Abstract: Provided are SLC45A2 peptides that bind to MHC I (HLA-A2) on melanoma cells or other antigen-presenting cells and are recognized by T-cell receptors on T cells. The SLC45 A2 peptides may be therapeutically used to treat a cancer, such as a cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma, a mucosal melanoma, or a metastatic melanoma. Methods for expanding a population of T cells that target SLC45A2 are also provided.

Abstract: A method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy by administering a subject an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount is described. In the method, the CTL preparation is preferably administered as a preparation of an in vitro antigen-stimulated and expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population: (i) depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation, (ii) antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21; or (iii) both depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation and then antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21. Methods of preparing such compositions, and compositions useful for carrying out the adoptive immunotherapy, are also described.

Abstract: A method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy by administering a subject an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount is described. In the method, the CTL preparation is preferably administered as a preparation of an in vitro antigen-stimulated and expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population: (i) depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation; (ii) antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21; or (iii) both depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation and then antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21. Methods of preparing such compositions, and compositions useful for carrying out the adoptive immunotherapy, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing and expanding natural killer cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which comprises co-culturing, as feeder cells, irradiated Jurkat cells and irradiated Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphocyte continuous line (EBV-LCL) cells in the presence of cytokines, along with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. According to the present invention, a large quantity of natural killer cells can be induced and proliferated from a small quantity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells even without the use of high-cost equipment or various kinds of expensive cytokines, thereby making it possible to significantly improve the efficiency and efficacy of the prevention and treatment of cancer using the natural killer cells.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing and expanding natural killer cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which comprises co-culturing, as feeder cells, irradiated Jurkat cells and irradiated Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphocyte continuous line (EBV-LCL) cells in the presence of cytokines, along with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. According to the present invention, a large quantity of natural killer cells can be induced and proliferated from a small quantity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells even without the use of high-cost equipment or various kinds of expensive cytokines, thereby making it possible to significantly improve the efficiency and efficacy of the prevention and treatment of cancer using the natural killer cells.

Abstract: A method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy by administering a subject an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount is described. In the method, the CTL preparation is preferably administered as a preparation of an in vitro antigen-stimulated and expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population: (i) depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation; (ii) antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21; or (iii) both depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation and then antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21. Methods of preparing such compositions, and compositions useful for carrying out the adoptive immunotherapy, are also described.

Abstract: What is described is a novel genetic screen, involving recombinant technology and class I antigen cross-presentation, to search for supraoptimal superagonists of the 27L MART-1 mutant selecting for single amino acid substitution mutants of 27L that activate human antigen-specific CTL clones recognizing the wild-type MART-1.sub.26-35 epitope. Three novel mutant epitopes are identified with superagonist properties that are functionally superior to 27L. The ability of a given analog to act as superagonist varies among patients. Also described is the use of methods to establish panels of potential superagonist APLs to individualize tumor peptide vaccines among patients. The methodology is replicated to identify APL to NY-ESO-1.sub.157-165 and NY-ESO-1.sub.157-170 tumor epitopes. A general method is described that is useful to produce a tumor vaccine to any tumor epitope.

Abstract: A method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy by administering a subject an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount is described. In the method, the CTL preparation is preferably administered as a preparation of an in vitro antigen-stimulated and expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population: (i) depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation; (ii) antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21; or (iii) both depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation and then antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21. Methods of preparing such compositions, and compositions useful for carrying out the adoptive immunotherapy, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoparticles having a core comprising a magnetic material and having a surface, where the surface may be operatively linked to an antigenic peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) monomer. The antigenic peptide-MHC monomer may then be recognized by a T cell receptor. These nanoparticles may further comprise a signal-generating label, such as a fluorophore. Methods employing nanoparticles of the present invention may involve magnetic resonance imaging and/or fluorescence detection, such that cell imaging and localization are performed.

Abstract: What is described is a novel genetic screen, involving recombinant technology and class I antigen cross-presentation, to search for supraoptimal superagonists of the 27L MART-1 mutant selecting for single amino acid substitution mutants of 27L that activate human antigen-specific CTL clones recognizing the wild-type MART-126-35 epitope. Three novel mutant epitopes are identified with superagonist properties that are functionally superior to 27L. The ability of a given analog to act as superagonist varies among patients. Also described is the use of methods to establish panels of potential superagonist APLs to individualize tumor peptide vaccines among patients. The methodology is replicated to identify APL to NY-ESO-1157-165 and NY-ESO-1157-170 tumor epitopes. A general method is described that is useful to produce a tumor vaccine to any tumor epitope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing and expanding natural killer cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which comprises co-culturing, as feeder cells, irradiated Jurkat cells and irradiated Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphocyte continuous line (EBV-LCL) cells in the presence of cytokines, along with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. According to the present invention, a large quantity of natural killer cells can be induced and proliferated from a small quantity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells even without the use of high-cost equipment or various kinds of expensive cytokines, thereby making it possible to significantly improve the efficiency and efficacy of the prevention and treatment of cancer using the natural killer cells.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material.

Abstract: What is described is a novel genetic screen, involving recombinant technology and class I antigen cross-presentation, to search for supraoptimal superagonists of the 27L MART-1 mutant selecting for single amino acid substitution mutants of 27L that activate human antigen-specific CTL clones recognizing the wild-type MART-126-35 epitope. Three novel mutant epitopes are identified with superagonist properties that are functionally superior to 27L. The ability of a given analog to act as superagonist varies among patients. Also described is the use of methods to establish panels of potential superagonist APLs to individualize tumor peptide vaccines among patients. The methodology is replicated to identify APL to NY-ESO-1157-165 and NY-ESO-1157-170 tumor epitopes. A general method is described that is useful to produce a tumor vaccine to any tumor epitope.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoparticles having a core comprising a magnetic material and having a surface, where the surface may be operatively linked to an antigenic peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) monomer. The antigenic peptide-MHC monomer may then be recognized by a T cell receptor. These nanoparticles may further comprise a signal-generating label, such as a fluorophore. Methods employing nanoparticles of the present invention may involve magnetic resonance imaging and/or fluorescence detection, such that cell imaging and localization are performed.

Abstract: A method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy by administering a subject an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount is described. In the method, the CTL preparation is preferably administered as a preparation of an in vitro antigen-stimulated and expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population: (i) depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation; (ii) antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21; or (iii) both depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation and then antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21. Methods of preparing such compositions, and compositions useful for carrying out the adoptive immunotherapy, are also described.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material.