Abstract: Provided herein are constitutively active chimeric cytokine receptors (CACCRs). When present on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-bearing immune cells, such CACCRs allow for increased immune cell activation, proliferation, persistence, and/or potency. Also provided are methods of making and using the CACCRs described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant antigen receptors, for example chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), that comprise modified cytoplasmic domains that provide improved signalling and thereby provide improved performance and safety. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the recombinant antigen receptors, vectors comprising the polynucleotides, and engineered immune cells comprising the vectors and/or polynucleotides. The invention further provides methods for engineering immune cells to express the recombinant antigen receptors. Improved recombinant antigen receptor signalling is also provided by co-expressing a first recombinant antigen receptor and a second recombinant antigen receptor or co-expressing a recombinant antigen receptor and a protein involved in transducing the signal from the activated recombinant antigen receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to CD70 (Cluster of Differentiation 70). The invention further provides bispecific antibodies that bind to CD70 and another antigen (e.g., CD3). The invention further relates to antibody encoding nucleic acids, and methods of obtaining such antibodies (monospecific and bispecific). The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these antibodies for the treatment of CD70-mediated pathologies, including cancer.

Abstract: Described herein are improved media for culturing immune cells, and methods of use thereof. In particular, cell growth media described herein are particularly suitable for T-cell expansion, which can be used for manufacture of cells useful in adoptive cell therapies, including therapies using chimeric antigen receptors (e.g., CAR-T cell therapy).

Abstract: The invention relates to an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (N-CAR) comprising an extracellular domain comprising an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain and, an intracellular domain wherein the intracellular domain comprises an Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Switch Motif ITSM, wherein said ITSM is a sequence of amino acid TX1YX2X3X4, wherein X1 is an amino acid X2 is an amino acid X3 is an amino acid and X4 is V or I.

Abstract: Provided herein are polynucleotides encoding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising a CD19 antigen binding domain that specifically birnds to CD19 and is resistant to rituximab binding; and immune cells comprising these CD19-specific CARs, e.g., CAR-T cells. Also provided are methods of making and using these CD19-specific CARs, and immune cells comprising these CD19-specific CARs.

Abstract: Provided herein are constitutively active chimeric cytokine receptors (CACCRs). When present on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-bearing immune cells, such CACCRs allow for increased immune cell activation, proliferation, persistence, and/or potency. Also provided are methods of making and using the CACCRs described herein.

Abstract: Provided here are engineered immune cells that comprise a constitutively active chimeric cytokine receptor (CACCR) and a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Also provided herein are engineered immune cells that comprise one or more nucleic acids e.g. a bicistronic vector such as a viral vector that encode the CACCRs and BCMA CARs and engineered immune cells e.g. engineered autologous or allogeneic T cells that express both CACCRs and BCMA CARs from the nucleic acids. When present on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-bearing engineered immune cells, the CACCRs allow for increased immune cell activation, proliferation, persistence, and/or potency. Further provided herein are methods of making and using the engineered immune cells described herein, such as methods of treating a disease or condition by administering at least one appropriate dose of the cells to a patient suffering from the condition.

Abstract: Provided herein are Claudin 18.2 binding agents and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising a Claudin 18.2 binding molecule that specifically binds to Claudin 18.2; and immune cells comprising these Claudin 18.2-specific CARs, e.g., CAR-T cells. Also provided are methods of making and using Claudin 18.2-specific CARs and Claudin 18.2 binding agents, and immune cells comprising Claudin 18.2-specific CARs.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to CD70 (Cluster of Differentiation 70). The invention further provides bispecific antibodies that bind to CD70 and another antigen (e.g., CD3). The invention further relates to antibody encoding nucleic acids, and methods of obtaining such antibodies (monospecific and bispecific). The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these antibodies for the treatment of CD70-mediated pathologies, including cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides CARs (CARs) that specifically bind to BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen). The invention further relates to engineered immune cells comprising such CARs, CAR-encoding nucleic acids, and methods of making such CARs, engineered immune cells, and nucleic acids. The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these CARs and engineered immune cells for the treatment of a condition associated with malignant cells expressing BCMA (e.g., cancer).

Abstract: Provided herein are polynucleotides encoding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising a CD19 antigen binding domain that specifically binds to CD19 and is resistant to rituximab binding; and immune cells comprising these CD19-specific CARs, e.g., CAR-T cells. Also provided are methods of making and using these CD19-specific CARs, and immune cells comprising these CD19-specific CARs.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered immune cells and populations thereof for administration to subjects to treat cancer (e.g., solid tumors or liquid tumors) and other conditions. The cells are engineered to functionally express a reduced level of one or more of CD48, CD58, ICAM-1, RFX5, NLRC5, TAP2, ?2m, TRAC, RFXAP, CIITA and RFXANK. The cells optionally are further engineered to express one or more than one additional protein such as an antigen binding protein (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or T cell receptor) and/or a CD70 binding protein to target tumor cells or other damaged cells in the subject and/or to express other genes at a reduced level. Also provided are methods of making and using the engineered cells, compositions and kits comprising them, and methods of treating by administering the cells and the compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are PD-1 chimeric cytokine receptors. When present on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-bearing immune cells, such receptors allow for increased immune cell activation, proliferation, persistence, and/or potency, when engaged with PD-1 ligands or activation with an anti-PD-1 antibody. Also provided are methods of making and using the chimeric cytokine receptors described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, antibodies for detecting TALENs and/or FokI nucleases in a sample and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, kits and reagents for analyzing the attributes of cell populations, such as donor cells prior to modification to provide engineered cells, e.g., engineered immune cells, such as CAR T cells. For example, provided herein are methods of determining the amount or percentage of biomarkers and/or secretion profiles of donor cell populations, selecting donor cells with certain biomarkers and/or secretion profiles, and engineering the CAR T cells from the selected donor cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric switch receptors (CSRs) comprising an ectodomain and/or transmembrane domain derived from an inhibitory receptor (e.g. PD1 or TGF?R2) fused to the transmembrane domain and/or intracellular signaling domain derived from one or more costimulatory proteins (e.g. CD2, CD28, MyD88, DAP10 or ICOS), or variants thereof. The chimeric switch receptors are designed to convert a signal e.g. an inhibitory signal such as an immunosuppressive signal in the form of PD-L1 or TGF? into a costimulatory signal. Also provided are engineered immune cells engineered to functionally express a chimeric switch receptor and/or a CAR and optionally also a chimeric cytokine receptor (CCR), and populations thereof, methods of making and using the engineered cells, compositions and kits comprising them, and methods of treating e.g. cancer (e.g. solid or hematologic tumors) by administering the cells and the compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are PD-1 chimeric cytokine receptors. When present on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-bearing immune cells, such receptors allow for increased immune cell activation, proliferation, persistence, and/or potency, when engaged with PD-1 ligands or activation with an anti-PD-1 antibody. Also provided are methods of making and using the chimeric cytokine receptors described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, antibodies for detecting TALENs and/or FokI nucleases in a sample and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are DLL3 binding agents and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising a DLL3 binding molecule that specifically binds to DLL3; and immune cells comprising these DLL3-specific CARs, e.g., CAR-T cells. Also provided are methods of making and using DLL3-specific CARs, and immune cells comprising DLL3-specific CARs.