Abstract: Provided herein is a method for identifying cytotoxic T cell activity due to cancer immunotherapy in a subject. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering an effective amount of a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to a subject receiving a cancer immunotherapy, wherein the tracer comprises an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to a luminal domain of a lymphocytic granule-associated molecule (LGAM) labeled with a PET or SPECT detectable moiety, and detecting the signal of the tracer by PET or SPECT imaging to identify the cytotoxic T cell activity due to immune therapy for the cancer in the subject. In several embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment specifically binds to the luminal domain of CD107a.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of miRNAs (miRs) that are up-regulated in Th1 cells compared to Th2 cells (referred to herein as Th1-associated miRs). In particular, the miR-17-92 gene cluster was found to exhibit significantly greater expression in Th1 cells. Over-expression of miR-17-92 in T cells promotes the Th1 phenotype. Thus, the use of Th1-associated miRs for cancer immunotherapy is described. Provided herein are isolated T cells containing a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a Th1-associated miR, such as the miR17-92 gene cluster, or a portion thereof. Further provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by administering to the subject an isolated T cell as disclosed herein. Also provided is a method of treating a subject with cancer by transfecting isolated T cells obtained from the subject with a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a Th1-associated miR and administering the transfected T cells to the subject.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of miRNAs (miRs) that are up-regulated in Th1 cells compared to Th2 cells (referred to herein as Th1-associated miRs). In particular, the miR-17-92 gene cluster was found to exhibit significantly greater expression in Th1 cells. Over-expression of miR-17-92 in T cells promotes the Th1 phenotype. Thus, the use of Th1-associated miRs for cancer immunotherapy is described. Provided herein are isolated T cells containing a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a Th1-associated miR, such as the miR17-92 gene cluster, or a portion thereof. Further provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by administering to the subject an isolated T cell as disclosed herein. Also provided is a method of treating a subject with cancer by transfecting isolated T cells obtained from the subject with a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a Th1-associated miR and administering the transfected T cells to the subject.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of miRNAs (miRs) that are up-regulated in Th1 cells compared to Th2 cells (referred to herein as Th1-associated miRs). In particular, the miR-17-92 gene cluster was found to exhibit significantly greater expression in Th1 cells. Over-expression of miR-17-92 in T cells promotes the Th1 phenotype. Thus, the use of Th1-associated miRs for cancer immunotherapy is described. Provided herein are isolated T cells containing a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a Th1-associated miR, such as the miR17-92 gene cluster, or a portion thereof. Further provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by administering to the subject an isolated T cell as disclosed herein. Also provided is a method of treating a subject with cancer by transfecting isolated T cells obtained from the subject with a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a Th1-associated miR and administering the transfected T cells to the subject.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of miRNAs (miRs) that are up-regulated in Th1 cells compared to Th2 cells (referred to herein as Th1-associated miRs). In particular, the miR-17-92 gene cluster was found to exhibit significantly greater expression in Th1 cells. Over-expression of miR-17-92 in T cells promotes the Th1 phenotype. Thus, the use of Th1-associated miRs for cancer immunotherapy is described. Provided herein are isolated T cells containing a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a Th1-associated miR, such as the miR17-92 gene cluster, or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the T cell is a tumor antigen (TA)-specific T cell, such as a TA-specific CTL. Further provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by selecting a subject with cancer and administering to the subject an isolated T cell as disclosed herein.