Abstract: Compositions and methods of selectively activating Akt3 are provided.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are provided that immunospecifically bind to PD-1, and induce or promote an immune response that activates immune cell proliferation or activity. Contrary to the existing paradigm that PD-1 exclusively promotes a suppressive immune response, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, immunospecifically bind to PD-1 and cause an activating signal to be delivered to the immune cell that activates the immune cell rather than suppressing the immune cell. In one embodiment, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof specifically bind to PD-1 expressed on immune cells. The binding of the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof to PD-1 on immune cells causes an activating signal to be transmitted into the immune cell, for example a signal that enhances or promotes cytokine production and/or activation of immune cell proliferation.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are provided that immunospecifically bind to PD-1, preferably human or mouse PD-1, and induce or promote an immune response that activates immune cell proliferation or activity. Contrary to the existing paradigm that PD-1 exclusively promotes a suppressive immune response, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, immunospecifically bind to PD-1 and cause an activating signal to be delivered to the immune cell that activates the immune cell rather than suppressing the immune cell. In one embodiment, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof specifically bind to PD-1 expressed on immune cells. The binding of the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof to PD-1 on immune cells causes an activating signal to be transmitted into the immune cell, for example a signal that enhances or promotes cytokine production and/or activation of immune cell proliferation.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula la, lb, or Ic,, are described, where the various substituents are defined herein. The compounds can modulate a property or effect of Akt3 in vitro or in vivo, and can also be used, individually or in combination with other agents, in the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions. Methods for synthesizing the compounds are described. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compounds or compositions, individually or in combination with other agents or compositions, in the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions are also described.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula 1a, 1b, or Ic, (Ia); (Ib); or (Ic), are described, where the various substituents are defined herein. The compounds can modulate a property or effect of Akt3 in vitro or in vivo, and can also be used, individually or in combination with other agents, in the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions. Methods for synthesizing the compounds are described. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compounds or compositions, individually or in combination with other agents or compositions, in the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of modulating Akt3 are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of their use to treat or prevent various diseases. Activators and inhibitors of Akt3 are disclosed for use in treating and preventing various diseases.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula la, lb, or Ic, are described, where the various substituents are defined herein. The compounds can modulate a property or effect of Akt3 in vitro or in vivo, and can also be used, individually or in combination with other agents, in the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions. Methods for synthesizing the compounds are described. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compounds or compositions, individually or in combination with other agents or compositions, in the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions are also described.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are provided that immunospecifically bind to PD-1, preferably human or mouse PD-1, and induce or promote an immune response that activates immune cell proliferation or activity. Contrary to the existing paradigm that PD-1 exclusively promotes a suppressive immune response, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, immunospecifically bind to PD-1 and cause an activating signal to be delivered to the immune cell that activates the immune cell rather than suppressing the immune cell. In one embodiment, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof specifically bind to PD-1 expressed on immune cells. The binding of the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof to PD-1 on immune cells causes an activating signal to be transmitted into the immune cell, for example a signal that enhances or promotes cytokine production and/or activation of immune cell proliferation.

Abstract: Methods for inducing CD8+ T cells to express a CD62LhiCD44lo naïve-like phenotype are provided. One embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition containing CD8+ T cells induced to express a CD62LhiCD44lo naïve-like phenotype and optionally an excipient. The CD8+ T cells can be induced by contacting them with an effective amount of a MEK1/2 inhibitor. An exemplary MEK1/2 inhibitor is Selumetinib. The induced CD8+ cells can be used to treat cancer, reduce tumor burden, or treat infections in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are provided that immunospecifically bind to PD-1, preferably human or mouse PD-1, and induce or promote an immune response that activates immune cell proliferation or activity. Contrary to the existing paradigm that PD-1 exclusively promotes a suppressive immune response, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, immunospecifically bind to PD-1 and cause an activating signal to be delivered to the immune cell that activates the immune cell rather than suppressing the immune cell. In one embodiment, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof specifically bind to PD-1 expressed on immune cells. The binding of the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof to PD-1 on immune cells causes an activating signal to be transmitted into the immune cell, for example a signal that enhances or promotes cytokine production and/or activation of immune cell proliferation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of selectively activating Akt3 are provided.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are provided that immunospecifically bind to PD-1, preferably human or mouse PD-1, and induce or promote an immune response that activates immune cell proliferation or activity. Contrary to the existing paradigm that PD-1 exclusively promotes a suppressive immune response, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, immunospecifically bind to PD-1 and cause an activating signal to be delivered to the immune cell that activates the immune cell rather than suppressing the immune cell. In one embodiment, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof specifically bind to PD-1 expressed on immune cells. The binding of the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof to PD-1 on immune cells causes an activating signal to be transmitted into the immune cell, for example a signal that enhances or promotes cytokine production and/or activation of immune cell proliferation.

Abstract: As described below, the present invention features methods for enhancing the efficacy of a tumor antigen in inducing an anti-cancer immune response in a subject by administering an OX40 agonist and an Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor with the tumor antigen.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing CD8+ T cells to express a CD62LhiCD44lo naïve-like phenotype are provided. One embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition containing CD8+ T cells induced to express a CD62LhiCD44lo naïve-like phenotype and optionally an excipient. The CD8+ T cells can be induced by contacting them with an effective amount of a MEK1/2 inhibitor. An exemplary MEK1/2 inhibitor is Selumetinib. The induced CD8+ cells can be used to treat cancer, reduce tumor burden, or treat infections in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Inhibiting Akt1 and Akt2 but not Akt3 in a subject has been found to be an effective immune therapy that delays the exhaustion of CD8 T cells, prolongs CD8 T cell survival, preserves a remarkably high percentage of TCM cells, and significantly increases TCM proliferative potential upon reencountering antigen. In a preferred embodiment, the Akt1 and Akt2 inhibitors do not inhibit Akt3. Preferred small molecule inhibitors include, but are not limited to MK-2206, AZD5363, (1,3-Dihydro-1-(1-((4-(6-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-g]quinoxalin-7-yl)phenyl)methyl)-4-piperidinyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one trifluoroacetate salt hydrate or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Several compounds have been discovered that modulate signal transduction through the PD-1 receptor. In certain embodiments, the compounds promote or induce an activating signal through the PD-1 receptor that activates a T cell. The compounds can bind to PD-1 and inhibit or prevent ligands from binding to PD-1 and thereby suppress inhibitory signal transduction through the PD-1 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising an immune checkpoint inhibitor or a T cell stimulator or a combination thereof, and a live attenuated recombinant Listeria strain comprising a fusion polypeptide comprising a truncated Listeriolysin O protein, a truncated ActA protein, or a PEST amino acid sequence fused to a tumor-associated antigen. The invention is further directed to methods of treating, protecting against, and inducing an immune response against a tumor or a cancer, comprising the step of administering the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising use of compositions comprising a live attenuated recombinant Listeria strain comprising a fusion protein of a truncated listeriolysin O (LLO) protein, a truncated ActA protein, or a PEST amino acid sequence fused to a heterologous antigen, including a tumor-associated antigen, wherein the compositions further comprise or are co-administered with an antibody or fragment thereof. Also disclosed are combination therapies comprising use of these compositions comprising live attenuated recombinant Listeria strains, in conjunction with an antibody or fragment thereof for use in treating, protecting against, and/or inducing an immune response against a tumor, especially wherein the treating, protection against and/or inducing an immune response increases percent survival in a subject.

Abstract: As described below, the present invention features methods for enhancing the efficacy of a tumor antigen in inducing an anti-cancer immune response in a subject by administering an OX40 agonist and an Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor with the tumor antigen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for increasing T-cell effector cell to regulatory T cell ratio. The invention is further directed to methods of treating, protecting against, and inducing an immune response against a tumor, comprising the step of administering to a subject a recombinant Listeria strain, comprising a fusion peptide that comprises an LLO fragment and tumor-associated antigen.