Abstract: The invention relates to a HLA-B57 open conformer or a HLA-B57 Fc fusion protein for use in the treatment or prevention of cancer. The Fc open conformer comprises or consists of a first and a second monomer, and each monomer comprises a HLA-B57 chain. The Fc fusion protein further comprises a protein stabilizing polypeptide sequence and optionally an amino acid linker. Further aspects of the invention provide combination medicaments comprising the HLA-B57 Fc open conformer and immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or checkpoint agonist agents. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of HLA-B57 open conformer as an immunomodulator, particularly in diseases where modulation of diverse immune cell components (e.g. cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, Tregs) is a therapeutic strategy, e.g. infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant antigen and an isolated polynucleotide of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a composition including the same and a method of making the same. The recombinant antigen is a chimeric protein of PRRSV dual structural proteins and T-cell epitope. The polynucleotide encodes an amino acid sequence of the recombinant antigen. The recombinant protein expressed by the polynucleotide in an eukaryotic expression system can be beneficial for mass production and purification. An immunogenic composition including the recombinant antigen can promote pro-inflammatory M1-phenotype polarization of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), reduce receptor CD163 expression that is mediated for viral entry and activate T helper (Th1) immune responses, thereby being applied to a vaccine composition against PRRSV.

Abstract: Described herein is the use of a non-agonist ligand, particularly an antibody, specifically binding to GM-CSF or one of CD116, CD131 and the GM-CSF receptor composed of CD116 and CD131 for use in treatment of leukemia in a patient having undergone allo-HCT or in treatment of other complications arising as a consequence of hematopoietic cell transplantation from an immunologically non-identical donor.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies directed against CD127, the alpha chain of the interleukin 7 (IL-7) receptor IL-7R), and which have antagonist properties for IL-7-IL-7R interaction, may present cytotoxic activity against CD127 positive cells but do not increase the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) induced by TSLP, a cytokine also using CD127 as part of its receptor. Alternatively, or in addition, these antibodies do not induce the internalization of CD127 and/or inhibit the IL7-induced internalization of CD127.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods featuring ALT-803, a complex of an interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist mutant and a dimeric IL-15 receptor ?/Fc fusion protein useful for enhancing an immune response against a neoplasia (e.g., multiple myeloma, melanoma, lymphoma) or a viral infection (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus).

Abstract: The invention provides a system, composition, and methods of using the systems and compositions for the analysis of a sample from a subject to accurately diagnose, prognose, or classify the subject with certain grades of or susceptibility to Barrett's esophagus. In some embodiments, the system of the present invention comprises a means of detecting and/or quantifying morphological features, the expression of protein, or the expression of nucleic acids in a plurality of cells and correlating that data with a subject's medical history to predict clinical outcome, treatment plans, preventive medicine plans, or effective therapies. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a method of classifying and compiling data taken from a cell sample from a subject analyzing the data, and converting the data from the system into a score by which a pathologist may calculate the likelihood that the subject develops cancer.

Abstract: Anti-BCMA heavy chain-only antibodies(HCAb) and disclosed, along with methods of making such antibodies, compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising such antibodies, and their use to treat B-cell disorders characterized by the expression of BCMA.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the characterization and production of biologics.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to individual peptide immunogen constructs targeting portions of the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein, compositions containing the constructs, antibodies elicited by the constructs, and methods for making and using the constructs and compositions thereof. The disclosed IL-6 peptide immunogen constructs contain a B cell epitope from IL-6 linked to a heterologous T helper cell (Th) epitope directly or through an optional heterologous spacer. The IL-6 peptide immunogen constructs stimulate the generation of highly specific antibodies directed to the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) binding site for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases impacted by IL-6 dysregulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) agonist epitope from the C-terminal subunit of mucin 1 (MUC1-C), which can be used as a peptide, polypeptide (protein), and/or in vaccine or other composition for the prevention or therapy of cancer. The invention further provides a nucleic acid encoding the peptide, protein, or polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid, a cell comprising the peptide, polypeptide, nucleic acid, or vector, and compositions thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions and uses of caged proteins substituted with a photon decomposing chemical structure wherein the photon decomposing chemical structure is substituted through a linking group to a hydrophilic polymer. In certain embodiments, the caged protein is a proteinaceous agent such as an anticancer agent, cytokine, interleukin, fragment, or fusion thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses IL-2 mutants and uses thereof. More specifically, the disclosure provides IL-2 mutants and corresponding fusion proteins, conjugates, nucleic acid fragments, vectors, host cells, methods for preparing the mutants or fusion proteins, IL-2 mutants or fusion proteins prepared according to the methods, pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical uses, methods for treating diseases, and methods for preferentially stimulating regulatory T cells. Compared to wild-type IL-2, the IL-2 mutants of the present disclosure have higher Tm values and improved stability; alternatively, the IL-2 mutants of the present disclosure have an increased yield or changed binding activity to the IL-2R?? complexes compared to wild-type IL-2.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cytokine-based bioactivatable drug construct (“VitoKine”) platform that aims to reduce systemic mechanism-based toxicities and lead to broader therapeutic utility for proteins and cytokines such as IL-15 and IL-2 for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, viral infection, transplantation and various other disorders. The novel VitoKine constructs of the present invention comprise: 1) a tissue or disease site targeting moiety D1 domain (“D1”), 2) a bioactivatable moiety D2 domain (“D2”), and a concealing moiety D3 domain (“D3”). Importantly, because the “active moiety” of the VitoKine construct will remain inert until activated locally by proteases that are upregulated in diseased tissues, this will limit binding of the active moiety to the receptors or to the targets in the peripheral or on the cell-surface of non-diseased cells and tissue to prevent over-activation of the pathway and reduce undesirable “on-target” “off tissue” toxicities.

Abstract: Purified recombinant polypeptides isolated from Chinese hamster ovary host cells, including antibodies, such as therapeutic antibodies, and methods of making and using such polypeptides are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an antagonist peptide of the Interleukin-15 (IL-15) activity, which is characterized in that it comprises an amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID No. 5 or SEQ ID No. 12, or a homodimer of these peptides, as well as a nucleic acid that encodes for the peptide with the sequence identified as SEQ ID No. 5 or SEQ ID No. 12. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising said peptides or nucleic acids encoding said sequences are part of the invention. In addition, it provides the use of an IL-15 antagonist peptide comprising the amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID No. 5 or SEQ ID No. 12, or a homodimer of these peptides, for the manufacture of a medicament. The invention contemplates a method for the treatment of a disease related to the IL-15 overexpression, prostate and kidney cancer.

Abstract: Provided is a fusion protein comprising IL-2 protein and CD80 protein. A fusion protein containing CD80 fragment, immunoglobulin Fc, and an IL-2 variant can activate immune cells, such as natural killer cells, and at the same time, can control immune cell regulatory activity of regulatory T cells. Therefore, a pharmaceutical composition containing the fusion protein as an active ingredient is very industrially useful in that such pharmaceutical composition can increase immune activity in the body, and thus can be effectively used against infectious diseases as well as cancer.

Abstract: Provided is a fusion protein comprising IL-2 protein and CD80 protein. A fusion protein containing CD80 fragment, immunoglobulin Fc, and an IL-2 variant can activate immune cells, such as natural killer cells, and at the same time, can control immune cell regulatory activity of regulatory T cells. Therefore, a pharmaceutical composition containing the fusion protein as an active ingredient is very industrially useful in that such pharmaceutical composition can increase immune activity in the body, and thus can be effectively used against infectious diseases as well as cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, for treating interleukin 5 (IL-5) mediated diseases in pediatric subjects, and related methods.

Abstract: Provided herein are variant human IL-18 (hIL-18) proteins and fusion proteins comprising the variant hIL-18 proteins. Such variant hIL-18 proteins exhibit biological IL-18 activity while having reduced or no detectable binding to inhibitory IL-18BP. Thus, in some embodiments, the variant hIL-18 proteins advantageously retain IL-18 biological activity in the presence of IL-18BP. Such variant hIL-18 and related fusion proteins find use, for example, in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The disclosure features fusion proteins that are conditionally active variants of IL-12. In one aspect, the full-length polypeptides of the invention have reduced or minimal cytokine-receptor activating activity even though they contain a functional cytokine polypeptide. Upon activation, e.g., by cleavage of a linker that joins a blocking moiety, e.g., a steric blocking polypeptide, in sequence to the active cytokine, the cytokine can bind its receptor and effect signaling.