Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions related to therapy for cancer. More specifically, the disclosed methods and compositions are related to the use of smallpox vaccine to induce an effective anti-tumor immune response.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are viruses that can be used in methods of treatment for cancer. More specifically, the viruses express two or more antibodies which induce an effective anti-tumor immune response. The viruses also can be used in diagnostic methods.

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: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions related to combination therapy for cancer. More specifically, several treatment modalities are used in combination to induce an effective anti-tumor immune response. The present invention relates generally to the treatment of human cancer and, more specifically, to use of several treatment modalities in combination to induce effective anti-tumor immune responses.

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 herein are methods and compositions related to therapy for cancer. More specifically, the disclosed methods and compositions are related to the use of smallpox vaccine to induce an effective anti-tumor 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: Provided are adjunct therapies for use in combinations and compositions with an oncolytic virus, such as a vaccinia virus. The adjunct therapies include co-administration and co-formulation of a complement inhibitor and/or a lipid emulsion composition with the oncolytic virus. Also provided herein are therapeutic methods using the adjunct therapies for treatment of disease and conditions employing an oncolytic therapeutic virus, such as for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases or conditions including tumors or cancers.

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 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: 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: Diagnostic methods for in vivo and ex vivo detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are provided. The diagnostic methods employ oncolytic viruses alone or in combination with one or more tumor cell enrichment and/or detection methods. Combinations and kits for use in the practicing the methods also are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the treatment and prevention of human cancer and viral diseases. More specifically, this invention relates to development of a new generation of vaccines that rely on eliciting cellular immune responses, specifically induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), against cancer cells and virus-infected cells via administration of a polymeric nanoparticle containing a vaccine comprising a fusion peptide or a modified peptide. Such a fusion peptide is composed of an insertion signal sequence and a peptide derived from a tumor antigen or a viral antigen, which improves antigen presentation and induces CTL with higher efficiency against cancer cells and virus-infected cells. An exemplary peptide utilized in the invention is Mart-1:27-35 peptide.