Abstract: Provided are specific binding molecules, or fragments thereof, that bind to an epitope of IL13R?2, a receptor polypeptide preferentially found on the surface of cancer cells rather than healthy cells. Exemplary specific binding molecules are bispecific binding molecules that comprise a fragment of an IL13R?2 binding molecule and a peptide providing a second function providing a signaling function of the signaling domain of a T cell signaling protein, a peptide modulator of T cell activation, or an enzymatic component of a labeling system. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such a specific binding molecule (e.g., bispecific binding molecule), vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a symptom associated with a cancer disease such as a solid tumor disease (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for treatment of a medical condition related to the liver, including at least viral infections and liver cancer, for example. In specific embodiments, immunotherapies are provided for delivering polynucleotides locally to the liver, wherein the polynucleotides encode particular gene products that include bispecific antibodies, including those that target certain liver antigens, for example.

Abstract: Provided are specific binding molecules, or fragments thereof, that bind to an epitope of IL13R?2, a receptor polypeptide preferentially found on the surface of cancer cells rather than healthy cells. Exemplary specific binding molecules are bispecific binding molecules that comprise a fragment of an IL13R?2 binding molecule and a peptide providing a second function providing a signaling function of the signaling domain of a T cell signaling protein, a peptide modulator of T cell activation, or an enzymatic component of a labeling system. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such a specific binding molecule (e.g., bispecific binding molecule), vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a symptom associated with a cancer disease such as a solid tumor disease (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern treatment of cancer utilizing methods and compositions that block CD47 such that tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are not inhibited by CD47 and are able to phagocytose and kill tumor cells. In specific embodiments, the compositions and their use concern fusions of an entity that binds CD47 and an entity that binds cells having FC receptors, such as the FC receptor on TAMs. Certain embodiments concern gene therapy that produces a fusion of the ectodomain of SIRPa and the constant region of IgG4 at a localized tumor or tumor microenvironment, for example. In specific cases, gene transfer is utilized to deliver SIRPa fusion genes into a tumor and/or tumor microenvironment so that the molecules can be expressed locally to increase efficacy (given that the expression of the molecules will be highest at tumor sites) and decrease potential toxicities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for treatment of a medical condition related to the liver, including at least viral infections and liver cancer, for example. In specific embodiments, immunotherapies are provided for delivering polynucleotides locally to the liver, wherein the polynucleotides encode particular gene products that include bispecific antibodies, including those that target certain liver antigens, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass immunotherapy for Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection in an individual in need thereof. The immunotherapy comprises one or more chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) that target a HBV antigen, including CAR molecules that utilize specific scFv antibodies. In certain cases, the CAR comprises one or more mutations to reduce binding to Fc receptors. In specific aspects, cells that express the CAR(s) have reduced cytotoxicity that is safer and/or beneficial to individuals that are immunocompromised.

Abstract: Provided are specific binding molecules, or fragments thereof, that bind to an epitope of IL13R?2, a receptor polypeptide preferentially found on the surface of cancer cells rather than healthy cells. Exemplary specific binding molecules are bispecific binding molecules that comprise a fragment of an IL13R?2 binding molecule and a peptide providing a second function providing a signaling function of the signaling domain of a T cell signaling protein, a peptide modulator of T cell activation, or an enzymatic component of a labeling system. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such a specific binding molecule (e.g., bispecific binding molecule), vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a symptom associated with a cancer disease such as a solid tumor disease (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass immunotherapy for Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection in an individual in need thereof. The immunotherapy comprises one or more chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) that target a HBV antigen, including CAR molecules that utilize specific scFv antibodies. In certain cases, the CAR comprises one or more mutations to reduce binding to Fc receptors. In specific aspects, cells that express the CAR(s) have reduced cytotoxicity that is safer and/or beneficial to individuals that are immunocompromised.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for treatment of a medical condition related to the liver, including at least viral infections and liver cancer, for example. In specific embodiments, immunotherapies are provided for delivering polynucleotides locally to the liver, wherein the polynucleotides encode particular gene products that include bispecific antibodies, including those that target certain liver antigens, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for enhancing expansion of immune cells for immunotherapy. In particular embodiments, immune cells, such as T-cells, express a constitutively active cytokine receptor in which the transmembrane and endodomains are able to provide an activating signal separately from any input to the corresponding exodomain to which they are operably linked. In specific embodiments, the transmembrane and endodomain from IL-7R? is utilized with the exodomain of CD34.

Abstract: Embodiments concern methods and/or compositions related to immunotherapy for cancer. In particular embodiments, engager immune cells harbor a vector that encodes a secretable engager molecule. In particular cases, the engager molecule has an activation domain and an antigen recognition domain. In some embodiments, the engager molecules further comprise a cytokine or co-stimulatory domain, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern treatment of cancer utilizing methods and compositions that block CD47 such that tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are not inhibited by CD47 and are able to phagocytose and kill tumor cells. In specific embodiments, the compositions and their use concern fusions of an entity that binds CD47 and an entity that binds cells having FC receptors, such as the FC receptor on TAMs. Certain embodiments concern gene therapy that produces a fusion of the ectodomain of SIRPa and the constant region of IgG4 at a localized tumor or tumor microenvironment, for example. In specific cases, gene transfer is utilized to deliver SIRPa fusion genes into a tumor and/or tumor microenvironment so that the molecules can be expressed locally to increase efficacy (given that the expression of the molecules will be highest at tumor sites) and decrease potential toxicities.

Abstract: Provided are specific binding molecules, or fragments thereof, that bind to an epitope of IL13R?2, a receptor polypeptide preferentially found on the surface of cancer cells rather than healthy cells. Exemplary specific binding molecules are bispecific binding molecules that comprise a fragment of an IL13R?2 binding molecule and a peptide providing a second function providing a signaling function of the signaling domain of a T cell signaling protein, a peptide modulator of T cell activation, or an enzymatic component of a labeling system. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such a specific binding molecule (e.g., bispecific binding molecule), vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a symptom associated with a cancer disease such as a solid tumor disease (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme).

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions related to T cells redirected against CD70 for the immunotherapy of CD70-positive malignancies. In aspects of the invention, T cells that are CD70-specific are employed. In particular aspects, there are T cells expressing a novel molecule that comprises the full-length CD70 receptor (CD27) fused to the zeta signaling domain of the T-cell receptor complex. Such T cells recognized CD70-positive tumor cells and have cytolytic activity against CD70-positive cancer cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include immune cells expressing HER2-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and treatment of cancer therewith. In specific embodiments, sarcoma or glioblastoma are treated. In specific embodiments, such as for glioblastoma, for example, T-cells expressing a HER2-specific CAR are pp65CMV-specific T cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions related to immunotherapy that targets glypican-3. In particular embodiments, immune cells engineered to comprise a chimeric antigen receptor that targets glypican-3 are contemplated, and uses thereof. In particular embodiments, medical conditions that are associated with glypican-3 expression or an overexpression of glypican-3 are treated with GPC3 CARs.

Abstract: The present invention concerns immunotherapy for cancers having cells that comprise the ganglioside GD2 antigen. In specific embodiment, T cells having a chimeric receptor that targets GD2 is employed. In particular cases, the chimeric receptor comprises antibody, cytoplasmic signaling domain from the T cell receptor, and/or costimulatory molecule(s).

Abstract: The present invention concerns immunotherapy for cancers having cells that comprise the ganglioside GD2 antigen. In specific embodiment, T cells having a chimeric receptor that targets GD2 is employed. In particular cases, the chimeric receptor comprises antibody, cytoplasmic signaling domain from the T cell receptor, and/or costimulatory molecule(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include compositions and methods useful for treating cancers that are sensitive to a chemotherapy, such as temozolomide. The methods allow effective cell immunotherapy to be used with chemotherapy when the cell immunotherapy is susceptible to being rendered ineffective by the chemotherapy. In specific aspects, the cancer is being treated by temozolomide (TMZ) and tumor antigen-specific T-cells that are resistant to TMZ.

Abstract: Embodiments concern methods and/or compositions related to immunotherapy for cancer. In particular embodiments, engager immune cells harbor a vector that encodes a secretable engager molecule. In particular cases, the engager molecule has an activation domain and an antigen recognition domain. In some embodiments, the engager molecules further comprise a cytokine or co-stimulatory domain, for example.