Abstract: Cancer antigens containing mutations in an expressed gene of cancer cells from a cancer patient are identified. Sequences from cancer cells obtained using a parallel sequencing platform are selected by comparing to the patient's normal genes or to normal genes from an HLA-matched individual. Sequences are further selected by identifying an HLA supertype of the cancer patient and selecting for that HLA supertype, sequences that have a particular amino acid at the mutant position and/or corresponding wild-type position in the effected gene. Peptides containing cancer antigens (i.e., mutations—once a mutation is defined, what makes it an immunogen is its ability to induce an immune response) are optionally tested for binding to HLA antigens of the cancer patient. Peptides containing the cancer antigens are evaluated for activating T cells (e.g., helper T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)) cell lines from the cancer patient or from an HLA-matched donor.

Abstract: Provided is a method for monitoring a gene mutation associated with a cancer in a patient over time. Also provided is a method of selecting and/or applying treatment or therapy for a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a proteinase-engineered cancer vaccine for treating a cancer patient, especially for cancer patient at advanced/metastatic stage. The cancer vaccine comprises dead cancer cells with unbroken plasma membrane wherein the extracellular proteins and extracellular portion of membrane proteins are cleaved by proteinase digestion. The cancer vaccine may be derived from cancer cell lines or patients' cancer cells. The present invention provides a method of treating a cancer patient by administrating an effective amount of the cancer vaccine to the patient. In a clinical trial with 35 cancer patients, the cancer vaccine therapy brings cancer-free lives (no detectable tumor, micro tumor or cancer cells after treatment) back to 40% of these patients. The cancer vaccine therapy for the first time brings the promise of cure to this deadly disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melanoma antigen peptide comprising the amino acids sequence selected in the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15 or a function-conservative variant thereof. Moreover the invention also relates to a melanoma antigen peptide according to the invention for use in the prevention or the treatment of melanoma in patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are an isolated or enriched population of tumor initiating cells derived from normal cells, cells susceptible to neoplasia, or neoplastic cells. Methods of use of the cells for screening for anti-hyperproliferative agents, and use of the cells for animal models of hyperproliferative disorders including metastatic cancer, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic methods are provided.

Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods for therapeutic screening, diagnostics, and cancer treatment based on the identification or use of the different states of cancer stem cells, including cancer stem cells in the EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition) MET (mesenchymal to epithelial transition), and EMT-MET states are disclosed. In some methods, a subject is treated with one therapeutic that targets EMT cancer stem cells and a second therapeutic that targets MET cancers stem cells. In certain methods, the different states of cancer stem cells are distinguished based on markers CD44+CD24?, EpCam?CD49P+(for EMT cancers stem cells), ALDH+ and EPCam+CD49r? (for MET cancers stem cells), and CD44+CD24?ALDH+ (for EMT-MET cancer stem cells). In particular methods, micro RNAs are used to transition to one particular cancer stem cell type (e.g., mir-100 for EMT and mir-93 for MET).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for immunotherapy of a cancer patient, comprises administering to the patient an Ab that inhibits signaling from the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway, or a combination of such Ab and an anti-CTLA-4 Ab. This disclosure also provides a method for immunotherapy of a cancer patient comprising selecting a patient who is a suitable candidate for immunotherapy based on an assessment that the proportion of cells in a test tissue sample from the patient that express PD-L1 on the cell surface exceeds a predetermined threshold level, and administering an anti-PD-1 Ab to the selected subject. The disclosure additionally provides rabbit mAbs that bind specifically to a cell surface-expressed PD-L1 antigen in a FFPE tissue sample, and an automated IHC method for assessing cell surface expression in FFPE tissues using the provided anti-PD-L1 Abs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for predicting a subject's relative response to cancer immunotherapy treatment. The methods involve providing a sample comprising a tumor cell or a peripheral blood cell from the subject; measuring the expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-23 (“MMP-23”) by the tumor cell or the peripheral blood cell; comprising the measured expression level of MMP-23 with a control or standard value; and determining the subject's predicted response to cancer immunotherapy, where, based on said comparing, a higher MMP-23 expression level compared to the control or standard value predicts the subject will have a poor response to cancer immunotherapy. The present invention also relates to methods for increasing production of tumor infiltrating leucocytes (“TILs”) in a subject, methods of identifying a subject as a candidate for adoptive T-cell therapy using T-cells that primarily express KCa3.

Abstract: Described is an immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleic acid molecule (ODN) having the structure according to formula (I), wherein any NMP is a 2? deoxynucleoside monophosphate or monothiophosphate, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, -6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine-monophosphate or -monothiophosphate, NUC is a 2? deoxynucleoside, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, 6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine, any X is O or S, a and b are integers from 0 to 100 with the proviso that a+b is between 4 and 150,

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition including (e.g., for use as an adjuvant) a (negatively charged) nucleic acid comprising complex comprising as a carrier cationic or polycationic compounds (e.g. peptides, proteins or polymers) and as a cargo at least one nucleic acid (molecule) and at least one antigen that is selected from an antigen from a pathogen associated with infectious disease; an antigen associated with allergy or allergic disease; an antigen associated with autoimmune disease; or an antigen associated with a cancer or tumour disease, or in each case a fragment, variant and/or derivative of said antigen. The pharmaceutical composition allows for efficient induction of an adaptive immune response directed against said antigen. The present invention furthermore provides kits, as well as the use of the pharmaceutical composition or the kit as a vaccine, particularly in the treatment of infectious diseases, allergies, autoimmune diseases and tumour or cancer diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein are modified erythrocyte precursor cells, erythrocytes generated from modified erythrocyte precursor cells, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition including (e.g. for use as an adjuvant) a polymeric carrier cargo complex, comprising as a carrier a polymeric carrier formed by disulfide-crosslinked cationic components; and as a cargo at least one nucleic acid molecule, and at least one antigen that is selected from an antigen from a pathogen associated with infectious disease; an antigen associated with allergy or allergic disease; an antigen associated with autoimmune disease; or an antigen associated with a cancer or tumour disease, or in each case a fragment, variant and/or derivative of said antigen. The pharmaceutical composition allows for efficient induction of an adaptive immune response directed against said antigen. The present invention furthermore provides kits, as well as the use of the pharmaceutical composition or the kit as a vaccine, particularly in the treatment of infectious diseases, allergies, autoimmune diseases and tumour or cancer diseases.

Abstract: The application describes a method of screening for breast cancer by testing fro the amount of HAGE (Helicase antigen) in a sample of breast tissue. Methods of prognosis of samples of breast cancer tumours are also provided. HAGE+ ER? (estrogen receptor-) cancers are indicated as being amenable to chemotherapy. Methods of treating breast cancers with HAGE-specific CTA antigen or HAGE-specific antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation, comprising at least one Toll-like receptor ligand and at least one peptide. The invention also relates to the use of such a pharmaceutical preparation and to a vaccination method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer involving administering an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1 receptor) agonist and an anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Also provided are compounds for treating cancer comprising an IGF-1-receptor ligand coupled to an anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Also provided are compounds for treating cancer comprising an insulin-receptor ligand coupled to an anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a peptide comprising or essentially consisting of a sequence motif as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) or of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM). Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of an activated T-cell specifically recognizing the peptide of the present invention or an antigen presenting cell which specifically presents a peptide epitope of the present invention for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) or of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM). The present invention also relates to a method for the ex vivo manufacture of an activated T-cell of the present invention comprising the steps of: a) obtaining T-cells from a sample of a subject suffering from MGUS or SMM, b) contacting said T-cells with a peptide of the present invention, and c) collecting the activated T-cells.

Abstract: A method of inducing a specific immune response in a mammal, comprising: providing a first composition comprising isolated ubiquitinylated proteins in solution in the absence of membrane bound organelles, the isolated ubiquitinylated proteins comprising one or more specific antigens, and further comprising a threshold quantity of polyubiquitinylated short-lived proteins and polyubiquitinylated defective ribosomal products. The isolated ubiquitinylated proteins are affinity-purified from tumor-derived cells grown in culture, the tumor-derived cells being inhibited from degrading ubiquitinylated proteins via the proteasome while being grown in culture. In this way, highly immunogenic short-lived proteins and defective ribosomal products may be loaded onto dendritic cells for cross-presentation and priming of antigen-specific T cells restricted by either classical or non-classical MHC.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation method of an antigen composition. The preparation method comprises the following steps: (1) obtaining a tumor antigen protein; (2) making the tumor antigen protein into contact with an immature dendritic cell; (3) inducing the immature dendritic cell in contact with the tumor antigen into a mature dendritic cell; and (4) separating a cell vesicle of the mature dendritic cell. The present invention further provides an antigen composition obtained through the preparation method and the application thereof in preparing a tumor vaccine.

Abstract: Autologous anti-cancer vaccines and methods of manufacture and treatment are provided, including expansion of individual patient-derived tumor cells in an immune-compromised animal(s) to attain, quantitatively and qualitatively, sufficient material for efficacious vaccine production and utilization, to elicit an immune response against micrometastases and/or recurrence in the individual patient following tumor excision.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response using cationic lipids alone or in combination with antigens.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of immunotherapy, in particular tumor immunotherapy. The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations for delivering RNA to antigen presenting cells such as dendrite cells (DCs) in the spleen after systemic administration. In particular, the formulations described herein enable to induce an immune response after systemic administration of antigen-coding RNA.

Abstract: The invention provides a tumor vaccine and method for producing the same. The tumor vaccine comprises cell vesicles derived from apoptotic tumor cells and an adjuvant. The invention further provides a preparation method of the tumor vaccine, comprising the steps of using the UV to irradiate the tumor cells to induce apoptosis, and collecting the cell vesicles released from the apoptotic tumor cells and then mixing the cell vesicles with the adjuvant to form the tumor vaccine. The tumor vaccine provided by the invention contains a broad and comprehensive tumor antigen spectrum, the defect that the existing tumor vaccine cannot have the killing capacity against the broad tumor cells can be overcome, and at the same time the tumor vaccine has good use safety and immune targeting property.

Abstract: A method of treating a cellular proliferative disorder in a subject by obtaining from a subject a bodily fluid sample containing a plurality of cells, incubating the sample with EDTA or heparin in a container until the sample is separated into an upper layer and a lower layer, collecting the upper layer, isolating from the upper layer a population of somatic stem cells that are 0.3-6.0 micrometers in size, differentiating the somatic stem cells to dendritic cells in a medium containing GCSF, SCF, EGF, PDGF, bFGF, and IL-3, purifying the dendritic cells, contacting the dendritic cells thus purified with a cancer antigen, and administrating an effective amount of the dendritic cells presenting the cancer antigen to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention concerns a liposome comprising lipids and at least one active ingredient, wherein at least one of the lipids is a cationic lipid; said liposome exhibiting a net positive charge at physiological conditions at which said liposome preferentially adheres to monocytes in freshly drawn blood when compared to adherence to granulocytes, T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and/or NK cells in freshly drawn blood, to a lipid-based pharmaceutical composition comprising said liposomes and their use in monocytic associated prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of a condition such as cancer, an infectious disease, an inflammatory disease, an autoimmune disease or allergy.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide derived from the EphA2 protein and/or the IL-13R?2 protein and monitoring the amount of cancer stem cells in said subject. Also provided herein are methods for monitoring the efficacy of an EphA2 peptide-based cancer treatment or an IL-13R?2 peptide-based cancer treatment in a patient with cancer, comprising monitoring the amount of cancer stem cells in said subject prior to, during, and/or following cancer treatment of a patient.

Abstract: Use of intracytoplasmatic domain of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) protein and/or a nucleic acid molecule encoding for the intracytoplasmatic domain of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) protein, of any species, for the preparation of a medicament, preferably a vaccine, for the treatment and/or prevention of a tumor in a subject, preferably a lymphoma.

Abstract: Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) bearing ?-glucose (?-Glc) that preferentially stimulate human invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are provided. GSLs with ?-glucose (?-Glc) that exhibit stronger induction in humans (but weaker in mice) of cytokines and chemokines and expansion and/or activation of immune cells than those with ?-galactose (?-Gal) are disclosed. GSLs bearing ?-glucose (?-Glc) and derivatives of ?-Glc with F at the 4 and/or 6 positions are provided. Methods for iNKT-independent induction of chemokines by the GSL with ?-Glc and derivatives thereof are disclosed. Methods for immune stimulation in humans using GSLs with ?-Glc and derivatives thereof are provided.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying antigens and combinations of antigens that can be used to treat cancer as well as combinations of antigens having the ability to reduce established tumors within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing an anti-tumor immune response by immunizing a mammal with a composition comprising a tumor cell which expresses a NLR ligand and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein or with an activated DC which has internalized a tumor cell which expresses an NLR- and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides reagents, methods, and kits, for treating or preventing cancers derived from each of the germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm, neural crest). The reagent encompasses interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responsive cancer cells, where the cells are autophagic and non-apoptotic cancer cells, and where the cells express MHC Class II.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer with a recombinant tumor-associated antigen loaded antigen presenting cell that generates a cytotoxic T lymphocyte specific immune response to at least one of SP17, AKAP-4, or PTTG1 expressed by one or more lung cancer cells.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention describes materials and methods for the local reprogramming of cells in a location where the treatment is applied. The invention can be used to replace lost cells or to restore function to tissue damaged due to disease, injury or genetic defect. In various embodiments, the treatment includes a semisolid hydrogel embedded with liposomes. The liposomes can contain an effector molecule or molecules. When phagocytic cells such as monocytes infiltrate the hydrogel, they encounter the liposomes and incorporate the liposomes carrying the effector molecules into the cells. In some embodiments, the effector molecules can be genetic material encoding the expression of specific proteins such as transcription factors, the expression of which can initiate the reprogramming of the cells. In other embodiments, the effector molecules can induce angiogenesis. In other embodiments, the effector molecules are tumor antigens.

Abstract: Materials and methods useful for generating highly mannosylated pseudotyped lentiviral vector particles comprising a Vpx protein are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a therapeutic cancer treatment using a soluble CD80 fusion protein that binds to PDLL and inhibits PDLL-PD1 interactions thereby overcoming PDLL-induced immune suppression and restoring T cell activation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns differential therapeutic treatment of cancer patients based on prognostic antigen/antibody profiles used for predicting (prognosticating) a clinical response (efficacy) and/or adverse event to an immunotherapy for treatment of a malignancy in a subject, and for treating or delaying the onset or relapse of a malignancy in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for raising an immune response against a tumor. The composition comprises at least one tumor antigen, a saponin-based adjuvant, a TLR ligand and a Flt3 ligand.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and compounds that include a nucleic acid comprising a sequence consisting essentially of polyT/polyU and an agent that inhibits the production or activity of an immunosuppressive compound for treating tumors are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition including (eg for use as an adjuvant) a polymeric carrier cargo complex, comprising as a carrier a polymeric carrier formed by disulfide-crosslinked cationic components and as a cargo at least one nucleic acid (molecule) and at least one antigen associated with a tumour or cancer disease selected from; an idiotype immunoglobulin (e.g. an idiotype antibody or an idiotype B cell receptor); or at least one idiotype T cell receptor, or in each case a fragment, variant and/or derivative thereof. The inventive pharmaceutical composition allows for efficient induction of an adaptive immune response directed against the idiotype immunoglobulin or T cell receptor, particularly of a Th1-shiftet immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a cell cycle regulatory protein and/or an expressible nucleic acid coding for this in an amount suitable for immunization of an individual against carcinomas and the preliminary stages thereof and common auxiliary agents and/or to the use of a cell cycle regulatory protein and/or an expressible nucleic acid coding for this to immunize an individual against carcinomas and the preliminary stages thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to immunotherapeutic methods to treat tumors/cancers that produce progastrin ectopically or are dependent on progastrin for their growth. Disclosed herein are immunogenic compositions comprising agents that target progastrin, agents that target the progastrin receptor, annexin II, or both. Such a composition may be administered in combination with chemotherapy or to an individual who had been previously subjected to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The cancers that may be treated using such a composition may include but are not limited to colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer or pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Methods of making activated immunostimulatory cell compositions, activated immunostimulatory cell compositions, and methods of using those compositions to stimulate therapeutic immune responses to tumors are described.

Abstract: Markers useful for the identification, characterization and, optionally, the enrichment or isolation of tumorigenic cells or cell subpopulations are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one mRNA comprising at least one coding region for at least one antigen from a tumour, in combination with an aqueous solvent and preferably a cytokine, e.g. GM-CSF, and a process for the preparation of the pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition according to the invention is used in particular for therapy and/or prophylaxis against cancer.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a means for proliferating a monocyte with high efficiency and in a simple manner. The present invention provides a proliferating agent for a monocyte, which consists of at least one component selected from Flt-3L, IL-3 and IFN-? and can be used before a treatment for differentiation of a monocyte into a dendritic cell. The present invention also provides a culture medium for use in the proliferation of a monocyte, which contains at least one component selected from Flt-3L, IL-3 and IFN-? and can be used before a treatment for differentiation of a monocyte into a dendritic cell. The culture medium for use in the proliferation of a monocyte according to the present invention may contain GM-CSF.

Abstract: Methodologies and technologies for potentiating antibody-based cancer treatments by increasing complement-mediated cell cytotoxicity are disclosed. Further provided are methodologies and technologies for overcoming ineffective treatments correlated with and/or caused by sub-lytic levels of complement-activating monoclonal antibodies (“mAb”) against cancer antigens or cancer antigens with low tumor cell density. While detectable levels of passively administered or vaccine-induced mAb against some antigens are able to delay or prevent tumor growth, low levels of mAb induce sublytic levels of complement activation and accelerate tumor growth. This complement-mediated accelerated tumor growth initiated by low mAb levels results in activation of the PI3K/AKT survival pathway. Methodologies and technologies relating to administration of PI3K inhibitors to overcome low dose mAb-initiated, complement-mediated PI3K activation and accelerated tumor growth are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are cancer vaccines comprising senescent cells and methods of using and preparing the vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising chitosan-derived compositions used in connection with methods for treating neoplasms, such as for instance, malignant lung, thyroid and kidney neoplasms, and other types of malignant neoplasms, and other medical disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for treating individuals at risk of or suffering from breast cancer. The system comprises administering to the individual a recombinant poxvirus, where the poxvirus contains in a foreign nucleic acid encoding at least one breast cancer antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination therapy which relies on a small molecule immune stimulator—cyclic-di-nucleotide (CDN)—that activates DCs via a recently discovered cytoplasmic receptor known as STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) formulated with allogeneic human tumor cell lines engineered to secrete high amounts of GM-CSF. This combination therapy can provide an ideal synergy of multiple tumor associated antigens, DC recruitment and proliferation, coupled with a potent DC activation stimulus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ?-galactosylceramide (?-GalCer) analogs and compositions thereof, methods of activating invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells using said analogs, methods of treating diseases by activating iNKT cells using said analogs, and combination therapy of said analogs.