Abstract: The present invention provides a universal, yet adaptable, anti-tag chimeric antigen receptor (AT-CAR) system which provides T cells with the ability and specificity to recognize and kill target cells, such as tumor cells, that have been marked by tagged antibodies. As an example, ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells have been developed that specifically recognize various human cancer cells when those cells are bound by cancer-reactive FITC-labeled antibodies. The activation of ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells is shown to induce efficient target lysis, T cell proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. The system can be used to treating subjects having cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal, yet adaptable, anti-tag chimeric antigen receptor (AT-CAR) system which provides T cells with the ability and specificity to recognize and kill target cells, such as tumor cells, that have been marked by tagged antibodies. As an example, ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells have been developed that specifically recognize various human cancer cells when those cells are bound by cancer-reactive FITC-labeled antibodies. The activation of ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells is shown to induce efficient target lysis, T cell proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. The system can be used to treating subjects having cancer.

Abstract: Novel costimulatory fusion proteins and DNA sequences that enhance T cell responses to weakly immunogenic and/or lowly expressed antigens and that confer T cell resistance against MDSC-mediated suppression are disclosed. The fusion proteins comprise portions of CD4, CD8? or the T cell receptor linked to a specific region of MyD88 or other signaling molecules. These fusion proteins and sequence variants thereof improve T cell activation and responsiveness. Also disclosed is the use of these molecules in host cells as a means to enhance and costimulate responses of immune cells including cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and the use of these cells to treat cancer, infectious agents and other diseases.

Abstract: Novel costimulatory fusion proteins and DNA sequences that enhance T cell responses to weakly immunogenic and/or lowly expressed antigens and that confer T cell resistance against MDSC-mediated suppression are disclosed. The fusion proteins comprise portions of CD4, CD8? or the T cell receptor linked to a specific region of MyD88 or other signaling molecules. These fusion proteins and sequence variants thereof improve T cell activation and responsiveness. Also disclosed is the use of these molecules in host cells as a means to enhance and costimulate responses of immune cells including cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and the use of these cells to treat cancer, infectious agents and other diseases.

Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLR) are expressed by a variety of cancers, including melanoma and T-ALL. TLR signaling plays an important role in T cell malignancies and melanoma. The effects of stimulating or inhibiting the TLR/IL-1 receptor-associated kinases IRAK-1 and IRAK-4 in melanoma and T-ALL cells were evaluated. Pharmacological treatment with an IRAK-1,-4 inhibitor delays tumor growth and prolongs survival in vitro and in vivo, indicating that TLR signaling contributes to T-ALL and melanoma progression and interfering with this signaling is a novel therapeutic strategy to control T-ALL and melanoma proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal, yet adaptable, anti-tag chimeric antigen receptor (AT-CAR) system which provides T cells with the ability and specificity to recognize and kill target cells, such as tumor cells, that have been marked by tagged antibodies. As an example, ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells have been developed that specifically recognize various human cancer cells when those cells are bound by cancer-reactive FITC-labeled antibodies. The activation of ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells is shown to induce efficient target lysis, T cell proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. The system can be used to treating subjects having cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal, yet adaptable, anti-tag chimeric antigen receptor (AT-CAR) system which provides T cells with the ability and specificity to recognize and kill target cells, such as tumor cells, that have been marked by tagged antibodies. As an example, ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells have been developed that specifically recognize various human cancer cells when those cells are bound by cancer-reactive FITC-labeled antibodies. The activation of ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells is shown to induce efficient target lysis, T cell proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. The system can be used to treating subjects having cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal, yet adaptable, anti-tag chimeric antigen receptor (AT-CAR) system which provides T cells with the ability and specificity to recognize and kill target cells, such as tumor cells, that have been marked by tagged antibodies. As an example, ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells have been developed that specifically recognize various human cancer cells when those cells are bound by cancer-reactive FITC-labeled antibodies. The activation of ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells is shown to induce efficient target lysis, T cell proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. The system can be used to treating subjects having cancer.

Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLR) are expressed by a variety of cancers, including melanoma and T-ALL. TLR signaling plays an important role in T cell malignancies and melanoma. The effects of stimulating or inhibiting the TLR/IL-1 receptor-associated kinases IRAK-1 and IRAK-4 in melanoma and T-ALL cells were evaluated. Pharmacological treatment with an IRAK-1,-4 inhibitor delays tumor growth and prolongs survival in vitro and in vivo, indicating that TLR signaling contributes to T-ALL and melanoma progression and interfering with this signaling is a novel therapeutic strategy to control T-ALL and melanoma proliferation.