytotoxic T cells and antibodies with complement activating ability while not evoking antigenic responses that potentially stimulate angiogenesis or growth of tumor endothelial cells. Specifically, the invention teaches selection and use of adjuvants that inhibit suppressive dendritic cell produced factors, surface bound and soluble, while stimulating activatory cytokines. Adjuvant means include innate activatory molecules, gene silencing means, alarmins, and other stimulatory means resembling “danger” signals.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods of use, and pharmaceutical preparations useful for treatment of cancer. In one embodiment dendritic cells (DC) are generated from a patient in need of treatment, matured utilizing a leukocyte lysate, and readministered into the same patient without the use of antigen pulsing. DC from different tissues, different stages of maturation, and different methods of inducing DC maturation are disclosed.

Abstract: The current invention provides monocytic cells transfected with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to selectively home to tumors and upon homing differentiate into dendritic cells capable of activating immunity which is inhibitory to said tumor. In one embodiment of the invention, monocytic cells are transfected with a construct encoding an antigen binding domain, a transcellular or structural domain, and an intracellular signaling domain. In one specific aspect of the invention, the antigen binding domain interacts with sufficient affinity to a tumor antigen, capable of triggering said intracellular domain to induce an activation signal to induce monocyte differentiation into DC.

Abstract: Disclosed is the new, useful, and unexpected finding that immunization to placental endothelial cells stimulated with interferon gamma result in antibodies to the checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1. In one embodiment, the invention teaches the use of ValloVax™ to induce immunological hyperresponsiveness and reduction of costimulatory need for T cell activation. In another embodiment the invention teaches means of selecting placental populations for enhanced expression of PD-L1 in order to augment immunity towards checkpoint inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions of matter, methods, and protocols useful for treatment of cancer through induction of anti-angiogenic immune responses by vaccination together with immune modulation triggered by checkpoint inhibitors. The invention provides placenta, placental endothelial, placental fibroblasts, and mixtures thereof as immunogens, whose anti-angiogenic activity is augmented by utilization of checkpoint inhibitors. Means of differentiating tumor cells directly into endothelial or endothelial-like cells and utilizing said cells as immunogens for the purpose of inducing immunity against blood vessels feeding tumors. In one embodiment CTLA4 blockade is performed in combination with an immunogen capable of triggering immunity towards tumor endothelial cells. In another embodiment blockade of the PD1-PD1 ligand pathway is performed in combination with induction of anti-angiogenic immune response.

Abstract: Disclosed are protocols, procedures and therapeutic compositions useful for augmentation of immunity to cancer and cancer associated endothelial cells by treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors capable of augmenting stimulatory and costimulatory molecules on said cancer vaccines. Additionally, the invention teaches specific concentrations of HDAC inhibitors useful for stimulation of in vivo immunity to tumor and tumor endothelial cell targeting vaccines.

Abstract: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETS) are webs of DNA held together with immunogenic peptides, released by neutrophils subsequent to activation. NETS are the most potent stimulator of dendritic cells, monocytes and T cells given their ability to activate TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9. The use of NETS for in vivo stimulation of immunity in a therapeutic sense has not been utilized due to fear of anti-DNA antibody formation and subsequent development of systemic lupus erythromatosis. The current invention provides means of safely generating NETS in vitro through peripheral blood utilizing clinically safe means such as yeast-derived component zymosan, isolating said NETS, utilizing said NETS to in vitro activate cytokine production from PBMC in vitro, and concentrating said cytokines. Cytokines generated by this methodology have superior ability to stimulate NK cells in vitro as compared to isolated NK stimulatory cytokines.

Abstract: Disclosed are allogeneic cells useful for the treatment of cancer in a universal donor, off the shelf, manner. In one embodiment of the invention cord blood derived T cell progenitors are matured with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, interleukin-7 and transfected with a construct encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting a tumor antigen or a tumor endothelial associated antigen on the antigen binding domain. The intracellular domain containing CD3 zeta chain and at least one shRNA domain encoding a transcript which generates at least one siRNA capable of inhibiting expression of HLA I and/or HLA II. In another embodiment mesenchymal stem cells are transfected with CAR to enhance migration into tumors and induce tumor death, reduction of inflammation, or immune sensitization. In another embodiment universal donor CAR-MSC are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the new, useful, and unexpected finding that immunization to placental endothelial cells stimulated with interferon gamma result in antibodies to the checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1. In one embodiment, the invention teaches the use of ValloVax™ to induce immunological hyperresponsiveness and reduction of costimulatory need for T cell activation. In another embodiment the invention teaches means of selecting placental populations for enhanced expression of PD-L1 in order to augment immunity towards checkpoint inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed are means of protecting signaling integrity of T cells in cancer patients through reduction of neutrophil and other cellular induced oxidative stress. In one embodiment the FDA approved drug Mucomyst is administered at a concentration of 50-150 mg/kg to increase expression of T cell receptor (TCR)-zeta chain in patients with cancer. In other embodiments enhancement of CAR-T cell therapy is performed through modulation of inflammatory and oxidative stress in a tumor bearing patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, protocols, and compositions of matter related to utilization of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing cells for the targeting of tumor endothelium utilizing chimeric antigen receptor expressing stem cells. In one embodiment tumor endothelium specific antigens are utilized as targets of the antigen binding domain of a CAR, which is attached to an extracellular hinge domain, a domain that transverses the T cell membrane and an intracellular domain associated with T cell signaling. Suitable antigens for the practice of the invention include TEM-1, ROBO-4, surviving, and FasL. In other aspects of the invention antigens are identified through serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) using plasma from a patient immunized with placental endothelial cells.