Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based compositions for activating cellular immune responses are provided. The CNTs function as high surface area scaffolds for the attachment of T cell ligands and/or antigens. The CNT compositions function as artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) or as modular vaccines. The disclosed CNT aAPCs are efficient at activating T cells and may be used to activate T cells ex vivo or in vivo for adoptive or active immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a prognosis of progression of a cancer in a subject, a method for determining a treatment protocol for a subject having cancer or a method for determining efficacy of a therapeutic treatment of a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) assessing a level of a first biomarker selected from at least one of Mcm2-7 in a biological sample from the subject: and (b) assessing the level of a second biomarker selected from at least one of geminin, Aurora A, Plk1, Ki67 and H3S10ph in the biological sample from the subject, wherein the combination of the level of the first biomarker compared to a pre-determined value and the level of the second biomarker compared to a predetermined value is indicative of cancer progression in the subject or is indicative of the treatment regimen prescribed for the subject or is indicative of the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: Compositions for inducing or enhancing immunogenicity of a tumor comprise bi- and multi-specific aptamers binding to a tumor cell and an immune cell. These compositions have broad applicability in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating cancer comprising tumor cell vaccination in combination with hematopoietic and immune cell transplantation. In some embodiments, the method involves autologous tumor cell vaccination prior to autologous hematopoietic and immune cell transplantation. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of purifying tumor cells from a subject in preparation for vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active (immunostimulatory) composition comprising at least one RNA, preferably a mRNA, encoding at least two (preferably different) antigens capable of eliciting an (adaptive) immune response in a mammal. The invention furthermore relates to a vaccine comprising said active (immunostimulatory) composition, and to the use of said active (immunostimulatory) composition (for the preparation of a vaccine) and/or of the vaccine for eliciting an (adaptive) immune response for the treatment of lung cancer, particularly of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), preferably selected from the three main sub-types squamous cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell lung carcinoma, or of disorders related thereto. Finally, the invention relates to kits, particularly to kits of parts, containing the active (immunostimulatory) composition and/or the vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions, methods, and devices for creating an stimulating an antigen-specific dendritic cell immune response. Devices and methods provide prophylactic and therapeutic immunity to subjects against cancer and infectious agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating an animal with a tumor or other metabolic disorder. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of electroporating exosomes shed by tumors and by other metabolic disorders into immune cells such as dendritic cells and T cells. Administration of the electroporated immune cells to an animal with a tumor results in an increased immune response to the tumor and treatment of the tumor.

Abstract: Cell lines, compositions comprising them for the treatment of melanomas, procedures to prepare the compositions, and treatment methods. More particularly, the invention relates to diverse human melanoma cell lines for the treatment of malignant diseases, wherein the cell lines are: (a) Mel-XY1 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2830), (b) Mel-XY2 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2831), (c) Mel-XY3 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2832), (d) Mel-XX4 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2829), or (e) sub-populations thereof. The cell lines may be irradiated, thus obtaining populations with apoptotic phenotype, and populations with necrotic phenotype of such lines.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for targeted ablation of mutational escape in the face of cancer therapeutic agents. Compositions comprising the yeast-based vehicles are used in combination with other cancer therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions that include microparticles or nanoparticles of beta inulin or inulin acetate and an active agent, where the active agent is contained within individual microparticles or nanoparticles. The active agent can be, for example, a vaccinating antigen, an antigenic peptide sequence, or an immunoglobulin. The compositions can be incorporated into various formulations for administration to a subject such as a human or animal. The invention further provides methods of using the compositions and formulations, including methods of stimulating an immune response in a subject, or enhancing an immune response in a subject, for the purpose of treating, preventing, or inhibiting an infectious disease, autoimmune disease, immunodeficiency disorder, neoplastic disease, degenerative disease, an aging disease, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an induced cancer cell capable of self-replication in vitro which is useful in cancer therapy research and the research for cancer-related drug discovery, processes for production thereof, cancer cells induced by the malignant cells, and applications of these cells. The present invention provides an induced cancer stem cell capable of proliferation (self-replication) in vitro, wherein the induced cancer stem cell has the following two characteristics: (1) expressing the six genes (self-renewal related genes) POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2, ZFP42, LIN28, and TERT selected from a certain group of genes; and (2) having an aberration which is either (a) a mutation in an endogenous tumor suppressor gene or (b) increased expression of an endogenous cancer-related gene.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that contain haptens consisting of carbohydrate moieties are useful to induce an immune response to provide antibodies to epitopes contained in CA215 and also to elicit an immune response to cancers expressing these epitopes.

Abstract: Disclosed are mesoporous silicon multi-stage vehicles that comprise liposomal-based second-stage particles, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and formulations including such vectors for use in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic indications. In particular embodiments, MSV comprising ligand decorated second-stage particles are provided for therapeutic methods including, for example, treatment of mammalian cancers, including those of the human breast.

Abstract: This invention provides a cell presenting at least one T cell receptor (TCR) anchored to the membrane by a trans-membrane sequence, said TCR comprising an interchain disulfide bond between extracellular constant domain residues which is not present in native TCRs.

Abstract: Provided is immunotherapy of cancer or infection utilizing activation of dendritic cell (DC) by innate immunity, namely, a method of preparing an artificial adjuvant vector cell co-expressing a target antigen and CD1d and having an ability to activate immunity against the target antigen, comprising treating the target antigen and CD1d co-expressing cell with a CD1d ligand in a culture medium.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates generally to immunotherapy and, more specifically, to the use of immunotherapy for treating tumors and pathogen infected tissues. The immunotherapy relates to first priming patients with allogeneic cells designed to be rejected by a Th1 mediated mechanism, then inducing in situ necrosis or apoptosis in a tumor or pathogen infected lesion. Necrosis or apoptosis can be induced by methods such as cryotherapy, irreversible electroporation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, ultrasound therapy, ethanol chemoablation, microwave thermal ablation, radiofrequency energy or a combination thereof applied against at least a portion of the tumor or pathogen infected tissue. One or more doses of allogeneic cells (e.g., Th1 cells) are then delivered within or proximate to the tumor or pathogen-infected tissue in the primed patient. The present invention provides an immunotherapeutic strategy to develop de-novo systemic (adaptive) immunity to a tumor or pathogen.

Abstract: An autologous cancer cell vaccine comprises cancer cells that express both MHCI and MHCII on their cell surface. The MHCI presents a cancer antigen and the MHCII presents a non-self antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of a set of proteins, which elicit an autoantibody response in patients with cancer of gingivo-buccal complex. Systematic comparisons of serum samples from clinically normal individuals and from patients with cancer of gingivo-buccal complex has revealed significant differences in the presence of autoantibodies in sera against cellular antigens present in a cancer cell line. The autoantibody response to a single or combination of these protein antigens serves as a novel marker and can be utilized for screening, early detection, prognosis, and potential target for therapy. The invention also provides for the use of the identified protein antigens in immunoassays designed to detect the presence of serum antibodies to the specific protein antigens in sera from individuals that harbor such antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of the identified antigens as immunogens for stimulation of an immune response in patients expressing such protein antigens.

Abstract: A method for using the blood transcriptional profile of patients with stage IV melanoma to generate networks associated with the possibility of prolonged survival and networks associated with clinical responses to dendritic cell (DC) vaccination as measured by tumor regression are disclosed herein.

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 provides compositions and methods for generating and cryopreserving dendritic cells with superior functionality in producing stronger signals to T cells, resulting in a more potent DC-based anti-tumor vaccine. The present invention includes mature, antigen loaded DCs activated by Toll-like receptor agonists that induce clinically effective immune responses, preferably when used earlier in the disease process. The DCs of the present invention produce desirable levels of cytokines and chemokines, and further have the capacity to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. The cells can be cryopreserved and thawed for later use, thereby reducing the need for repeated pheresis and elutriation processes during vaccine production. These methods can also be utilized to directly target molecules involved in carcinogenetic signaling pathways and cancer stem cells.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to assessing immunity to folate receptors. For example, methods and materials for assessing FR? immunity in a mammal are provided. This document also provides methods and materials related to stimulating immunity to folate receptors.

Abstract: The invention provides provides immunogenic compositions comprising neoplastic cells expressing a cytokine (GM-CSF) formulated with at least one TLR agonist and methods of using the composition to induce or enhance an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cancer vaccine, and specifically, to a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer containing a nano-vehicle derived from tumor tissue, and a method for treating cancer using the nano-vehicle derived from tumor tissue, and the like. According to the present invention, a nano-vehicle antigen derived from tumor tissue indicates a high yield while having properties similar to those of an exocellular vehicle, and can be variously modified, and is thus expected to be very useful for developing the cancer vaccine.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising anti-HLA-Ib antibodies as IVIg mimetics and methods for using the same for the prevention, treatment, therapy and/or amelioration of inflammation induced diseases and allograft rejection. In certain embodiments, the anti-HLA-Ib antibodies (monoclonal antibodies or mixed monoclonal antibodies, recombinant or chimeric or humanized or human antibodies) strongly mimic IVIg in immunoreactivity to HLA class Ia (HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-Cw) and Ib antigens (HLA-E, HLA-F and HLA-G). In certain embodiments, the anti-HLA-Ib antibodies (monoclonal or mixed monoclonal antibodies; recombinant, chimeric, humanized or human antibodies) strongly mimic IVIg in immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enhancing, modulating or stimulating the immune response to MMP-2 expressing tumors, including melanoma, and to the modulation and application of immune modulators and MMP-2 peptides for melanoma or other MMP-2 expressing tumor vaccines. The invention provides methods and means to activate an effective response to MMP-2 expressing tumors and modulate the ability of MMP-2 to skew CD4+ T cell responses toward that of TH2 cells, which are less effective mediators of tumor cell clearance than TH1 cells. Methods and assays are provided for screening for compounds, agents, or peptides capable of enhancing or activating immune responses, particularly to melanoma.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising dendritic cells expressing elevated levels of fascin 1 useful in immunotherapy are disclosed.

Abstract: Cell-based immunotherapy (e.g., immunization or vaccination) may be improved by frequent administration to a human subject of allogeneic cancer cells secreting a modified heat shock protein (e.g., gp96), depletion of B cells in the subject, or both. Antigen (e.g., epitope derived from neoantigen or tumor antigen of allogeneic or syngeneic cancer cells) may induce a specific immune response in the subject. For example, the epitope bound in an immunogenic complex with the secreted heat shock protein may be obtained from allogeneic cancer cells coexpressing both secreted gp96 and antigen, or from syngeneic cancer cells of the subject expressing only antigen.

Abstract: Novel peptides that inhibit the release of microparticles from cells are disclosed. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the peptides, expression vectors carrying the polynucleotides and methods for treating tumors using the novel peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are newly discovered Ras mutations and combinations of mutations, proteins and peptides and fusion proteins containing these mutations, nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, peptides, and fusion proteins, and a variety of tools and diagnostic, therapeutic, and screening methods associated with the use of such mutations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting the clinical response to a cancer vaccine in a patient having cancer, a method for determining the immune response to a cancer vaccine in a patient having cancer who has been administered a cancer vaccine, a method for determining the long-term survival in a patient having cancer, corresponding kits therefor, as well as methods of for improving the efficacy of a virus-based vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dendritic cell modulatory protein which modulates, and preferably inhibits, the differentiation and/or maturation of mammalian dendritic cells. The invention also provides proteins comprising conserved motifs found in such proteins as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dendritic cell modulatory protein and homologues and active fragments thereof, antibodies thereto and methods of treatment which utilise such proteins, homologues, fragments and antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying a HLA-B*0702-restricted cryptic epitope in an antigen, as well as methods for increasing the immunogenicity of HLA-B*0702-restricted cryptic epitopes. The HLA-B*0702-restricted cryptic epitopes and their cognate immunogenic epitopes are useful for stimulating an immune reaction against the cryptic epitopes in a subject. Accordingly, the invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a HLA-B*0702-restricted cryptic epitope or a cognate immunogenic epitope thereof, and vaccination kits comprising such epitopes. The novel materials of the invention are particularly useful for efficiently treating patients having an HLA-B*0702 phenotype.

Abstract: An immunopeptide containing a T cell epitope from the tumor associated antigen L6 (TAL6) and a nucleic acid encoding the immunopeptide are described herein. The immunopeptide or its encoding nucleic acid can be used as a component of an immune composition for enhancing immune response against cancer cells that express TAL6.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the field of Biotechnology applied to human health. Here it is described a vaccine vehicle wherein toxins from eukaryotic organisms are encapsulated into multilamellar vesicles obtained by the dehydration-rehydration procedure whose lipidic composition is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine:cholesterol in a 1:1 molar ratio for subcutaneous or intramuscular administration. These compositions do not require the use of other adjuvants. The disclosed compositions allow modulation of CTL-specific immune response against one or several antigens co-encapsulated into toxin-containing liposomes. The vaccinal vehicle of the present invention shows advantages over others disclosed by the previous art due to the robustness and functionality of the induced immune response as well as its immunomodulating properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method for obtaining a specific tumor antigen peptide repertoire loaded and/or activated dendritic cell comprising the steps of: a) exposing in suitable conditions a tumor cell expressing said specific tumor antigen peptide repertoire to at least one Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR) agonist and/or to an inflammatory cytokine to obtain a tumor cell with an increased activity of at least one protein belonging to the group of connexins; b) co-culturing said tumor cell with an increased activity of at least one protein belonging to the group of connexins with dendritic cells, to get specific tumor antigen peptide repertoire loaded and/or activated dendritic cells; Step a) and b) are performed simultaneously or in sequence. The group of connexins preferably consists of connexin 43, connexin 40, connexin 45, connexin 47, connexin 50.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the inhibition of fucosylation of proteins, including antibodies, in vivo by administration of a fucose analog.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of leukemia, in particular leukemia in which leukemic cells, or neoplastic precursors thereof, express Fat1 or a homolog of Fat1 that is substantially not expressed on normal blood cells.

Abstract: A novel dendritic cell type has been identified within bone marrow, termed myelos interferon dendritic cells (miDC). These novel cells possess the high IFN-alpha producing activity of pDC, but they also display a wide TLR responsiveness along with T-cell stimulation capacities that more closely resemble the conventional DC populations. Moreover, these cells appear less prone to apoptosis upon activation stimuli, including viruses. These cells constitute a novel bone marrow innate immune cell type, ideally geared to linking innate and adaptive immune responses via their potent IFN-alpha production and high cell stimulatory capacity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid of the general formula (I): GlXmGn, which may be modified by a lipid. The invention relates further to a pharmaceutical composition containing an immune-stimulating agent according to the invention in combination with a pharmaceutically active carrier/vehicle (and, optionally, further auxiliary substances, additives and/or further adjuvants). The present invention can relate to a vaccine, which corresponds to a pharmaceutical composition of the invention, wherein the pharmaceutically active component induces a specific immune response (e.g. an antigen). The present invention can relate to the use of a nucleic acid of the invention or a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for the treatment of infectious diseases, autoimmune disease, allergies or cancer diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunoresponsive cells, including T cells, cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells, expressing at least one of an antigen-recognizing receptor and a co-stimulatory ligand and methods of use therefore for the treatment of neoplasia and other pathologies where an increase in an antigen-specific immune response is desired.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the isolation, purification and preparation of immunogenic antigens for the production of customized cancer vaccines that include dendritic cells that are contacted with an antigen that includes heat-shocked cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that immunotherapy using cell-based tumor cells genetically modified to express heat shock proteins is particularly effective in preventing, prognosing and/or treating cancer (e.g., ovarian cancer). Accordingly, the invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for preventing, prognosing and/or treating cancer (e.g., ovarian cancer).

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of wound healing or tissue regeneration due to disease (i.e., for example, cardiovascular diseases, osetoarthritic diseases, or diabetes). In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising molecules with linked ?-gal epitopes for induction of an inflammatory response localized within or surrounding damaged tissue. In some embodiments, the present invention provides treatments for tissue repair in normal subjects and in subjects having impaired healing capabilities, such as diabetic and aged subjects.

Abstract: The present application relates to microvesicles derived from a protoplast which is a bacterial, arhaea, fungal or plant cell or the like from which a cell wall is removed. The microvesicles derived from a protoplast enables free loading of a material necessary for diagnosis, treatment, vaccine, target induction, cell membrane fusion with a target cell, reduction of in vivo and in vitro side effects, stability improvement, and the like, and allows the therapeutic material, the diagnostic material and/or the vaccine material to be delivered specifically to a specific tissue or cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine comprising dendritic cells and bacterial ghosts for tumor immunotherapy.

Abstract: Isolated peptides derived from SEQ ID NO: 21 and fragments thereof that bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and thus are suitable for use in the context of cancer immunotherapy, more particularly cancer vaccines, are described herein. The inventive peptides encompass both the above mentioned amino acid sequences and modified versions thereof, in which one, two, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted or added, provided such modified versions retain the requisite HLA binding and/or CTL inducibility of the original sequences. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding any of the aforementioned peptides as well as pharmaceutical agents, substances and/or compositions that include or incorporate any of the aforementioned peptides or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tumor vaccines useful for preventing and treating tumors and cancers. The tumor vaccines may contain nucleic acids encoding for antigen presenting peptides, cytokines and other factors useful for preventing and treating tumors and cancers, or expression vectors or viruses containing such nucleic acids, or host cells containing such nucleic acids or expression vectors.

Abstract: New methods of in vitro or in vivo enhancing the T-cell stimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells (DCs) and the use thereof in cancer vaccination are provided. The method includes introduction of different molecular adjuvants to human DCs by contacting or modifying them with mRNA or DNA molecule(s) encoding CD40L, and CD70 or constitutively active TLR4 (caTLR4).