The present invention relates to an in vitro method for priming genetically modified T cells suitable for administration to a patient having a tumor. The invention is also directed to the composition obtained by the method and uses thereof.

The present invention relates to a composition for maturing dendritic cells, comprising, as a maturation-promoting factor, Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), Interferon- (IFN-), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Picibanil (OK432) and/or Poly IC. The composition for maturing dendritic cells of the present invention may have the effects of not only improving the ability of dendritic cells to induce an immune response, but also of decreasing the antigen non-specific immune response of dendritic cells and increasing antigen-specific immune response of dendritic cells, thus maximizing the effects of immunotherapy.

The present invention relates to an ex vivo, fast and efficient process to obtain activated antigen-presenting cells that are useful for therapies against cancer and immune system-related diseases. At the same time, it is related to a cellular composition that contributes to stimulate the activated antigen-presenting cells to induce a specific immune response against tumors in patients with cancer or other pathologies involving immune responses.

Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions for immunotherapy for human papillomavirus infection and diseases associated therewith. In specific embodiments, methods concern production of immune cells that target one or more antigens of HPV16 and/or HPV18, including methods with stimulation steps that employ IL-7 and IL-15, but not IL-6 and/or IL-12. Other specific embodiments utilize stimulations in the presence of certain cells, such as costimulatory cells and certain antigen presenting cells.

Disclosed are compositions and methods for ex vivo expansion of tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes for use in adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Also disclosed are compositions and method for identifying an agent for ex vivo expansion of tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes for use in ACT. Also disclosed are methods for treating cancer using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expanded by the disclosed methods.

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods to increase the expression of PD-L1 and/or IDO-1 in a population of cells, the modulated cells expressing increased PD-L1 and/or IDO-1, and methods related to the immunosuppressive effects obtained by cells expressing increased PD-L1 and/or IDO-1.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for priming genetically modified T cells suitable for administration to a patient having a tumor. The invention is also directed to the composition obtained by the method and uses thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions for immunotherapy for human papillomavirus infection and diseases associated therewith. In specific embodiments, methods concern production of immune cells that target one or more antigens of HPV16 and/or HPV18, including methods with stimulation steps that employ IL-7 and IL-15, but not IL-6 and/or IL-12. Other specific embodiments utilize stimulations in the presence of certain cells, such as costimulatory cells and certain antigen presenting cells.

The present invention provides methods for producing cell populations enriched for stable, regulatory T cells (Tregs). In particular, the invention relates to methods for culturing T cells such that the final culture is enriched for stable, regulatory T cells. It also relates to methods for stabilizing regulatory T cells. Also provided are compositions enriched for stable, regulatory T cells, which are useful for treating individuals in need of such treatment. The methods and compositions disclosed herein can also be used to treat an individual suffering from an immune-mediated disease.

Disclosed are compositions and methods for ex vivo expansion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes for use in adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Also disclosed are compositions and method for identifying an agent for ex vivo expansion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes for use in ACT. Also disclosed are methods for treating cancer using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expanded by the disclosed methods.