Abstract: Methods of decreasing an immune suppressive response, increasing an immune stimulating response, or a combination thereof in a subject in need thereof are disclosed. The methods typically include administering the subject a composition including a compound that reduces the bioavailability of Akt3 in an amount effective to reduce the immune suppressive response, increase the immune stimulating response, or a combination thereof in the subject. Methods of increasing an immune suppressive response, decreasing an immune stimulating response, or a combination thereof in a subject in need thereof are also disclosed. The methods typically include administering the subject a composition including a compound that increases the bioavailability of Akt3 in an amount effective to increase the immune suppressive response, decrease the immune stimulating response, or a combination thereof in the subject.

Abstract: Biomarkers predictive of a subject's likelihood of responding to an immunotherapy including blockade of PD-1 inhibitory signaling, and method of use thereof are disclosed. The biomarkers are HIF1-alpha, KDR, CXCL13, and IL7R. Exemplary methods include identifying or selecting a subject who may benefit from treatment with an immunotherapy including blockade of PD-1 signaling, and methods of predicting responsiveness of a subject suffering from cancer to treatment with an immunotherapy including blockade of PD-1 signaling. Preferred immunotherapies and methods of treating subjects with cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides vaccine compositions comprising at least one adjuvant and at least one therapeutic factor. The disclosure also provides methods of reducing an immune suppressor cell population in a mammal, methods of augmenting an immune response in a mammal, and methods of treating a disease in a mammal utilizing the vaccine compositions.