Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward cancers and pathogens. It relates to novel designs of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and engineered immunoresponsive cells comprising the same. The engineered immunoresponsive cells comprising the novel CARs are antigen-directed and have extended persistence without compromising function.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target CD19 and cells comprising such CD19-targeted CARs. The presently disclosed subject matter further provides uses of the CD19-targeted CARs for treatment, e.g., for treating blood cancer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward tumor and pathogen antigens. It relates to immunoresponsive cells comprising two or more chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), wherein the CARs comprise different intracellular signaling domains, in particular, the intracellular signaling domains of the CARs comprise different co-stimulatory molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for adoptive cell therapy comprising engineered immune cells that express a uPAR-specific chimeric antigen receptor. Also disclosed herein are methods for using the engineered immune cells of the present technology to treat or ameliorate the effects of cancer and senescence-associated pathologies (e.g., lung fibrosis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, liver fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, aging, or osteoarthritis) by selectively targeting senescent cells. Also provided herein are methods for detecting the senescent cell burden in a patient.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward cancers and pathogens. It relates to novel designs of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and engineered immunoresponsive cells comprising the same. The engineered immunoresponsive cells comprising the novel CARs are antigen-directed and have extended persistence without compromising function.