Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of cancer using a combination treatment comprising a locally administered chemotherapy and an immunotherapeutic agent. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods of promoting the combination treatment and instructing a patient to receive the combination treatment are also provided, as well immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions comprising the combination treatment, and methods of using the immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions for treating cancer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of cancer using a combination treatment comprising a locally administered chemotherapy and an immunotherapeutic agent. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods of promoting the combination treatment and instructing a patient to receive the combination treatment are also provided, as well immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions comprising the combination treatment, and methods of using the immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions for treating cancer.

Abstract: Combinations of anti-cancer antibodies and inhibitory antibodies to CD223 overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The inhibitory antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of cancer using a combination treatment comprising a locally administered chemotherapy and an immunotherapeutic agent. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods of promoting the combination treatment and instructing a patient to receive the combination treatment are also provided, as well immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions comprising the combination treatment, and methods of using the immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions for treating cancer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of cancer using a combination treatment comprising a locally administered chemotherapy and an immunotherapeutic agent. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods of promoting the combination treatment and instructing a patient to receive the combination treatment are also provided, as well immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions comprising the combination treatment, and methods of using the immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions for treating cancer.

Abstract: A monoclonal or polyclonal antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof comprising an antigen binding site that binds specifically to an isolated polypeptide comprising amino acids of the soluble ectodomain of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:3 and 5, or a fragment, thereof, or an epitope thereof; for use in treatment of cancer, wherein immune cells in the microenvironment of said cancer express said isolated polypeptide.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of cancer using a combination treatment comprising a locally administered chemotherapy and an immunotherapeutic agent. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods of promoting the combination treatment and instructing a patient to receive the combination treatment are also provided, as well immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions comprising the combination treatment, and methods of using the immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions for treating cancer.

Abstract: Methods for treating autoimmune disease using one or more inhibitor of STAT3 are provided herein. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune disease or the propensity to develop autoimmune disease in a subject. The present invention demonstrates that inhibition of STAT3 prevents development of autoimmune disease in vivo. Based on this finding, Stat3 inhibitors can be used to treat and/or diagnose autoimmune disease in a subject.

Abstract: Methods for treating autoimmune disease using one or more inhibitor of STAT3 are provided herein. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune disease or the propensity to develop autoimmune disease in a subject. The present invention demonstrates that inhibition of STAT3 prevents development of autoimmune disease in vivo. Based on this finding, Stat3 inhibitors can be used to treat and/or diagnose autoimmune disease in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating and/or preventing cancer. In particular the present invention relates to ex vivo immunotherapeutic methods. The methods comprise decreasing Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcirption3) expression and/or function in tumor cells and the administration of such cells to a subject in need of treatment and/or prevention. Other methods of the invention comprise activation T-cells by co-culturing the T-cells with the tumor cells with decreased Stat3 expression or function. The invention further encompasses methods comprising decreasing Stat3 expression or function in antigen-presenting cells and co-administering tumor cells and the antigen-presenting cells with decreased Stat3 function to a patient. The invention further relates to methods for stimulating dendritic cell differentiation.

Abstract: We demonstrate herein that neuritin controls the homeostasis of regulatory T cells in an antigen dependent manner. Based on this discovery, we describe herein the application of neuritin as a therapeutic agent to manipulate antigen specific regulatory T cells in various disease settings is described. Thus manipulation of Treg cells and DCs through neuritin can be used to enhance immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases, cancer and infectious diseases, as well as enhance lymphocyte engraftment in settings of donor lymphocyte infusion, bone marrow transplant, as well as other types of transplants, and adoptive transfer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating and/or preventing cancer. In particular the present invention relates to ex vivo immunotherapeutic methods. The methods comprise decreasing Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription3) expression and/or function in tumor cells and the administration of such cells to a subject in need of treatment and/or prevention. Other methods of the invention comprise activating T-cells by co-culturing the T-cells with the tumor cells with decreased Stat3 expression or function. The invention further encompasses methods comprising decreasing Stat3 expression or function in antigen-presenting cells and co-administering tumor cells and the antigen-presenting cells with decreased Stat3 function to a patient. The invention further relates to methods for stimulating dendritic cell differentiation.

Abstract: Described are uses of an agent that reduces B7-H1 interaction with PD-1, and particularly monoclonal antibodies that bind to B7-H1 and interfere with B7-H1 interaction with PD-1 in combination with a vaccine to provide synergistic effects. The application provides methods of treatment and vaccination based on the combination of these compounds on T cell responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating, i.e., agonizing or antagonizing, Stat3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription3) signaling activity for use in gene therapy. Inhibition and/or activation of Stat3 signaling is an effective approach to modulate angiogenesis and the immune response for treatment and/or prevention of inflammation, infection, inflammation, immune disorders, and ischemia.

Abstract: New methods are provided for suppressing the immune system and for treating immune related disorders. Therapies of the invention include administration of an FLT3 inhibitor compound to a subject in need thereof, such as a subject suffering from organ rejection, bone marrow transplant rejection, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, arthritis, aplastic anemia, graft-versus-host disease, Graves' disease, established experimental allergic encephalitomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, or a neurological disorder. Methods are also provided for screening therapeutic agents for treating immune disorders, including the use of a mouse having an elevated level of FLT3 receptor activity.

Abstract: Mitogen induced nuclear orphan receptor (MINOR) is described as inducing apoptosis in dendritic cells (DCs). Downregulation of its expression results in a downregulation of apoptosis. A novel approach of inhibiting DC apoptosis is described employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets MINOR. Improved DC-based vaccines exhibiting longer lifespan of DCs, increased potency of DCs, and enhanced immunogenicity are described.

Abstract: Provided are reagents and methods for administering an attenuated bacterium for use in treating a cancerous or infectious condition. Reagents and methods for administering an attenuated bacterium for use in inducing an immune response against a tumor, cancer cell, or infective agent are further provided. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating, i.e., agonizing or antagonizing, Stat3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription3) signaling activity for use in gene therapy. Inhibition and/or activation of Stat3 signaling is an effective approach to modulate angiogenesis and the immune response for treatment and/or prevention of inflammation, infection, inflammation, immune disorders, and ischemia.

Abstract: A novel costimulatory protein molecule, B7-DC, which is a member of the B7 family, is described as is DNA coding therefor and expression vectors comprising this DNA. B7-DC protein, fragments, fusion polypeptides/proteins and other functional derivatives, and transformed cells expressing B7-DC are useful in vaccine compositions and methods. Compositions and methods are disclosed for inducing potent T cell mediated responses that can be harnessed for anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity.

Abstract: Regulatory T cells (Treg) limit autoimmunity but can also attenuate the magnitude of anti-pathogen and anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the mechanism of Treg function and therapeutic manipulation of Treg in vivo requires identification of Treg selective receptors. A comparative analysis of gene expression arrays from antigen specific CD4+ T cells differentiating to either an effector/memory or a regulatory phenotype revealed Treg selective expression of LAG-3 (CD223), a CD4-related molecule that binds MHC class II. LAG-3 expression on CD4+ T cells correlates with the cells' in vitro suppressor activity, and ectopic expression of LAG-3 on CD4 T cells confers suppressor activity on the T cells. Antibodies to LAG-3 inhibit suppression both in vitro and in vivo. LAG-3 marks regulatory T cell populations and contributes to their suppressor activity.