Abstract: Provided relates to a circular RNA comprising an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element, a protein coding sequence and a poly A. Provided also relates to the precursor RNA, the vector and the method for producing the circular, and the use of the circular RNA.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides gene edited modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g., gene edited modified T cells) comprising an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) and/or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having specificity for a target antigen, and an insertion and/or deletion in one or more endogenous gene loci, wherein the endogenous gene loci encode regulators of T cell function, thereby resulting in immune cells having enhanced function. Compositions and methods of treatment are also provided. The present invention provides methods of screening for TCR- or CAR-T cells with enhanced immune function (e.g., T cell efficacy, T cell memory, and/or T cell persistence).

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for a modified immune cell or precursor cell thereof comprising an inducible expression system. Also provided are gene edited modified immune cells suitable for T cell therapy. Methods of treatment using modified immune cells of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for modifying a T cell with a nucleic acid encoding a switch molecule comprising an extracellular domain comprising a membrane receptor or fragment thereof and an intracellular domain comprising a signaling receptor or fragment thereof. In one aspect, a method comprises introducing a nucleic acid encoding a switch molecule and a nucleic acid encoding a soluble fusion protein and/or a nucleic acid encoding a bispecific antibody into a population of cells comprising T cells, wherein the T cells transiently expresses the switch molecule and soluble fusion protein or bispecific antibody. In other aspect, compositions of T cells and methods of treating a disease or condition, such as cancer or an autoimmune disease, are also included.

Abstract: The invention provides T cells comprising nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enhancer of T cell priming, compositions including the T cells, and methods of using the T cells to treat diseases associated with the expression of disease-associated antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing T cell metabolism and activity for more effective adoptive T cell therapy. By expressing an chimeric antigen receptor and bispecific antibodies in T cells, the T cells are metabolically enhanced with improved cytotoxicity and resistance to immunosuppression imposed by tumor microenvironments. Certain aspects include modified T cells and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified cells for adoptive cell therapy and treating a disease or condition associated with enhanced immunity.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for modifying primary T cells. In one aspect, the invention comprises administering to a cell a stem-loop Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) RNA (st-crRNA) and a Cpf1 enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention includes administering a genetically modified Th17 cell to express a CAR having an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an ICOS intracellular signaling domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for generating a modified T cell with a nucleic acid capable of downregulating endogenous gene expression selected from the group consisting of TCR ? chain, TCR ? chain, beta-2 microglobulin, a HLA molecule, CTLA-4, PD1, and FAS and further comprising a nucleic acid encoding a modified T cell receptor (TCR) comprising affinity for a surface antigen on a target cell or an electroporated nucleic acid encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Also included are methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified T cell for adoptive therapy and treating a condition, such as an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for modifying primary T cells. In one aspect, the invention comprises administering to a cell a stem-loop Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) RNA (st-crRNA) and a Cpf1 enzyme.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified immune cells (e.g., modified T cells) comprising a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having affinity for a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) (e.g., human PSMA). The present disclosure provides modified immune cells (e.g., modified T cells) comprising a CAR having affinity for PSMA and a dominant negative receptor and/or a switch receptor. The present disclosure provides modified immune cells (e.g., modified T cells) comprising a CAR having affinity for PSMA and a dominant negative receptor and/or a switch receptor, wherein the modified cell is capable of expressing and secreting a bispecific antibody.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are anti-BCMA antibodies and antigen-binding fragments, chimeric antigen receptors (“CARs”) having these anti-BCMA antibodies and antigen-binding fragments (“BCMA CARs”) and genetically modified immune effector cells having such BCMA CARs. Polynucleotides encoding the anti-BCMA antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and BCMA CARs are also provided herein. Compositions comprising anti-BCMA antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and BCMA CARs are also provided herein. The present disclosure also relates to use of the anti-BCMA antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and genetically modified immune effector cells having such BCMA CARs in cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides gene edited modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g., gene edited modified T cells) comprising an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) and/or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having specificity for a target antigen, and an insertion and/or deletion in one or more endogenous gene loci, wherein the endogenous gene loci encode regulators of T cell function, thereby resulting in immune cells having enhanced function. Compositions and methods of treatment are also provided. The present invention provides methods of screening for TCR- or CAR-T cells with enhanced immune function (e.g., T cell efficacy, T cell memory, and/or T cell persistence).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention includes administering a genetically modified Th17 cell to express a CAR having an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an ICOS intracellular signaling domain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides gene edited modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g., gene edited modified T cells) comprising an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) and/or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having specificity for a target antigen, and an insertion and/or deletion in one or more endogenous gene loci, wherein the endogenous gene loci encode regulators of T cell function, thereby resulting in immune cells having enhanced function. Compositions and methods of treatment are also provided. The present invention provides methods of screening for TCR- or CAR-T cells with enhanced immune function (e.g., T cell efficacy, T cell memory, and/or T cell persistence).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are anti-mesothelin antibodies and antigen-binding fragments, chimeric antigen receptors (“CARs”) having these anti-mesothelin antibodies and antigen-binding fragments (“mesothelin CARs”) and genetically modified immune effector cells having such mesothelin CARs. Polynucleotides encoding the anti-mesothelin antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and mesothelin CARs are also provided herein. Compositions comprising anti-mesothelin antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and mesothelin CARs are also provided herein. The present disclosure also relates to uses of the anti-mesothelin antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and genetically modified immune effector cells having such mesothelin CARs in cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified immune cell (e.g., modified T cell) comprising an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) having specificity for NY-ESO-1. The present disclosure provides modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g., modified T cells) comprising an exogenous TCR and a switch receptor. Gene edited modified cells are also provided, such that the expression of one or more of an endogenous T-cell receptor gene (e.g., TRAC, TRBC) or an endogenous immune checkpoint gene (e.g. PD-1 or TIM-3) is downregulated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g. T cells) comprising a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) capable of binding human PSCA. CARs capable of binding human PSCA, and nucleic acids encoding the same are also provided. Provided herein are bispecific CARs capable of binding human PSCA and human PSMA, nucleic acids encoding the same, and modified immune cells comprising the same. Modified immune cells comprising a PSMA CAR and a PSCA CAR are also provided. Compositions and methods of treatment are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing T cell metabolism and activity for more effective adoptive T cell therapy. By expressing an chimeric antigen receptor and bispecific antibodies in T cells, the T cells are metabolically enhanced with improved cytotoxicity and resistance to immunosuppression imposed by tumor microenvironments. Certain aspects include modified T cells and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified cells for adoptive cell therapy and treating a disease or condition associated with enhanced immunity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing T cell metabolism and activity for more effective adoptive T cell therapy. By expressing an intracellular signaling molecule in T cells, the T cells are metabolically enhanced with improved cytotoxicity and resistance to immunosuppression imposed by tumor microenvironments. One aspect includes a modified T cell and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified cells for adoptive cell therapy and treating a disease or condition associated with enhanced immunity.