Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting one or more diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isoform in a cell in order to enhance the cytolytic activity of the cell. In one embodiment, the cells may be used in adoptive T cell transfer. For example, in some embodiments, the cell is modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Inhibition of DGK in T cells used in adoptive T cell transfer increases cytolytic activity of the T cells and thus may be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and immune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating heart disease and/or heart failure. In one embodiment, the treatment includes administering to the subject a cell genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an antigen binding domain specific for fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In another embodiment, the treatment includes administering a cell genetically modified to express a T cell receptor (TCR) specific for an activated fibroblast.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating heart disease and/or heart failure. In one embodiment, the treatment includes administering to the subject a cell genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an antigen binding domain specific for fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In another embodiment, the treatment includes administering a cell genetically modified to express a T cell receptor (TCR) specific for an activated fibroblast.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting one or more diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isoform in a cell in order to enhance the cytolytic activity of the cell. In one embodiment, the cells may be used in adoptive T cell transfer. For example, in some embodiments, the cell is modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Inhibition of DGK in T cells used in adoptive T cell transfer increases cytolytic activity of the T cells and thus may be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and immune disorders.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing lung cancer in a mammalian subject by use of three or more selected gene, e.g., a gene expression profile, from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of disease, a stage of the disease, or enables prognosis of recurrence of disease. The gene expression profile includes three or more genes of Table I, Table II, Table III, Table IV, Table V, Table VI or Table VII herein. Detection of changes in expression in the selected genes forming the gene expression profile from that of a reference gene expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One composition for use in such diagnosis includes three or more PCR primer-probe sets, wherein each primer-probe set amplifies a different polynucleotide sequence from the gene expression profile.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of a cancer associated antigen are disclosed. The invention also relates to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to a cancer associated antigen as described herein, SHP inhibitory molecules, vectors encoding the same, and recombinant immune effector cells comprising the CARs and SHP inhibitory molecules. Methods of administering a genetically modified immune effector cell expressing a CAR that comprises an antigen binding domain that binds to a cancer associated antigen and a SHP inhibitory polypeptide are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting one or more diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isoform in a cell in order to enhance the cytolytic activity of the cell. In one embodiment, the cells may be used in adoptive T cell transfer. For example, in some embodiments, the cell is modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Inhibition of DGK in T cells used in adoptive T cell transfer increases cytolytic activity of the T cells and thus may be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and immune disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of a cancer associated antigen as described herein. The invention also relates to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to a cancer associated antigen as described herein, vectors encoding the same, and recombinant T cells comprising the CARs of the present invention. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR that comprises an antigen binding domain that binds to a cancer associated antigen as described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting one or more diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isoform in a cell in order to enhance the cytolytic activity of the cell. In one embodiment, the cells may be used in adoptive T cell transfer. For example, in some embodiments, the cell is modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Inhibition of DGK in T cells used in adoptive T cell transfer increases cytolytic activity of the T cells and thus may be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and immune disorders.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing lung cancer in a mammalian subject by use of three or more selected gene, e.g., a gene expression profile, from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of disease, a stage of the disease, or enables prognosis of recurrence of disease. The gene expression profile includes three or more genes of Table I, Table II, Table III, Table IV, Table V, Table VI or Table VII herein. Detection of changes in expression in the selected genes forming the gene expression profile from that of a reference gene expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One composition for use in such diagnosis includes three or more PCR primer-probe sets, wherein each primer-probe set amplifies a different polynucleotide sequence from the gene expression profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting Ikaros in a cell in order to enhance the cytolytic activity of the cell. In one embodiment, the cells may be used in adoptive T cell transfer. For example, in some embodiments, the cell is modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Inhibition of Ikaros in T cells used in adoptive T cell transfer increases cytolytic activity of the T cells and thus may be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and immune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting one or more diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isoform in a cell in order to enhance the cytolytic activity of the cell. In one embodiment, the cells may be used in adoptive T cell transfer. For example, in some embodiments, the cell is modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Inhibition of DGK in T cells used in adoptive T cell transfer increases cytolytic activity of the T cells and thus may be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and immune disorders.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing or differentially diagnosing a cancer characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the pleural fluid of a mammalian subject, the method comprising contacting a sample of pleural fluid of the subject with colloidal magnetic particles coupled to a ligand which binds to a determinant on a cancer cell, but does not bind above a baseline threshold to other cellular and non-cellular components in pleural fluid; subjecting the pleural fluid-magnetic particle mixture to a magnetic field to produce a cell fraction enriched in ligand coupled-magnetic particle-bound cancer cells, if present in the pleural fluid; and analyzing the enriched fraction for the number of cancer cells in the pleural fluid. In certain aspects, this method involves preparing the pleural fluids for the above-noted method steps by, e.g., dilution of unprocessed pleural fluid. In certain aspect, the pleural fluid is subjected to the diagnostic method within 24 hours of withdrawal from the subject.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing lung cancer in a mammalian subject by use of three or more selected gene, e.g., a gene expression profile, from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of disease, a stage of the disease, or enables prognosis of recurrence of disease. The gene expression profile includes three or more genes of Table I, Table II, Table III, Table IV, Table V, Table VI or Table VII herein. Detection of changes in expression in the selected genes forming the gene expression profile from that of a reference gene expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One composition for use in such diagnosis includes three or more PCR primer-probe sets, wherein each primer-probe set amplifies a different polynucleotide sequence from the gene expression profile.

Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing a Foxp3+ T regulatory cell (Treg) related disease in a subject in need thereof comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibitor of a histone/protein acetyltransferase (HAT). Methods for identifying an agent useful for treating or preventing a Foxp3+ T regulatory cell (Treg) related disease comprise (a) contacting a candidate agent with a test sample comprising Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), and (b) comparing a function of the Foxp3+ Tregs in the test sample with that in a control sample, wherein inhibition of the function of the Foxp3+ Tregs in the test sample when compared with the control sample indicates that the candidate agent is an agent useful for treating or preventing a Foxp3+ Treg related disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing lung cancer in a mammalian subject by use of three or more selected genes, e.g., a gene expression profile, from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of disease, a stage of the disease, or enables prognosis of recurrence of disease. The gene expression profile includes three or more genes of Table I, Table II, Table III, Table IV, Table V, Table VI or Table VII herein. Detection of changes in expression in the selected genes forming the gene expression profile from that of a reference gene expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One composition for use in such diagnosis includes three or more PCR primer-probe sets, wherein each primer-probe set amplifies a different polynucleotide sequence from the gene expression profile.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising a thrombomodulin domain linked to a targeting moiety that binds to a determinant on the surface of a target endothelial cell or red blood cell, wherein the thrombomodulin domain may be the extracellular domain, the N-terminal lectin-like domain, or an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain. The targeting moiety may be a single chain antigen-binding domain (scFv), and the targeting moiety and thrombomodulin domain of the composition may be linked as a continuous polypeptide chain. Methods of delivery and use of a composition described herein are provided, as well as methods of treating or preventing thrombosis, inflammation, tissue ischemia, sepsis, acute lung injury (ALI), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary embolism, or ischemic peripheral vascular disease is provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing lung cancer in a mammalian subject by use of three or more selected genes, e.g., a gene expression profile, from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of disease, a stage of the disease, or enables prognosis of recurrence of disease. The gene expression profile includes three or more genes of Table I, Table II, Table III, Table IV, Table V, Table VI or Table VII herein. Detection of changes in expression in the selected genes forming the gene expression profile from that of a reference gene expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One composition for use in such diagnosis includes three or more PCR primer-probe sets, wherein each primer-probe set amplifies a different polynucleotide sequence from the gene expression profile.

Abstract: The present invention is a method distinguishing between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. In particular, a 10-gene classifier has been identified which can be used to distinguish between primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These genes include CXCL13, COL6A2, SFTPB, KRT14, TSPYL5, TMP3, KLK10, MMP1, GAS1, and MYH2. A panel of one or more of these genes, or proteins encoded thereby, can be used for early diagnosis and selection of an appropriate therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A method for enhancing intracellular delivery of effector molecules is provided. The method involves modifying selected antibodies with biotin and streptavidin, conjugating these antibodies with an effector molecule, and delivering the conjugated effector to an intracellular target specifically recognized by the antibody.