Bicistronic Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Constructs Targeting CD19 and CD20

CD19 and CD20 are promising targets for the treatment of B-Cell malignancies.  Unfortunately, some clinical studies have shown that there is a loss of CD19 or CD20 expression in various cases of lymphomas and leukemias, particularly after treatment with an agent that targets CD19 (e.g., anti-CD19 CAR-T). However, studies have shown that expression of one protein is retained when the other is lost. This suggests that a therapeutic with the ability to simultaneously target both CD19 and CD20 could represent a solution to the drawbacks of current therapies. 

Anti-SLAMF7 Chimeric Antigen Receptors

Immortalization of plasma cells leads to Multiple Myeloma (MM). Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule F7 (SLAMF7) is highly expressed on the malignant plasma cells that constitute Multiple Myeloma. The expression of SLAMF7 by MM cells and lack of expression on nonhematologic cells makes SLAMF7 a promising target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for the treatment of MM. 

Optimized Monospecific or Bicistronic Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Constructs Targeting CD19 and CD20

Patients with chemotherapy-refractory, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have poor prognoses. CD19 and CD20 are promising targets for the treatment of B-Cell malignancies. However, despite the initial promising results from anti-CD19 CAR therapy, only 30-35% of patients with DLBCL achieve remissions lasting longer than 2-3 years after anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. Relapse and non-response are likely due to diminished CD19 expression after anti-CD19 therapy and low expression of CD19 in some lymphomas. 

Optical Trap Methods to Determine the Viscoelastic Properties of Biological Materials

Optical traps (optical tweezers) have a focused laser beam able to trap a small bead at its focus, and are used to measure the microrheology of gels and other materials. They have recently been used to characterize properties of living cells, however issues of image spatial resolution and limited depth of interrogation have prevented application of an optical trap to measure microrheological (flow of matter) properties in complex (non-uniform) materials, such as multi-cellular systems or living organisms. 

Humanized Mouse Model to Study Mesothelin (MSLN) -targeted Cancer Therapeutics: Bl6/TPO Mice

Mesothelin (MSLN) is an antigen highly expressed in several human cancers including mesotheliomas, ovarian cancers and pancreatic cancers. As such, human MSLN (hMSLN) is a target for many anti-cancer drugs. Most therapeutics targeting hMSLN do not recognize the mouse isoform of MSLN (mMSLN) and therefore cannot be tested in mouse cancer models. 

IgG4 Hinge Containing Nanobody-based CARs Targeting GPC3 for Treating Liver Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. Globally, HCC is the sixth most prevalent cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related morbidity. Standard treatment for HCC is not suitable for a large proportion of liver cancer patients. Part of this is because less than a quarter of HCC patients are surgical candidates for curative-intent treatment. As a result, alternative treatments are needed. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a promising alternative approach selectively targets targeting tumors via tumor-specific antigens.

Cross Species Single Domain Antibodies Targeting PD-L1 for Treating Solid Tumors

Programed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1, also known as B7-H1 or CD274) is a cell surface protein that binds to Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1, also known as CD279). An imbalance in PD-1/PD-L1 activity contributes to cancer immune escape.  PD-1 is expressed on the surface of antigen-stimulated T cells. The interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 negatively regulates T cell-mediated immune responses. It has been suggested that disrupting the PD-L1/PD-1 signaling pathway can be used to treat cancers. The aberrant expression of PD-L1 on multiple tumor types supports this suggestion.

High Affinity Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Glypican-1

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in the U.S. The overall 5-year survival rate for this disease is 8.5%. Glypican-1 (GPC1), a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan protein that is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. Due to this preferential expression, GPC1 represents a potential candidate for targeted therapy for patients with pancreatic cancer and other GPC1 expressing cancers such as prostate cancer.

High Affinity Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Glypican-2 for Treating Childhood Cancers

Neuroblastoma is a rare pediatric cancer with approximately 1,000 new cases arising annually. Current therapies have a less than forty-five percent (45%), three-year survival rate which demonstrate a need for a more effective treatment against this disease. Glypican-2 (GPC2) is a cell surface protein that is preferentially expressed in pediatric cancers including neuroblastoma, which makes GPC2 an attractive candidate for targeted therapy. 
 

: Single Domain Antibodies targeting HPV E6/E7 Oncogenic Peptide/MHC complexes

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to many cancers including cervix, uterine, anus, vulva, vagina, and penis. Although HPV vaccines exist to prevent HPV-associated cancers, there are still more than 5,000 deaths caused by HPV-associated cancers each year in the US and cervical cancer continues to be the second leading cause of cancer death in women ages 20 to 39.