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 invention generally features compositions and methods for modulating an immune response. In particular embodiments, such compositions and methods modulate regulatory T cell suppressive activity.
Abstract:
Provided are reagents and methods for administering an attenuated bacterium for use in treating a cancerous or infectious condition. Reagents and methods for administering an attenuated bacterium for use in inducing an immune response against a tumor, cancer cell, or infective agent are further provided. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and kits.
Abstract:
Regulatory T cells (Treg) limit autoimmunity but can also attenuate the magnitude of anti-pathogen and anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the mechanism of Treg function and therapeutic manipulation of Treg in vivo requires identification of Treg selective receptors. A comparative analysis of gene expression arrays from antigen specific CD4+ T cells differentiating to either an effector/memory or a regulatory phenotype revealed Treg selective expression of LAG-3 (CD223), a CD4-related molecule that binds MHC class II. LAG-3 expression on CD4+ T cells correlates with the cells' in vitro suppressor activity, and ectopic expression of LAG-3 on CD4 T cells confers suppressor activity on the T cells. Antibodies to LAG-3 inhibit suppression both in vitro and in vivo. LAG-3 marks regulatory T cell populations and contributes to their suppressor activity.
Abstract:
A costimulatory protein molecule, B7-DC, which is a member of the B7 family, is described as is DNA coding therefor and expression vectors comprising this DNA. B7-DC protein, fragments, fusion polypeptides/proteins and other functional derivatives, and transformed cells expressing B7-DC are useful in vaccine compositions and methods. Compositions and methods are disclosed for inducing potent T cell mediated responses that can be harnessed for anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity.
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for useful for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, ETBF-induced colitis, colonic hyperplasia and/or colon carcinogenesis in a subject in biological samples (e.g., stool, urine, blood, serum, tissue). The invention further provides compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of colitis, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease).
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for useful for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, ETBF-induced colitis, colonic hyperplasia and/or colon carcinogenesis in a subject in biological samples (e.g., stool, urine, blood, serum, tissue). The invention further provides compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of colitis, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease).
Abstract:
Methods of enhancing antitumor activity of an immune cell comprising contacting the immune cell with a Stat3 inhibitor are described. Also described are methods of killing a tumor cell or inhibiting tumor growth in a subject comprising an immune cell of the subject with a Stat3 inhibitor.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods and compositions for the modulation of systemic immune responses by transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells transduced with genes encoding antigens and antigen presenting cell regulatory molecules. The invention includes bi-cistronic lentiviral expression vectors adapted for antigen expression in antigen presenting cells for use in DNA vaccines directed against pathogens and tumor antigens as well as for the treatment of autoimmune disease and for the establishment of antigen tolerance.
Abstract:
An approach combining immune-based therapies with focused radiation, including stereotactic radiation, to treat cancers is disclosed. The use of focused radiation primes the immune system in a similar manner to vaccines to augment immune-based therapies and can counteract the suppressive effects of a tumor. The combination of focused radiation and immune-based therapies, including administration of at least one immunotherapeutic agent, improves survival compared to each therapy alone and can, in some cases, lead to a durable cure. Accordingly, focused radiation can be an adjuvant for immune-based therapies for treating cancers.