Abstract: Described herein are methods comprising administering to a mammalian subject an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion protein, wherein the annexin chimeric fusion protein comprises at least one immunogenic antigen, thereby enhancing the antigen specific immune response relative to administration of the immunogenic antigen alone. Methods and kits for treating or preventing recurrence of hyper proliferating diseases, e.g., cancer, are described. A method may comprise priming a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent and boosting the mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic polypeptides comprising an annexin V protein, or a functional portion or fragment or variant thereof, conjugated to a tumor antigen, or a functional portion or fragment or variant thereof. The invention further provides methods for making said synthetic polypeptides and their use in the treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancer and tumors originating therefrom.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for assessing and/or treating mammals (e.g., humans) having, or suspected of having, cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying a mammal as having cancer are provided. For example, microfluidic devices that can be used to detect one or more target polypeptides (e.g., cancer-specific polypeptides) in a fluid sample obtained from a mammal (e.g., a mammal suspected of having cancer) are provided.

Abstract: Mesothelin can be used as an immunotherapeutic target. It induces a cytolytic T cell response. Portions of mesothelin which induce such responses are identified. Vaccines can be either polynucleotide- or polypeptide-based. Carriers for raising a cytolytic T cell response include bacteria and viruses. A mouse model for testing vaccines and other anti-tumor therapeutics and prophylactics comprises a strongly mesothelin-expressing, transformed peritoneal cell line.

Abstract: Described herein are methods comprising administering to a mammalian subject an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion protein, wherein the annexin chimeric fusion protein comprises at least one immunogenic antigen, thereby enhancing the antigen specific immune response relative to administration of the immunogenic antigen alone. Methods and kits for treating or preventing recurrence of hyper proliferating diseases, e.g., cancer, are described. A method may comprise priming a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent and boosting the mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acid vectors comprising sequences encoding (a) an antigen, (b) a signal peptide, and (c) a heat shock protein, are disclosed, as are methods for using such vectors to induce antigen-specific immune responses and to treat tumors.

Abstract: Described herein are methods comprising administering to a mammalian subject an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion protein, wherein the annexin chimeric fusion protein comprises at least one immunogenic antigen, thereby enhancing the antigen specific immune response relative to administration of the immunogenic antige alone. Methods and kits for treating or preventing recurrence of hyper proliferating diseases, e.g., cancer, are described. A method may comprise priming a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent and boosting the mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion.

Abstract: Mesothelin can be used as an immunotherapeutic target. It induces a cytolytic T cell response. Portions of mesothelin which induce such responses are identified. Vaccines can be either polynucleotide- or polypeptide-based. Carriers for raising a cytolytic T cell response include bacteria and viruses. A mouse model for testing vaccines and other anti-tumor therapeutics and prophylactics comprises a strongly mesothelin-expressing, transformed peritoneal cell line.

Abstract: Mesothelin can be used as an immunotherapeutic target. It induces a cytolytic T cell response. Portions of mesothelin which induce such responses are identified. Vaccines can be either polynucleotide- or polypeptide-based. Carriers for raising a cytolytic T cell response include bacteria and viruses. A mouse model for testing vaccines and other anti-tumor therapeutics and prophylactics comprises a strongly mesothelin-expressing, transformed peritoneal cell line.

Abstract: Described herein are methods comprising administering to a mammalian subject an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion protein, wherein the annexin chimeric fusion protein comprises at least one immunogenic antigen, thereby enhancing the antigen specific immune response relative to administration of the immunogenic antige alone. Methods and kits for treating or preventing recurrence of hyper proliferating diseases, e.g., cancer, are described. A method may comprise priming a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent and boosting the mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acid vectors comprising sequences encoding (a) an antigen, (b) a signal peptide, and (c) a heat shock protein, are disclosed, as are methods for using such vectors to induce antigen-specific immune responses and to treat tumors.

Abstract: The disclosure features compounds comprising an antigen portion, a soluble Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecule portion (e.g., all or an antigen-binding portion of a soluble MHC class I molecule), and a dynamic anchor portion (e.g., an agent, such as Annexin V, that binds to phosphatidylserine). The featured compounds are useful for a variety of therapeutic applications, including, e.g., enhancing a T cell response to an antigen of interest or enhancing a T cell-driven immune response by a subject to an antigen of interest (e.g., a cancer antigen or a microbial antigen).

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding a chimeric or fusion polypeptide which polypeptide comprises a first domain comprising a translocation polypeptide; and a second domain comprising at least one antigenic peptide are disclosed. The preferred translocation polypeptide is a bacterial toxin translocation polypeptide, such as domain II of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA(dII)). Such nucleic acids, expression vectors thereof, and cells expressing these vectors are used as vaccine compositions in a method for enhancing an antigen specific immune response, a method of increasing the numbers of CD8+ CTLs specific for a selected desired antigen in a subject, or a method of inhibiting the growth of a tumor in a subject.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acid vectors comprising sequences encoding (a) an antigen, (b) a signal peptide, and (c) a heat shock protein, are disclosed, as are methods for using such vectors to induce antigen-specific immune responses and to treat tumors.

Abstract: Mesothelin can be used as an immunotherapeutic target. It induces a cytolytic T cell response. Portions of mesothelin which induce such responses are identified. Vaccines can be either polynucleotide- or polypeptide-based. Carriers for raising a cytolytic T cell response include bacteria and viruses. A mouse model for testing vaccines and other anti-tumor therapeutics and prophylactics comprises a strongly mesothelin-expressing, transformed peritoneal cell line.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of mucosal tissue administration of therapeutic HPV vaccines, in a prime-boost regimen, which generated antigen-specific CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses and the expression of tissue-resident memory T cell (Trm) markers on the CD8+ T cells. In some embodiments, the inventive methods employed pNGVL4a-sig/E7(detox)/HSP70 DNA vaccine and TA-HPV in a prime-boost regimen which shows vaccination in the infected mucosal tissues, including those in the cervicovaginal tract, elicited potent antitumor effects and a more effective local immune response in the tissues and regional lymph node, when compared to intramuscular vaccination. Furthermore, targeting the induction of Trm-mediated immune responses can serve as an ideal methodology especially for therapeutic HPV vaccines.

Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing hyperproliferating diseases, e.g., cancer, are described. A method may comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a nucleic acid encoding an MHC class I and/or II activator and optionally a nucleic acid encoding an antigen.

Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing recurrence of hyper proliferating diseases, e.g., cancer and persistent viral infections, are described. A method may comprise priming a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a nucleic acid composition encoding an antigen or a biologically active homolog thereof and boosting the mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of an oncolytic virus comprising a nucleic acid encoding the antigen or the biologically active homolog thereof.

Abstract: An immunotherapeutic strategy is disclosed that combines antigen-encoding DNA vaccine compositions combined with siRNA directed to pro-apoptotic genes, primarily Bak and Bax, the products of which are known to lead to apoptotic death. Gene gun delivery (particle bombardment) of siRNA specific for Bak and/or Bax to antigen-expressing DCs prolongs the lives of such DCs and lead to enhanced generation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses in vivo. Similarly, antigen-loaded DC's transfected with siRNA targeting Bak and/or Bax serve as improved immunogens and tumor immunotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: Mesothelin can be used as an immunotherapeutic target. It induces a cytolytic T cell response. Portions of mesothelin which induce such responses are identified. Vaccines can be either polynucleotide- or polypeptide-based. Carriers for raising a cytolytic T cell response include bacteria and viruses. A mouse model for testing vaccines and other anti-tumor therapeutics and prophylactics comprises a strongly mesothelin-expressing, transformed peritoneal cell line.