Abstract: The prevent invention provides an activated T cell in which the expression of an immune checkpoint molecule is suppressed, a method for producing the T cell, and a method for screening for a substance that can be used in the production of the T cell. Specifically, the prevent invention includes, as solving means, a method for producing or inducing a T cell in which the expression of an immune checkpoint molecule is not induced, the method comprising reducing or losing the function of UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) or ganglioside in a T cell, and a T cell produced or induced by the aforementioned method.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a polypeptide which enables stimulation of numerous T cells of different derivation, and to induce strong immunological response against numerous types of cancers. [Solution] Provided is a fused polypeptide that includes a helper epitope derived from the WT1 protein, and a killer epitope derived from the WT1 protein, wherein the polypeptide includes a total of 3 to 6 of the helper epitopes and the killer epitopes per molecule of the fused polypeptide.

Abstract: The object aims to provide: a novel tumor antigen; a novel therapeutic agent useful in a method for treating a malignant neoplasm by utilizing the tumor antigen; and a tumor antigen which can be used as the therapeutic agent. Thus, disclosed are: a novel tumor antigen which has an epitope capable of inducing a Th1 cell which is a CD4-positive T cell specific to Survivin; and use of the tumor antigen. Specifically disclosed is a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:17 or the like and has an activity to cause the production of a cytokine by a Th cell that is a cell specific to Survivin. The peptide can induce a Th cell that is specific to Survivin and can cause the production of a cytokine by the Sur/Th cell when the peptide is incubated together with an antigen-presenting cell and a CD4-positive T cell.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a polypeptide which enables stimulation of numerous T cells of different derivation, and to induce strong immunological response against numerous types of cancers. [Solution] Provided is a fused polypeptide that includes a helper epitope derived from the WT1 protein, and a killer epitope derived from the WT1 protein, wherein the polypeptide includes a total of 3 to 6 of the helper epitopes and the killer epitopes per molecule of the fused polypeptide.

Abstract: A technique is needed which can amplify NK cells in vitro and prepare optimum number of NK cells for the adoptive immunotherapy. A method for amplifying NK cells is provided which comprises steps of: preparing cell population which is comprised of NK cells, removing T cells from the cell population which is comprised of NK cells, and, after removal of T cells, cultivating the remaining cells in a medium supplemented with 2500 to 2831 IU/mL of IL-2. The method for amplifying NK cells of the present invention may comprise a step of removing hematopoietic progenitor cells from the cell population. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for adoptive immunotherapy, comprising NK cells which are prepared by the amplifying method of the present invention.

Abstract: The object aims to provide: a novel tumor antigen; a novel therapeutic agent useful in a method for treating a malignant neoplasm by utilizing the tumor antigen; and a tumor antigen which can be used as the therapeutic agent. Thus, disclosed are: a novel tumor antigen which has an epitope capable of inducing a Th1 cell which is a CD4-positive T cell specific to Survivin; and use of the tumor antigen. Specifically disclosed is a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:17 or the like and has an activity to cause the production of a cytokine by a Th cell that is a cell specific to Survivin. The peptide can induce a Th cell that is specific to Survivin and can cause the production of a cytokine by the Sur/Th cell when the peptide is incubated together with an antigen-presenting cell and a CD4-positive T cell.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing tumor-specific T cells is disclosed. According to the invention, antitumor-active, tumor-specific T cells are prepared by transducing a TCR gene from a tumor-specific CTL into antitumor-active T cells that have been nonspecifically activated, thus enabling tumor-specific cellular immunotherapy to be carried out from even small amounts of blood. MHC class I-restricted, tumor-specific Th cells are obtained by the method, allowing for the production of cells that react with tumor cells expressing an MHC class I molecule and show a helper activity and an antitumor activity.

Abstract: A technique is needed which can amplify NK cells in vitro and prepare optimum number of NK cells for the adoptive immunotherapy. A method for amplifying NK cells is provided which comprises steps of: preparing cell population which is comprised of NK cells, removing T cells from the cell population which is comprised of NK cells, and, after removal of T cells, cultivating the remaining cells in a medium supplemented with 2500 to 2831 IU/mL of IL-2. The method for amplifying NK cells of the present invention may comprise a step of removing hematopoietic progenitor cells from the cell population. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for adoptive immunotherapy, comprising NK cells which are prepared by the amplifying method of the present invention.