Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulating T cell dysfunctional and effector states by modulating glucocorticoid and IL-27 signaling. The invention further relates to modulating immune states, such as CD8 T cell immune states, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulating anti-tumor T cell immunity by modulating steroidogenesis. Steroidogenesis may be modulated with inhibitors of enzymes that synthesize glucocorticoids in a tumor. The inhibitor may target Cyp11a1. The inhibitor may be metyrapone. The invention further relates to modulating immune states, such as CD8 T cell immune states, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulating anti-tumor T cell immunity by modulating steroidogenesis. Steroidogenesis may be modulated with inhibitors of enzymes that synthesize glucocorticoids in a tumor. The inhibitor may target Cyp11a1. The inhibitor may be metyrapone. The invention further relates to modulating immune states, such as CD8 T cell immune states, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to novel CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subtypes associated with response to immunotherapy treatment. Specifically, the subtypes are associated with checkpoint blockade therapy. Moreover, the subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to methods and compositions for use of the subtypes. Also, disclosed herein are gene signatures and markers associated with the subtypes and use of said signatures and markers. Further disclosed are therapeutic methods of using said gene signatures and immune cell subtypes. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising populations of CD8+ TILs enriched for a specific subtype.

Abstract: Dysfunctional or exhausted T cells arise in chronic diseases including chronic viral infections and cancer, and express high levels of co-inhibitory receptors. Therapeutic blockade of these receptors has clinical efficacy in the treatment of cancer. While co-inhibitory receptors are co-expressed, the triggers that induce them and the transcriptional regulators that drive their co-expression have not been identified. The immunoregulatory cytokine IL-27 induces a gene module in T cells that includes several known co-inhibitory receptors (Tim-3, Lag-3, and TIGIT). The present invention provides a novel immunoregulatory network and novel cell surface molecules that have an inhibitory function in the tumor microenvironment. The present invention further provides the novel discovery that the transcription factors Prdm1 and c-Maf cooperatively regulate the expression of the co-inhibitory receptor module.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulating T cell dysfunctional and effector states by modulating glucocorticoid and IL-27 signaling. The invention further relates to modulating immune states, such as CD8 T cell immune states, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: Dysfunctional or exhausted T cells arise in chronic diseases including chronic viral infections and cancer, and express high levels of co-inhibitory receptors. Therapeutic blockade of these receptors has clinical efficacy in the treatment of cancer. While co-inhibitory receptors are co-expressed, the triggers that induce them and the transcriptional regulators that drive their co-expression have not been identified. The immunoregulatory cytokine IL-27 induces a gene module in T cells that includes several known co-inhibitory receptors (Tim-3, Lag-3, and TIGIT). The present invention provides a novel immunoregulatory network as well as novel cell surface molecules that have an inhibitory function in the tumor microenvironment. The present invention further provides the novel discovery that the transcription factors Prdm1 and c-Maf cooperatively regulate the expression of the co-inhibitory receptor module.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated peptides derived from TCR CDR3 segments, antibodies which recognize them, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of their use for modulating self-immunity.