WO2025106924A1 - Procédés d'amélioration de la cytotoxicité des cellules immunitaires modifiées - Google Patents

Procédés d'amélioration de la cytotoxicité des cellules immunitaires modifiées Download PDF

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WO2025106924A1
WO2025106924A1 PCT/US2024/056286 US2024056286W WO2025106924A1 WO 2025106924 A1 WO2025106924 A1 WO 2025106924A1 US 2024056286 W US2024056286 W US 2024056286W WO 2025106924 A1 WO2025106924 A1 WO 2025106924A1
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amino acid
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Aaron Ngocky Nguyen
Enping HONG
Deepika KAVERI
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Senti Biosciences Inc
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Senti Biosciences Inc
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
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    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K35/00—Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
    • A61K35/12—Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells
    • A61K35/14—Blood; Artificial blood
    • A61K35/17—Lymphocytes; B-cells; T-cells; Natural killer cells; Interferon-activated or cytokine-activated lymphocytes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
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    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
    • A61K38/20—Interleukins [IL]
    • A61K38/2013—IL-2
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K40/10—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the cell type used
    • A61K40/15—Natural-killer [NK] cells; Natural-killer T [NKT] cells
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K40/30—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the recombinant expression of specific molecules in the cells of the immune system
    • A61K40/31—Chimeric antigen receptors [CAR]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K40/30—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the recombinant expression of specific molecules in the cells of the immune system
    • A61K40/35—Cytokines
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K40/40—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by antigens that are targeted or presented by cells of the immune system
    • A61K40/41—Vertebrate antigens
    • A61K40/42—Cancer antigens
    • A61K40/4202—Receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • A61K40/421—Immunoglobulin superfamily
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K40/40—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by antigens that are targeted or presented by cells of the immune system
    • A61K40/41—Vertebrate antigens
    • A61K40/42—Cancer antigens
    • A61K40/4202—Receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • A61K40/4224—Molecules with a "CD" designation not provided for elsewhere
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K40/40—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by antigens that are targeted or presented by cells of the immune system
    • A61K40/41—Vertebrate antigens
    • A61K40/42—Cancer antigens
    • A61K40/4256—Tumor associated carbohydrates
    • A61K40/4257—Mucins, e.g. MUC-1
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/52—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/52—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
    • C07K14/54—Interleukins [IL]
    • C07K14/55—IL-2
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
    • C07K14/70503—Immunoglobulin superfamily
    • C07K14/7051—T-cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/11—DNA or RNA fragments; Modified forms thereof; Non-coding nucleic acids having a biological activity
    • C12N15/62—DNA sequences coding for fusion proteins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
    • A61K2239/27—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterized by targeting or presenting multiple antigens
    • A61K2239/28—Expressing multiple CARs, TCRs or antigens
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
    • A61K2239/27—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterized by targeting or presenting multiple antigens
    • A61K2239/29—Multispecific CARs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
    • A61K2239/38—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the dose, timing or administration schedule
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
    • A61K2239/39—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by a specific adjuvant, e.g. cytokines or CpG
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
    • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the cancer treated
    • A61K2239/48—Blood cells, e.g. leukemia or lymphoma
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
    • C07K2319/01—Fusion polypeptide containing a localisation/targetting motif
    • C07K2319/03—Fusion polypeptide containing a localisation/targetting motif containing a transmembrane segment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
    • C07K2319/50—Fusion polypeptide containing protease site

Definitions

  • CAR based therapies in the treatment of cancer, including NK cell CAR-based therapies.
  • improvements in cell-based therapies are needed.
  • An active area of exploration is engineering cell-based therapies to produce and/or secrete effector molecules such as cytokines, a process referred to as armoring, that enhance the cell-based therapy.
  • unarmored CAR therapies have poor efficacy in solid tumors and armoring can impact the entire cancer immunity cycle and boost the activity of CAR.
  • uncontrolled or unregulated armoring strategies can have negative impacts on treatment, such as off-target effects and toxicity in subjects.
  • a method of treating a subject known or suspected of having cancer comprising: (A) administering a cell therapy to the subject, wherein the cell therapy comprises an immunoresponsive cell engineered to express a recombinant cytokine, wherein the immunoresponsive cell engineered to express the recombinant cytokine comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S wherein S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine, C comprises a protease cleavage site, and MT comprises a cell membrane tethering domain, wherein S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide; and (B) administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2.
  • the cell therapy comprises an immunoresponsive
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: (i) an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); (ii) one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and (iii) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • iCAR inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR) comprising: (i) an antigen- binding domain specific for FLT3; (ii) an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; (iii) one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response; and (iv) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • aCAR bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor
  • a cell therapy to the subject, wherein the cell therapy comprises an immunoresponsive cell engineered to express a recombinant cytokine; and (B) administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2.
  • the immunoresponsive cell is engineered to express the recombinant cytokine is from a multicistronic expression system.
  • the administration of IL-2 comprises multiple administrations.
  • the multiple administrations of IL-2 is at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, or at least 9 administrations. In some aspects, wherein IL-2 is administered within 4, within 5, within 7, or within 8 hours following the start of the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered within 4 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered within 6 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered within 4 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered within 5 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered within 6 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • IL-2 is administered within 7 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered within 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered between 4 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered between 6 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, IL-2 is administered within 24 or 48 hours after the administering of the cell therapy.
  • the administration of the cell therapy comprises multiple administrations.
  • IL-2 is administered at least 1, at least 2, a least 3 times a week following each administration of the cell therapy.
  • IL-2 is administered at least 1 time a week following administration of each dose of a cell therapy.
  • IL-2 is administered at least 2 times a week following administration of each dose of a cell therapy.
  • IL-2 is administered at least 3 times a week following administration of each dose of a cell therapy.
  • wherein the cell therapy is administered again at least on day 7 and/or day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • the cell therapy is administered again at least on day 7 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • the cell therapy is administered again at least on day 7 and day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • the cell therapy and the pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2 are administered again on at least day 7 and/or day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • the cell therapy and the pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2 are administered again on at least day 7 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • wherein the cell therapy and the pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2 are administered again on at least day 7 and day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • the pharmaceutically effective amount of of IL-2 is between 1-10 MIU, optionally wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount of a dose of 3 MIU.
  • the recombinant cytokine comprises IL- 15 or a functional fragment thereof. In some aspects, the recombinant cytokine comprises crIL15.
  • the subject has, prior to administration of the cell therapy, been administered one or more lymphodepletion agents.
  • the one or more lymphodepletion agents is administered 5 days prior to administration of the cell therapy.
  • the one or more lymphodepletion agents is administered daily until administration of the cell therapy.
  • the one or more lympodepletion agents comprises fludarabine, cytarabine (Ara-C), or combinations thereof.
  • the one or more lymphodepletion agents are administered intravenously.
  • fludarabine is administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2
  • cytarabine (Ara-C) is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2.
  • the method of treatment comprises a reduction in tumor volume in the subject. In some aspects, the method of treatment comprises treatment of a solid tumor in the subject. In some aspects, the method of treatment comprises inducing an immune response in the subject.
  • the immunoresponsive cell engineered to express the recombinant cytokine comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S wherein S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine, C comprises a protease cleavage site, and MT comprises a cell membrane tethering domain, wherein S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide.
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: (i) an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); (ii) one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and (iii) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • iCAR inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR) comprising: (i) an antigen- binding domain specific for FLT3; (ii) an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; (iii) one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response; and (iv) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • aCAR bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises an engineered nucleic acid comprising: (A) an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N- terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S wherein S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine, C comprises a protease cleavage site, and MT comprises a cell membrane tethering domain, wherein S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide; (B) an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: (i) an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); (ii) one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and (iii) one or more
  • the exogenous polynucleotides encoding each of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the iCAR, and the bivalent aCAR are linked together by a polynucleotide linker encoding a 2A ribosome skipping element, optionally wherein the 2A ribosome skipping element is selected from the group consisting of: a T2A ribosome skipping element, a E2A ribosome skipping element, a P2A ribosome skipping element, a F2A ribosome skipping element, ribosome skipping element fusions thereof, and combinations thereof, optionally wherein the ribosome skipping element fusion comprises an E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element, optionally wherein the E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element comprises the amino acid sequence QCTNYALLKLAGDVESNPGPGSGEGRGSLLTCGDVEENPGP (SEQ ID NO: 221), optionally wherein
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the iCAR, and the bivalent aCAR are encoded in order from 5’ to 3’: (i) membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) bivalent aCAR; and (iii) iCAR; or from 5’ to 3’: (i) membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) iCAR; and
  • the secretable effector molecule comprises a signal peptide or a signal- anchor sequence, optionally wherein the signal peptide comprises a native signal peptide native to the secretable effector molecule, optionally wherein the signal peptide comprises a non-native signal peptide or the signal-anchor sequence comprises a non-native signal-anchor sequence non-native to the secretable effector molecule, optionally wherein the non-native signal peptide or the non-native signal-anchor sequence is selected from the group consisting of: IgE, IL- 12, IL-2, optimized IL-2, trypsiongen-2, Gaussia luciferase, CD5, human IgKVII, murine IgKVII, VSV-G, prolactin, serum albumin preprotein, azurocidin preprotein, osteonectin, CD33, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, TIMP2, VEGFB, osteoprotegerin, serpin El, GROalpha, CX
  • the protease cleavage site further comprises the N-terminal peptide linker, optionally selected from the group consisting of: SGGGGSGGGGSG(SEQ ID NO: 230); GGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ(SEQ ID NO: 231); GGS(SEQ ID NO: 232); GGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 233); GGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 234); GGSGGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 235); GGSGGSGGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 236); GGGS(SEQ ID NO: 237) ; GGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 238); GGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 239); GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO:
  • protease cleavage site further comprises the N-terminal peptide linker SGGGGSGGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 230), optionally wherein the protease cleavage site further comprises a C-terminal peptide linker, optionally selected from the group consisting of: SGGGGSGGGGSG(SEQ ID NO: 230); GGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ(SEQ ID NO: 231);
  • the cell membrane tethering domain comprises a transmembrane domain selected from the group consisting of: PDGFR-beta, CD8, CD28, CD3zeta-chain, CD4, 4- IBB, 0X40, ICOS, CTLA-4, PD-1, LAG-3, 2B4, LNGFR, NKG2D, EpoR, TNFR2, LIR1, B7-1, and BTLA, optionally wherein the cell membrane tethering domain comprises a B7-1 transmembrane domain, optionally wherein the B7-1 transmembrane domain comprises the amino acid sequence LLPSWAITLISVNGIFVICCLTYCFAPRCRERRRNERLRRESVRPV (SEQ ID NO: 204), optionally wherein the B7-1 transmembrane domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence TTGCTGCCTAGCTGGGCCATCACACTGATCTCCGTGAACGGCATCTTCGTGATCTGC TGCCTGACCTACTGC
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for EMCN comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region
  • the EMCN-VH comprises: a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of RYDMH (SEQ ID NO: 291), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-H2) having the amino acid sequence of VIWGNGNTHYHSALKS (SEQ ID NO: 296), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of RIKD (SEQ ID NO: 298)
  • the EMCN-VL comprises: a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of KSSQSLVASDENTYLN (SEQ ID NO: 299), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-L2) having the amino acid sequence of QVSKLDS (SEQ ID NO: 300), and a
  • GGGS(SEQ ID NO: 237) ; GGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 238); GGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 239); GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 240); GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 241); GGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 242); GGGGSGGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 243);
  • the peptide linker comprises the amino acid sequence GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 244), optionally wherein the peptide linker is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence GGAGGCGGAGGATCTGGTGGCGGAGGAAGTGGCGGAGGCGGTTCT (SEQ ID NO: 253).
  • the intracellular inhibitory domain comprises a LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain, optionally wherein the LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain comprises the amino acid sequence LRHRRQGKHWTSTQRKADFQHPAGAVGPEPTDRGLQWRSSPAADAQEENLYAAVKH TQPEDGVEMDTRSPHDEDPQAVTYAEVKHSRPRREMASPPSPLSGEFLDTKDRQAEED RQMDTEAAASEAPQDVTYAQLHSLTLRREATEPPPSQEGPSPAVPSIYATLAIH (SEQ ID NO: 285), optionally wherein the LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence CTGCGGCACAGAAGGCAGGGCAAGCACTGGACAAGCACCCAGAGAAAGGCCGACT TTCAGCATCCTGCTGGCGCCGTTGGACCTGAGCCTACAGATAGAGGACTGCAGTGG CGGTCTAGCCCTGCCGCTGATGCCCAAGAGGAAAATCTTTACGC
  • the signal peptide is present in the iCAR, optionally wherein the signal peptide of the iCAR comprises a native signal peptide native or a non-native signal peptide, optionally wherein the non-native signal peptide or the non-native signal-anchor sequence is selected from the group consisting of: IgE, IL- 12, IL-2, optimized IL-2, trypsiongen- 2, Gaussia luciferase, CD5, human IgKVII, murine IgKVII, VSV-G, prolactin, serum albumin preprotein, azurocidin preprotein, osteonectin, CD33, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, TIMP2, VEGFB, osteoprotegerin, serpin El, GROalpha, CXCL12, IL-21, CD8, NKG2D, TNFR2, and GMCSF, optionally wherein the signal peptide of the iCAR comprises a CD8 signal peptide,
  • the hinge domain of the iCAR comprises a CD8 hinge
  • the CD8 hinge comprises the amino acid sequence TTTPAPRPPTPAPTIALQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVHTRGLDFACD (SEQ ID NO: 271), optionally wherein the CD8 hinge comprises is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • transmembrane domain of the iCAR comprises a transmembrane domain selected from the group consisting of: PDGFR- beta, CD8, CD28, CD3zeta-chain, CD4, 4- IBB, 0X40, ICOS, CTLA-4, PD-1, LAG-3, 2B4, LNGFR, NKG2D, EpoR, TNFR2, B7-1, LIR1, and BTLA, optionally wherein the transmembrane domain of the iCAR comprises a LIR1 transmembrane domain, optionally wherein the LIR1 transmembrane domain
  • VIGILVAVILLLLLLLLLFLI SEQ ID NO: 259, optionally wherein the LIR1 transmembrane domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • the iCAR comprises the amino acid sequence:
  • iCAR is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3 comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region
  • the FLT3-VH comprises: a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of GGTFSSYAIS (SEQ ID NO: 360), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-H2) having the amino acid sequence of GIIPIFGTANYAQKFQG (SEQ ID NO: 361), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of FALFGFREQAFDI (SEQ ID NO: 362)
  • the FLT3-VL comprises: a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of RASQSISSYLN (SEQ ID NO: 363), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR- L2) having the amino acid sequence of AASSLQS (SEQ ID NO:
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for CD33 comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region
  • the CD33-VH comprises: a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of DYNMH (SEQ ID NO: 402), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR- H2) having the amino acid sequence of YIYPYNGGTGYNQKFKSKA (SEQ ID NO: 403), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of GRPAMDYWGQ (SEQ ID NO: 404), and the CD33-VL comprises: a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of RASES VDNYGISFMN (SEQ ID NO: 405), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-L2) having the amino acid sequence of AASNQGS (SEQ ID
  • the aCAR antigen binding domains comprises the structure (FLT3-VH) - LI - (CD33-VH) - L2 - (CD33-VL) - L3 - (FLT3-VL), wherein LI, L2, and L3 are a first, a second, and a third peptide linker, respectively; optionally wherein the LI, L2, and/or L3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID Nos 230 - 248, optionally wherein the LI peptide linker is the amino acid sequence GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 242) or GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 243), optionally wherein the LI peptide linker GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 242) is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence GGCGGCGGTGGCTCT (SEQ ID NO: 254) or the LI peptide linker GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 243) is encoded by
  • the aCAR intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response is selected from the group consisting of: CD3-zeta, FcR gamma, FcR beta, CD3 gamma, CD3 delta, CD3 epsilon, CD5, CD22, CD79a, CD79b, CD278, FceRI, DAP10, DAP12, CD66d, CD97, CD2, ICOS, CD27, CD154, CD8, 0X40, 4-1BB, CD28, ZAP40, CD30, GITR, HVEM, DAP10, DAP12, MyD88, 2B4, CD40, PD-1, LFA-1, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, B7-H3, an MHC class I molecule, a TNF receptor protein, an Immunoglobulin-like protein, a cytokine receptor, an integrin, a SLAM protein, an activating NK cell receptor, BTLA, a Toll ligand receptor, CDS
  • the hinge domain of the aCAR is present, optionally wherein the hinge domain of the aCAR is selected from the group consisting of a human Ig (immunoglobulin) hinge, an IgG4 hinge, an IgG2 hinge, a CD8a hinge, or an IgD hinge, a KIR2DS2 hinge, an LNGFR hinge, a LIR1 hinge, a PDGFR-beta extracellular linker, and combinations thereof, optionally wherein the hinge domain of the aCAR comprises a CD8 hinge, optionally wherein the CD8 hinge comprises the amino acid sequence
  • CD8 hinge comprises is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • transmembrane domain of the aCAR is present, optionally wherein the transmembrane domain of the aCAR is selected from the group consisting of a human Ig (immunoglobulin) hinge, an IgG4 hinge, an IgG2 hinge, a CD8a hinge, or an IgD hinge, a KIR2DS2 hinge, an LNGFR hinge, a LIR1 hinge, a PDGFR-beta extracellular linker, and combinations thereof, optionally wherein the transmembrane domain of the aC
  • ATGCTGCTGCTGGTTACATCTCTGCTGCTGTGCGAGCTGCCCCATCCTGCCTTTCTGC TTATTCCT (SEQ ID NO: 424), optionally wherein the aCAR comprises the amino acid sequence
  • aCAR comprises the amino acid sequence
  • the cell is selected from the group consisting of a T cell, a Natural Killer (NK) cell, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), a regulatory T cell, a Natural Killer T (NKT) cell, a myeloid cell, a macrophage, a human embryonic stem cell (ESC), an ESC-derived cell, a pluripotent stem cell, and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), and an iPSC-derived cell, optionally wherein the cell is an NK cell.
  • NK Natural Killer
  • CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte
  • NKT Natural Killer T
  • myeloid cell a macrophage
  • ESC human embryonic stem cell
  • ESC-derived cell a pluripotent stem cell
  • iPSC induced pluripotent stem cell
  • iPSC-derived cell optionally wherein the cell is an NK cell.
  • the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of any of the isolated cells disclosed herein, optionally wherein the subject has cancer, optionally wherein the isolated cell is derived from the subject or is allogeneic with reference to the subject.
  • the method comprising administering to a subject having a tumor a therapeutically effective dose of any of the isolated cells disclosed herein, optionally wherein the isolated cell is derived from the subject or is allogeneic with reference to the subject.
  • the method of making an engineered cell comprises transducing an isolated cell with the multicistronic expression system disclosed herein, an expression vector disclosed herein or a polynucleotide disclosed herein.
  • a method of treating a subject known or suspected of having cancer comprising: (A) administering a cell therapy to the subject, wherein the cell therapy comprises an immunoresponsive cell engineered to express a recombinant cytokine, wherein the immunoresponsive cell engineered to express the recombinant cytokine comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S wherein S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine, C comprises a protease cleavage site, and MT comprises a cell membrane tethering domain, wherein S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide; and (B) administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an agent selected from the group
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: (i) an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); (ii) one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and (iii) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • iCAR inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR) comprising: (i) an antigen- binding domain specific for FLT3; (ii) an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; (iii) one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response; and (iv) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • aCAR bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor
  • the agent comprises the combination of fludarabine and Ara-C.
  • the fludarabine is administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and the cytarabine (Ara- C) is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2.
  • the agent is administered intravenously. In some aspects, wherein the agent is administered 5 days prior to administration of the cell therapy. In some aspects, when the Ara-C is administered, the Ara-C is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2.
  • the agent comprises the combination of fludarabine and Ara-C, wherein the fludarabine is administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and the Ara-C is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2, and wherein the agent is administered 5 days prior to administration of the cell therapy.
  • FIG. 1 provides a schematic illustrating components and organization of the overall FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cell system.
  • FIG. 2 shows fold change in four lots of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK or donor-matched non-engineered NK live cell counts over time (days) in culture.
  • FIG. 3 shows fold change in four lots of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK or donor-matched non-engineered NK live cell counts over time (days) in culture with media without IL-2 supplementation or low dose IL-2 (10 lU/mL) containing media.
  • FIG. 4 shows fold change in four lots of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK or donor-matched non-engineered NK live cell counts over time (days) in culture in media without IL-2 supplementation, low dose IL-2 (10 lU/mL) containing media, or high dose IL-2 (500 lU/mL) and IL 15 (10 ng/mL) containing media.
  • FIG. 5 provides a schematic of the experimental conditions of IL-2 treatment of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells prior to preforming a cytotoxicity assay.
  • FIG. 6 shows the CD33 and FLT3 expression of different AML cell lines as measured by flow cytometry and the percent cytotoxicity of non-engineered NK cells or FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells in the presence of "IL-2 4 day” treatment against an AML cell line that did not express CD33 and FLT3 (KG-la).
  • FIG. 7 shows percent cytotoxicity of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells against different AML cell lines at effector: target (E:T) ratios of 2:1, 1:1 and 0.5:1 when treated with IL-2 as depicted in FIG. 5.
  • E:T effector: target
  • FIG. 8 provides a schematic of the experimental conditions of IL-2 treatment of ELT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells during a serial killing assay.
  • FIG. 9 shows percent cytotoxicity of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells or donor-matched non-engineered NK cells against different AML cell lines over 3 rounds of serial killing.
  • FIG. 10 shows percent cytotoxicity of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells against different AML cell lines over 3 rounds of serial killing in the presence or absence of IL-2 during the serial killing assay as depicted in FIG. 8.
  • the present disclosure provides methods of treating subjects, such as subjects known or suspected of having cancer, with a cell therapy in combination with a IL-2 cytokine therapy.
  • Cell therapies include immunoresponsive cells engineered to express a recombinant cytokine.
  • Recombinant cytokines can include a controlled release cytokine.
  • the terms “membrane-cleavable,” “controlled-release,” and “calibrated release” are used interchangeably.
  • the controlled release protein disclosed herein is a controlled release cytokine.
  • the cytokine is a controlled-release IL- 15 (crIL15) cytokine. Controlled release cytokines are described further herein (e.g., “Membrane Cleavable Chimeric Proteins”).
  • Recombinant cytokines can include a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N- terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S, where S represents a secretable effector molecule that includes the recombinant cytokine, C represents a protease cleavage site, and MT represents a cell membrane tethering domain, and where S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide.
  • Cell therapies can include multicistronic expression systems, i.e., more than one separate polypeptide (e.g., multiple chimeric proteins) can be produced from a single mRNA transcript.
  • An illustrative non-limiting multicistronic system can include an polynucleotide encoding (i) a controlled-release cytokine; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR.
  • the multicistronic systems include FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CARs and a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, controlled-release IL- 15 (crIL15).
  • Multicistronic expression systems can include engineered nucleic acids encoding: (A) an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S wherein S includes a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule includes IL- 15, C includes a protease cleavage site , and MT includes a cell membrane tethering domain.
  • S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide;
  • an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor including: (i) an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); (ii) one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response, and (iii) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof; and
  • C an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR ) including: (i) an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3; (ii) an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; (iii) one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response, and (iv) one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • aCAR bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor
  • Engineered nucleic acids can be multicistronic through the use of various linkers, e.g., a polynucleotide sequence encoding a first chimeric proteins can be linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a second chimeric protein, such as in a first gene: I inker: second gene 5’ to 3’ orientation.
  • a linker can encode a 2A ribosome skipping element, such as T2A.
  • Other 2A ribosome skipping elements include, but are not limited to, E2A, P2A, and F2A. 2A ribosome skipping elements allow production of separate polypeptides encoded by the first and second genes are produced during translation.
  • 2A ribosome skipping elements can include fusion peptides of 2A ribosome skipping elements, including, but not limited to, an E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element.
  • the E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element comprises the amino acid sequence of GSGQCTNYALLKLAGDVESNPGPGSGEGRGSLLTCGDVEENPGP (SEQ ID NO: 219).
  • One exemplary nucleic acid encoding the E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element is GGTAGCGGCCAGTGTACCAACTACGCCCTGCTGAAACTGGCCGGCGACGTGGAATC TAATCCTGGACCTGGATCTGGCGAGGGACGCGGGAGTCTACTGACGTGTGGAGACG TGGAGGAAAACCCTGGACCT (SEQ ID NO: 220).
  • a nucleic acid encoding the E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 220.
  • an engineered nucleic acid disclosed herein comprises an E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element.
  • the E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element comprises the amino acid sequence of QCTNYALLKLAGDVESNPGPGSGEGRGSLLTCGDVEENPGP (SEQ ID NO: 221).
  • QCTNYALLKLAGDVESNPGPGSGEGRGSLLTCGDVEENPGP SEQ ID NO: 221.
  • a nucleic acid encoding the E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 222 or SEQ ID NO: 223.
  • a linker can encode a cleavable linker polypeptide sequence, such as a Furin cleavage site or a TEV cleavage site, wherein following expression the cleavable linker polypeptide is cleaved such that separate polypeptides encoded by the first and second genes are produced.
  • a cleavable linker can include a polypeptide sequence, such as such a flexible linker (e.g., a Gly- Ser-Gly sequence), that further promotes cleavage.
  • a linker can encode an Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES), such that separate polypeptides encoded by the first and second genes are produced during translation.
  • IRS Internal Ribosome Entry Site
  • a linker can encode a splice acceptor, such as a viral splice acceptor.
  • a linker can be a combination of linkers, such as a Furin-2A linker that can produce separate polypeptides through 2A ribosome skipping followed by further cleavage of the Furin site to allow for complete removal of 2A residues.
  • a combination of linkers can include a Furin sequence, a flexible linker, and 2A linker.
  • the linker is a Furin-Gly-Ser-Gly-2A fusion polypeptide.
  • a linker of the present disclosure is a Furin-Gly-Ser-Gly-T2A fusion polypeptide.
  • a multicistronic system can use any number or combination of linkers, to express any number of genes or portions thereof (e.g., an engineered nucleic acid can encode a first, a second, and a third chimeric protein, each separated by linkers such that separate polypeptides encoded by the first, second, and third chimeric proteins are produced).
  • an engineered nucleic acid can encode a first, a second, and a third chimeric protein, each separated by linkers such that separate polypeptides encoded by the first, second, and third chimeric proteins are produced.
  • the exogenous polynucleotides encoding each of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the iCAR, and the bivalent aCAR can be encoded in any order.
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the iCAR, and the bivalent aCAR can be encoded by the multicistronic system in order from 5’ to 3’: (i) membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) bivalent aCAR; and (iii) iCAR.
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the iCAR, and the bivalent aCAR can be encoded by the multicistronic system in order from 5’ to 3’: i) membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) iCAR; and (iii) bivalent aCAR.
  • a subject e.g., a human subject
  • engineered cells as provided herein as a cell therapy to produce in vivo at least one protein of interest produced by the engineered cells
  • a recombinant cytokine such as controlled-release cytokines including crIL-15
  • any of the chimeric proteins provided for herein such as any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein, or the secreted effector molecules provided for herein following protease cleavage of the chimeric protein).
  • methods that include delivering, or administering, to a subject (e.g., a human subject) engineered cells as provided herein to produce in vivo at least two proteins of interest, e.g., at least two of the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein, produced by the engineered cells.
  • a subject e.g., a human subject
  • engineered cells as provided herein to produce in vivo at least two proteins of interest, e.g., at least two of the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein, produced by the engineered cells.
  • methods that include delivering, or administering, to a subject (e.g., a human subject) any of the delivery vehicles described herein, such as any of the delivery vehicles described herein comprising any of the proteins of interest described herein, e.g., any of the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein.
  • a subject e.g., a human subject
  • any of the delivery vehicles described herein such as any of the delivery vehicles described herein comprising any of the proteins of interest described herein, e.g., any of the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein.
  • methods that include delivering, or administering, to a subject (e.g., a human subject) any of the delivery vehicles described herein, such as any of the delivery vehicles described herein comprising two or more proteins of, e.g., at least two of the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein.
  • a subject e.g., a human subject
  • any of the delivery vehicles described herein comprising two or more proteins of, e.g., at least two of the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein.
  • each of the cell therapies described herein are administered as part of therapy that also includes an IL-2 cytokine therapy, described in further detail herein (e.g., see “Combination Therapies”).
  • the engineered cells or delivery vehicles are administered via intravenous, intraperitoneal, intratracheal, subcutaneous, intratumoral, oral, anal, intranasal (e.g., packed in a delivery particle), or arterial (e.g., internal carotid artery) routes.
  • the engineered cells or delivery vehicles may be administered systemically or locally (e.g., to a TME or via intratumoral administration).
  • An engineered cell can be isolated from a subject, such as a subject known or suspected to have cancer.
  • An engineered cell can be allogenic with reference to the subject being administered a treatment. Allogenic modified cells can be HLA- matched to the subject being administered a treatment. Delivery vehicles can be any of the lipid structure delivery systems described herein. Delivery vehicles can be any of the nanoparticles described herein.
  • Engineered cells or delivery vehicles can be administered alone or in combination with other treatments, either simultaneously or sequentially dependent upon the condition to be treated.
  • engineered cells or delivery vehicles can be administered in combination with one or more IMiDs described herein.
  • FDA-approved IMiDs can be administered in their approved fashion.
  • engineered cells or delivery vehicles can be administered in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
  • checkpoint inhibitors include, but are not limited to, anti-PD-1 antibodies, anti-PD-Ll antibodies, anti-PD-L2 antibodies, anti- CTLA-4 antibodies, anti-LAG-3 antibodies, anti-TIM-3 antibodies, anti-TIGIT antibodies, anti- VISTA antibodies, anti-KIR antibodies, anti-B7-H3 antibodies, anti-B7-H4 antibodies, anti- HVEM antibodies, anti-BTLA antibodies, anti-GAL9 antibodies, anti-A2AR antibodies, anti- phosphatidylserine antibodies, anti-CD27 antibodies, anti-TNFa antibodies, anti-TREMl antibodies, and anti-TREM2 antibodies.
  • Illustrative immune checkpoint inhibitors include pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1; MK-3475/Keytruda® - Merck), nivolumamb (anti-PD-1; Opdivo® - BMS), pidilizumab (anti-PD-1 antibody; CT-011 - Teva/CureTech), AMP224 (anti-PD-1; NCI), avelumab (anti-PD-Ll; Bavencio® - Pfizer), durvalumab (anti-PD-Ll; MEDI4736/Imfinzi® - Medimmune/AstraZeneca), atezolizumab (anti-PD-Ll; Tecentriq® - Roche/Genentech), BMS- 936559 (anti-PD-Ll - BMS), tremelimumab (anti-CTLA-4; Medimmune/AstraZeneca), ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4; Yervoy ®
  • Some methods comprise selecting a subject (or patient population) having a tumor (or cancer) and treating that subject with engineered cells or delivery vehicles that modulate tumor- mediated immunosuppressive mechanisms.
  • the engineered cells or delivery vehicles of the present disclosure may be used, in some instances, to treat cancer, such as ovarian cancer. Other cancers are described herein.
  • the engineered cells may be used to treat bladder tumors, brain tumors, breast tumors, cervical tumors, colorectal tumors, esophageal tumors, gliomas, kidney tumors, liver tumors, lung tumors, melanomas, ovarian tumors, pancreatic tumors, prostate tumors, skin tumors, thyroid tumors, and/or uterine tumors.
  • the engineered cells or delivery vehicles of the present disclosure can be used to treat cancers with tumors located in the peritoneal space of a subject.
  • the methods provided herein also include delivering a preparation of engineered cells or delivery vehicles.
  • a preparation in some embodiments, is a substantially pure preparation, containing, for example, less than 5% (e.g., less than 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%) of cells other than engineered cells.
  • a preparation may comprise IxlO 5 cells/kg to IxlO 7 cells/kg cells.
  • Preparation of engineered cells or delivery vehicles can include pharmaceutical compositions having one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
  • preparations of engineered cells or delivery vehicles can include any of the engineered viruses, such as an engineered AAV virus, or any of the engineered viral vectors, such as AAV vector, described herein.
  • the methods provided herein also include delivering a composition in vivo capable of producing the engineered cells described herein, e.g., capable of delivering any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein to a cell in vivo.
  • compositions include any of the viral-mediated delivery platforms, any of the lipid structure delivery systems, any of the nanoparticle delivery systems, any of the genomic editing systems, or any of the other engineering delivery systems described herein capable of engineering a cell in vivo.
  • the methods provided herein also include delivering a composition in vivo capable of producing any of the proteins of interest described herein, e.g., any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein.
  • the methods provided herein also include delivering a composition in vivo capable of producing two or more of the proteins of interest described herein.
  • Compositions capable of in vivo production of proteins of interest include, but are not limited to, any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein.
  • Compositions capable of in vivo production proteins of interest can be a naked mRNA or a naked plasmid.
  • genetically modified cells of the present disclosure expressing one or more proteins including an antigen-binding domain (e.g., scFv) of the present disclosure, such as a chimeric receptor of the present disclosure (e.g., an iCAR and/or an aCAR), and including a controlled-release cytokine (also referred to as a calibrated release cytokine or a membrane-cleavable cytokine herein) of the present disclosure (e.g., controlled-release crIL15) may be used in combination with other known agents and therapies.
  • an antigen-binding domain e.g., scFv
  • a chimeric receptor of the present disclosure e.g., an iCAR and/or an aCAR
  • a controlled-release cytokine also referred to as a calibrated release cytokine or a membrane-cleavable cytokine herein
  • each of the cell therapies described herein are administered as part of therapy that also includes an IL-2 cytokine therapy.
  • administration of the IL-2 cytokine can comprise multiple administrations.
  • the multiple administrations of IL-2 is at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, or at least 9 administrations.
  • the IL-2 cytokine can be administered once a day or more than once a day, e.g., twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.
  • the IL-2 cytokine can be administered for more than one day, e.g., the cytokine is administered for 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks.
  • the IL-2 cytokine is administered once a day for 7 days.
  • the cytokine IL-2 can be administered simultaneously or concurrently with the genetically modified cells, e.g., administered on the same day.
  • the IL-2 administration is within 4, within 5, within 6, within 7, or within 8 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 administration is within 4 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 administration is within 5 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 administration is within 6 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 administration is within 7 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 administration is within 8 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 administration is within 4 to 8 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 administration is within 6 to 8 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 administration is between 4 to 8 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 administration is between 6 to 8 hours following the start of the administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 cytokine can be administered within 24 or 48 hours after the administering of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 cytokine may be prepared in the same pharmaceutical composition as the genetically modified cells, or may be prepared in a separate pharmaceutical composition. Alternatively, the IL-2 cytokine can be administered shortly after administration of the genetically modified cells, e.g., 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, or 7 days after administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments the administration of the genetically modified cells comprises multiple administrations. In some embodiments the administration of the genetically modified cells comprises multiple administrations and the cytokine IL-2 can be administered simultaneously or concurrently with the genetically modified cells, e.g., administered on the same day.
  • the first day of the IL-2 cytokine dosing regimen can be on the same day as administration with the genetically modified cells, or the first day of the IL-2 cytokine dosing regimen can be 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, or 7 days after administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the genetically modified cells are administered to the subject, and on the second day, the IL-2 cytokine is administered once a day for the next 7 days.
  • the IL-2 cytokine is administered at least 1, at least 2, a least 3 times a week following each administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 cytokine is administered at least 1 time a week following each administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 cytokine is administered at least 2 times a week following each administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the IL-2 cytokine is administered at least 3 times a week following each administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 cytokine is administered for a period of time after administration of the genetically modified cells, e.g., at least 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11 months, or 1 year or more after administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the IL-2 cytokine is administered after assessment of the subject's response to the genetically modified cells.
  • the genetically modified cells are administered again on day 7 and/or day 14 following the initial administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the genetically modified cells are administered again on day 7 following the initial administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the genetically modified cells are administered again on day 7 and day 14 following the initial administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the genetically modified cells and the IL-2 cytokine are administered again on day 7 and/or day 14 following the initial administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the genetically modified cells and the IL-2 cytokine are administered again on day 7 following the initial administration of the genetically modified cells. In some embodiments, the genetically modified cells and the IL-2 cytokine are administered again on day 7 and day 14 following the initial administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • IL-2 cytokine is administered at a pharmaceutically effective dose.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is 3 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 10 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 9 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 8 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 7 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 6 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 5 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 4 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 3 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 1 - 2 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 2 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 3 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 4 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 5 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is at least about 6 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 10 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 10 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 9 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 8 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 7 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 6 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 5 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 4 MIU.
  • the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 3 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is between 1 - 2 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is 2 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is 4 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is 5 MIU. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically effective dose of IL-2 is 6 MIU.
  • a combination therapy of the present disclosure comprises a genetically modified cells of the present disclosure that can be administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, including therapeutic agents in addition to IL-2.
  • the genetically modified cell and the one or more additional therapeutic agents, including IL-2 itself can be administered simultaneously, in the same or in separate compositions, or sequentially.
  • the genetically modified can be administered first, and the one or more additional agents can be administered second, or the order of administration can be reversed.
  • the genetically modified cells are further modified to express one or more additional therapeutic agents.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure may be used in a treatment regimen in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunosuppressive agents (e.g., cyclosporin, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, and FK506), antibodies, or other immunoablative agents (e.g., CAMPATH or anti-CD3 antibodies), cytoxin, fludarabme, cyclosporin, FK506, rapamycin, mycophenolic acid, steroids, FR901228, cytokines, irradiation, and peptide vaccines.
  • immunosuppressive agents e.g., cyclosporin, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, and FK506
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure may be used in combination with a lymphodepleting agent.
  • Suitable lymphodepleting agents reduce or decrease lymphocytes, e.g., B cell lymphocytes and/or T cell lymphocytes, prior to immunotherapy.
  • suitable lymphodepleting agents include, without limitation, fludarabine, cytarabine (Ara-C), cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids, alemtuzumab, total body irradiation (TBI), and any combination thereof.
  • the lymphodepletion agents are administered 5 days prior to administration of the genetically modified cells (e.g., any of the cell therapies described herein).
  • the lymphodepletion agents are administered daily until administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the lymphodepletion agents are fludarabine administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and cytarabine (Ara-C) administered at a dose of 2 g/m2.
  • the lymphodepletion agents are fludarabine administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and cytarabine (Ara-C) administered at a dose of 2 g/m2 administered 5 days prior to administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure may be used in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent.
  • chemotherapeutic agents include, without limitation, an anthracycline (e.g., doxorubicin), a vinca alkaloid (e.g., vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine), an alkylating agent (e.g., cyclophosphamide, decarbazine, melphalan, ifosfamide, temozolomide), an immune cell antibody (e.g., alemtuzamab, gemtuzumab, rituximab, tositumomab), an antimetabolite (e.g., folic acid antagonists, pyrimidine analogs, purine analogs and adenosine deaminase inhibitors, such as fludarabine), an mTOR inhibitor, a TNFR glucocorticoid induced
  • Examples of general chemotherapeutic agents suitable for use in combination therapies include, without limitation, anastrozole (Arimidex®), bicalutamide (Casodex®), bleomycin sulfate (Blenoxane®), busulfan (Myleran®), busulfan injection (Busulfex®), capecitabine (Xeloda®), N4-pentoxycarbonyl-5- deoxy-5-fluorocytidine, carboplatin (Paraplatin®), carmustine (BiCNU®), chlorambucil (Leukeran®), cisplatin (Piatinol®), cladribine (Leustatin®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan® or Neosar®), cytarabine, cytosine arabinoside (Cytosar-U®), cytarabine liposome injection (DepoCyt®), dacarbazine (DTIC-D
  • alkylating agents include, without limitation, nitrogen mustards, ethylenimine derivatives, alkyl sulfonates, nitrosoureas and triazenes): uracil mustard (Aminouracil Mustard®, Chlorethaminacil®, Demethyldopan®, Desmethyldopan®, Haemanthamine®, Nordopan®, Uracil nitrogen mustard®.
  • nitrogen mustards ethylenimine derivatives
  • alkyl sulfonates alkyl sulfonates
  • nitrosoureas and triazenes triazenes
  • uracil mustard Amouracil Mustard®, Chlorethaminacil®, Demethyldopan®, Desmethyldopan®, Haemanthamine®, Nordopan®, Uracil nitrogen mustard®.
  • Additional exemplary alkylating agents include, without limitation, Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®); Temozolomide (Temodar® and Temodal®); Dactinomycin (also known as actinomycin-D, Cosmegen®); Melphalan (also known as L-PAM, L-sarcolysin, and phenylalanine mustard, Alkeran®); Altretamme (also known as hexamethylmelamine (HMM), Hexalen®); Carmustine (BiCNU®); Bendamustine (Treanda®); Busulfan (Busulfex® and Myleran®); Carboplatin (Paraplatin®); Lomustine (also known as CCNU, CeeNU®); Cisplatin (also known as CDDP, Platinol® and Platinol®-AQ); Chlorambucil (Leukeran®); Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan® and Neosar®); dacarbazine (also
  • Suitable mTOR inhibitors include, without limitation, temsirolimus, ridaforolimus (deferolimus), AP23573, MK8669, everolimus (Afimtor® or RAD001), rapamycin (AY22989, Sirolmius®), and XL765.
  • immunomodulators include, without limitation, afutuzumab, pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®), lenalidomide (CC-5013, Revlimid®), thalidomide (Thalomid®), actimid (CC4047), and IRX-2.
  • anthracyclines include, without limitation, doxorubicin (Adriamycin® and Rubex®); bleomycin (lenoxane®); daunorubicin (dauorubicin hydrochloride, daunomyem, and rubidomycin hydrochloride, Cerubidine®); daunorubicin liposomal (daunorubicin citrate liposome, DaunoXome®); mitoxantrone (DHAD, Novantrone®); epirubicin (EllenceTM); idarubicin (Idamycin®, Idamycin PES®); mitomycin C (Mutamycin®); geldanamycin; herbimycin; ravidomycin; and desacet Iravidomycin.
  • doxorubicin Adriamycin® and Rubex®
  • bleomycin lenoxane®
  • daunorubicin daunorubicin hydrochloride, daunomyem, and rubi
  • vinca alkaloids examples include, without limitation, vinorelbine tartrate (Navelbine®), Vincristine (Oncovin®), and Vindesine (Eldisine®)); vinblastine (also known as vinblastine sulfate, vincaleukoblastine and VLB, Alkaban-AQ® and Velban®); and vinorelbine (Navelbme®).
  • proteosome inhibitors include, without limitation, bortezomib (Velcade®); carfilzomib; marizomib (NPI-0052); ixazomib citrate (MLN-9708); delanzomib (CEP- 18770); and ONX-0912.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is administered in combination with a CD20 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-CD20 antibody, or fragment thereof.
  • a CD20 inhibitor e.g., an anti-CD20 antibody, or fragment thereof.
  • anti-CD20 antibodies include, without limitation, rituximab, ofatumumab, ocrelizumab, veltuzumab, obinutuzumab, TRU- 015 (Trubion Pharmaceuticals), ocaratuzumab, and Prol31921.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is administered in combination with an oncolytic virus.
  • oncolytic viruses are capable of selectively replicating in and triggering the death of or slowing the growth of a cancer cell. In some cases, oncolytic viruses have no effect or a minimal effect on non-cancer cells.
  • Suitable oncolytic viruses include, without limitation, an oncolytic adenovirus, oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses, oncolytic retrovirus, oncolytic parvovirus, oncolytic vaccinia virus, oncolytic Sindbis virus, oncolytic influenza virus, or oncolytic RNA virus (e.g., oncolytic reovirus, oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), oncolytic measles virus, or oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)).
  • the oncolytic virus is a recombinant oncolytic virus.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is administered to a subject in combination with a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, e.g., a SHP-I inhibitor or a SHP-2 inhibitor.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure can be used in combination with a kinase inhibitor.
  • suitable kinase inhibitors include, without limitation, CDK4 inhibitors, CDK4/6 inhibitors, BTK inhibitors, phosphatidylinositol 3 -kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, MNK inhibitors, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is administered to a subject in combination with a modulator of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).
  • MDSCs accumulate in the periphery and at the tumor site of many solid tumors. These cells suppress T cell responses, thereby hindering the efficacy of chimeric receptor- expressing cell therapy.
  • suitable modulators of MDSCs include, without limitation, MCS110 and BLZ945.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is administered to a subject in combination with an agent that inhibits or reduces the activity of immunosuppressive plasma cells.
  • Immunosuppressive plasma cells have been shown to impede T cell-dependent immunogenic chemotherapy, such as oxaliplatin (Shalapour et al., Nature 2015, 521 :94- 101).
  • immunosuppressive plasma cells can express one or more of IgA, interleukin (IL)- 10, and PD-L1.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is administered to a subject in combination with an interleukin- 15 (IL- 15) polypeptide, an interleukin- 15 receptor alpha (IL-I5Ra) polypeptide, or a combination of both an IL- 15 polypeptide and an IL-15Ra polypeptide.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is further modified to express an interleukin- 15 (IL-15) polypeptide, an interleukin- 15 receptor alpha (IL-I5Ra) polypeptide, or a combination of both an IL- 15 polypeptide and an IL-15Ra polypeptide.
  • the interleukin- 15 (IL- 15) polypeptide expressed by the genetically modified cells is controlled-release IL- 15 (crIL15).
  • a subject having cancer is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination with an agent, e.g., cytotoxic or chemotherapy agent, a biologic therapy (e.g., antibody, e.g., monoclonal antibody, or cellular therapy), or an inhibitor (e.g., kinase inhibitor).
  • an agent e.g., cytotoxic or chemotherapy agent, a biologic therapy (e.g., antibody, e.g., monoclonal antibody, or cellular therapy), or an inhibitor (e.g., kinase inhibitor).
  • the subject is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination with a cytotoxic agent, e.g., CPX-351 (Celator Pharmaceuticals), cytarabme, daunorubicin, vosaroxin (Sunesis Pharmaceuticals), sapacitabine (Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals), idarubicin, or mitoxantrone.
  • a cytotoxic agent e.g., CPX-351 (Celator Pharmaceuticals), cytarabme, daunorubicin, vosaroxin (Sunesis Pharmaceuticals), sapacitabine (Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals), idarubicin, or mitoxantrone.
  • CPX-351 is a liposomal formulation comprising cytarabine and daunorubicin at a 5: 1 molar ratio.
  • the subject is administered a chimeric receptor- expressing cell described herein in combination with a hypomethylating agent, e.g., a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, e.g., azacytidine or decitabine.
  • a hypomethylating agent e.g., a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, e.g., azacytidine or decitabine.
  • the subject is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination with a biologic therapy, e.g., an antibody or cellular therapy, e.g., 225Ac-lintuzumab (Actimab-A; Actinium Pharmaceuticals), IPH2102 (Innate Pharma/Bristol Myers Squibb), SGN-CD33A (Seattle Genetics), or gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg; Pfizer).
  • a biologic therapy e.g., an antibody or cellular therapy, e.g., 225Ac-lintuzumab (Actimab-A; Actinium Pharmaceuticals), IPH2102 (Innate Pharma/Bristol Myers Squibb), SGN-CD33A (Seattle Genetics), or gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg; Pfizer).
  • a biologic therapy e.g., an antibody or cellular therapy, e.g.,
  • the subject is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination a FLT3 inhibitor, e.g., sorafenib (Bayer), midostaurin (Novartis), quizartinib (Daiichi Sankyo), crenoianib (Arog Pharmaceuticals), PLX3397 (Daiichi Sankyo), AKN-028 (Akinion Pharmaceuticals), or ASP2215 (Astelias).
  • a FLT3 inhibitor e.g., sorafenib (Bayer), midostaurin (Novartis), quizartinib (Daiichi Sankyo), crenoianib (Arog Pharmaceuticals), PLX3397 (Daiichi Sankyo), AKN-028 (Akinion Pharmaceuticals), or ASP2215 (Astelias).
  • the subject is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination with an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitor, e.g., AG-221 (Celgene/ Agios) or AG- 120 (Agios/Celgene).
  • IDH isocitrate dehydrogenase
  • the subject is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination with a cell cycle regulator, e.g., inhibitor of polo-like kinase 1 (Plkl), e.g., volasertib (Boehringer Ingelheim); or an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9), e.g., alvocidib (Tolero Pharmaceuticals/Sanofi Aventis).
  • a cell cycle regulator e.g., inhibitor of polo-like kinase 1 (Plkl), e.g., volasertib (Boehringer Ingelheim); or an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9), e.g., alvocidib (Tolero Pharmaceuticals/Sanofi Aventis).
  • the subject is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination with a B cell receptor signaling network inhibitor, e.g., an inhibitor of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bel- 2), e.g., venetoclax (Abbvie/Roche); or an inhibitor of Button's tyrosine kinase (Btk), e.g., ibrutinib (Pharmacyclics/Johnson & Johnson Janssen Pharmaceutical).
  • a B cell receptor signaling network inhibitor e.g., an inhibitor of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bel- 2), e.g., venetoclax (Abbvie/Roche); or an inhibitor of Button's tyrosine kinase (Btk), e.g., ibrutinib (Pharmacyclics/Johnson & Johnson Janssen Pharmaceutical).
  • a B cell receptor signaling network inhibitor e.g., an inhibitor of B-cell lymphoma 2
  • the subject is administered a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure in combination with an inhibitor of Ml aminopeptidase; an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HD AC), e.g., pracinostat (MEI Pharma); a multi-kinase inhibitor, e.g., rigosertib (Onconova Therapeutics/Baxter/SymBio); or a peptidic CXCR4 inverse agonist, e.g., BL-8040 (BioLineRx).
  • HD AC histone deacetylase
  • MEI Pharma histone deacetylase
  • MEI Pharma histone deacetylase
  • a multi-kinase inhibitor e.g., rigosertib (Onconova Therapeutics/Baxter/SymBio
  • a peptidic CXCR4 inverse agonist e.g., BL-8040 (BioLineRx).
  • a subject can be administered an agent which enhances the activity or fitness of a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure.
  • the agent may inhibit a molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T cell function.
  • the molecule that modulates or regulates T cell function is an inhibitory molecule.
  • inhibitory molecules such as Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) can decrease the ability of the genetically modified cell to mount an immune effector response.
  • inhibitory molecules include, without limitation, PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA4, TIM3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, CEACAM-3 and/or CEACAM-5), LAG3, VISTA, BTLA, TIGIT, LIR-1 (LILRB1), CD 160, 2B4, CD80, CD86, B7-H3 (CD276), B7-H4 (VTCN1), HVEM (TNFRSF14 or CD270), KIR, A2aR, MHC class I, MHC class II, GAL9, adenosine, and TGF beta.
  • CEACAM e.g., CEACAM-1, CEACAM-3 and/or CEACAM-5
  • LAG3, VISTA BTLA
  • TIGIT TIGIT
  • LIR-1 LILRB1
  • CD 160, 2B4, CD80 CD86
  • B7-H3 CD276
  • B7-H4 VTCN1
  • HVEM TNFRSF14 or CD270
  • an agent e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., a dsRNA, e.g., an siRNA or shRNA, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), a transcription-activator like effector nuclease (TALEN), or a zinc finger endonuclease (ZFN), can be used to inhibit expression of an inhibitory molecule in the genetically modified cell.
  • an inhibitory nucleic acid e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., a dsRNA, e.g., an siRNA or shRNA, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), a transcription-activator like effector nuclease (TALEN), or a zinc finger endonu
  • the inhibitor is an shRNA.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure may be further modified to express an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., a dsRNA, e.g., an siRNA or shRNA, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), a transcription-activator like effector nuclease (TALEN), or a zinc finger endonuclease (ZFN), can be used to inhibit expression of an inhibitory molecule in the genetically modified cell.
  • an inhibitory nucleic acid e.g., an inhibitory nucleic acid, e.g., a dsRNA, e.g., an siRNA or shRNA, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), a transcription-activator like effector nuclease (TALEN), or a zinc finger
  • the agent that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is inhibited within a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure.
  • a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of a molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is linked to the nucleic acid that encodes a component, e.g., all of the components, of a chimeric receptor of the present disclosure.
  • a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is operably linked to a promoter, e.g., a HI- or a U6-derived promoter such that the dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is expressed, e.g., is expressed within a the genetically modified cell.
  • the nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is present on the same vector, e.g., a lentiviral vector, that comprises a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a component, e.g., all of the components, of the chimeric receptor.
  • the nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is located on the vector, e.g., the lentiviral vector, 5'- or 3'- to the nucleic acid that encodes a component, e.g., all of the components, of the chimeric receptor.
  • the nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function can be transcribed in the same or different direction as the nucleic acid that encodes a component, e.g., all of the components, of the chimeric receptor.
  • the nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is present on a vector other than the vector that comprises a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a component, e.g., all of the components, of the chimeric receptor.
  • the nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function it transiently expressed within the genetically modified cell.
  • the nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dsRNA molecule that inhibits expression of the molecule that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function is stably integrated into the genome of a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure.
  • an agent that modulates or regulates, e.g., inhibits, T-cell function can be an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to an inhibitory molecule.
  • the agent can be an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to PD-1 , PD-L1, PD-L2 or CTLA4.
  • the agent is an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to TIM3.
  • the agent is an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to LAG3.
  • the agent which enhances the activity of the genetically modified cell is a CEACAM inhibitor (e.g., CEACAM-1, CEACAM-3, and/or CEACAM-5 inhibitor).
  • the inhibitor of CEACAM is an anti-CEACAM antibody molecule.
  • the agent which enhances activity of a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is miR- 17-92.
  • the agent which enhances the activity of the genetically modified cell is CD40L.
  • the agent which enhances the activity of the genetically modified cell is GM-CSF.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is further modified to express an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to an inhibitory molecule of the present disclosure.
  • the agent which enhances activity of a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is a cytokine.
  • Cytokines have important functions related to immunoresponsive cell expansion, differentiation, survival, and homeostats.
  • Cytokines that can be administered to the subject receiving a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure include, without limitation, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IIL-12, L-15, IL-18, and IL-21, or a combination thereof, and can include cytokines in addition to the IL-2 cytokine therapies described herein.
  • the cytokine, inclusive of IL-2 can be administered once a day or more than once a day, e.g., twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.
  • the cytokine can be administered for more than one day, e.g., the cytokine is administered for 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks. For example, the cytokine is administered once a day for 7 days.
  • a genetically modified cell of the present disclosure is further modified to express one or more cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12, L-15, IL-18, and IL- 21, and can also include a genetically modified cell modified to express IL-2.
  • Cells modified to express one or more cytokines can be the same cell modified to express a protein of interest described herein (e.g., a recombinant cytokine, such as conditional release cytokines including crIL-15, and/or any of the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein, or the secreted effector molecules provided for herein following protease cleavage of the chimeric protein).
  • Cells modified to express one or more cytokines can be a different cell modified to express a protein of interest described herein.
  • the cytokine can be administered simultaneously or concurrently with the genetically modified cells, e.g., administered on the same day.
  • the cytokine may be prepared in the same pharmaceutical composition as the genetically modified cells, or may be prepared in a separate pharmaceutical composition.
  • the cytokine can be administered shortly after administration of the genetically modified cells, e.g., 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, or 7 days after administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the first day of the cytokine dosing regimen can be on the same day as administration with the genetically modified cells, or the first day of the cytokine dosing regimen can be 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, or 7 days after administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the genetically modified cells are administered to the subject, and on the second day, a cytokine is administered once a day for the next 7 days.
  • the cytokine is administered for a period of time after administration of the genetically modified cells, e.g., at least 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11 months, or 1 year or more after administration of the genetically modified cells.
  • the cytokine is administered after assessment of the subject's response to the genetically modified cells.
  • Multicistronic systems herein encode membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins having the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal and expressed as a single polypeptide.
  • S refers to a secretable effector molecule.
  • C refers to a protease cleavage site.
  • MT refers to a cell membrane tethering domain.
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein is engineered such that secretion of the effector molecule can be regulated in a protease- dependent manner.
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein is engineered such that secretion of the effector molecule can be regulated as part of a “Membrane-Cleavable” system, where incorporation of a protease cleavage site (“C”) and a cell membrane tethering domain (“MT”) allow for regulated secretion of an effector molecule in a protease-dependent manner.
  • C protease cleavage site
  • MT cell membrane tethering domain
  • the components of the Membrane-Cleavable system present in the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein generally regulate secretion through the below cellular processes:
  • the cell membrane tethering domain contains a transmembrane domain (or a transmembrane-intracellular domain) that directs cellular-trafficking of the chimeric protein such that the protein is inserted into, or otherwise associated with, a cell membrane (“tethered”)
  • the protease cleavage site directs cleavage of the chimeric protein such that the effector molecule is released (“secreted”) into the extracellular space.
  • the protease cleavage site is protease-specific, including sites engineered to be protease- specific.
  • the protease cleavage site can be selected or engineered to achieve optimal protein expression, cell-type specific cleavage, cell-state specific cleavage, and/or cleavage and release of the pay load at desired kinetics (e.g., ratio of membrane-bound to secreted chimeric protein levels)
  • Membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins are also described in International PCT Application No. WO2022098922, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins (or engineered nucleic acids encoding the membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins) are provided for herein having a protein of interest (e.g., any of the effector molecules described herein), a protease cleavage site, and a cell membrane tethering domain.
  • a protein of interest e.g., any of the effector molecules described herein
  • protease cleavage site e.g., any of the effector molecules described herein
  • cell membrane tethering domain e.g., any of the effector molecules described herein
  • effector molecule refers to a molecule (e.g., a nucleic acid such as DNA or RNA, or a protein (polypeptide) or peptide) that binds to another molecule and modulates the biological activity of that molecule to which it binds.
  • an effector molecule may act as a ligand to increase or decrease enzymatic activity, gene expression, or cell signaling.
  • an effector molecule modulates (activates or inhibits) different immunomodulatory mechanisms.
  • an effector molecule may also indirectly modulate a second, downstream molecule.
  • an effector molecule is a secretable effector molecule (e.g., referred to as “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S for membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins described herein).
  • S secretable effector molecule
  • Non-limiting examples of effector molecules include cytokines, chemokines, enzymes that modulate metabolite levels, growth factors, co-activation molecules, tumor microenvironment modifiers, ligands, peptides, enzymes, antibodies, antibodies or decoy molecules that modulate cytokines, homing molecules, and/or integrins.
  • modulate encompasses maintenance of a biological activity, inhibition (partial or complete) of a biological activity, and stimulation/activation (partial or complete) of a biological activity.
  • the term also encompasses decreasing or increasing (e.g., enhancing) a biological activity.
  • Two different effector molecules are considered to “modulate different tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanisms” when one effector molecule modulates a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism (e.g., stimulates T cell signaling) that is different from the tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism modulated by the other effector molecule (e.g., stimulates antigen presentation and/or processing).
  • Modulation by an effector molecule may be direct or indirect. Direct modulation occurs when an effector molecule binds to another molecule and modulates activity of that molecule. Indirect modulation occurs when an effector molecule binds to another molecule, modulates activity of that molecule, and as a result of that modulation, the activity of yet another molecule (to which the effector molecule is not bound) is modulated.
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism by at least one effector molecule results in an increase in an immuno stimulatory and/or anti- tumor immune response (e.g., systemically or in the tumor microenvironment) by at least 10% (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or 200%).
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism may result in an increase in an immuno stimulatory and/or anti-tumor immune response by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%.
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism results in an increase in an immuno stimulatory and/or anti-tumor immune response 10-20%, 10-30%, 10- 40%, 10-50%, 10-60%, 10-70%, 10-80%, 10-90%, 10-100%, 10-200%, 20-30%, 20-40%, 20- 50%, 20-60%, 20-70%, 20-80%, 20-90%, 20-100%, 20-200%, 50-60%, 50-70%, 50-80%, 50- 90%, 50-100%, or 50-200%.
  • an increase” in an immuno stimulatory and/or anti-tumor immune response is relative to the immunostimulatory and/or anti-tumor immune response that would otherwise occur, in the absence of the effector molecule(s).
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism by at least one effector molecule results in an increase in an immuno stimulatory and/or anti- tumor immune response (e.g., systemically or in the tumor microenvironment) by at least 2 fold (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 25, 20, 25, 50, or 100 fold).
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism may result in an increase in an immuno stimulatory and/or anti- tumor immune response by at least 3 fold, at least 5 fold, at least 10 fold, at least 20 fold, at least 50 fold, or at least 100 fold.
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism results in an increase in an immuno stimulatory and/or anti- tumor immune response by 2-10, 2-20, 2-30, 2-40, 2-50, 2-60, 2-70, 2-80, 2-90, or 2-100 fold.
  • Non-limiting examples of immuno stimulatory and/or anti-tumor immune mechanisms include T cell signaling, activity and/or recruitment, antigen presentation and/or processing, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxic signaling, activity and/or recruitment, dendritic cell differentiation and/or maturation, immune cell recruitment, pro-inflammatory macrophage signaling, activity and/or recruitment, stroma degradation, immuno stimulatory metabolite production, stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling (which increases the secretion of IFN and Thl polarization, promoting an anti-tumor immune response), and/or Type I interferon signaling.
  • An effector molecule may stimulate at least one (one or more) of the foregoing immuno stimulatory mechanisms, thus resulting in an increase in an immunostimulatory response.
  • Changes in the foregoing immuno stimulatory and/or anti-tumor immune mechanisms may be assessed, for example, using in vitro assays for T cell proliferation or cytotoxicity, in vitro antigen presentation assays, expression assays (e.g., of particular markers), and/or cell secretion assays (e.g., of cytokines).
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism by at least one effector molecule results in a decrease in an immunosuppressive response (e.g., systemically or in the tumor microenvironment) by at least 10% (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or 200%).
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism may result in a decrease in an immunosuppressive response by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%.
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism results in a decrease in an immunosuppressive response 10- 20%, 10-30%, 10-40%, 10-50%, 10-60%, 10-70%, 10-80%, 10-90%, 10-100%, 10-200%, 20- 30%, 20-40%, 20-50%, 20-60%, 20-70%, 20-80%, 20-90%, 20-100%, 20-200%, 50-60%, 50- 70%, 50-80%, 50-90%, 50-100%, or 50-200%.
  • a decrease” in an immunosuppressive response for example, systemically or in a tumor microenvironment, is relative to the immunosuppressive response that would otherwise occur, in the absence of the effector molecule(s).
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism by at least one effector molecule results in a decrease in an immunosuppressive response (e.g., systemically or in the tumor microenvironment) by at least 2 fold (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 25, 20, 25, 50, or 100 fold).
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism may result in a decrease in an immunosuppressive response by at least 3 fold, at least 5 fold, at least 10 fold, at least 20 fold, at least 50 fold, or at least 100 fold.
  • modulation of a tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanism results in a decrease in an immunosuppressive response by 2-10, 2-20, 2-30, 2-40, 2-50, 2-60, 2-70, 2-80, 2-90, or 2-100 fold.
  • Non-limiting examples of immunosuppressive mechanisms include negative costimulatory signaling, pro-apoptotic signaling of cytotoxic cells (e.g., T cells and/or NK cells), T regulatory (Treg) cell signaling, tumor checkpoint molecule production/maintenance, myeloid-derived suppressor cell signaling, activity and/or recruitment, immunosuppressive factor/metabolite production, and/or vascular endothelial growth factor signaling.
  • An effector molecule may inhibit at least one (one or more) of the foregoing immunosuppressive mechanisms, thus resulting in a decrease in an immunosuppressive response.
  • Changes in the foregoing immunosuppressive mechanisms may be assessed, for example, by assaying for an increase in T cell proliferation and/or an increase in IFNy production (negative co- stimulatory signaling, T reg cell signaling and/or MDSC); Annexin V/PI flow staining (pro-apoptotic signaling); flow staining for expression, e.g., PDL1 expression (tumor checkpoint molecule production/maintenance); ELISA, LUMINEX®, RNA via qPCR, enzymatic assays, e.g., IDO tryptophan catabolism (immunosuppressive factor/metabolite production); and phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, p38 (VEGF signaling).
  • assaying for an increase in T cell proliferation and/or an increase in IFNy production negative co- stimulatory signaling, T reg cell signaling and/or MDSC
  • Annexin V/PI flow staining pro-apoptotic signaling
  • effector molecules function additively: the effect of two effector molecules, for example, may be equal to the sum of the effect of the two effector molecules functioning separately.
  • effector molecules function synergistically: the effect of two effector molecules, for example, may be greater than the combined function of the two effector molecules.
  • Effector molecules that modulate tumor-mediated immunosuppressive mechanisms and/or modify tumor microenvironments may be, for example, secreted factors (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, antibodies, and/or decoy receptors that modulate extracellular mechanisms involved in the immune system), inhibitors (e.g., antibodies, antibody fragments, ligand TRAP and/or small blocking peptides), intracellular factors that control cell state (e.g., microRNAs and/or transcription factors that modulate the state of cells to enhance pro-inflammatory properties), factors packaged into exosomes (e.g., microRNAs, cytosolic factors, and/or extracellular factors), surface displayed factors (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors, TRAIL), and and/or metabolic genes (e.g., enzymes that produce/modulate or degrade metabolites or amino acids).
  • secreted factors e.g., cytokines, chemokines, antibodies, and/or decoy receptors that modulate extracellular mechanisms involved in the immune
  • At least one of the effector molecules stimulates an immuno stimulatory mechanism in the tumor microenvironment and/or inhibits an immunosuppressive mechanism in the tumor microenvironment.
  • At least one of the effector molecules (a) stimulates T cell signaling, activity and/or recruitment, (b) stimulates antigen presentation and/or processing, (c) stimulates natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxic signaling, activity and/or recruitment, (d) stimulates dendritic cell differentiation and/or maturation, (e) stimulates immune cell recruitment, (f) stimulates pro-inflammatory macrophage signaling, activity and/or recruitment or inhibits anti-inflammatory macrophage signaling, activity and/or recruitment, (g) stimulates stroma degradation, (h) stimulates immuno stimulatory metabolite production, (i) stimulates Type I interferon signaling, (j) inhibits negative costimulatory signaling, (k) inhibits pro- apoptotic signaling of anti-tumor immune cells, (1) inhibits T regulatory (T reg ) cell signaling, activity and/or recruitment, (m) inhibits tumor checkpoint molecules, (n) stimulates stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling, (o) inhibits my
  • effector molecules may be selected from the following non- limiting classes of molecules: cytokines, antibodies, chemokines, nucleotides, peptides, and enzymes.
  • Non-limiting examples of the foregoing classes of effector molecules are listed in Table 1 and specific sequences encoding exemplary effector molecules are listed in Table 2.
  • Effector molecules can be human, such as those listed in Table 1 or Table 2 or human equivalents of murine effector molecules listed in Table 1 or Table 2.
  • Effector molecules can be human-derived, such as the endogenous human effector molecule or an effector molecule modified and/or optimized for function, e.g., codon optimized to improve expression, modified to improve stability, or modified at its signal sequence (see below).
  • Various programs and algorithms for optimizing function are known to those skilled in the art and can be selected based on the improvement desired, such as codon optimization for a specific species (e.g., human, mouse, bacteria, etc.).
  • the effector molecule comprises interleukin 12 (IL- 12), for example, p35 and p40 as a dimer that is generally referred to in the art as IL12p70.
  • the first effector molecule comprises an IL12p70 fusion protein.
  • the IL12p70 fusion protein is a human IL12p70 fusion protein.
  • the human IL12p70 fusion protein comprises the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 203.
  • the effector molecule comprises interleukin 15 (IL- 15).
  • the effector molecule consists of IL-15 (see, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 199).
  • the effector molecule comprises a fusion protein including IL- 15 and an extracellular portion of IL- 15 Receptor ex (IL-15RCX), such as the sushi domain as shown in SEQ ID NO: 201.
  • IL-15RCX extracellular portion of IL- 15 Receptor ex
  • An exemplary IL-15/IL-15Ra sushi domain fusion is provided as SEQ ID NO: 202.
  • the effector molecule includes IL- 15 having the amino acid sequence NWVNVISDLKKIEDLIQSMHIDATLYTESDVHPSCKVTAMKCELLELQVISLESGDASIH DTVENLIILANNSLSSNGNVTESGCKECEELEEKNIKEELQSEVHIVQMEINTS (SEQ ID NO: 224).
  • IL- 15 is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence AATTGGGTCAACGTGATCAGCGACCTGAAGAAGATCGAGGACCTGATCCAGAGCAT GCACATCGACGCCACACTGTACACCGAGTCCGATGTGCACCCTAGCTGCAAAGTGA CCGCCATGAAGTGCTTTCTGCTGGAACTGCAAGTGATCAGCCTGGAAAGCGGCGAC GCCAGCATCCACGATACCGTGGAAAATCTGATCATCCTGGCCAACAACAGCCTGTC CAGCAACGGCAATGTGACCGAGAGCGGCTGCAAAGAGTGCGAGGAACTGGAAGAG AAGAACATCAAAGAGTTTCTGCAGAGCTTCGTCCACATCGTGCAGATGTTCATCAA CACCTCA (SEQ ID NO: 225).
  • IL- 15 is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to AATTGGGTCAACGTGATCAGCGACCTGAAGAAGATCGAGGACCTGATCCAGAGCAT GCACATCGACGCCACACTGTACACCGAGTCCGATGTGCACCCTAGCTGCAAAGTGA CCGCCATGAAGTGCTTTCTGCTGGAACTGCAAGTGATCAGCCTGGAAAGCGGCGAC GCCAGCATCCACGATACCGTGGAAAATCTGATCATCCTGGCCAACAACAGCCTGTC CAGCAACGGCAATGTGACCGAGAGCGGCTGCAAAGAGTGCGAGGAACTGGAAGAGAG AAGAACATCAAAGAGTTTCTGCAGAGCTTCGTCCACATCGTGCAGATGTTCATCAA CACCTCA (SEQ ID NO:
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein includes the amino acid sequence MDWTWILFLVAAATRVHSNWVNVISDLKKIEDLIQSMHIDATLYTESDVHPSCKVTAM KCFLLELQVISLESGDASIHDTVENLIILANNSLSSNGNVTESGCKECEELEEKNIKEFLQS FVHIVQMFINTSSGGGGSGGGGSGVTPEPIFSLIGGGSGGGGSGGGSLQLLPSWAITLISV NGIFVICCLTYCFAPRCRERRRNERLRRESVRPV (SEQ ID NO: 226).
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to
  • the one or more effector molecules of the chimeric proteins provided for herein can be secretable effector molecules having a secretion signal peptide (also referred to as a signal peptide or signal sequence) at the chimeric protein’s N-terminus (e.g., an effector molecule’s N- terminus for S - C - MT) that direct newly synthesized proteins destined for secretion or membrane localization (also referred to as membrane insertion) to the proper protein processing pathways.
  • a secretion signal peptide also referred to as a signal peptide or signal sequence
  • a membrane tethering domain generally has a signal-anchor sequence (e.g., signal-anchor sequences of a Type II transmembrane protein) that direct newly synthesized proteins destined for membrane localization to the proper protein processing pathways.
  • a membrane tethering domain having a reverse signal-anchor sequence e.g., signal-anchor sequences of certain Type III transmembrane proteins
  • a reverse signal-anchor sequence e.g., signal-anchor sequences of certain Type III transmembrane proteins
  • the one or more effector molecules are secretable effector molecules (referred to as “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S).
  • each chimeric protein can comprise a secretion signal.
  • each chimeric protein can comprise a secretion signal such that each effector molecule is capable of secretion from an engineered cell following cleavage of the protease cleavage site.
  • the secretion signal peptide operably associated with an effector molecule can be a native secretion signal peptide (e.g., the secretion signal peptide generally endogenously associated with the given effector molecule).
  • the secretion signal peptide operably associated with an effector molecule can be a non-native secretion signal peptide native secretion signal peptide.
  • Non-native secretion signal peptides can promote improved expression and function, such as maintained secretion, in particular environments, such as tumor microenvironments.
  • Non-limiting examples of non-native secretion signal peptide are shown in Table 3.
  • a secretion signal peptide can be an IgE signal peptide.
  • An IgE signal peptide can include the amino acid sequence MDWTWILFLVAAATRVHS (SEQ ID NO: 228).
  • An IgE signal peptide can be encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that includes the sequence ATGGACTGGACTTGGATACTCTTTCTGGTCGCTGCCGCCACACGGGTGCACTCT (SEQ ID NO: 229).
  • An IgE signal peptide can be encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to ATGGACTGGACTTGGATACTCTTTCTGGTCGCTGCCGCCACACGGGTGCACTCT (SEQ ID NO: 229).
  • a secretion signal peptide of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein can be an IgE signal peptide.
  • An IgE signal peptide of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein e.g., IL- 15
  • An IgE signal peptide of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein can include the amino acid sequence MDWTWILFLVAAATRVHS (SEQ ID NO: 228).
  • An IgE signal peptide of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein (e.g., IL- 15) can be encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that includes the sequence ATGGACTGGACTTGGATACTCTTTCTGGTCGCTGCCGCCACACGGGTGCACTCT (SEQ ID NO: 229).
  • An IgE signal peptide of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein (e.g., IL- 15) can be encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to ATGGACTGGACTTGGATACTCTTTCTGGTCGCTGCCGCCACACGGGTGCACTCT (SEQ ID NO: 229).
  • the chimeric proteins provided for herein contain a protease cleavage site (e.g., referred to as “C” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S for membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins described herein).
  • a protease cleavage site e.g., referred to as “C” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S for membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins described herein.
  • the protease cleavage site can be any amino acid sequence motif capable of being cleaved by a protease.
  • protease cleavage sites include, but are not limited to, a Type 1 transmembrane protease cleavage site, a Type II transmembrane protease cleavage site, a GPI anchored protease cleavage site, an ADAM8 protease cleavage site, an ADAM9 protease cleavage site, an ADAM10 protease cleavage site, an ADAM12 protease cleavage site, an ADAM 15 protease cleavage site, an ADAM 17 protease cleavage site, an ADAM 19 protease cleavage site, an ADAM20 protease cleavage site, an ADAM21 protease cleavage site, an ADAM28 protease cleavage site, an ADAM30 protease cleavage site, an ADAM33 protease cleavage site, a BACE1 protease cleavage site,
  • protease cleavage site is a hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) protease cleavage site, including, but not limited to, a NS3/NS4A, a NS4A/NS4B, a NS4B/NS5A, or a NS5A/NS5B cleavage site.
  • HCV hepatitis C virus
  • NS3 protease and representative sequences of its cleavage sites for various strains of HCV see, e.g., Hepatitis C Viruses: Genomes and Molecular Biology (S.L. Tan ed., Taylor & Francis, 2006), Chapter 6, pp.
  • HCV NS4A/4B protease cleavage site HCV NS5A/5B protease cleavage site
  • C-terminal degron with NS4A/4B protease cleavage site N-terminal degron with HCV NS5A/5B protease cleavage site
  • Representative NS3 sequences are listed in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. See, for example, NCBI entries: Accession Nos.
  • a protease cleavage site is an ADAM 17- specific protease (also referred to as Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Converting Enzyme [TACE]) cleavage site.
  • An ADAM 17- specific protease cleavage site can be an endogenous sequence of a substrate naturally cleaved by ADAM 17.
  • An ADAM 17- specific protease cleavage site can be an engineered sequence capable of being cleaved by ADAM 17.
  • An engineered ADAM 17- specific protease cleavage site can be an engineered for specific desired properties including, but not limited to, optimal expression of the chimeric proteins, specificity for ADAM 17, rate-of- cleavage by ADAM 17, ratio of secreted and membrane-bound chimeric protein levels, and cleavage in different cell states.
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected for specific cleavage by ADAM 17.
  • certain protease cleavage sites capable of being cleaved by ADAM 17 are also capable of cleavage by additional ADAM family proteases, such as ADAM10.
  • an ADAM 17- specific protease cleavage site can be selected and/or engineered such that cleavage by other proteases, such as ADAM 10, is reduced or eliminated.
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected for rate-of-cleavage by ADAM 17.
  • it can be desirable to select a protease cleavage site demonstrating a specific rate-of-cleavage by ADAM 17, such as reduced cleavage kinetics relative to an endogenous sequence of a substrate naturally cleaved by ADAM 17.
  • a specific rate-of-cleavage can be selected to regulate the rate of processing of the chimeric protein, which in turn regulates the rate of release/secretion of the payload effector molecule.
  • an ADAM 17- specific protease cleavage site can be selected and/or engineered such that the sequence demonstrates a desired rate-of-cleavage by ADAM 17.
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected for both specific cleavage by ADAM 17 and rate-of-cleavage by ADAM17.
  • ADAM17-specific protease cleavage sites including those demonstrating particular specificity and rate-of-cleavage kinetics, are shown in Table 4A below with reference to the site of cleavage (P5-P1: N-terminal; Pl'-P5': C-terminal). Further details of ADAM 17 and ADAM10, including expression and protease cleavage sites, are described in Sharma, et al. (J Immunol October 15, 2017, 199 (8) 2865-2872), Pham et al. (Anticancer Res. 2017 Oct;37(10):5507-5513), Caescu et al. (Biochem J. 2009 Oct 23; 424(1): 79-88), and Tucher et al. (J. Proteome Res. 2014, 13, 4, 2205-2214), each herein incorporated by reference for purposes.
  • the protease cleavage site comprises a first region having the amino acid sequence of PRAE (SEQ ID NO: 176). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises a second region having the amino acid sequence of KGG (SEQ ID NO: 177). In some embodiments, the first region is located N-terminal to the second region. In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEX1X2KGG (SEQ ID NO: 178), wherein Xi is A, Y, P, S, or F, and wherein X2is V, L, S, I, Y, T, or A.
  • the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEX1X2KGG (SEQ ID NO: 178), wherein Xi is A, Y, P, S, or F, and wherein X 2 is V, L, S, I, Y, or T.
  • the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEAVKGG (SEQ ID NO: 179).
  • the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEALKGG (SEQ ID NO: 180).
  • the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEYSKGG (SEQ ID NO: 181).
  • the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEPIKGG (SEQ ID NO: 182). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEAYKGG (SEQ ID NO: 183). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAESSKGG (SEQ ID NO: 184). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEFTKGG (SEQ ID NO: 185). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PRAEAAKGG (SEQ ID NO: 186).
  • the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of DEPHYSQRR (SEQ ID NO: 187). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PPLGPIFNPG (SEQ ID NO: 188). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of PLAQAYRSS (SEQ ID NO: 189). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of TPIDSSFNPD (SEQ ID NO: 190). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of VTPEPIFSLI (SEQ ID NO: 191). The protease cleavage sites of SEQ ID NOs: 187, 189, and 191 are cleavable by ADAM 17.
  • the protease cleavage site can include an N-terminal peptide linker, such as SGGGGSGGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 230). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site can include a C-terminal peptide linker, such as GGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 231). In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site can include an N-terminal peptide linker and a C-terminal peptide linker, such as both table (SEQ ID NO: 230) and GGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 231).
  • the protease cleavage site can include a Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Converting Enzyme (TACE )-specific cleavage site (also referred to as ADAM 17), an N- terminal peptide linker, and a C-terminal peptide linker.
  • TACE Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Converting Enzyme
  • ADAM 17 Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Converting Enzyme
  • the protease cleavage site can include the TACE -specific cleavage site VTPEPIFSLI (SEQ ID NO: 191), an N-terminal peptide linker, and a C-terminal peptide linker.
  • the protease cleavage site can include the TACE -specific cleavage site, an N-terminal peptide linker, and a C-terminal peptide linker and have the amino acid sequence SGGGGSGGGGSGVTPEPIFSLIGGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 250).
  • the protease cleavage site can include the TACE -specific cleavage site, an N- terminal peptide linker, and a C-terminal peptide linker encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence TCAGGCGGCGGTGGTAGTGGAGGCGGAGGCTCAGGCGTGACCCCTGAGCCTATCTT CAGCCTGATCGGCGGAGGTTCCGGAGGTGGCGGTTCCGGCGGAGGATCTCTTCAA (SEQ ID NO: 251).
  • the protease cleavage site can include the TACE - specific cleavage site, an N-terminal peptide linker, and a C-terminal peptide linker encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to TCAGGCGGCGGTGGTAGTGGAGGCGGAGGCTCAGGCGTGACCCCTGAGCCTATCTT CAGCCTGATCGGCGGAGGTTCCGGAGGTGGCGGTTCCGGCGGAGGATCTCTTCAA (SEQ ID NO: 251).
  • the protease cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence of ITQGLAVSTISSFF (SEQ ID NO: 198), which is a cleavage site that is native to CD16 and is cleavable by ADAM 17.
  • the protease cleavage site can be C-terminal of the secretable effector molecule.
  • the protease cleavage site can be N-terminal of the secretable effector molecule.
  • the protease cleavage site is either: (1) C-terminal of the secretable effector molecule and N-terminal of the cell membrane tethering domain (in other words, the protease cleavage site is in between the secretable effector molecule and the cell membrane tethering domain); or (2) N-terminal of the secretable effector molecule and C-terminal of the cell membrane tethering domain (also between the secretable effector molecule and the cell membrane tethering domain with domain orientation inverted).
  • the protease cleavage site can be connected to the secretable effector molecule by a polypeptide linker, i.e., a polypeptide sequence not generally considered to be part of the effector molecule or protease cleavage site.
  • the protease cleavage site can be connected to the cell membrane tethering domain by a polypeptide linker, i.e., a polypeptide sequence not generally considered to be part of the cell membrane tethering domain or protease cleavage site.
  • a polypeptide linker can be any amino acid sequence that connects a first polypeptide sequence and a second polypeptide sequence.
  • a polypeptide linker can be a flexible linker (e.g., a Gly-Ser-Gly sequence).
  • polypeptide linkers include, but are not limited to, GSG linkers (e.g.. [GS] 4 GG [SEQ ID NO: 504 ]), A(EAAAK) 3 A (SEQ ID NO: 505 ), and Whitlow linkers (e.g., a “KEGS”(SEQ ID NO: 506) linker such as the amino acid sequence KESGSVSSEQLAQFRSLD (SEQ ID NO: 184), an eGK linker such as the amino acid sequence EGKSSGSGSESKST (SEQ ID NO: 185), and linkers described in more detail in Issued U.S. Pat. No.
  • Additional exemplary polypeptide linkers include SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 195, SEQ ID NO: 196, and SEQ ID NO: 197.
  • Other polypeptide linkers may be selected based on desired properties (e.g., length, flexibility, amino acid composition etc.) and are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the protease cleavage site directs cleavage of the chimeric protein such that the effector molecule is released (“secreted”) into the extracellular space of a cell.
  • a protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site is a protease specific for that specific protease cleavage site.
  • the protease that cleaves a specific ADAM protease cleavage site is generally limited to the ADAM protease(s) that specifically recognize the specific ADAM protease cleavage site motif.
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected and/or engineered such that cleavage by undesired proteases is reduced or eliminated.
  • Proteases can be membrane- bound or membrane-associated.
  • Proteases can be secreted, e.g., secreted in a specific cellular environment, such as a tumor microenvironment (“TME”).
  • TEE tumor microenvironment
  • a protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site of the chimeric protein can be expressed in the same cell that expresses the chimeric protein.
  • a protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site of the chimeric protein can be endogenous to a cell expressing the chimeric protein.
  • a cell engineered to express the chimeric protein can endogenously express the protease specific for the protease cleavage site present in the chimeric protein.
  • Endogenous expression of the protease refers to both expression under generally homeostatic conditions (e.g., a cell generally considered to be healthy), and also to differential expression under non-homeostatic conditions (e.g., upregulated expression in a tumor cell).
  • the protease cleavage site can be selected based on the known proteases endogenously expressed by a desired cell population. In such cases, in general, the cleavage of the protease cleavage site (and thus release/secretion of a payload) can be restricted to only those cells of interest due to the cell-restricted protease needing to come in contact with the protease cleavage site of chimeric protein expressed in the same cell.
  • ADAM 17 is believed to be restricted in its endogenous expression to NK cell and T cells.
  • selection of an ADAM17-specific protease cleavage site may restrict the cleavage of the protease cleavage site to NK cell and T cells co-expressing the chimeric protein.
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected for a specific tumor- associated protease known to be expressed in a particular tumor population of interest (e.g., in a specific tumor cell engineered to express the chimeric protein).
  • Protease and/or expression databases can be used to select an appropriate protease cleavage site, such as selecting a protease cleavage site cleaved by a tumor-associated proteases through consulting Oncomine (www.oncomine.org), the European Bioinformatic Institute (www.ebi.ac.uk) in particular (www.ebi.ac.uk/gxa), PMAP (www.proteolysis.org), ExPASy Peptide Cutter (ca.expasy.org/tools/peptide cutter) and PMAP.Cut DB (cutdb.burnham.org), each of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • Oncomine www.oncomine.org
  • the European Bioinformatic Institute www.ebi.ac.uk
  • PMAP www.proteolysis.org
  • ExPASy Peptide Cutter ca.expasy.org/tools/peptide cutter
  • PMAP.Cut DB cutdb.burnham
  • a protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site of the chimeric protein can be heterologous to a cell expressing the chimeric protein.
  • a cell engineered to express the chimeric protein can also be engineered to express a protease not generally expressed by the cell that is specific for the protease cleavage site present in the chimeric protein.
  • a cell engineered to express both the chimeric protein and the protease can be engineered to express each from separate engineered nucleic acids or from a multicistronic systems (multicistronic and multi-promoter systems are described in greater detail in the Section herein titled “Multicistronic and Multiple Promoter Systems”).
  • Heterologous proteases and their corresponding protease cleavage site can be selected as described above with reference to endogenous proteases.
  • a protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site of the chimeric protein can be expressed on a separate distinct cell than the cell that expresses the chimeric protein.
  • the protease can be generally expressed in a specific cellular environment, such as a tumor microenvironment.
  • the cleavage of the protease cleavage site can be restricted to only those cellular environments of interest (e.g., a tumor microenvironment) due to the environment-restricted protease needing to come in contact with the protease cleavage site.
  • the secretion of the effector molecule can be restricted to only those cellular environments of interest (e.g., a tumor microenvironment) due to the environment-restricted protease needing to come in contact with the protease cleavage site.
  • a protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site of the chimeric protein can be endogenous to the separate distinct cell.
  • a protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site of the chimeric protein can be heterologous to the separate distinct cell.
  • the separate distinct cell can be engineered to express a protease not generally expressed by the separate distinct cell.
  • Proteases include, but are not limited to, a Type 1 transmembrane protease, a Type II transmembrane protease, a GPI anchored protease, an ADAM8 protease, an ADAM9 protease, an ADAM 10 protease, an ADAM 12 protease, an ADAM 15 protease, an ADAM 17 protease, an ADAM 19 protease, an ADAM20 protease, an ADAM21 protease, an ADAM28 protease, an ADAM30 protease, an ADAM33 protease, a BACE1 protease, a BACE2 protease, a SIP protease, an MT1-MMP protease, an MT3-MMP protease, an MT5-MMP protease, a furin protease, a PCSK7 protease, a matriptase proteas
  • Proteases can be tumor associated proteases, such as, a cathepsin, a cysteine protease, an aspartyl protease, a serine protease, or a metalloprotease.
  • tumor associated proteases include Cathepsin B, Cathepsin L, Cathepsin S, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin E, Cathepsin A, Cathepsin G, Thrombin, Plasmin, Urokinase, Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP2, MMP3, MMP4, MMP7, MMP8, MMP9, MMP10, MMP11, MMP12, MMP13, MMP14, MMP15, MMP16, MMP17, MMP20, MMP21, MMP23, MMP24, MMP25, MMP26, MMP28, ADAM, AD AMTS, CD 10 (CALLA), or prostate specific antigen.
  • Proteases can also include, but are not limited to, proteases (including proteases with exemplary cognate protease cleavage sites) described in International Application Pub. No. WO2023205614, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • proteases can be inactivated by the presence or absence of a specific agent (e.g., that binds to the protease, such as specific small molecule inhibitors). Such proteases can be referred to as a “repressible protease.” Exemplary inhibitors for certain proteases are described in International Application Pub. No. WO2023205614, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • an NS3 protease can be repressed by a protease inhibitor including, but not limited to, simeprevir, danoprevir, asunaprevir, ciluprevir, boceprevir, sovaprevir, paritaprevir, telaprevir, grazoprevir, glecaprevir, and voxiloprevir.
  • a protease inhibitor including, but not limited to, simeprevir, danoprevir, asunaprevir, ciluprevir, boceprevir, sovaprevir, paritaprevir, telaprevir, grazoprevir, glecaprevir, and voxiloprevir.
  • protease activity can be regulated through regulating expression of the protease itself, such as engineering a cell to express a protease using an inducible promoter system (e.g., Tet On/Off systems) or cell-specific promoters (promoters that can be used to express a heterologous protease are described in more detail in the Section herein titled “Promoters”).
  • a protease can also contain a degron, such as any of the degrons described herein, and can be regulated using any of the degron systems described herein.
  • Protease enzymatic activity can also be regulated through selection of a specific protease cleavage site.
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected and/or engineered such that the sequence demonstrates a desired rate-of-cleavage by a desired protease, such as reduced cleavage kinetics relative to an endogenous sequence of a substrate naturally cleaved by the desired protease.
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected and/or engineered such that the sequence demonstrates a desired rate-of-cleavage in a cell-state specific manner.
  • ADAM 17 protein levels and localization is known to be influenced by signaling, such as through Protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways (e.g., activation by the PKC activator Phorbol-12-myristat-13-acetat [PMA]).
  • PKC Protein kinase C
  • a protease cleavage site can be selected and/or engineered such that cleavage of the protease cleavage site and subsequent release of an effector molecule is increased or decreased, as desired, depending on the protease properties (e.g., expression and/or localization) in a specific cell state.
  • a protease cleavage site (particularly in combination with a specific membrane tethering domain) can be selected and/or engineered for optimal protein expression of the chimeric protein.
  • the membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins provided for herein contain a cell-membrane tethering domain (referred to as “MT” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S).
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain can be any amino acid sequence motif capable of directing the chimeric protein to be localized to (e.g., inserted into), or otherwise associated with, the cell membrane of the cell expressing the chimeric protein.
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain can be a transmembrane-intracellular domain.
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain can be a transmembrane domain.
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain can be an integral membrane protein domain (e.g., a transmembrane domain).
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain can be derived from a Type I, Type II, or Type III transmembrane protein.
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain can include post-translational modification tag, or motif capable of post-translational modification to modify the chimeric protein to include a post-translational modification tag, where the post-translational modification tag allows association with a cell membrane.
  • post-translational modification tags include, but are not limited to, lipid-anchor domains (e.g., a GPI lipid- anchor, a myristoylation tag, or palmitoylation tag).
  • cell- membrane tethering domains include, but are not limited to, a transmembrane-intracellular domain and/or transmembrane domain derived from PDGFR-beta, CD8, CD28, CD3zeta-chain, CD4, 4-1BB, 0X40, ICOS, CTLA-4, PD-1, LAG-3, 2B4, LNGFR, NKG2D, EpoR, TNFR2, B7-1, or BTLA.
  • the cell membrane tethering domain can be a cell surface receptor or a cell membrane-bound portion thereof.
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain comprises a transmembrane domain derived from a B7-1 polypeptide.
  • the B7-1 transmembrane domain comprises the sequence LLPSWAITLISVNGIFVICCLTYCFAPRCRERRRNERLRRESVRPV (SEQ ID NO: 204).
  • the B7-1 transmembrane domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence TTGCTGCCTAGCTGGGCCATCACACTGATCTCCGTGAACGGCATCTTCGTGATCTGC TGCCTGACCTACTGCTTCGCCCCTAGATGCAGAGAGCGGAGAAGAAACGAGCGGCT GAGAAGAGAAAGCGTGCGGCCTGTG (SEQ ID NO: 252).
  • the B7-1 transmembrane domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to TTGCTGCCTAGCTGGGCCATCACACTGATCTCCGTGAACGGCATCTTCGTGATCTGC TGCCTGACCTACTGCTTCGCCCCTAGATGCAGAGAGCGGAGAAGAAACGAGCGGCT GAGAAGAGAAAGCGTGCGGCCTGTG (SEQ ID NO: 252).
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein includes a transmembrane domain derived from a B7-1 polypeptide.
  • the B7-1 transmembrane domain of the membrane- cleavable chimeric protein includes the sequence LLPSWAITLISVNGIEVICCLTYCEAPRCRERRRNERLRRESVRPV (SEQ ID NO: 204).
  • the B7-1 transmembrane domain of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein (e.g., IL-15) is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence TTGCTGCCTAGCTGGGCCATCACACTGATCTCCGTGAACGGCATCTTCGTGATCTGC TGCCTGACCTACTGCTTCGCCCCTAGATGCAGAGAGCGGAGAAGAAACGAGCGGCT GAGAAGAGAAAGCGTGCGGCCTGTG (SEQ ID NO: 252).
  • the B7-1 transmembrane domain of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein (e.g., IL-15) is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to TTGCTGCCTAGCTGGGCCATCACACTGATCTCCGTGAACGGCATCTTCGTGATCTGC TGCCTGACCTACTGCTTCGCCCCTAGATGCAGAGAGCGGAGAAGAAACGAGCGGCT GAGAAGAGAAAGCGTGCGGCCTGTG (SEQ ID NO: 252).
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain comprises a transmembrane domain derived from a CD8 polypeptide.
  • a CD8 polypeptide Any suitable CD8 polypeptide may be used.
  • Exemplary CD8 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_001139345 and AAA92533.1.
  • Examples of CD8 transmembrane domains include IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVIT (SEQ ID NO: 205), IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHR (SEQ ID NO: 206), and IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHRN (SEQ ID NO: 207).
  • the transmembrane domain comprises the sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVIT (SEQ ID NO: 205). In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain comprises the sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHR (SEQ ID NO: 206). In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain comprises the sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHRN (SEQ ID NO: 207). In some embodiments, the cell- membrane tethering domain comprises a hinge and transmembrane domain derived from CD8.In some embodiments, the CD8 hinge comprises the sequence TTTPAPRPPTPAPTIALQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVHTRGLDFACD (SEQ ID NO: 271).
  • the CD8 hinge comprises the sequence AAAFVPVFLPAKPTTTPAPRPPTPAPTIASQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVHTRGLDFACDIYI WAPEAGTCGVEEESEVITEYCNHRN (SEQ ID NO: 209).
  • the cell membrane tethering domain is either: (1) C-terminal of the protease cleavage site and N- terminal of any intracellular domain, if present (in other words, the cell membrane tethering domain is in between the protease cleavage site and, if present, an intracellular domain); or (2) N-terminal of the protease cleavage site and C-terminal of any intracellular domain, if present (also between the protease cleavage site and, if present, an intracellular domain with domain orientation inverted).
  • the degron domain is the terminal cytoplasmic-oriented domain, specifically relative to the cell membrane tethering (in other words, the cell membrane tethering domain is in between the protease cleavage site and the degron).
  • the cell membrane tethering domain can be connected to the protease cleavage site by a polypeptide linker, i.e., a polypeptide sequence not generally considered to be part of cell membrane tethering domain or protease cleavage site.
  • the cell membrane tethering domain can be connected to an intracellular domain, if present, by a polypeptide linker, i.e., a polypeptide sequence not generally considered to be part of the cell membrane tethering domain or the intracellular domain.
  • the cell membrane tethering domain can be connected to the degron, if present, by a polypeptide linker, i.e., a polypeptide sequence not generally considered to be part of the cell membrane tethering domain or degron.
  • a polypeptide linker can be any amino acid sequence that connects a first polypeptide sequence and a second polypeptide sequence.
  • a polypeptide linker can be a flexible linker (e.g., a Gly- Ser-Gly sequence).
  • polypeptide linkers include, but are not limited to, GSG linkers (e.g., [GS] 4 GG [SEQ ID NO: 504 ]), A(EAAAK) 3 A (SEQ ID NO: 505 ), and Whitlow linkers (e.g., a “KEGS” (SEQ ID NO: 506) linker such as the amino acid sequence KESGSVSSEQLAQFRSLD (SEQ ID NO: 184), an eGK linker such as the amino acid sequence EGKSSGSGSESKST (SEQ ID NO: 185), and linkers described in more detail in Issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,275 herein incorporated by reference).
  • GSG linkers e.g., [GS] 4 GG [SEQ ID NO: 504 ]
  • A(EAAAK) 3 A SEQ ID NO: 505
  • Whitlow linkers e.g., a “KEGS” (SEQ ID NO: 506) linker such as the amino acid sequence KESGSVSS
  • Additional polypeptide linkers include SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 195, SEQ ID NO: 196, and SEQ ID NO: 197.
  • Other polypeptide linkers may be selected based on desired properties (e.g., length, flexibility, amino acid composition etc.) and are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the cell-membrane tethering domain is oriented such that the secreted effector molecule and the protease cleavage site are extracellularly exposed following insertion into, or association with, the cell membrane, such that the protease cleavage site is capable of being cleaved by its respective protease and releasing (“secreting”) the effector molecule into the extracellular space.
  • any of the proteins described herein can include a degron domain including, but not limited to, a protease, a transcription factor, a promoter or constituent of a promoter system (e.g., an ACP), and/or any of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein described herein.
  • the degron domain can be any amino acid sequence motif capable of directing regulated degradation, such as regulated degradation through a ubiquitin-mediated pathway. In the presence of an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), the degron domain directs ubiquitin-mediated degradation of a degron-fusion protein.
  • IMD immunomodulatory drug
  • the degron domain can be a cereblon (CRBN) polypeptide substrate domain capable of binding CRBN in response to an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) including, but not limited to, IKZF1, IKZF3, CKla, ZFP91, GSPT1, MEIS2, GSS E4F1, ZN276, ZN517, ZN582, ZN653, ZN654, ZN692, ZN787, and ZN827, or a fragment thereof that is capable of drug-inducible binding of CRBN.
  • IMD immunomodulatory drug
  • the CRBN polypeptide substrate domain can be a chimeric fusion product of native CRBN polypeptide sequences, such as a IKZF3/ZFP91/IKZF3 chimeric fusion product having the amino acid sequence of FNVLMVHKRSHTGERPLQCEICGFTCRQKGNLLRHIKLHTGEKPFKCHLCNYACQRRD AL (SEQ ID NO: 175).
  • Degron domains, and in particular CRBN degron systems, are described in more detail in International Application Pub. No. WO2019/089592A1, herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • degron domains include, but are not limited to HCV NS4 degron, PEST (two copies of residues 277-307 of human IKBOI; SEQ ID NO: 161), GRR (residues 352-408 of human pl05; SEQ ID NO: 162), DRR (residues 210-295 of yeast Cdc34; SEQ ID NO: 163), SNS (tandem repeat of SP2 and NB (SP2-NB-SP2 of influenza A or influenza B; e.g., SEQ ID NO: 164), RPB (four copies of residues 1688-1702 of yeast RPB; SEQ ID NO: 165), SPmix (tandem repeat of SP1 and SP2 (SP2-SP1-SP2-SP1-SP2 of influenza A virus M2 protein; SEQ ID NO: 166), NS2 (three copies of residues 79-93 of influenza A virus NS protein; SEQ ID NO: 167), ODC (residues 106-142 of
  • Regulated degradation can be drug-inducible.
  • Drugs capable of mediating/regulating degradation can be small-molecule compounds.
  • Drugs capable of mediating/regulating degradation can include an “immunomodulatory drug” (IMiD).
  • IMDs refer to a class of small-molecule immunomodulatory drugs containing an imide group.
  • Cereblon (CRBN) is known target of IMiDs and binding of an IMiD to CRBN or a CRBN polypeptide substrate domain alters the substrate specificity of the CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase complex leading to degradation of proteins having a CRBN polypeptide substrate domain (e.g., any of secretable effector molecules or other proteins of interest described herein).
  • imide-containing IMiDs include, but are not limited to, a thalidomide, a lenalidomide, or a pomalidomide.
  • the IMiD can be an FDA- approved drug.
  • Chimeric proteins described herein can contain a degron domain (e.g., referred to as “D” in the formula S - C - MT - D or D - MT - C - S for membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins described herein).
  • D degron domain
  • degron/ubiquitin-mediated degradation of the chimeric protein does not occur.
  • the protease cleavage site directs cleavage of the chimeric protein such that the effector molecule is released (“secreted”) into the extracellular space.
  • the degron domain directs ubiquitin-mediated degradation of the chimeric protein such that secretion of the effector molecule is reduced or eliminated.
  • the degron domain is the terminal cytoplasmic-oriented domain, specifically relative to the cell membrane tethering domain, e.g., the most C-terminal domain in the formula S - C - MT - D or the most N-terminal domain in the formula D - MT - C - S.
  • the degron domain can be connected to the cell membrane tethering domain by a polypeptide linker, i.e., a polypeptide sequence not generally considered to be part of the cell membrane tethering domain or the degron domain.
  • a polypeptide linker can be any amino acid sequence that connects a first polypeptide sequence and a second polypeptide sequence.
  • a polypeptide linker can be a flexible linker (e.g., a Gly- Ser-Gly sequence).
  • polypeptide linkers include, but are not limited to, GSG linkers (e.g., [GS] 4 GG [SEQ ID NO: 504 ]), A(EAAAK) 3 A (SEQ ID NO: 505 ), and Whitlow linkers (e.g., a “KEGS”(SEQ ID NO: 506) linker such as the amino acid sequence KESGSVSSEQLAQFRSLD (SEQ ID NO: 184), an eGK linker such as the amino acid sequence EGKSSGSGSESKST (SEQ ID NO: 185), and linkers described in more detail in Issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,275 herein incorporated by reference).
  • GSG linkers e.g., [GS] 4 GG [SEQ ID NO: 504 ]
  • A(EAAAK) 3 A SEQ ID NO: 505
  • Whitlow linkers e.g., a “KEGS”(SEQ ID NO: 506) linker such as the amino acid sequence KESGSVSS
  • Additional polypeptide linkers include SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 195, SEQ ID NO: 196, and SEQ ID NO: 197.
  • Other polypeptide linkers may be selected based on desired properties (e.g., length, flexibility, amino acid composition etc.) and are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the degron is oriented in relation to the cell membrane tethering domain such that the degron is exposed to the cytosol following localization to the cell membrane such that the degron domain is capable of mediating degradation (e.g., exposure to the cytosol and cytosol ) and is capable of mediating ubiquitin- mediated degradation.
  • the degron domain can be N-terminal or C-terminal of the protein of interest, e.g., the effector molecule.
  • the degron domain can be connected to the protein of interest by a polypeptide linker, i.e., a polypeptide sequence not generally considered to be part of the protein of interest or the degron domain.
  • a polypeptide linker can be any amino acid sequence that connects a first polypeptide sequence and a second polypeptide sequence.
  • a polypeptide linker can be a flexible linker (e.g., a Gly-Ser-Gly sequence).
  • polypeptide linkers include, but are not limited to, GSG linkers (e.g., [GS]4GG [SEQ ID NO: 504 ]), A(EAAAK) 3 A (SEQ ID NO: 505 ), and Whitlow linkers (e.g., a “KEGS” (SEQ ID NO: 506) linker such as the amino acid sequence KESGSVSSEQLAQFRSLD (SEQ ID NO: 184), an eGK linker such as the amino acid sequence EGKSSGSGSESKST (SEQ ID NO: 185), and linkers described in more detail in Issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,275 herein incorporated by reference).
  • GSG linkers e.g., [GS]4GG [SEQ ID NO: 504 ]
  • A(EAAAK) 3 A SEQ ID NO: 505
  • Whitlow linkers e.g., a “KEGS” (SEQ ID NO: 506) linker such as the amino acid sequence KESGSVSSEQLA
  • Additional polypeptide linkers include SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 195, SEQ ID NO: 196, and SEQ ID NO: 197.
  • Other polypeptide linkers may be selected based on desired properties (e.g., length, flexibility, amino acid composition etc.) and are known to those skilled in the art.
  • a polypeptide linker can be cleavable, e.g., any of the protease cleavage sites described herein.
  • a “tumor microenvironment” is the cellular environment in which a tumor exists, including surrounding blood vessels, immune cells, fibroblasts, bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells, lymphocytes, signaling molecules and the extracellular matrix (ECM) (see, e.g., Pattabiraman, D.R. & Weinberg, R.A. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 13, 497-512 (2014); Balkwill, F.R. et al. J Cell Sci 125, 5591-5596, 2012; and Li, H. et al. J Cell Biochem 101(4), 805-15, 2007).
  • ECM extracellular matrix
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce at least one homing molecule.
  • the secreted effector molecule can be a homing molecule.
  • a “homing molecule” refers to a molecule that directs cells to a target site.
  • a homing molecule functions to recognize and/or initiate interaction of an engineered cell to a target site.
  • Non-limiting examples of homing molecules include CXCR1, CCR9, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR2, CCR4, FPR2, VEGFR, IL6R, CXCR1, CSCR7, and PDGFR.
  • a homing molecule is a chemokine receptor (cell surface molecule that binds to a chemokine).
  • Chemokines are small cytokines or signaling proteins secreted by cells that can induce directed chemotaxis in cells. Chemokines can be classified into four main subfamilies: CXC, CC, CX3C and XC, all of which exert biological effects by binding selectively to chemokine receptors located on the surface of target cells.
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce CXCR4, a chemokine receptor which allows engineered cells to home along a chemokine gradient towards a stromal cell-derived factor 1 (also known as SDF1, C-X-C motif chemokine 12, and CXCL12 )- expressing cell, tissue, or tumor.
  • stromal cell-derived factor 1 also known as SDF1, C-X-C motif chemokine 12, and CXCL12
  • Non-limiting examples of chemokine receptors that may be encoded by the engineered nucleic acids of the present disclosure include: CXC chemokine receptors (e.g., CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6, and CXCR7), CC chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, CCR10, and CCR11), CX3C chemokine receptors (e.g., CX3CR1, which binds to CX3CL1), and XC chemokine receptors (e.g., XCR1).
  • CXC chemokine receptors e.g., CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6, and CXCR7
  • CXC chemokine receptors e.g., CX3CR1, which binds to CX3CL1
  • a chemokine receptor is a G protein-linked transmembrane receptor, or a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (including but not limited to TNFRSF1A, TNFRSF1B).
  • TNF tumor necrosis factor
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce CXCL8, CXCL9, and/or CXCL10 (promote T-cell recruitment), CCL3 and/or CXCL5, CCL21 (Thl recruitment and polarization).
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that detect N-formylated-containing oligopeptides (including but not limited to FPR2 and FPRL1).
  • GPCRs G-protein coupled receptors
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce receptors that detect interleukins (including but not limited to IL6R).
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce receptors that detect growth factors secreted from other cells, tissues, or tumors (including but not limited to FGFR, PDGFR, EGFR, and receptors of the VEGF family, including but not limited to VEGF-C and VEGF-D).
  • a homing molecule is an integrin. Integrins are transmembrane receptors that facilitate cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion. Integrins are obligate heterodimers having two subunits: a (alpha) and P (beta).
  • the a subunit of an integrin may be, without limitation: ITGA1, ITGA2, ITGA3, ITGA4, ITGA5, ITGA6, IGTA7, ITGA8, ITGA9, IGTA10, IGTA11, ITGAD, ITGAE, ITGAL, ITGAM, ITGAV, ITGA2B, ITGAX.
  • the p subunit of an integrin may be, without limitation: ITGB1, ITGB2, ITGB3, ITGB4, ITGB5, ITGB6, ITGB7, and ITGB8.
  • Engineered nucleic acids can be configured to produce any combination of the integrin a and P subunits.
  • a homing molecule is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP).
  • MMPs are enzymes that cleave components of the basement membrane underlying the endothelial cell wall.
  • MMPs include MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP.
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce an inhibitor of a molecule (e.g., protein) that inhibits MMPs.
  • engineered nucleic acids can be configured to express an inhibitor (e.g., an RNAi molecule) of membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) or TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1).
  • a homing molecule is a ligand that binds to selectin (e.g., hematopoietic cell E-/L- selectin ligand (HCELL), Dykstran c/ al., Stem Cells. 2016 Oct;34(10):2501-2511) on the endothelium of a target tissue, for example.
  • selectin e.g., hematopoietic cell E-/L- selectin ligand (HCELL), Dykstran c/ al., Stem Cells. 2016 Oct;34(10):2501-251
  • homing molecule also encompasses transcription factors that regulate the production of molecules that improve/enhance homing of cells.
  • a homing molecule includes an antibody, such as anti-integrin alpha4,beta7 or anti-MAdCAM.
  • Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to chimeric receptors that have any one of the antigen-specific binding domains described herein (e.g., EMCN-specific, FLT3-specific, and/or CD33-specific) and are capable of specifically binding to a protein, an antigen-derived antigen, or an antigen-derived epitope.
  • EMCN-specific, FLT3-specific, and/or CD33-specific e.g., EMCN-specific, FLT3-specific, and/or CD33-specific
  • the chimeric receptor is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).
  • CARs are chimeric proteins that include an antigen-binding domain and polypeptide molecules that are heterologous to the antigen-binding domain, such as peptides heterologous to an antibody that an antigen-binding domain may be derived from.
  • Polypeptide molecules that are heterologous to the antigen-binding domain can include, but are not limited to, a transmembrane domain, one or more intracellular signaling domains, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, or combinations thereof.
  • CARs are engineered receptors that graft or confer a specificity of interest (e.g., EMCN, FLT3, or CD33) onto an immune effector cell.
  • CARs can be used to graft the specificity of an antibody onto an immunoresponsive cell, such as a T cell.
  • CARs of the present disclosure comprise an extracellular antigen-binding domain (e.g., an scFv) fused to a transmembrane domain, fused to one or more intracellular signaling domains.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor is an activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR and also generally referred to as CAR unless otherwise specified).
  • binding of the chimeric antigen receptor to its cognate ligand is sufficient to induce activation of the immunoresponsive cell.
  • binding of the chimeric antigen receptor to its cognate ligand is sufficient to induce stimulation of the immunoresponsive cell.
  • activation of an immunoresponsive cell results in killing of target cells.
  • activation of an immunoresponsive cell results in cytokine or chemokine expression and/or secretion by the immunoresponsive cell.
  • stimulation of an immunoresponsive cell results in cytokine or chemokine expression and/or secretion by the immunoresponsive cell. In some embodiments, stimulation of an immunoresponsive cell induces differentiation of the immunoresponsive cell. In some embodiments, stimulation of an immunoresponsive cell induces proliferation of the immunoresponsive cell. In some embodiments, activation and/or stimulation of the immunoresponsive cell can be combinations of the above responses.
  • a binding molecule having a single ABD is “monovalent”.
  • a binding molecule having a plurality of ABDs is said to be “multivalent”.
  • a multivalent binding molecule having two ABDs is “bivalent.”
  • a multivalent binding molecule having three ABDs is “bivalent.”
  • a multivalent binding molecule having four ABDs is “tetravalent.”
  • all of the plurality of ABDs have the same recognition specificity and can be referred to as a “monospecific multivalent” binding molecule.
  • at least two of the plurality of ABDs have different recognition specificities.
  • binding molecules are multivalent and “multispecific.” In multivalent embodiments in which the ABDs collectively have two recognition specificities, the binding molecule is “bispecific.” In multivalent embodiments in which the ABDs collectively have three recognition specificities, the binding molecule is “trispecific.” In multivalent embodiments in which the ABDs collectively have a plurality of recognition specificities for different epitopes present on the same antigen, the binding molecule is “multiparatopic.” Multivalent embodiments in which the ABDs collectively recognize two epitopes on the same antigen are “biparatopic.”
  • multivalency of the binding molecule improves the avidity of the binding molecule for a specific target.
  • “avidity” refers to the overall strength of interaction between two or more molecules, e.g. a multivalent binding molecule for a specific target, wherein the avidity is the cumulative strength of interaction provided by the affinities of multiple ABDs. Avidity can be measured by the same methods as those used to determine affinity, as described above.
  • the avidity of a binding molecule for a specific target is such that the interaction is a specific binding interaction, wherein the avidity between two molecules has a KD value below 10 -6 M, 10 -7 M, 10 -8 M, 10 -9 M, or 10 -10 M.
  • the avidity of a binding molecule for a specific target has a KD value such that the interaction is a specific binding interaction, wherein the one or more affinities of individual ABDs do not have has a KD value that qualifies as specifically binding their respective antigens or epitopes on their own.
  • the avidity is the cumulative strength of interaction provided by the affinities of multiple ABDs for separate antigens on a shared specific target or complex, such as separate antigens found on an individual cell.
  • the avidity is the cumulative strength of interaction provided by the affinities of multiple ABDs for separate epitopes on a shared individual antigen.
  • an aCAR can be a bivalent-bispecific CAR.
  • an aCAR can be a bivalent-bispecific CAR expressed on a cell of the present disclosure (e.g., an immunoresponsive cell) as OR-logic gates to increase the potential targets of an activating chimeric receptor (e.g., an OR-logic gate targeting multiple tumor targets).
  • a bivalent-bispecific aCAR can include an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3 and an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33.
  • a bivalent-bispecific aCAR can include i) an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3; (ii) an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; (iii) one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response, and (iv) one or more polypeptides including, but not limited to, a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • a CAR of the present disclosure may be a first, second, or third generation CAR.
  • First generation CARs comprise a single intracellular signaling domain, generally derived from a T cell receptor chain.
  • First generation CARs generally have the intracellular signaling domain from the CD3-zeta (CD3 ⁇ ) chain, which is the primary transmitter of signals from endogenous TCRs.
  • CD3 ⁇ CD3-zeta
  • “First generation” CARs can provide de novo antigen recognition and cause activation of both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells through their CD3 ⁇ chain signaling domain in a single fusion molecule, independent of HLA-mediated antigen presentation.
  • “Second generation” CARs add a second intracellular signaling domain from one of various co-stimulatory molecules (e.g., CD28, 4- IBB, ICOS, 0X40) to the cytoplasmic tail of the CAR to provide additional signals to the T cell.
  • "Second generation” CARs provide both co- stimulation (e.g., CD28 or 4- IBB) and activation (CD3 ⁇ ).
  • Preclinical studies have indicated that "Second Generation” CARs can improve the anti-tumor activity of immunoresponsive cell, such as a T cell.
  • “Third generation” CARs have multiple intracellular co-stimulation signaling domains (e.g., CD28 and 4- IBB) and an intracellular activation signaling domain (CD3 ⁇ ).
  • the chimeric antigen receptor is a chimeric inhibitory receptor (iCAR).
  • the one or more chimeric inhibitory receptors bind antigens that are expressed on a non-tumor cell derived from a tissue selected from the group consisting of brain, neuronal tissue, endocrine, bone, bone marrow, immune system, endothelial tissue, muscle, lung, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, urinary bladder, male reproductive organs, female reproductive organs, adipose, soft tissue, and skin.
  • a chimeric inhibitory receptor e.g., an EMCN-specific chimeric inhibitory receptor
  • one or more activating chimeric receptors e.g., activating chimeric TCRs or CARs, such as FLT3 and/or CD33 aCARs
  • a cell of the present disclosure e.g., an immunoresponsive cell
  • an immunoresponsive cell expressing the tumor antigen may bind to the healthy cell.
  • the inhibitory chimeric antigen will also bind its cognate ligand on the healthy cell and the inhibitory function of the chimeric inhibitory receptor will reduce, decrease, prevent, or inhibit the activation of the immunoresponsive cell via the tumor-targeting chimeric receptor (“NOT- logic gating”).
  • a chimeric inhibitory receptor of the present disclosure may inhibit one or more activities of a cell of the present disclosure (e.g., an immunoresponsive cell).
  • an immunoresponsive cell may comprise one or more tumor- targeting chimeric receptors and one or more chimeric inhibitory receptors that targets an antigen that is not expressed, or generally considered to be expressed, on the tumor (e.g., EMCN). Combinations of tumor- targeting chimeric receptors and chimeric inhibitory receptors in the same immunoresponsive cell may be used to reduce on-target off-tumor toxicity.
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain of a CAR of the present disclosure binds to one or more antigens (e.g., EMCN, FLT3, or CD33) with a dissociation constant (Ka) of about 2 x 10' 7 M or less, about 1 x 10' 7 M or less, about 9 x 10' 8 M or less, about 1 x 10' 8 M or less, about 9 x 10' 9 M or less, about 5 x 10' 9 M or less, about 4 x 10' 9 M or less, about 3 x 10' 9 M or less, about 2 x 10' 9 M or less, or about 1 x 10' 9 M or less.
  • the Ka ranges from about is about 2 x 10' 7 M to about 1 x 10' 9 M.
  • Binding of the extracellular antigen-binding domain of a CAR of the present disclosure can be determined by, for example, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), FACS analysis, a bioassay (e.g., growth inhibition), bio-layer interferometry (e.g., Octet/FORTEBIO®), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology (e.g., Biacore®), or a Western Blot assay.
  • ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
  • RIA radioimmunoassay
  • FACS analysis e.g., FACS analysis
  • bioassay e.g., growth inhibition
  • bio-layer interferometry e.g., Octet/FORTEBIO®
  • SPR surface plasmon resonance
  • Biacore® Biacore®
  • the scFv can be radioactively labeled and used in an RIA assay.
  • the radioactive isotope can be detected by such means as the use of a y counter or a scintillation counter or by autoradiography.
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain of the CAR is labeled with a fluorescent marker.
  • fluorescent markers include green fluorescent protein (GFP), blue fluorescent protein (e.g., EBFP, EBFP2, Azurite, and mKalamal), cyan fluorescent protein (e.g., ECFP, Cerulean, and CyPet), and yellow fluorescent protein (e.g., YFP, Citrine, Venus, and YPet).
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain of the CAR is labeled with a secondary antibody specific for the extracellular antigen-binding domain and wherein the secondary antibody is labeled (e.g., radioactively or with a fluorescent marker).
  • CARs of the present disclosure comprise an extracellular antigen- binding domain that binds to EMCN, FLT3, or CD33. In some embodiments, CARs of the present disclosure comprise an extracellular antigen-binding domain that binds to an EMCN protein, an EMCN-derived antigen, or an EMCN-derived epitope. In some embodiments, CARs of the present disclosure comprise an extracellular antigen-binding domain that binds to a FLT3 protein, a FLT3-derived antigen, or a FLT3-derived epitope. In some embodiments.
  • CARs of the present disclosure comprise an extracellular antigen-binding domain that binds to an CD33 protein, a CD33-derived antigen, or a CD33-derived epitope.
  • CARs of the present disclosure comprise an extracellular antigen-binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and one or more intracellular signaling domains.
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises an scFv.
  • the extracellular antigen- binding domain comprises a Fab fragment, which may be crosslinked.
  • the extracellular binding domain is a F(ab)2 fragment.
  • Antigen-binding domains of the present disclosure can include any domain that binds to the antigen including, without limitation, a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a recombinant antibody, a bispecific antibody, a conjugated antibody, a human antibody, a humanized antibody, and a functional fragment thereof, including but not limited to a single- domain antibody (sdAb) such as a heavy chain variable domain (VH), a light chain variable domain (VL) and a variable domain (VHH) of camelid derived nanobody, and to an alternative scaffold known in the art to function as antigen-binding domain, such as a recombinant fibronectin domain, a T cell receptor (TCR), a recombinant TCR with enhanced affinity, or a fragment thereof, e.g., single chain TCR, and the like.
  • sdAb single- domain antibody
  • VH heavy chain variable domain
  • VL light chain variable domain
  • VHH variable domain
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises an antibody.
  • the antibody is a human antibody.
  • the antibody is a chimeric antibody.
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises an antigen -binding fragment of an antibody.
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises a F(ab) fragment. In certain embodiments, the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises a F(ab') fragment.
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises an scFv. In some embodiments, the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises two single chain variable fragments (scFvs). In some embodiments, each of the two scFvs binds to a distinct epitope on the same antigen. In some embodiments, the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises a first scFv and a second scFv. In some embodiments, the first scFv and the second scFv bind distinct epitopes on the same antigen. In certain embodiments, the scFv is a mammalian scFv. In certain embodiments, the scFv is a chimeric scFv. In certain embodiments, the scFv comprises a heavy chain variable domain (VH) and a light chain variable domain (VL).
  • VH heavy chain variable domain
  • VL light chain variable domain
  • the VH and VL are separated by a peptide linker.
  • the peptide linker comprises any of the amino acid sequences shown in Table 6.
  • the scFv comprises the structure VH-L-VL or VL-L-VH, wherein VH is the heavy chain variable domain, L is the peptide linker, and VL is the light chain variable domain.
  • each of the one or more scFvs comprises the structure VH-L-VL or VL-L-VH, wherein VH is the heavy chain variable domain, L is the peptide linker, and VL is the light chain variable domain.
  • each scFv can be linked to the next scFv with a peptide linked.
  • each of the one or more scFvs is separated by a peptide linker.
  • a peptide linker includes the amino acid sequence GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 244).
  • a peptide linker between antigen binding domains of an iCAR comprises the amino acid sequence GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 244).
  • a peptide linker is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence GGAGGCGGAGGATCTGGTGGCGGAGGAAGTGGCGGAGGCGGTTCT (SEQ ID NO: 253).
  • a nucleic acid encoding peptide linker includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to GGAGGCGGAGGATCTGGTGGCGGAGGAAGTGGCGGAGGCGGTTCT (SEQ ID NO: 253).
  • a peptide linker includes the amino acid sequence GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 242).
  • a peptide linker between antigen binding domains of an aCAR comprises the amino acid sequence GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 242).
  • a peptide linker is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence GGCGGCGGTGGCTCT (SEQ ID NO: 254) or GGTGGCGGCGGATCC (SEQ ID NO: 255).
  • a nucleic acid encoding peptide linker includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to GGCGGCGGTGGCTCT (SEQ ID NO: 254) or GGTGGCGGCGGATCC (SEQ ID NO: 255).
  • a peptide linker includes the amino acid sequence GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 243). In some embodiments, a peptide linker between antigen binding domains of an aCAR comprises the amino acid sequence GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 243). In some embodiments, a peptide linker is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence GGAGGCGGAGGATCTGGTGGTGGTGGATCT (SEQ ID NO: 256), GGTGGCGGAGGAAGTGGCGGCGGAGGCTCT (SEQ ID NO: 257), or GGCGGTGGCGGATCTGGCGGAGGTGGCAGT (SEQ ID NO: 258).
  • a nucleic acid encoding peptide linker includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to GGAGGCGGAGGATCTGGTGGTGGTGGATCT (SEQ ID NO: 256), GGTGGCGGAGGAAGTGGCGGCGGAGGCTCT (SEQ ID NO: 257), or GGCGGTGGCGGATCTGGCGGAGGTGGCAGT (SEQ ID NO: 258).
  • a peptide linker includes the amino acid sequence GSTSGSGKPGSGEGSTKG (SEQ ID NO: 247).
  • a peptide linker between antigen binding domains of an aCAR comprises the amino acid sequence GSTSGSGKPGSGEGSTKG (SEQ ID NO: 247).
  • a peptide linker is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • a nucleic acid encoding peptide linker includes a sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to GGCTCTACATCTGGCTCTGGCAAACCTGGAAGCGGCGAGGGATCTACCAAGGGC (SEQ ID NO: 249).
  • the immune effector cell comprises a first chimeric receptor and a second chimeric receptor.
  • the antigen-binding domain of the first chimeric receptor and the antigen-binding domain of the second chimeric receptor can be an appropriate antigen biding domain described herein or known in the art.
  • the first or second antigen-binding domain can be one or more antibodies, antigen-binding fragments of an antibody, F(ab) fragments, F(ab') fragments, single chain variable fragments (scFvs), or single-domain antibodies (sdAbs).
  • the antigen-binding domain of the first chimeric receptor and/or the second chimeric receptor comprises two single chain variable fragments (scFvs). In some embodiments, each of the two scFvs binds to a distinct epitope on the same antigen.
  • the antigen-binding domain of the first chimeric receptor can be specific for EMCN and the chimeric receptor can be specific for a second distinct antigen, such as a cancer antigen (e.g., an antigen expressed on a myeloid cell, such as an AML cell).
  • the extracellular antigen-binding domain comprises a single- domain antibody (sdAb).
  • sdAb single- domain antibody
  • the sdAb is a humanized sdAb.
  • the sdAb is a chimeric sdAb.
  • a CAR of the present disclosure may comprise two or more antigen-binding domains, three or more antigen-binding domains, four or more antigen-binding domains, five or more antigen-binding domains, six or more antigen-binding domains, seven or more antigen-binding domains, eight or more antigen-binding domains, nine or more antigen- binding domains, or ten or more antigen-binding domains.
  • each of the two or more antigen-binding domains binds the same antigen.
  • each of the two or more antigen-binding domains binds a different epitope of the same antigen.
  • each of the two or more antigen-binding domains binds a different antigen.
  • the CAR comprises two antigen -binding domains.
  • the two antigen-binding domains are attached to one another via a flexible linker.
  • each of the two-antigen-binding domains may be independently selected from an antibody, an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody, an scFv, a sdAb, a recombinant fibronectin domain, a T cell receptor (TCR), a recombinant TCR with enhanced affinity, and a single chain TCR.
  • the CAR comprising two antigen-binding domains is a bispecific CAR or a tandem CAR (tanCAR).
  • the bispecific CAR or tanCAR comprises an antigen-binding domain comprising a bispecific antibody or antibody fragment (e.g., scFv).
  • a bispecific antibody or antibody fragment e.g., scFv
  • the VH can be upstream or downstream of the VL.
  • the upstream antibody or antibody fragment (e.g., scFv) is arranged with its VH (VHi) upstream of its VL (VLi) and the downstream antibody or antibody fragment (e.g., scFv) is arranged with its VL (VL2) upstream of its VH (VH2), such that the overall bispecific antibody molecule has the arrangement VH1-VL1-VL2-VH2.
  • the upstream antibody or antibody fragment (e.g., scFv) is arranged with its VL (VLi) upstream of its VH (VHi) and the downstream antibody or antibody fragment (e.g., scFv) is arranged with its VH (VH2) upstream of its VL (VL2), such that the overall bispecific antibody molecule has the arrangement VLi VH1-VH2-VL2.
  • a linker is disposed between the two antibodies or antibody fragments (e.g., scFvs), for example, between VLi and VL2 if the construct is arranged as VH1-VL1-VL2-VH2, or between VHi and VH2 if the construct is arranged as VL1-VH1-VH2- VL2.
  • the linker may be a linker as described herein, e.g., a (Gly4-Ser)n linker, wherein n is 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
  • the linker between the two scFvs should be long enough to avoid mispairing between the domains of the two scFvs.
  • a linker is disposed between the VL and VH of the first scFv. In some embodiments, a linker is disposed between the VL and VH of the second scFv. In constructs that have multiple linkers, any two or more of the linkers may be the same or different. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a bispecific CAR or tanCAR comprises VLs, VHs, and may further comprise one or more linkers in an arrangement as described herein.
  • a CD33/FLT3 bispecific bivalent aCAR can have antigen binding domains encoded in the following order: (FLT3-VH) - LI - (CD33-VH) - L2 - (CD33-VL) - L3 - (FLT3-VL), wherein LI, L2, and L3 are a first, a second, and a third peptide linker, respectively.
  • LI, L2, and L3 can be the same peptide linker.
  • LI, L2, and L3 can be the same peptide linker encoded by the same polynucleotide sequence.
  • LI, L2, and L3 can be the same peptide linker encoded by different polynucleotide sequences. LI and L3 can be the same peptide linker and L2 a different peptide linker. LI and L3 can be the same peptide linker encoded by the same polynucleotide sequence. LI and L3 can be the same peptide linker encoded by different polynucleotide sequences. LI, L2, and L3 can each be different peptide linkers.
  • the transmembrane domain of a CAR of the present disclosure comprises a hydrophobic alpha helix that spans at least a portion of a cell membrane. It has been shown that different transmembrane domains can result in different receptor stability. After antigen recognition, receptors cluster and a signal is transmitted to the cell.
  • the transmembrane domain of a CAR of the present disclosure can comprise the transmembrane domain of a CD8 polypeptide, a CD28 polypeptide, a CD3-zeta polypeptide, a CD4 polypeptide, a 4- IBB polypeptide, an 0X40 polypeptide, an ICOS polypeptide, a CTLA-4 polypeptide, a PD-1 polypeptide, a LAG-3 polypeptide, a 2B4 polypeptide, a BTLA polypeptide, a LIR-1 (LILRB1) polypeptide, or can be a synthetic peptide, or any combination thereof.
  • a CD8 polypeptide a CD28 polypeptide, a CD3-zeta polypeptide, a CD4 polypeptide, a 4- IBB polypeptide, an 0X40 polypeptide, an ICOS polypeptide, a CTLA-4 polypeptide, a PD-1 polypeptide, a LAG-3 polypeptide, a
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from a CD8 polypeptide. Any suitable CD8 polypeptide may be used. Exemplary CD8 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_001139345 and AAA92533.1. In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain is derived from a CD28 polypeptide. Any suitable CD28 polypeptide may be used. Exemplary CD28 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_006130.1 and NP_031668.3. In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain is derived from a CD3-zeta polypeptide. Any suitable CD3-zeta polypeptide may be used.
  • Exemplary CD3-zeta polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_932170.1 and NP_001106862.1.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from a CD4 polypeptide. Any suitable CD4 polypeptide may be used. Exemplary CD4 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_000607.1 and NP_038516.1.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from a 4- IBB polypeptide. Any suitable 4- 1BB polypeptide may be used. Exemplary 4- IBB polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_001552.2 and NP_001070977.1.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from an 0X40 polypeptide. Any suitable 0X40 polypeptide may be used. Exemplary 0X40 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_003318.1 and NP_035789.1. In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain is derived from an ICOS polypeptide. Any suitable ICOS polypeptide may be used. Exemplary ICOS polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_036224 and NP_059508. In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain is derived from a CTLA-4 polypeptide. Any suitable CTLA-4 polypeptide may be used.
  • Exemplary CTLA-4 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_005205.2 and NP_033973.2.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from a PD-1 polypeptide. Any suitable PD-1 polypeptide may be used.
  • Exemplary PD-1 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_005009 and NP_032824.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from a LAG-3 polypeptide. Any suitable LAG-3 polypeptide may be used.
  • Exemplary LAG-3 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_002277.4 and NP_032505.1.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from a 2B4 polypeptide. Any suitable 2B4 polypeptide may be used. Exemplary 2B4 polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_057466.1 and NP_061199.2. In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain is derived from a BTLA polypeptide. Any suitable BTLA polypeptide may be used. Exemplary BTLA polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_861445.4 and NP_001032808.2. Any suitable LIR-1 (LILRB1) polypeptide may be used. Exemplary LIR-1 (LILRB1) polypeptides include, without limitation, NCBI Reference Nos. NP_001075106.2 and NP_001075107.2.
  • the transmembrane domain comprises a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the sequence of NCBI Reference No.
  • the homology may be determined using standard software such as BLAST or EASTA.
  • the polypeptide may comprise one conservative amino acid substitution, up to two conservative amino acid substitutions, or up to three conservative amino acid substitutions.
  • the polypeptide can have an amino acid sequence that is a consecutive portion of NCBI Reference No.
  • transmembrane domain examples include, without limitation, the transmembrane region(s) of the alpha, beta or zeta chain of the T-cell receptor, CD27, CD3 epsilon, CD45, CD5, CD9, CD16, CD22, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137, CD154, KIRDS2, CD2, CD27, LFA-1 (CDl la, CD18), GITR, CD40, BAFFR, HVEM (LIGHTR), SLAMF7, NKp80 (KLRF1), NKp44, NKp30, NKp46, CD 160, CD 19, IL2R beta, IL2R gamma, IL7R0C, ITGA1, VLA1 , CD49a, ITGA4, IA4, CD49D, ITGA6, VLA-6, CD49f, ITGAD, CDl ld, ITGAE, CD103,
  • the transmembrane domain comprises the sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVIT (SEQ ID NO: 205). In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain comprises the sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHR (SEQ ID NO: 206). In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain comprises the sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHRN (SEQ ID NO: 207).
  • an iCAR transmembrane domain includes a LIR1 transmembrane domain. In some embodiments, an iCAR transmembrane domain includes a LIR1 transmembrane domain having the sequence VIGILVAVILLLLLLLLLFLI (SEQ ID NO: 259). In some embodiments, an iCAR transmembrane domain includes a LIR1 transmembrane domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence GTGATCGGCATTCTGGTCGCCGTGATCCTGCTCCTGTTGCTCCTGCTGCTTCTGTTCC TGATC (SEQ ID NO: 260).
  • an iCAR transmembrane domain includes a LIR1 transmembrane domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to GTGATCGGCATTCTGGTCGCCGTGATCCTGCTCCTGTTGCTCCTGCTGCTTCTGTTCC TGATC (SEQ ID NO: 260).
  • an aCAR transmembrane domain includes a CD8 transmembrane domain. In some embodiments, an aCAR transmembrane domain includes a CD8 transmembrane domain having the sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHR (SEQ ID NO: 206). In some embodiments, an aCAR transmembrane domain includes a CD8 transmembrane domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence ATCTATATCTGGGCCCCTCTGGCTGGCACATGCGGAGTTCTGCTGCTCAGCCTGGTC ATCACCCTGTACTGCAACCACAGA (SEQ ID NO: 261).
  • an aCAR transmembrane domain includes a CD8 transmembrane domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to ATCTATATCTGGGCCCCTCTGGCTGGCACATGCGGAGTTCTGCTGCTCAGCCTGGTC ATCACCCTGTACTGCAACCACAGA (SEQ ID NO: 261).
  • a CAR of the present disclosure can also comprise a spacer region that links the extracellular antigen-binding domain to the transmembrane domain.
  • the spacer region may be flexible enough to allow the antigen-binding domain to orient in different directions to facilitate antigen recognition.
  • the spacer region may be a hinge from a human protein.
  • the hinge may be a human Ig (immunoglobulin) hinge, including without limitation an IgG4 hinge, an IgG2 hinge, a CD8a hinge, or an IgD hinge.
  • the spacer region may comprise an IgG4 hinge, an IgG2 hinge, an IgD hinge, a CD28 hinge, a KIR2DS2 hinge, an LNGFR hinge, or a PDGFR-beta extracellular linker.
  • the spacer region is localized between the antigen-binding domain and the transmembrane domain.
  • a spacer region may comprise any of the amino acid sequences listed in Table 7, or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to any of the amino acid sequences listed in Table 7.
  • nucleic acids encoding any of the spacer regions of the present disclosure may comprise any of the nucleic acid sequences listed in Table 8, or a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to any of the nucleic acid sequences listed in Table 8.
  • an aCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge. In some embodiments, an aCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge having the amino acid sequence ALSNSIMYFSHFVPVFLPAKPTTTPAPRPPTPAPTIASQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVHTRGL DFACD (SEQ ID NO: 272).
  • an aCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence GCCCTGAGCAACAGCATCATGTACTTCAGCCACTTCGTGCCCGTGTTTCTGCCCGCC AAGCCTACAACAACCCCTGCTCCTAGACCACCTACACCAGCTCCTACAATCGCCAG CCAGCCTCTGTCTCTGAGGCCCGAAGCTTGTAGACCAGCTGCTGGCGGAGCCGTGC ATACAAGAGGACTGGATTTTGCCTGCGAC (SEQ ID NO: 284).
  • an aCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to GCCCTGAGCAACAGCATCATGTACTTCAGCCACTTCGTGCCCGTGTTTCTGCCCGCC AAGCCTACAACAACCCCTGCTCCTAGACCACCTACACCAGCTCCTACAATCGCCAG CCAGCCTCTGTCTCTGAGGCCCGAAGCTTGTAGACCAGCTGCTGGCGGAGCCGTGC ATACAAGAGGACTGGATTTTGCCTGCGAC (SEQ ID NO: 284).
  • an iCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge. In some embodiments, an iCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge having the amino acid sequence TTTPAPRPPTPAPTIALQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVHTRGLDFACD (SEQ ID NO: 271). In some embodiments, an iCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence ACAACAACACCCGCACCTCGGCCTCCAACTCCAGCTCCAACAATTGCACTGCAACC CCTGAGTCTGAGGCCCGAGGCCTGTAGGCCAGCAGCTGGCGGAGCTGTTCACACTA GAGGCCTGGACTTTGCCTGTGAC (SEQ ID NO: 283).
  • an iCAR hinge domain includes a CD8 hinge encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to ACAACAACACCCGCACCTCGGCCTCCAACTCCAGCTCCAACAATTGCACTGCAACC CCTGAGTCTGAGGCCCGAGGCCTGTAGGCCAGCAGCTGGCGGAGCTGTTCACACTA GAGGCCTGGACTTTGCCTGTGAC (SEQ ID NO: 283).
  • an iCAR hinge domain includes a LIR1 hinge. In some embodiments, an iCAR hinge domain includes a LIR1 hinge having the amino acid sequence HPSDPLELVVSGPSGGPSSPTTGPTSTSGPEDQPLTPTGSDPQSGLGRHLGV (SEQ ID NO: 417).
  • an iCAR hinge domain includes a LIR1 hinge encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence CACCCATCCGATCCTCTCGAGCTGGTGGTTTCTGGACCTTCTGGCGGCCCTAGCAGC CCTACAACAGGACCTACAAGCACAAGCGGCCCTGAGGACCAACCTCTGACACCAAC AGGCAGCGATCCTCAGTCTGGACTGGGGAGACATCTGGGCGTT (SEQ ID NO: 418).
  • an iCAR hinge domain includes a LIR1 hinge encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to CACCCATCCGATCCTCTCGAGCTGGTGGTTTCTGGACCTTCTGGCGGCCCTAGCAGC CCTACAACAGGACCTACAAGCACAAGCGGCCCTGAGGACCAACCTCTGACACCAAC AGGCAGCGATCCTCAGTCTGGACTGGGGAGACATCTGGGCGTT (SEQ ID NO: 418).
  • Table 7 Spacer Amino Acid Sequences
  • a CAR of the present disclosure may further include a short oligopeptide or polypeptide linker that is between 2 amino acid residues and 10 amino acid residues in length, and that may form the linkage between the transmembrane domain and the cytoplasmic region of the CAR.
  • a suitable linker is a glycine-serine doublet.
  • the linker comprises the ammo acid sequence of GGCKJSGGCKJS (SEQ ID NO: 208).
  • the transmembrane domain further comprises at least a portion of an extracellular domain of the same protein.
  • a CAR of the present disclosure comprises one or more cytoplasmic domains or regions.
  • the cytoplasmic domain or region of the CAR may include an intracellular signaling domain.
  • Suitable intracellular signaling domains include, without limitation, cytoplasmic sequences of the T cell receptor (TCR) and co-receptors that act in concert to modulate signal transduction following antigen receptor engagement, as well as any derivative or variant of these sequences and any recombinant sequence that has the same functional capability.
  • TCR T cell receptor
  • T cell activation may be mediated by two distinct classes of cytoplasmic signaling sequences, those that initiate antigen-dependent primary activation through the TCR (primary intracellular signaling domains) and those that act in an antigen-independent manner to provide a secondary or co-stimulatory signal (secondary cytoplasmic domain, e.g., a co-stimulatory domain).
  • primary intracellular signaling domains those that initiate antigen-dependent primary activation through the TCR
  • secondary cytoplasmic domain e.g., a co-stimulatory domain
  • T cell signaling and function e.g., an activating signaling cascade
  • T cell signaling and function can be negatively regulated by inhibitory receptors present in a T cell through intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domains.
  • the intracellular signaling domain of a CAR of the present disclosure can include an inhibitory intracellular signaling domains.
  • inhibitory intracellular domains that can be used include PD-1, CTLA4, TIGIT, BTLA, and LIR-1 (LILRB1), TIM3, KIR3DL1, NKG2A, LAG3, SLAP1, SLAP2, Dok-1, Dok-2, LAIR1, GRB-2, CD200R, SIRPa, HAVR, GITR, PD-L1, KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR3DL2, CD94, KLRG-1, CEACAM1, LIR2, LIR3, LIR5, SIGLEC-2, and SIGLEC-10.
  • the inhibitory intracellular signaling domain includes one or more intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domains (e.g., see Table 9 and Table 10.
  • the one or more intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domains are linked to other domains (e.g., a transmembrane domain) through a peptide linker (e.g., see Table 6) or a spacer or hinge sequence (e.g., see Tables 7 and 8).
  • the two or more intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domains can be linked through a peptide linker (e.g., see Table 6) or a spacer or hinge sequence (e.g., see Tables 7 and 8).
  • the intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domain is an inhibitory domain.
  • the one or more intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domains of a chimeric protein comprises one or more ITIM-containing protein, or fragment(s) thereof. ITIMs are conserved amino acid sequences found in cytoplasmic tails of many inhibitory immune receptors.
  • ITIM- containing proteins include, but are not limited to, PD-1, TIGIT, BTLA, and LIR-1 (LILRB1), TIM3, KIR3DL1, NKG2A, LAG3, LAIR1, SIRPa, KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR3DL2, CD94, KLRG-1, CEACAM1, LIR2, LIR3, LIR5, SIGLEC-2, and SIGLEC-10.
  • an iCAR includes a LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain. In some embodiments, an iCAR includes a LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain having the amino acid sequence LRHRRQGKHWTSTQRKADFQHPAGAVGPEPTDRGLQWRSSPAADAQEENLYAAVKH TQPEDGVEMDTRSPHDEDPQAVTYAEVKHSRPRREMASPPSPLSGEFLDTKDRQAEED RQMDTEAAASEAPQDVTYAQLHSLTLRREATEPPPSQEGPSPAVPSIYATLAIH (SEQ ID NO: 285).
  • an iCAR includes a LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence CTGCGGCACAGAAGGCAGGGCAAGCACTGGACAAGCACCCAGAGAAAGGCCGACT TTCAGCATCCTGCTGGCGCCGTTGGACCTGAGCCTACAGATAGAGGACTGCAGTGG CGGTCTAGCCCTGCCGCTGATGCCCAAGAGGAAAATCTTTACGCCGCCGTGAAGCA CACCCAGCCTGAGGATGGCGTGGAAATGGACACCAGATCTCCCCACGATGAGGACC CTCAGGCCGTGACATACGCAGAAGTGAAGCACTCCAGACCTCGGAGAGAGATGGC AAGCCCTCC ATCTCCTCTGAGCGGCGAGTTCCTGGAC ACC AAAGACAGAC AGGCCG AAGAGGACAGACAGATGGATACCGAAGCCGCCGCTTCTGAAGCCACAGGATGT GACATATGCCCAGCTGCATAGCCTGACACTGCGGAGAGAAGCC
  • an iCAR includes a LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to CTGCGGCACAGAAGGCAGGGCAAGCACTGGACAAGCACCCAGAGAAAGGCCGACT TTCAGCATCCTGCTGGCGCCGTTGGACCTGAGCCTACAGATAGAGGACTGCAGTGG CGGTCTAGCCCTGCCGCTGATGCCCAAGAGGAAAATCTTTACGCCGCCGTGAAGCA CACCCAGCCTGAGGATGGCGTGGAAATGGACACCAGATCTCCCCACGATGAGGACC CTCAGGCCGTGACATACGCAGAAGTGAAGCACTCCAGACCTCGGAGAGAGATGGC AAGCCCTCCATCTCCTCTGAGCGGCGAGTTCCTGGACACCAAAGACAGACAGGCCG
  • the one or more intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domains comprise one or more non-ITIM scaffold proteins, or a fragment(s) thereof.
  • the one or more non-ITIM scaffold proteins, or fragments thereof are selected from GRB-2, Dok-1, Dok-2, SLAP, LAG3, HAVR, GITR, and PD-L1.
  • the inhibitory intracellular signaling domain can further include an enzymatic inhibitory domain.
  • the enzymatic inhibitory domain comprises an enzyme catalytic domain.
  • the enzyme catalytic domain is derived from an enzyme selected from the group consisting of: CSK, SHP-1, PTEN, CD45, CD148, PTP-MEG1, PTP-PEST, c- CBL, CBL-b, PTPN22, LAR, PTPH1, SHIP-1, and RasGAP. Examples of enzymatic regulation of signaling is described in more detail in Pavel Otahal et al. (Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 Feb;1813(2):367-76), Kosugi A., et al.
  • the intracellular signaling domain of a CAR of the present disclosure can comprise a primary signaling domain regulates primary activation of the TCR complex either in a stimulatory way or in an inhibitory way.
  • Primary intracellular signaling domains that act in a stimulatory manner may contain signaling motifs which are known as immunoreceptor tyrosine -based activation motifs (IT AMs).
  • ITAM- containing primary intracellular signaling domains examples include, without limitation, those of CD3-zeta, FcR gamma, FcR beta, CD3 gamma, CD3 delta, CD3 epsilon, CD5, CD22, CD79a, CD79b, CD278 (also known as "ICOS"), FceRI, DAP10, DAP12, and CD66d.
  • a CAR of the present disclosure comprises an intracellular signaling domain, e.g., a primary signaling domain of CD3-zeta polypeptide.
  • a CD3-zeta polypeptide of the present disclosure may have an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the sequence of NCBI Reference No. NP_932170 or NP_001106864.2, or fragments thereof.
  • the CD3-zeta polypeptide may comprise one conservative amino acid substitution, up to two conservative amino acid substitutions, or up to three conservative amino acid substitutions.
  • the polypeptide can have an amino acid sequence that is a consecutive portion of NCBI Reference No. NP_932170 or NP_001106864.2 that is at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 110, at least 120, at least 130, at least 140, at least 150, or at least 160, at least 170, or at least 180 amino acids in length.
  • a primary signaling domain comprises a modified ITAM domain, e.g., a mutated ITAM domain which has altered (e.g., increased or decreased) activity as compared to the native ITAM domain.
  • a primary signaling domain comprises a modified ITAM-containing primary intracellular signaling domain, e.g., an optimized and/or truncated ITAM-containing primary intracellular signaling domain.
  • a primary signaling domain comprises one, two, three, four or more ITAM motifs.
  • the intracellular signaling domain of a CAR of the present disclosure can comprise the CD3-zeta signaling domain by itself or it can be combined with any other desired intracellular signaling domain(s) useful in the context of a CAR of the present disclosure.
  • the intracellular signaling domain of the CAR can comprise a CD3-zeta chain portion and a costimulatory signaling domain.
  • the costimulatory signaling domain may refer to a portion of the CAR comprising the intracellular domain of a costimulatory molecule.
  • a costimulatory molecule of the present disclosure is a cell surface molecule other than an antigen receptor or its ligands that may be required for an efficient response of lymphocytes to an antigen.
  • Suitable costimulatory molecules include, without limitation, CD97, CD2, ICOS, CD27, CD154, CD8, 0X40, 4-1BB, CD28, ZAP40, CD30, GITR, HVEM, DAP10, DAP12, MyD88, 2B4, CD40, PD-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, B7-H3, and a ligand that specifically binds with CD83, an MHC class I molecule, a TNF receptor protein, an Immunoglobulin-like protein, a cytokine receptor, an integrin, a signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM protein), an activating NK cell receptor, BTLA, a Toll ligand receptor, CDS, ICAM-1, (CDl la/CD18), BAFFR, KIRDS2, SLAMF7, NKp80 (KLRF1), NKp44, NKp30, NKp46, CD19
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD28 co- stimulatory domain. In some embodiments, aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD28 co-stimulatory domain having the amino acid sequence RSKRSRLLHSDYMNMTPRRPGPTRKHYQPYAPPRDFAAYRS (SEQ ID NO: 287).
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD28 co-stimulatory domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence AGAAGCAAGCGGAGCAGACTGCTGCACAGCGACTACATGAACATGACCCCTAGAC GGCCCGGACCTACCAGAAAGCACTACCAGCCTTACGCTCCTCCTAGAGATTTCGCC GCCTACCGGTCC (SEQ ID NO: 288).
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD28 co-stimulatory domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to AGAAGCAAGCGGAGCAGACTGCTGCACAGCGACTACATGAACATGACCCCTAGAC GGCCCGGACCTACCAGAAAGCACTACCAGCCTTACGCTCCTCCTAGAGATTTCGCC GCCTACCGGTCC (SEQ ID NO: 288).
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD3( ⁇ signaling domain. In some embodiments, aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD3( ⁇ signaling domain having the amino acid sequence RVKFSRSADAPAYKQGQNQLYNELNLGRREEYDVLDKRRGRDPEMGGKPRRKNPQEG LYNELQKDKMAEAYSEIGMKGERRRGKGHDGLYQGLSTATKDTYDALHMQALPPR (SEQ ID NO: 289).
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD3( ⁇ signaling domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having the sequence AGAGTGAAGTTCAGCAGGAGCGCAGACGCCCCCGCGTACAAGCAGGGCCAGAACC AGCTCTATAACGAGCTCAATCTAGGACGAAGAGAGGAGTACGATGTTTTGGACAAG AGACGTGGCCGGGACCCTGAGATGGGGGGAAAGCCGAGAAGGAAGAACCCTCAGG AAGGCCTGTACAATGAACTGCAGAAAGATAAGATGGCGGAGGCCTACAGTGAGAT TGGGATGAAAGGCGAGCGCCGGAGGGGCAAGGGGCACGATGGCCTTTACCAGGGT CTCAGTACAGCCACCAAGGACACCTACGACGCCCTTCACATGCAGGCCCTGCCCCCCC TCGC (SEQ ID NO: 290).
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD3( ⁇ signaling domain encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to AGAGTGAAGTTCAGCAGGAGCGCAGACGCCCCCGCGTACAAGCAGGGCCAGAACC AGCTCTATAACGAGCTCAATCTAGGACGAAGAGAGGAGTACGATGTTTTGGACAAG AGACGTGGCCGGGACCCTGAGATGGGGGGAAAGCCGAGAAGGAAGAACCCTCAGG AAGGCCTGTACAATGAACTGCAGAAAGATAAGATGGCGGAGGCCTACAGTGAGAT TGGGATGAAAGGCGAGCCGGAGGGGCAAGGGGCACGATGGCCTTTACCAGGGT CTCAGTACAGCCACCAAGGACACCTACGACGCCCTTCACATGCAGGCCCTGCCCCCCC
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD28 co- stimulatory domain and a CD3 ⁇ signaling domain.
  • aCAR intracellular signaling domains include a CD28 co-stimulatory domain having the amino acid sequence RSKRSRLLHSDYMNMTPRRPGPTRKHYQPYAPPRDFAAYRS (SEQ ID NO: 287) and a CD3( ⁇ signaling domain having the amino acid sequence RVKFSRSADAPAYKQGQNQLYNELNLGRREEYDVLDKRRGRDPEMGGKPRRKNPQEG LYNELQKDKMAEAYSEIGMKGERRRGKGHDGLYQGLSTATKDTYDALHMQALPPR (SEQ ID NO: 289).
  • the intracellular signaling sequences within the cytoplasmic portion of a CAR of the present disclosure may be linked to each other in a random or specified order.
  • a short oligopeptide or polypeptide linker for example, between 2 amino acids and 10 amino acids (e.g., 2 amino acids, 3 amino acids, 4 amino acids, 5 amino acids, 6 amino acids, 7 amino acids, 8 amino acids, 9 amino acids, or 10 amino acids) in length may form the linkage between intracellular signaling sequences.
  • a glycine- serine doublet can be used as a suitable linker.
  • the intracellular signaling domain comprises two or more costimulatory signaling domains, e.g., two costimulatory signaling domains, three costimulatory signaling domains, four costimulatory signaling domains, five costimulatory signaling domains, six costimulatory signaling domains, seven costimulatory signaling domains, eight costimulatory signaling domains, nine costimulatory signaling domains, 10 costimulatory signaling domains, or more costimulatory signaling domains.
  • costimulatory signaling domains e.g., two costimulatory signaling domains, three costimulatory signaling domains, four costimulatory signaling domains, five costimulatory signaling domains, six costimulatory signaling domains, seven costimulatory signaling domains, eight costimulatory signaling domains, nine costimulatory signaling domains, 10 costimulatory signaling domains, or more costimulatory signaling domains.
  • the intracellular signaling domain comprises two costimulatory signaling domains.
  • the two or more costimulatory signaling domains are separated by a linker of the present disclosure (e.g., any of the linkers described in Table 6).
  • the linker is a glycine residue.
  • the linker is an alanine residue.
  • a cell of the present disclosure expresses a CAR that includes an antigen-binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a primary signaling domain, and one or more costimulatory signaling domains.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from the same protein as one of the one or more intracellular signaling domains.
  • the CAR is an inhibitory CAR and includes a transmembrane domain and at least one intracellular inhibitory co-signaling domain each derived from a protein selected from PD-1, CTLA4, TIGIT, BTLA, and LIR1 (LILRB1), TIM3, KIR3DL1, NKG2A, LAG3, SLAP1, SLAP2, Dok-1, Dok-2, LAIR1, GRB-2, CD200R, SIRPa, HAVR, GITR, PD-L1, KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR3DL2, CD94, KLRG-1, CEACAM1, LIR2, LIR3, LIR5, SIGLEC-2, and SIGLEC-10.
  • the transmembrane domain is derived from a first protein and the one or more intracellular signaling domains are derived from a second protein that are distinct from the first protein.
  • a CAR of the present disclosure comprises one or more components of a natural killer cell receptor (NKR), thereby forming an NKR-CAR.
  • the NKR component may be a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, or a cytoplasmic domain from any suitable natural killer cell receptor, including without limitation, a killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR), such as KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2/L3, KIR2DL4, KIR2DL5A, KIR2DL5B, KIR2DS1, KIR2DS2, KIR2DS3, KIR2DS4, DIR2DS5, KIR3DL1/S1, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, KIR2DP1, and KIRS DPI; a natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR), such as NKp30, NKp44, NKp46; a signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) family of immune cell receptor, such as CD48, CD229, 2B4, CD84, NTB-A, CRACC
  • the NKR-CAR may interact with an adaptor molecule or intracellular signaling domain, such as DAP12.
  • an adaptor molecule or intracellular signaling domain such as DAP12.
  • Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a cell, such as an immunoresponsive cell, that has been genetically engineered to comprise one or more chimeric receptors of the present disclosure or one or more nucleic acids encoding such chimeric receptors, and to methods of using such cells for treating myeloid malignancies (e.g., AML).
  • a cell such as an immunoresponsive cell
  • myeloid malignancies e.g., AML
  • the cell is a mammalian cell.
  • the mammalian cell is a primary cell.
  • the mammalian cell is a cell line.
  • the cell is a stem cell.
  • Exemplary stem cells include, without limitation embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), adult stem cells, and tissue- specific stem cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells (blood stem cells), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), neural stem cells, epithelial stem cells, or skin stem cells.
  • the cell is a cell that is derived or differentiated from a stem cell of the present disclosure.
  • the cell is an immune cell. Immune cells of the present disclosure may be isolated or differentiated from a stem cell of the present disclosure (e.g., from an ESC or iPSC).
  • Exemplary immune cells include, without limitation, T cells (e.g., helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, memory T cells, regulatory T cells, natural killer T cells, alpha beta T cells, and gamma delta T cells), B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, myeloid cells, macrophages, and monocytes.
  • T cells e.g., helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, memory T cells, regulatory T cells, natural killer T cells, alpha beta T cells, and gamma delta T cells
  • B cells natural killer (NK) cells
  • dendritic cells myeloid cells
  • macrophages macrophages
  • monocytes e.g., monocytes.
  • the cell is a neuronal cell.
  • Neuronal cells of the present disclosure may be isolated or differentiated from a stem cell of the present disclosure (e.g., from an ESC or iPSC).
  • neuronal cells include, without limitation, neural progenitor cells, neurons (e.g., sensory neurons, motor neurons, cholinergic neurons, GABAergic neurons, glutamatergic neurons, dopaminergic neurons, or serotonergic neurons), astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia.
  • neurons e.g., sensory neurons, motor neurons, cholinergic neurons, GABAergic neurons, glutamatergic neurons, dopaminergic neurons, or serotonergic neurons
  • astrocytes e.g., oligodendrocytes
  • microglia e.g., glia.
  • the cell is an immunoresponsive cell.
  • Immunoresponsive cells of the present disclosure may be isolated or differentiated from a stem cell of the present disclosure (e.g., from an ESC or iPSC).
  • Exemplary immunoresponsive cells of the present disclosure include, without limitation, cells of the lymphoid lineage.
  • the lymphoid lineage comprising B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, provides for the production of antibodies, regulation of the cellular immune system, detection of foreign agents in the blood, detection of cells foreign to the host, and the like.
  • immunoresponsive cells of the lymphoid lineage include, without limitation, T cells, Natural Killer (NK) cells, embryonic stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (e.g., those from which lymphoid cells may be derived or differentiated).
  • T cells can be lymphocytes that mature in the thymus and are chiefly responsible for cell-mediated immunity. T cells are involved in the adaptive immune system.
  • T cells of the present disclosure can be any type of T cells, including, without limitation, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, memory T cells (including central memory T cells, stem-cell-like memory T cells (or stem-like memory T cells), and two types of effector memory T cells: e.g., TEM cells and TEMRA cells, regulatory T cells (also known as suppressor T cells), natural killer T cells, mucosal associated invariant T cells, and y5 T cells.
  • Cytotoxic T cells CTL or killer T cells
  • a patient's own T cells may be genetically modified to target specific antigens through the introduction of one or more chimeric receptors, such as a chimeric TCRs or CARs.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells can be lymphocytes that are part of cell-mediated immunity and act during the innate immune response. NK cells do not require prior activation in order to perform their cytotoxic effect on target cells.
  • an immunoresponsive cell of the present disclosure is a T cell.
  • T cells of the present disclosure may be autologous, allogeneic, or derived in vitro from engineered progenitor or stem cells.
  • an immunoresponsive cell of the present disclosure is a universal T cell with deficient TCR-ap.
  • Methods of developing universal T cells are described in the art, for example, in Valton et al., Molecular Therapy (2015); 23 9, 1507-1518, and Torikai et al., Blood 2012 119:5697-5705.
  • an immunoresponsive cell of the present disclosure is an isolated immunoresponsive cell comprising one or more chimeric receptors of the present disclosure.
  • the immunoresponsive cell comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or ten or more chimeric receptors of the present disclosure.
  • an immunoresponsive cell is a T cell. In some embodiments, an immunoresponsive cell is a Natural Killer (NK) cell.
  • NK Natural Killer
  • an immunoresponsive cell expresses or is capable of expressing an immune receptor.
  • Immune receptors generally are capable of inducing signal transduction or changes in protein expression in the immune receptor-expressing cell that results in the modulation of an immune response upon binding to a cognate ligand (e.g., regulate, activate, initiate, stimulate, increase, prevent, attenuate, inhibit, reduce, decrease, inhibit, or suppress an immune response).
  • a cognate ligand e.g., regulate, activate, initiate, stimulate, increase, prevent, attenuate, inhibit, reduce, decrease, inhibit, or suppress an immune response.
  • ITAMs immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs
  • an endogenous TCR, exogenous TCR, chimeric TCR, or a CAR specifically an activating CAR
  • a formation of an immunological synapse occurs that includes clustering of many molecules near the bound receptor (e.g., CD4 or CD8, CD3y/8/e/ ⁇ , etc.).
  • This clustering of membrane bound signaling molecules allows for IT AM motifs contained within the CD3 chains to become phosphorylated that in turn can initiate a T cell activation pathway and ultimately activates transcription factors, such as NF-KB and AP-1.
  • transcription factors are capable of inducing global gene expression of the T cell to increase IL-2 production for proliferation and expression of master regulator T cell proteins in order to initiate a T cell mediated immune response, such as cytokine production and/or T cell mediated killing.
  • a cell of the present disclosure comprises two or more chimeric receptors of the present disclosure.
  • the cell comprises two or more chimeric receptors, wherein one of the two or more chimeric receptors is a chimeric inhibitory receptor.
  • the cell comprises three or more chimeric receptors, wherein at least one of the three or more chimeric receptors is a chimeric inhibitory receptor.
  • the cell comprises four or more chimeric receptors, wherein at least one of the four or more chimeric receptors is a chimeric inhibitory receptor.
  • the cell comprises five or more chimeric receptors, wherein at least one of the five or more chimeric receptors is a chimeric inhibitory receptor.
  • each of the two or more chimeric receptors comprise a different antigen-binding domain, e.g., that binds to the same antigen or to a different antigen.
  • each antigen bound by the two or more chimeric receptors are expressed on the same cell, such as a myeloid cell type (e.g., same AML cell type).
  • each antigen bound by the two or more chimeric receptors is an AML-associated antigen (e.g., FLT3, CD33, CD123, CLEC12A, CXCR4, EphA3, etc.).
  • a cell of the present disclosure expresses two or more distinct chimeric receptors
  • the antigen-binding domain of each of the different chimeric receptors may be designed such that the antigen-binding domains do not interact with one another.
  • a cell of the present disclosure e.g., an immunoresponsive cell
  • expressing a first chimeric receptor e.g., an EMCN-specific chimeric receptor
  • a second chimeric receptor may comprise a first chimeric receptor that comprises an antigen-binding domain that does not form an association with the antigen-binding domain of the second chimeric receptor.
  • the antigen-binding domain of the first chimeric receptor may comprise an antibody fragment, such as an scFv
  • the antigen-binding domain of the second chimeric receptor may comprise a VHH.
  • chimeric membrane embedded receptors that each comprise an antigen-binding domain
  • interactions between the antigen-binding domains of each of the receptors can be undesirable, because such interactions may inhibit the ability of one or more of the antigen-binding domains to bind their cognate antigens.
  • cells of the present disclosure e.g., immunoresponsive cells
  • the chimeric receptors comprise antigen-binding domains that minimize such inhibitory interactions.
  • the antigen-binding domain of one chimeric receptor comprises an scFv and the antigen-binding domain of the second chimeric receptor comprises a single VH domain, e.g., a camelid, shark, or lamprey single VH domain, or a single VH domain derived from a human or mouse sequence.
  • binding of the antigen- binding domain of the first chimeric receptor to its cognate antigen is not substantially reduced by the presence of the second chimeric receptor. In some embodiments, binding of the antigen- binding domain of the first chimeric receptor to its cognate antigen in the presence of the second chimeric receptor is 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% of binding of the antigen-binding domain of the first chimeric receptor to its cognate antigen in the absence of the second chimeric receptor.
  • the antigen-binding domains of the first chimeric receptor and the second chimeric receptor when present on the surface of a cell, associate with one another less than if both were scFv antigen-binding domains. In some embodiments, the antigen- binding domains of the first chimeric receptor and the second chimeric receptor associate with one another 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% less than if both were scFv antigen- binding domains.
  • a cell of the present disclosure comprises one or more chimeric inhibitory receptors of the present disclosure.
  • each of the one or more chimeric inhibitory receptors comprises an antigen- binding domain that binds an antigen generally expressed on normal cells (e.g., cells generally considered to be healthy) but not on tumor cells, such as AML cells.
  • a chimeric inhibitory receptor includes an antigen-binding domain that binds EMCN (e.g., an EMCN-specific antigen-binding domain having one or more of the amino acid sequences listed in Table 11).
  • the one or more chimeric inhibitory receptors bind antigens that are expressed on a non-tumor cell derived from a tissue selected from the group consisting of brain, neuronal tissue, endocrine, bone, bone marrow, immune system, endothelial tissue, muscle, lung, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, urinary bladder, male reproductive organs, female reproductive organs, adipose, soft tissue, and skin.
  • a chimeric inhibitory receptor (e.g., an EMCN-specific chimeric inhibitory receptor) may be used, for example, with one or more activating chimeric receptors (e.g., activating chimeric TCRs or CARs) expressed on a cell of the present disclosure (e.g., an immunoresponsive cell) as NOT-logic gates to control, modulate, or otherwise inhibit one or more activities of the one or more activating chimeric receptors.
  • a chimeric inhibitory receptor of the present disclosure may inhibit one or more activities of a cell of the present disclosure (e.g., an immunoresponsive cell).
  • a cell of the present disclosure comprises one or more chimeric inhibitory receptors of the present disclosure and further comprises a tumor-targeting chimeric receptor that binds to one or more tumor-associated antigens.
  • the one or more tumor-associated antigens include an AML- associated antigen.
  • the one or more tumor-associated antigens include CD33.
  • the one or more tumor-associated antigens include FLT3.
  • the one or more tumor- associated antigens include CD33 and FLT3.
  • a cell of the present disclosure can further include one or more recombinant or exogenous co-stimulatory ligands.
  • the cell can be further transduced with one or more co-stimulatory ligands, such that the cell co- expresses or is induced to co-express one or more chimeric receptors of the present disclosure (e.g., the EMCN-specific, FLT3- specific, and/or CD33-specific CARs described herein) and one or more co-stimulatory ligands.
  • TNF tumor necrosis factor
  • Ig immunoglobulin
  • TNF superfamily members are synthesized as type II transmembrane proteins (extracellular C-terminus) containing a short cytoplasmic segment and a relatively long extracellular region.
  • suitable TNF superfamily members include, without limitation, nerve growth factor (NGF), CD40L (CD40L)/CD 154, CD137L/4-1BBL, TNF-a, CD134L/OX40L/CD252, CD27L/CD70, Fas ligand (FasL), CD30L/CD153, tumor necrosis factor beta (TNFP)/lymphotoxin- alpha (LTa), lymphotoxin-beta (LTP), CD257/B cell- activating factor (B AFF)/Bly s/THANK/Tall- 1, glucocorticoid- induced TNF Receptor ligand (GITRL), and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), LIGHT (TNESE 14).
  • NGF nerve growth factor
  • immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily is a large group of cell surface and soluble proteins that are involved in the recognition, binding, or adhesion processes of cells. These proteins share structural features with immunoglobulins and possess an immunoglobulin domain (fold).
  • suitable immunoglobulin superfamily ligands include, without limitation, CD80 and CD86, both ligands for CD28, PD-L1/(B7-H1) that ligands for PD-1.
  • the one or more co-stimulatory ligands are selected from 4-1 BBL, CD80, CD86, CD70, OX40L, CD48, TNERSE14, PD-L1, and combinations thereof.
  • a cell of the present disclosure comprises one or more chimeric receptors (e.g., the EMCN- specific, ELT3-specific, and/or CD33-specific CARs described herein) and may further include one or more chemokine receptors.
  • chemokine receptors e.g., the EMCN- specific, ELT3-specific, and/or CD33-specific CARs described herein
  • transgenic expression of chemokine receptor CCR2b or CXCR2 in cells such as T cells, enhances trafficking to CCL2- secreting or CXCL1 -secreting solid tumors (Craddock et al, J Immunother. 2010 Oct; 33(8):780-8 and Kershaw et al. Hum Gene Ther. 2002 Nov 1; 13(16): 1971 -80).
  • chemokine receptors expressed on chimeric receptor-expressing cells of the present disclosure may recognize chemokines secreted by tumors and improve targeting of the cell to the tumor, which may facilitate the infiltration of the cell to the tumor and enhance the antitumor efficacy of the cell.
  • Chemokine receptors of the present disclosure may include a naturally occurring chemokine receptor, a recombinant chemokine receptor, or a chemokine-binding fragment thereof.
  • the chemokine receptor to be expressed on the cell is chosen based on the chemokines secreted by the tumor.
  • Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to regulating one or more chimeric receptor activities of chimeric receptor-expressing cells of the present disclosure (e.g., the EMCN-specific CARs described herein).
  • chimeric receptor activities can be regulated.
  • a regulatable chimeric receptor wherein one or more chimeric receptor activities can be controlled, may be desirable to optimize the safety and/or efficacy of the chimeric receptor therapy. For example, inducing apoptosis using a caspase fused to a dimerization domain (see, e.g., Di et al., N Engl. J. Med. 2011 Nov.
  • a chimeric receptor-expressing cell of the present disclosure can also express an inducible Caspase-9 (iCaspase-9) that, upon administration of a dimerizer drug, such as rimiducid (IUPAC name: [(lR)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-l-[3-[2-[[2-[3-[(lR)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-l-[(2S)- l-[(2S)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)butanoyl]piperidine-2- carbonyl] oxypropyl]phenoxy] acetyl] amino] ethylamino] -2-oxoethoxy]phenyl]propyl] (2S)-1- [(2S)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)
  • the iCaspase-9 contains a binding domain that comprises a chemical inducer of dimerization (CID) that mediates dimerization in the presence of the CID, which results in inducible and selective depletion of the chimeric receptor-expressing cells.
  • CID chemical inducer of dimerization
  • a chimeric receptor of the present disclosure may be regulated by utilizing a small molecule or an antibody that deactivates or otherwise inhibits chimeric receptor activity.
  • an antibody may delete the chimeric receptor- expressing cells by inducing antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).
  • a chimeric receptor-expressing cell of the present disclosure may further express an antigen that is recognized by a molecule that is capable of inducing cell death by ADCC or complement-induced cell death.
  • a chimeric receptor-expressing cell of the present disclosure may further express a receptor capable of being targeted by an antibody or antibody fragment.
  • Suitable receptors include, without limitation, EpCAM, VEGFR, integrins (e.g., avP3, a4, al%p3, a4p7, a5pi, avP3, av), members of the TNF receptor superfamily (e.g., TRAIE-R1 and TRAIE-R2), PDGF receptor, interferon receptor, folate receptor, GPNMB, ICAM-1 , HEA-DR, CEA, CA- 125, MUC1, TAG-72, IL-6 receptor, 5T4, GD2, GD3, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD11, CDlla/LFA-1, CD15, CD18/ITGB2, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD23/IgE Receptor, CD25, CD28, CD30, CD33, CD38, CD40, CD41 , CD44, CD51, CD52, CD62L, CD74, CD80, CD125, CD147/basigin,
  • TNF receptor superfamily e.
  • a chimeric receptor-expressing cell of the present disclosure may also express a truncated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that lacks signaling capacity but retains an epitope that is recognized by molecules capable of inducing ADCC (e.g., WO201 1/056894).
  • EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor
  • a chimeric receptor-expressing cell of the present disclosure further includes a highly expressing compact marker/suicide gene that combines target epitopes from both CD32 and CD20 antigens in the chimeric receptor-expressing cell, which binds an anti-CD20 antibody (e.g., rituximab) resulting in selective depletion of the chimeric receptor- expressing cell by ADCC.
  • an anti-CD20 antibody e.g., rituximab
  • Other methods for depleting chimeric receptor-expressing cells of the present disclosure my include, without limitation, administration of a monoclonal anti-CD52 antibody that selectively binds and targets the chimeric receptor-expressing cell for destruction by inducing ADCC.
  • the chimeric receptor-expressing cell can be selectively targeted using a chimeric receptor ligand, such as an anti-idiotypic antibody.
  • the anti-idiotypic antibody can cause effector cell activity, such as ADCC or ADC activity.
  • the chimeric receptor ligand can be further coupled to an agent that induces cell killing, such as a toxin.
  • a chimeric receptor-expressing cell of the present disclosure may further express a target protein recognized by a cell depleting agent of the present disclosure.
  • the target protein is CD20 and the cell depleting agent is an anti-CD20 antibody.
  • the cell depleting agent is administered once it is desirable to reduce or eliminate the chimeric receptor-expressing cell.
  • the cell depleting agent is an anti-CD52 antibody.
  • a regulated chimeric receptor comprises a set of polypeptides, in which the components of a chimeric receptor of the present disclosure are partitioned on separate polypeptides or members.
  • the set of polypeptides may include a dimerization switch that, when in the presence of a dimerization molecule, can couple the polypeptides to one another to form a functional chimeric receptor.
  • the present disclosure provides antigen-binding domains (e.g., single-chain variable fragments) that bind to endomucin (EMCN), chimeric proteins including antigen-binding domains that bind to EMCN (e.g., any of the iCARs described herein), and nucleic acids encoding such antigen -binding domains and chimeric proteins.
  • EMCN is a sialoglycoprotein that interferes with assembly of focal adhesion complexes and inhibits interaction between cells and extracellular matrix.
  • EMCN-specific antigen-binding domains bind to human EMCN (e.g., Uniprot Q9ULC0, herein incorporated by reference for all purposes) or an epitope fragment thereof.
  • EMCN can be expressed on cells generally considered to be healthy, such as healthy hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), HSPCs, healthy multipotent progenitors (MPPs), healthy lympho-myeloid primed progenitor (LMPPs), and healthy hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs).
  • HSCs healthy hematopoietic stem cells
  • MPPs healthy lympho-myeloid primed progenitor
  • HPCs healthy hematopoietic progenitor cells
  • EMCN can be expressed on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs).
  • EMCN can be expressed on HSCs.
  • EMCN can be expressed on MPPs.
  • EMCN can be expressed on LMPPs.
  • EMCN can be expressed on HPCs.
  • EMCN-specific antibodies have been previously described, including CBFYE-0213, V.7.C7.1, L4B1, L5F12, L10B5, L3F12, L6H3, , L9H8, and L10F12, as described in Samulowitz U. et al., Am. J. Path., 2002 May, 160(5): 1669-1681, herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • the present disclosure provides an EMCN-specific antigen-binding domain including one or more of the amino acid sequences listed in Table 11.
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for EMCN includes a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region, wherein: the EMCN-VH includes a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of RYDMH (SEQ ID NO: 291), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-H2) having the amino acid sequence of VIWGNGNTHYHSALKS (SEQ ID NO: 296), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of RIKD (SEQ ID NO: 298), and the EMCN-VL includes a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of KSSQSLVASDENTYLN (SEQ ID NO: 299), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-L2) having the amino acid sequence of QVSKLDS (SEQ ID NO: 300), and a light chain complementarity
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for EMCN includes a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region, wherein: the EMCN-VH includes the amino acid sequence EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSRYDMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVSVIWGNGNT HYHSALKSRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCTLRIKDWGQGTMVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 302); and the EMCN-VL includes the amino acid sequence DVVMTQSPLSLPVTLGQPASISCKSSQSLVASDENTYLNWFQQRPGQSPRRLIYQVSKL DSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCLQGIHLPWTFGQGTKLEIK (SEQ ID NO: 310).
  • VH heavy chain variable
  • VL light chain variable
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for EMCN includes the amino acid sequence EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSRYDMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVSVIWGNGNT HYHSALKSRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCTLRIKDWGQGTMVTVSSGGG GSGGGGSGGGGSDVVMTQSPLSLPVTLGQPASISCKSSQSLVASDENTYLNWFQQRPG QSPRRLIYQVSKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCLQGIHLPWTFGQ GTKLEIK (SEQ ID NO: 311).
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for EMCN is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence GAGGTGCAGCTGGTTGAATCTGGCGGAGGACTGGTTCAGCCTGGCGGATCTCTGAG ACTGTCTTGTGCCGCCAGCGGCTTCACCTTCAGCAGATACGATATGCACTGGGTCCG ACAGGCCCCTGGCAAAGGACTTGAATGGGTGTCCGTGATCTGGGGCAACGGCAACA CACACTACCACAGCCCTGAAGTCCCGGTTCACCATCTCCAGACAACAGCAAG AACACCCTGTACCTGCAGATGAACAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACCGCCGTGTACTA CTGCACCCTGAGAATCAAGGATTGGGGCCAGGGCACCATGGTCACCGTTTCTTCTG GAGGCGGAGGATCTGGTGGCGGAGGAAGTGGCGGAGGCGGTTCTGACGTGGTCAT GACACAGAGCCCTCTGAGCCTGCCTGACACTGGGACAGCCTGCCAGCAT GACACAGAGCCCTCTGAGCCTG
  • the antigen-binding domain specific for EMCN is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to GAGGTGCAGCTGGTTGAATCTGGCGGAGGACTGGTTCAGCCTGGCGGATCTCTGAG ACTGTCTTGTGCCGCCAGCGGCTTCACCTTCAGCAGATACGATATGCACTGGGTCCG ACAGGCCCCTGGCAAAGGACTTGAATGGGTGTCCGTGATCTGGGGCAACGGCAACA CACACTACCACAGCGCCCTGAAGTCCCGGTTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAACAGCAAG AACACCCTGTACCTGCAGATGAACAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACCGCCGTGTACTA CTGCACCCTGAGAATCAAGGATTGGGGCCAGGGCACCATGGTCACCGTTTCTTCTG GAGGCGGAGGATCTCTGGGGCT
  • antigen-binding domains e.g., single-chain variable fragments
  • chimeric proteins including antigen-binding domains that bind to FLT3 and CD33 (e.g., any of the aCARs described herein), and nucleic acids encoding such antigen -binding domains and chimeric proteins.
  • chimeric receptors comprise one or more of the amino acid sequences listed in Table Al or Table A2.
  • activating chimeric receptors comprise one or more of the amino acid sequences listed in Table Al or Table A2.
  • bispecific-bivalent aCARS comprise one or more of the amino acid sequences listed in Table Al or Table A2.
  • Table Al provides the variable domains of an antibody heavy chain or light chain. The CDRs were determined using the Kabat method and are in bold italic in Table Al for each variable heavy chain or variable light chain and shown in Table A2.
  • nucleic acids encoding any of the chimeric receptors of the present disclosure comprise one or more of the nucleic acid sequences listed in Table B.
  • an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33 includes a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region
  • the CD33-VH includes: a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of DYNMH (SEQ ID NO: 402), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-H2) having the amino acid sequence of YIYPYNGGTGYNQKFKSKA (SEQ ID NO: 403), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of GRPAMDYWGQ (SEQ ID NO: 404), and the CD33-VL includes: a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of RASES VDNYGISFMN (SEQ ID NO: 405), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-L2) having the amino acid sequence of AASNQGS (SEQ ID NO:
  • an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33 includes a CD33- VH having the amino acid sequence QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYNMHWVRQAPGQGLEWIGYIYPYNGG TGYNQKFKSKATITADESTNTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCARGRPAMDYWGQGTLVTV SS (SEQ ID NO: 329), and a CD33-VL having the amino acid sequence DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASESVDNYGISFMNWFQQKPGKAPKLLIYAASNQG SGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQSKEVPWTFGQGTKVEIK (SEQ ID NO: 330).
  • an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3 includes a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region
  • the FLT3-VH includes a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of GGTFSSYAIS (SEQ ID NO: 360), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-H2) having the amino acid sequence of GIIPIFGTANYAQKFQG (SEQ ID NO: 361), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of FALFGFREQAFDI (SEQ ID NO: 362)
  • the FLT3-VL includes a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of RASQSISSYLN (SEQ ID NO: 363), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR- L2) having the amino acid sequence of AASSLQS (SEQ ID NO:
  • an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3 includes a FLT3- VH having the amino acid sequence EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGGTFSSYAISWVRQAPGQGLEWMGGIIPIFGTAN YAQKFQGRVTITADKSTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCATFALFGFREQAFDIWGQGTTV TVSS (SEQ ID NO: 315), and a FLT3-VL having the amino acid sequence DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQSISSYLNWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYAASSLQSGVPS RFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDLATYYCQQSYSTPFTFGPGTKVDIK (SEQ ID NO: 316).
  • a bivalent-bispecific aCAR includes an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3 and an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33.
  • a bivalent-bispecific aCAR specific for FLT3 and CD33 includes the amino acid sequence MLLLVTSLLLCELPHPAFLLIPEVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGGTFSSYAISWVR QAPGQGLEWMGGIIPIFGTANYAQKFQGRVTITADKSTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCA TFALFGFREQAFDIWGQGTTVTVSSGGGGSQVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYT FTDYNMHWVRQAPGQGLEWIGYIYPYNGGTGYNQKFKSKATITADESTNTAYMELSSL RSEDTAVYYCARGRPAMDYWGQGTLVTVSSGSTSGSGKPGSGEGSTKGDIQMTQSPSS LSASVGDRVTITCRASESVDNYGISFMNWFQQKPGKAPKLLIYAASNQGSGVPSRFSGS GSGTDFTLTISSLQPDDFATY
  • a bivalent-bispecific aCAR specific for FLT3 and CD33 includes the amino acid sequence MLLLVTSLLLCELPHPAFLLIPEVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGGTFSSYAISWVR QAPGQGLEWMGGIIPIFGTANYAQKFQGRVTITADKSTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCA TFALFGFREQAFDIWGQGTTVTVSSGGGGSGGGGSQVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCK ASGYTFTDYNMHWVRQAPGQGLEWIGYIYPYNGGTGYNQKFKSKATITADESTNTAY MELSSLRSEDTAVYYCARGRPAMDYWGQGTLVTVSSGGGGSGGSDIQMTQSPSSLS ASVGDRVTITCRASESVDNYGISFMNWFQQKPGKAPKLLIYAASNQGSGVPSRFSGSGS GTDFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQS
  • multicistronic expression systems that include engineered nucleic acids encoding (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR.
  • the multicistronic expression systems included engineered nucleic acids that encode an expression cassette containing a promoter and an exogenous polynucleotide sequence encoding each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR.
  • the promoter is operably linked to expression cassette of the multicistronic system such that the exogenous polynucleotide sequence encoding each of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the bivalent aCAR, and the iCAR is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide.
  • an “engineered nucleic acid” is a nucleic acid that does not occur in nature. It should be understood, however, that while an engineered nucleic acid as a whole is not naturally- occurring, it may include nucleotide sequences that occur in nature.
  • an engineered nucleic acid comprises nucleotide sequences from different organisms (e.g., from different species). For example, in some embodiments, an engineered nucleic acid includes a murine nucleotide sequence, a bacterial nucleotide sequence, a human nucleotide sequence, and/or a viral nucleotide sequence.
  • engineered nucleic acids includes recombinant nucleic acids and synthetic nucleic acids.
  • a “recombinant nucleic acid” refers to a molecule that is constructed by joining nucleic acid molecules and, in some embodiments, can replicate in a live cell.
  • a “synthetic nucleic acid” refers to a molecule that is amplified or chemically, or by other means, synthesized. Synthetic nucleic acids include those that are chemically modified, or otherwise modified, but can base pair with naturally- occurring nucleic acid molecules. Modifications include, but are not limited to, one or more modified intemucleotide linkages and non-natural nucleic acids. Modifications are described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No.
  • Modified intemucleotide linkages can be a phosphorodithioate or phosphorothioate linkage.
  • Non-natural nucleic acids can be a locked nucleic acid (LNA), a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), glycol nucleic acid (GNA), a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO or “morpholino”), and threose nucleic acid (TNA).
  • LNA locked nucleic acid
  • PNA peptide nucleic acid
  • GNA glycol nucleic acid
  • PMO or “morpholino” a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer
  • TAA threose nucleic acid
  • Non-natural nucleic acids are described in further detail in International Application WO 1998/039352, U.S. Application Pub. No. 2013/0156849, and U.S.
  • Engineered nucleic acid of the present disclosure may be encoded by a single molecule (e.g., included in the same plasmid or other vector) or by multiple different molecules (e.g., multiple different independently-replicating molecules). Engineered nucleic acids can be an isolated nucleic acid.
  • Isolated nucleic acids include, but are not limited to a cDNA polynucleotide, an RNA polynucleotide, an RNAi oligonucleotide (e.g., siRNAs, miRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, shRNAs, etc.), an mRNA polynucleotide, a circular plasmid, a linear DNA fragment, a vector, a minicircle, a ssDNA, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), and an oligonucleotide.
  • a cDNA polynucleotide an RNA polynucleotide
  • an RNAi oligonucleotide e.g., siRNAs, miRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, shRNAs, etc.
  • an mRNA polynucleotide e.g., a circular plasm
  • Engineered nucleic acid of the present disclosure may be produced using standard molecular biology methods (see, e.g., Green and Sambrook, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2012, Cold Spring Harbor Press).
  • engineered nucleic acid constructs are produced using GIBSON ASSEMBLY® Cloning (see, e.g., Gibson, D.G. et al. Nature Methods, 343-345, 2009; and Gibson, D.G. et al. Nature Methods, 901-903, 2010, each of which is incorporated by reference herein).
  • GIBSON ASSEMBLY® typically uses three enzymatic activities in a single-tube reaction: 5' exonuclease, the Y extension activity of a DNA polymerase and DNA ligase activity.
  • the 5 ' exonuclease activity chews back the 5 ' end sequences and exposes the complementary sequence for annealing.
  • the polymerase activity then fills in the gaps on the annealed regions.
  • a DNA ligase then seals the nick and covalently links the DNA fragments together.
  • the overlapping sequence of adjoining fragments is much longer than those used in Golden Gate Assembly, and therefore results in a higher percentage of correct assemblies.
  • engineered nucleic acid constructs are produced using IN- FUSION® cloning (Clontech). Promoters
  • an engineered nucleic acid e.g., an engineered nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette
  • a nucleotide sequence e.g., an exogenous polynucleotide sequence
  • the engineered nucleic acid may comprise a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 8, at least 9, or at least 10 distinct proteins.
  • an engineered nucleic acid comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more distinct proteins.
  • an engineered nucleic acid (e.g., an engineered nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette) comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence (e.g., an exogenous polynucleotide sequence) encoding at least 2 membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • the engineered nucleic acid may comprise a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 8, at least 9, or at least 10 membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • an engineered nucleic acid comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • a “promoter” refers to a control region of a nucleic acid sequence at which initiation and rate of transcription of the remainder of a nucleic acid sequence are controlled.
  • a promoter may also contain sub-regions at which regulatory proteins and molecules may bind, such as RNA polymerase and other transcription factors. Promoters may be constitutive, inducible, repressible, tissue-specific or any combination thereof.
  • a promoter drives expression or drives transcription of the nucleic acid sequence that it regulates.
  • a promoter is considered to be “operably linked” when it is in a correct functional location and orientation in relation to a nucleic acid sequence it regulates to control (“drive”) transcriptional initiation and/or expression of that sequence.
  • a promoter may be one naturally associated with a gene or sequence, as may be obtained by isolating the 5' non-coding sequences located upstream of the coding segment of a given gene or sequence. Such a promoter can be referred to as “endogenous.”
  • a coding nucleic acid sequence may be positioned under the control of a recombinant or heterologous promoter, which refers to a promoter that is not normally associated with the encoded sequence in its natural environment.
  • promoters may include promoters of other genes; promoters isolated from any other cell; and synthetic promoters or enhancers that are not "naturally occurring" such as, for example, those that contain different elements of different transcriptional regulatory regions and/or mutations that alter expression through methods of genetic engineering that are known in the art.
  • sequences may be produced using recombinant cloning and/or nucleic acid amplification technology, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,906).
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • Promoters of an engineered nucleic acid may be “inducible promoters,” which refer to promoters that are characterized by regulating (e.g., initiating or activating) transcriptional activity when in the presence of, influenced by or contacted by a signal.
  • the signal may be endogenous or a normally exogenous condition (e.g., light), compound (e.g., chemical or non- chemical compound) or protein (e.g., cytokine) that contacts an inducible promoter in such a way as to be active in regulating transcriptional activity from the inducible promoter.
  • Activation of transcription may involve directly acting on a promoter to drive transcription or indirectly acting on a promoter by inactivation a repressor that is preventing the promoter from driving transcription.
  • deactivation of transcription may involve directly acting on a promoter to prevent transcription or indirectly acting on a promoter by activating a repressor that then acts on the promoter.
  • a promoter is “responsive to” or “modulated by” a local tumor state (e.g., inflammation or hypoxia) or signal if in the presence of that state or signal, transcription from the promoter is activated, deactivated, increased, or decreased.
  • the promoter comprises a response element.
  • a “response element” is a short sequence of DNA within a promoter region that binds specific molecules (e.g., transcription factors) that modulate (regulate) gene expression from the promoter.
  • Response elements that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure include, without limitation, a phloretin-adjustable control element (PEACE), a zinc-finger DNA-binding domain (DBD), an interferon-gamma-activated sequence (GAS) (Decker, T. et al. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 1997 Mar; 17(3): 121-34, incorporated herein by reference), an interferon- stimulated response element (ISRE) (Han, K. J. et al. J Biol Chem. 2004 Apr 9;279(15): 15652-61, incorporated herein by reference), a NF-kappaB response element (Wang, V. et al. Cell Reports.
  • PEACE phloretin-adjustable control element
  • DBD zinc-finger DNA-binding domain
  • GAS interferon-gamma-activated sequence
  • ISRE interferon- stimulated response element
  • STAT3 response element Zhang, D. et al. J of Biol Chem. 1996; 271: 9503-9509, incorporated herein by reference.
  • Other response elements are encompassed herein.
  • Response elements can also contain tandem repeats (e.g., consecutive repeats of the same nucleotide sequence encoding the response element) to generally increase sensitivity of the response element to its cognate binding molecule. Tandem repeats can be labeled 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, etc. to denote the number of repeats present.
  • responsive promoters also referred to as “inducible promoters”
  • TGF-beta responsive promoters are listed in Table 12A, which shows the design of the promoter and transcription factor, as well as the effect of the inducer molecule towards the transcription factor (TF) and transgene transcription (T) is shown (B, binding; D, dissociation; n.d., not determined) (A, activation; DA, deactivation; DR, derepression) (see Homer, M. & Weber, W. FEBS Letters 586 (2012) 20784-2096m, and references cited therein).
  • Non-limiting examples of components of inducible promoters include those presented in Table 12B.
  • Table 12A Examples of Responsive Promoters Table 12B. Exemplary Components of Inducible Promoters
  • Non-limiting examples of promoters include the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, the elongation factor 1-alpha (EFla) promoter, the elongation factor (EFS) promoter, the MND promoter (a synthetic promoter that contains the U3 region of a modified MoMuLV LTR with myeloproliferative sarcoma virus enhancer), the phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter, the spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) promoter, the simian virus 40 (SV40) promoter, and the ubiquitin C (UbC) promoter (see Table 12C). Table 12C.
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • EFla elongation factor 1-alpha
  • EFS elongation factor
  • MND promoter a synthetic promoter that contains the U3 region of a modified MoMuLV LTR with myeloproliferative sarcoma virus enhancer
  • PGK phosphoglycer
  • the promoter can be a tissue-specific promoter.
  • a tissue-specific promoter directs transcription of a nucleic acid, (e.g. , the engineered nucleic acids encoding the chimeric proteins, such as membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins having the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S) such that expression is limited to a specific cell type, organelle, or tissue.
  • Tissue-specific promoters include, but are not limited to, albumin (liver specific, Pinkert et al., (1987)), lymphoid specific promoters (Calame and Eaton, 1988), particular promoters of T-cell receptors (Winoto and Baltimore, (1989)) and immunoglobulins; Banerji et al., (1983); Queen and Baltimore, 1983), neuron specific promoters (e.g. the neurofilament promoter; Byrne and Ruddle, 1989), pancreas specific promoters (Edlund et al., (1985)) or mammary gland specific promoters (milk whey promoter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,316 and European Application Publication No.
  • promoter as well as developmentally regulated promoters such as the murine hox promoters (Kessel and Gruss, Science 249:374-379 (1990)) or the a-fetoprotein promoter (Campes and Tilghman, Genes Dev. 3:537-546 (1989)), the contents of each of which are fully incorporated by reference herein.
  • the promoter can be constitutive in the respective specific cell type, organelle, or tissue.
  • Tissue-specific promoters and/or regulatory elements can also include promoters from the liver fatty acid binding (FAB) protein gene, specific for colon epithelial cells; the insulin gene, specific for pancreatic cells; the transphyretin, .alpha.1- antitrypsin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI- 1), apolipoprotein Al and LDL receptor genes, specific for liver cells; the myelin basic protein (MBP) gene, specific for oligodendrocytes; the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene, specific for glial cells; OPSIN, specific for targeting to the eye; and the neural-specific enolase (NSE) promoter that is specific for nerve cells.
  • FAB liver fatty acid binding
  • PKI- 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1
  • MBP myelin basic protein
  • GFAP glial fibrillary acidic protein
  • OPSIN specific for targeting to the eye
  • NSE neural-specific enolase
  • tissue-specific promoters include, but are not limited to, the promoter for creatine kinase, which has been used to direct expression in muscle and cardiac tissue and immunoglobulin heavy or light chain promoters for expression in B cells.
  • tissue specific promoters include the human smooth muscle alpha- actin promoter.
  • tissue-specific expression elements for the liver include but are not limited to HMG-COA reductase promoter, sterol regulatory element 1, phosphoenol pyruvate carboxy kinase (PEPCK) promoter, human C- reactive protein (CRP) promoter, human glucokinase promoter, cholesterol L 7-alpha hydroylase (CYP-7) promoter, beta- galactosidase alpha-2,6 sialylkansferase promoter, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-I) promoter, aldolase B promoter, human transferrin promoter, and collagen type I promoter.
  • HMG-COA reductase promoter sterol regulatory element 1
  • PEPCK phosphoenol pyruvate carboxy kinase
  • CRP C- reactive protein
  • glucokinase promoter human glucokinase promoter
  • cholesterol L 7-alpha hydroylase (CYP-7) promoter beta
  • Exemplary tissue-specific expression elements for the prostate include but are not limited to the prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) promoter, prostatic secretory protein of 94 (PSP 94) promoter, prostate specific antigen complex promoter, and human glandular kallikrein gene promoter (hgt-1).
  • Exemplary tissue-specific expression elements for gastric tissue include but are not limited to the human H+/K+-ATPase alpha subunit promoter.
  • Exemplary tissue- specific expression elements for the pancreas include but are not limited to pancreatitis associated protein promoter (PAP), elastase 1 transcriptional enhancer, pancreas specific amylase and elastase enhancer promoter, and pancreatic cholesterol esterase gene promoter.
  • Exemplary tissue-specific expression elements for the endometrium include, but are not limited to, the uteroglobin promoter.
  • Exemplary tissue-specific expression elements for adrenal cells include, but are not limited to, cholesterol side-chain cleavage (SCC) promoter.
  • Exemplary tissue-specific expression elements for the general nervous system include, but are not limited to, gamma-gamman enolase (neuron- specific enolase, NSE) promoter.
  • Exemplary tissue-specific expression elements for the brain include, but are not limited to, the neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H) promoter.
  • NF-H neurofilament heavy chain
  • tissue-specific expression elements for lymphocytes include, but are not limited to, the human CGL-l/granzyme B promoter, the terminal deoxy transferase (TdT), lambda 5, VpreB, and lek (lymphocyte specific tyrosine protein kinase p561ck) promoter, the humans CD2 promoter and its 3 ' transcriptional enhancer, and the human NK and T cell specific activation (NKG5) promoter.
  • tissue-specific expression elements for the colon include, but are not limited to, pp60c-src tyrosine kinase promoter, organ-specific neoantigens (OSNs) promoter, and colon specific antigen-P promoter.
  • Tissue-specific expression elements for breast cells are for example, but are not limited to, the human alpha-lactalbumin promoter.
  • tissue-specific expression elements for the lung include, but are not limited to, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene promoter.
  • CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
  • a promoter of the present disclosure is modulated by signals within a tumor microenvironment.
  • a tumor microenvironment is considered to modulate a promoter if, in the presence of the tumor microenvironment, the activity of the promoter is increased or decreased by at least 10%, relative to activity of the promoter in the absence of the tumor microenvironment. In some embodiments, the activity of the promoter is increased or decreased by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, relative to activity of the promoter in the absence of the tumor microenvironment.
  • the activity of the promoter is increased or decreased by 10-20%, 10-30%, 10-40%, 10-50%, 10-60%, 10-70%, 10-80%, 10-90%, 10-100%, 10-200%, 20-30%, 20-40%, 20-50%, 20-60%, 20-70%, 20-80%, 20-90%, 20-100%, 20-200%, 50-60%, 50-70%, 50-80%, 50-90%, 50-100%, or 50-200%, relative to activity of the promoter in the absence of the tumor microenvironment.
  • the activity of the promoter is increased or decreased by at least 2 fold (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 25, 20, 25, 50, or 100 fold), relative to activity of the promoter in the absence of the tumor microenvironment.
  • the activity of the promoter is increased or decreased by at least 3 fold, at least 5 fold, at least 10 fold, at least 20 fold, at least 50 fold, or at least 100 fold, relative to activity of the promoter in the absence of the tumor microenvironment.
  • the activity of the promoter is increased or decreased by 2-10, 2-20, 2-30, 2-40, 2-50, 2-60, 2-70, 2-80, 2-90, or 2-100 fold, relative to activity of the promoter in the absence of the tumor microenvironment.
  • a promoter of the present disclosure is activated under a hypoxic condition.
  • a “hypoxic condition” is a condition where the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level. Hypoxic conditions can cause inflammation (e.g., the level of inflammatory cytokines increase under hypoxic conditions).
  • the promoter that is activated under hypoxic condition is operably linked to a nucleotide encoding a chimeric proteins that decreases the expression of activity of inflammatory cytokines, thus reducing the inflammation caused by the hypoxic condition.
  • the promoter that is activated under hypoxic conditions comprises a hypoxia responsive element (HRE).
  • a “hypoxia responsive element (HRE)” is a response element that responds to hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF).
  • HRE in some embodiments, comprises a consensus motif NCGTG (where N is either A or G).
  • a synthetic promoter is a promoter system including an activation-conditional control polypeptide- (ACP-) binding domain sequence and a promoter sequence.
  • ACP- activation-conditional control polypeptide-
  • a promoter system is also referred to herein as an “ACP-responsive promoter.”
  • an ACP promoter system includes a first expression cassette encoding an activation-conditional control polypeptide (ACP) and a second expression cassette encoding an ACP-responsive promoter operably linked to an exogenous polynucleotide sequence, such as the exogenous polynucleotide sequence encoding the membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins described herein or any other protein of interest (e.g., a protease).
  • the first expression cassette and second expression cassette are each encoded by a separate engineered nucleic acid. In other embodiments, the first expression cassette and the second expression cassette are encoded by the same engineered nucleic acid.
  • the ACP-responsive promoter can be operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a single protein of interest or multiple proteins of interest.
  • the promoters of the ACP promoter system can include any of the promoter sequences described herein (see “Promoters” above).
  • the ACP-responsive promoter can be derived from minP, NFkB response element, CREB response element, NF AT response element, SRF response element 1, SRF response element 2, API response element, TCF-LEF response element promoter fusion, Hypoxia responsive element, SMAD binding element, STAT3 binding site, minCMV, YB_TATA, minTK, inducer molecule responsive promoters, and tandem repeats thereof.
  • the ACP-responsive promoter includes a minimal promoter.
  • the ACP-binding domain includes one or more zinc finger binding sites.
  • the ACP-responsive promoter includes a minimal promoter and the ACP-binding domain includes one or more zinc finger binding sites.
  • the ACP-binding domain can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more zinc finger binding sites.
  • the transcription factor is a zinc -finger-containing transcription factor.
  • the zinc-finger-containing transcription factor is a synthetic transcription factor.
  • the ACP-binding domain includes one or more zinc finger binding sites and the ACP has a DNA-binding zinc finger protein domain (ZF protein domain).
  • the ACP has a DNA-binding zinc finger protein domain (ZF protein domain) and an effector domain.
  • the ACP-binding domain includes one or more zinc finger binding sites and the ACP has a DNA-binding zinc finger protein domain (ZF protein domain) and an effector domain.
  • the ZF protein domain is modular in design and is composed of zinc finger arrays (ZFA).
  • a zinc finger array comprises multiple zinc finger protein motifs that are linked together. Each zinc finger motif binds to a different nucleic acid motif. This results in a ZFA with specificity to any desired nucleic acid sequence, e.g., a ZFA with desired specificity to an ACP-binding domain having a specific zinc finger binding site composition and/or configuration.
  • the ZF motifs can be directly adjacent to each other, or separated by a flexible linker sequence.
  • a ZFA is an array, string, or chain of ZF motifs arranged in tandem.
  • a ZFA can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,1 3,
  • the ZFA can have from 1-10, 1-15, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 3-4, 3-5 3-6, 3-7, 3-8, 3-9, 3-10, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8, 4- 9, 4-10, 5-6, 5-7, 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, or 5-15 zinc finger motifs.
  • the ZF protein domain can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or more ZFAs.
  • the ZF domain can have from 1-10, 1-
  • the ZF protein domain comprises one to ten ZFA(s). In some embodiments, the ZF protein domain comprises at least one ZFA. In some embodiments, the ZF protein domain comprises at least two ZFAs. In some embodiments, the ZF protein domain comprises at least three ZFAs.
  • the ZF protein domain comprises at least four ZFAs. In some embodiments, the ZF protein domain comprises at least five ZFAs. In some embodiments, the ZF protein domain comprises at least ten ZFAs.
  • the ACP is a transcriptional modulator. In some embodiments, the ACP is a transcriptional repressor. In some embodiments, the ACP is a transcriptional activator. In some embodiments, the ACP is a transcription factor. In some embodiments, the ACP comprises a DNA-binding domain and a transcriptional effector domain. In some embodiments, the DNA-binding domain comprises a tetracycline (or derivative thereof) repressor (TetR) domain. In some embodiments, the ACP is an antigen recognizing receptor of the present disclosure.
  • the ACP can also further include an effector domain, such as a transcriptional effector domain.
  • a transcriptional effector domain can be the effector or activator domain of a transcription factor.
  • Transcription factor activation domains are also known as transactivation domains, and act as scaffold domains for proteins such as transcription coregulators that act to activate or repress transcription of genes.
  • Any suitable transcriptional effector domains can be used in the ACP including, but not limited to, a Herpes Simplex Virus Protein 16 (VP 16) activation domain; an activation domain consisting of four tandem copies of VP 16, a VP64 activation domain; a p65 activation domain of NFKB; an Epstein-Barr virus R transactivator (Rta) activation domain; a tripartite activator comprising the VP64, the p65, and the Rta activation domains, the tripartite activator is known as a VPR activation domain; a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) core domain of the human El A- associated protein p300, known as a p300 HAT core activation domain; a Kriippel associated box (KRAB) repression domain; a Repressor Element Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) repression domain; a WRPW motif of the hairy-related basic helix-loop-he
  • the effector domain is s transcription effector domain selected from: a Herpes Simplex Virus Protein 16 (VP 16) activation domain; an activation domain consisting of four tandem copies of VP 16, a VP64 activation domain; a p65 activation domain of NFKB; an Epstein-Barr virus R transactivator (Rta) activation domain; a tripartite activator comprising the VP64, the p65, and the Rta activation domains, the tripartite activator is known as a VPR activation domain; a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) core domain of the human E1A- associated protein p300, known as a p300 HAT core activation domain; a Kriippel associated box (KRAB) repression domain; a Repressor Element Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) repression domain; a WRPW motif of the hairy-related basic helix-loop-helix re
  • the ACP is a small molecule (e.g., drug) inducible polypeptide.
  • the ACP may be induced by tetracycline (or derivative thereof), and comprises a TetR domain and a VP 16 effector domain.
  • the ACP includes an estrogen receptor variant, such as ERT2, and may be regulated by tamoxifen, or a metabolite thereof (such as 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen [4-OHT], N-desmethyltamoxifen, tamoxifen-N-oxide, or endoxifen), through tamoxifen-controlled nuclear localization.
  • the ACP is a small molecule (e.g., drug) inducible polypeptide that includes a repressible protease and one or more cognate cleavage sites of the repressible protease.
  • a repressible protease is active (cleaves a cognate cleavage site) in the absence of the specific agent and is inactive (does not cleave a cognate cleavage site) in the presence of the specific agent.
  • the specific agent is a protease inhibitor.
  • the protease inhibitor specifically inhibits a given repressible protease of the present disclosure.
  • the ACP has a degron domain (see “Degron Systems and Domains” above for exemplary degron sequences).
  • the degron domain can be in any order or position relative to the individual domains of the ACP.
  • the degron domain can be N-terminal of the repressible protease, C-terminal of the repressible protease, N-terminal of the ZF protein domain, C-terminal of the ZF protein domain, N-terminal of the effector domain, or C-terminal of the effector domain.
  • engineered nucleic acids are configured to produce multiple chimeric proteins.
  • nucleic acids may be configured to produce 2-20 different chimeric proteins.
  • nucleic acids are configured to produce 2-20, 2-19, 2-18, 2-17, 2-16, 2-15, 2-14,
  • the engineered nucleic acids described herein are multicistronic, i.e., as described above.
  • Engineered nucleic acids can also use multiple promoters to express genes from multiple ORFs, i.e., more than one separate mRNA transcripts can be produced from a single engineered nucleic acid.
  • a first promoter can be operably linked to a polynucleotide sequence encoding a first chimeric protein
  • a second promoter can be operably linked to a polynucleotide sequence encoding a second chimeric protein.
  • any number of promoters can be used to express any number of chimeric proteins.
  • at least one of the ORFs expressed from the multiple promoters can be multicistronic.
  • “Einkers,” as used herein can refer to polypeptides that link a first polypeptide sequence and a second polypeptide sequence, the multicistronic linkers described above, or the additional promoters that are operably linked to additional ORFs described above.
  • engineered cells and methods of producing the engineered cells, that produce each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR.
  • engineered cells of the present disclosure may be engineered to express the chimeric proteins provided for herein, such as each of the membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins, the bivalent aCARs, and the iCARsdescribed herein. These cells are referred to herein as “engineered cells.” These cells, which typically contain engineered nucleic acid, do not occur in nature.
  • the cells are engineered to include a nucleic acid comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric protein, for example, a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein.
  • An engineered cell can comprise an engineered nucleic acid integrated into the cell’s genome.
  • An engineered cell can comprise an engineered nucleic acid capable of expression without integrating into the cell’s genome, for example, engineered with a transient expression system such as a plasmid or mRNA.
  • cells are engineered to produce at least two (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) chimeric proteins, for example ate least two membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • cells are engineered to produce at least one chimeric proteins having an effector molecule that is not natively produced by the cells. Such an effector molecule may, for example, complement the function of effector molecules natively produced by the cells.
  • cells are engineered to express membrane-tethered anti-CD3 and/or anti-CD28 agonist extracellular domains.
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell is engineered to produce multiple chimeric proteins.
  • cells may be engineered to produce 2-20 different chimeric proteins, such as 2-20 different membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • engineered cells comprise one or more engineered nucleic acids encoding a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric protein.
  • cells are engineered to include a plurality of engineered nucleic acids, e.g., at least two engineered nucleic acids, each encoding a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one (e.g., 1, 2 or 3) chimeric protein.
  • cells may be engineered to comprise at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 8, at least 9, or at least 10, engineered nucleic acids, each encoding a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one (e.g., 1, 2 or 3) chimeric protein.
  • the cells are engineered to comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more engineered nucleic acids, each encoding a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one (e.g., 1, 2 or 3) chimeric protein.
  • Engineered cells can comprise an engineered nucleic acid encoding at least one of the linkers described above, such as polypeptides that link a first polypeptide sequence and a second polypeptide sequence, one or more multicistronic linker described above, one or more additional promoters operably linked to additional ORFs, or a combination thereof.
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell is engineered to express a protease.
  • a cell is engineered to express a protease heterologous to a cell.
  • a cell is engineered to express a protease heterologous to a cell expressing a chimeric protein, such as a heterologous protease that cleaves the protease cleavage site of a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein.
  • engineered cells comprise one or more engineered nucleic acids encoding a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a protease, such as a heterologous protease.
  • protease such as a heterologous protease.
  • Protease and protease cleavage sites are described in greater detail in the Section herein titled “Protease Cleavage site.”
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one homing molecule.
  • a “homing molecule” refers to a molecule that directs cells to a target site.
  • a homing molecule functions to recognize and/or initiate interaction of an engineered cell to a target site.
  • Non-limiting examples of homing molecules include CXCR1, CCR9, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR2, CCR4, FPR2, VEGFR, IL6R, CXCR1, CSCR7, and PDGFR.
  • a homing molecule is a chemokine receptor (cell surface molecule that binds to a chemokine).
  • chemokine receptors that may be produced by the engineered cells of the present disclosure include: CXC chemokine receptors (e.g., CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6, and CXCR7), CC chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, CCR10, and CCR11), CX3C chemokine receptors (e.g., CX3CR1, which binds to CX3CL1), and XC chemokine receptors (e.g., XCR1).
  • CXC chemokine receptors e.g., CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6, and CXCR7
  • a chemokine receptor is a G protein- linked transmembrane receptor, or a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (including but not limited to TNFRSF1A, TNFRSF1B).
  • TNF tumor necrosis factor
  • cells are engineered to produce CXCL8, CXCL9, and/or CXCL10 (promote T-cell recruitment), CCL3 and/or CXCL5, CCL21 (Thl recruitment and polarization).
  • cells are engineered to produce CXCR4.
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • GPCRs G-protein coupled receptors
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell is engineered to produce receptors that detect interleukins (including but not limited to IL6R).
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell is engineered to produce receptors that detect growth factors secreted from other cells, tissues, or tumors (including but not limited to FGFR, PDGFR, EGFR, and receptors of the VEGF family, including but not limited to VEGF-C and VEGF-D).
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • integrins are engineered to produce one or more integrins.
  • Cells of the present disclosure may be engineered to produce any combination of integrin a and P subunits.
  • the a subunit of an integrin may be, without limitation: ITGA1, ITGA2, ITGA3, ITGA4, ITGA5, ITGA6, IGTA7, ITGA8, ITGA9, IGTA10, IGTA11, ITGAD, ITGAE, ITGAL, ITGAM, ITGAV, ITGA2B, ITGAX.
  • the p subunit of an integrin may be, without limitation: ITGB1, ITGB2, ITGB3, ITGB4, ITGB5, ITGB6, ITGB7, and ITGB8.
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • MMP matrix metalloproteinases
  • Non-limiting examples of MMPs include MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP.
  • cells are engineered to produce an inhibitor of a molecule (e.g., protein) that inhibits MMPs.
  • a molecule e.g., protein
  • cells may be engineered to express an inhibitor (e.g., an RNAi molecule) of membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) or TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1).
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a ligand that binds to selectin (e.g., hematopoietic cell E-/L-selectin ligand (HCELL), Dykstran et al., Stem Cells. 2016 Oct;34(10):2501-2511) on the endothelium of a target tissue, for example.
  • selectin e.g., hematopoietic cell E-/L-selectin ligand (HCELL), Dykstran et al., Stem Cells. 2016 Oct;34(10):2501-2511
  • homing molecule also encompasses transcription factors that regulate the production of molecules that improve/enhance homing of cells.
  • At least one (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) chimeric protein includes an effector molecule that stimulates at least one immuno stimulatory mechanism in the tumor microenvironment, or inhibits at least one immunosuppressive mechanism in the tumor microenvironment.
  • At least one (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) chimeric protein includes an effector molecule that inhibits at least one immunosuppressive mechanism in the tumor microenvironment, and at least one chimeric protein (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) inhibits at least one immunosuppressive mechanism in the tumor microenvironment.
  • at least two (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) chimeric proteins includes an effector molecule that stimulate at least one immuno stimulatory mechanism in the tumor microenvironment.
  • at least two (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) chimeric proteins includes an effector molecule that inhibit at least one immunosuppressive mechanism in the tumor microenvironment.
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein including an effector molecule that stimulates T cell signaling, activity and/or recruitment.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates antigen presentation and/or processing.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxic signaling, activity and/or recruitment.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates dendritic cell differentiation and/or maturation.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates immune cell recruitment.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein includes an effector molecule that that stimulates Ml macrophage signaling, activity and/or recruitment.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates Thl polarization.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates stroma degradation.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates immuno stimulatory metabolite production.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that stimulates Type I interferon signaling. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that inhibits negative costimulatory signaling. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that inhibits pro-apoptotic signaling (e.g., via TRAIL) of anti-tumor immune cells. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that inhibits T regulatory (T reg ) cell signaling, activity and/or recruitment.
  • T reg T regulatory
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that inhibits tumor checkpoint molecules. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that inhibits myeloid-derived suppressor cell signaling, activity and/or recruitment. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that degrades immunosuppressive factors/metabolites.
  • STING stimulator of interferon genes
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein that includes an effector molecule that directly kills tumor cells (e.g., granzyme, perforin, oncolytic viruses, cytolytic peptides and enzymes, anti-tumor antibodies, e.g., that trigger ADCC).
  • tumor cells e.g., granzyme, perforin, oncolytic viruses, cytolytic peptides and enzymes, anti-tumor antibodies, e.g., that trigger ADCC.
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one chimeric protein including an effector molecule selected from IL- 12, IFN-P, IFN-y, IL-2, IL-15, IL-7, IL-36y, IL-18, IL-ip, OX40-ligand, and CD40L; and/or at least a checkpoint inhibitor.
  • Illustrative immune checkpoint molecules that can be targeted for blocking or inhibition include, but are not limited to, CTLA-4, 4-1BB (CD137), 4-1BBL (CD137L), PDL1, PDL2, PD1, B7-H3, B7-H4, BTLA, HVEM, TIM3, GAL9, LAG3, TIM3, B7H3, B7H4, VISTA, KIR, 2B4 (belongs to the CD2 family of molecules and is expressed on all NK, > > > ⁇ , and memory CD8+ ( ⁇ ⁇ ) T cells), CD160 (also referred to as BY55), and CGEN-15049.
  • CTLA-4 CTLA-4
  • 4-1BB CD137
  • 4-1BBL CD137L
  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors include antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof, or other binding proteins, that bind to and block or inhibit the activity of one or more of CTLA-4, PDL1, PDL2, PD1, B7-H3, B7-H4, BTLA, HVEM, TIM3, GAL9, LAG3, TIM3, B7H3, B7H4, VISTA, KIR, 2B4, CD160, and CGEN-15049.
  • checkpoint inhibitors include, but are not limited to, anti-PD-1 antibodies, anti-PD-Ll antibodies, anti-PD-L2 antibodies, anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, anti-LAG-3 antibodies, anti-TIM-3 antibodies, anti-TIGIT antibodies, anti- VISTA antibodies, anti-KIR antibodies, anti-B7-H3 antibodies, anti-B7-H4 antibodies, anti-HVEM antibodies, anti-BTLA antibodies, anti-GAL9 antibodies, anti-A2AR antibodies, anti- phosphatidylserine antibodies, anti-CD27 antibodies, anti-TNFa antibodies, anti-TREMl antibodies, and anti-TREM2 antibodies.
  • Illustrative immune checkpoint inhibitors include pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1; MK-3475/Keytruda® - Merck), nivolumamb (anti-PD-1; Opdivo® - BMS), pidilizumab (anti-PD-1 antibody; CT-011 - Teva/CureTech), AMP224 (anti-PD-1; NCI), avelumab (anti-PD-Ll; Bavencio® - Pfizer), durvalumab (anti-PD-Ll; MEDI4736/Imfinzi® - Medimmune/AstraZeneca), atezolizumab (anti-PD-Ll; Tecentriq® - Roche/Genentech), BMS- 936559 (anti-PD-Ll - BMS), tremelimumab (anti-CTLA-4; Medimmune/AstraZeneca), ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4; Yervoy ®
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • IFN-P is engineered to produce IFN-P and at least one chimeric protein including an effector molecule selected from cytokines, antibodies, chemokines, nucleotides, peptides, enzymes, and stimulators of interferon genes (STINGs).
  • a cell is engineered to produce IFN-P and at least one cytokine or receptor/ligand (e.g., IL-12, IFN-y, IL-2, IL-15, IL-7, IL-36y, IL-18, IL-ip, 0X40- ligand, and/or CD40L).
  • cytokine or receptor/ligand e.g., IL-12, IFN-y, IL-2, IL-15, IL-7, IL-36y, IL-18, IL-ip, 0X40- ligand, and/or CD40L
  • a cell e.g., an immune cell or a stem cell
  • the secretable effector molecule e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S
  • the secretable effector molecule is a cytokine, a chemokine, a homing molecule, a growth factor, a co-activation molecule, a tumor microenvironment modifier, a ligand, an antibody, a peptide, or an enzyme.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a cytokine.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a chemokine. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane- cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a homing molecule. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a growth factor. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a co-activation molecule.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a tumor microenvironment modifier. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a ligand. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is an antibody. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a peptide. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is an enzyme.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule (e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S) is IL-l-beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, an IL-12p70 fusion protein, IL- 15, IL17A, IL18, IL21, IL22, Type I interferons, Interferon-gamma, or TNF-alpha.
  • the secretable effector molecule e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S
  • the secretable effector molecule e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S
  • the secretable effector molecule e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is CCL21a, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL13, a CXCL10- CXCL1 1 fusion protein, CCL19, CXCL9, or XCL1.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is anti-integrin alpha4,beta7, anti-MAdCAM, SDF1, or MMP-2.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is 4-1BBL or CD40L.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is adenosine deaminase, a TGFbeta inhibitor, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, a VEGF inhibitor, or HPGE2.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is an anti-TGFbeta peptide, an anti-TGFbeta antibody, a TGFb-TRAP, or combinations thereof.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is an anti- VEGF antibody, an anti- VEGF peptide, or a combination thereof.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-Ll antibody, an anti-PD-L2 antibody, an anti-CTLA-4 antibody, an anti- LAG-3 antibody, an anti-TIM-3 antibody, an anti-TIGIT antibody, an anti- VISTA antibody, an anti-KIR antibody, an anti-B7-H3 antibody, an anti-B7-H4 antibody, an anti-HVEM antibody, an anti-BTLA antibody, an anti-GAL9 antibody, an anti-A2AR antibody, an anti- phosphatidylserine antibody, an anti-CD27 antibody, an anti-TNFa antibody, an anti-TREMl antibody, or an
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule (e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S) comprises IL- 15.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is a fusion of IL-15 and the sushi domain of IL-15R0C.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector consists of IL- 15.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce one or more additional effector molecules. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce one or more additional secretable effector molecules.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce a cytokine, a chemokine, a homing molecule, a growth factor, a co-activation molecule, a tumor microenvironment modifier, a ligand, an antibody, a polynucleotide, a peptide, or an enzyme.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce ILN-y. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce IL-2. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce IL- 7.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce IL-36y. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce IL- 18. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce IL-ip.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce OX40-ligand. In some embodiments, a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce CD40L.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein and the cell is further engineered to produce one or more additional membrane- cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule (e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S) is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered to produce one or more additional membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • the secretable effector molecule e.g., “S” in the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S
  • the cell is further engineered to produce one or more additional membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is produce a cytokine, a chemokine, a homing molecule, a growth factor, a co-activation molecule, a tumor microenvironment modifier, a ligand, an antibody, a polynucleotide, a peptide, or an enzyme.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IL- 12, IFN-y, IL-2, IL-7, IL-36y, IL- 18, IL-ip, OX40-ligand, or CD40L.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IL- 12.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IFN-y.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IL-2.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IL-7.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IL-36y.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IL- 18.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is IL-ip.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is OX40-ligand.
  • a cell is engineered to produce at least one membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the secretable effector molecule is IL- 15 and the cell is further engineered an additional membrane-cleavable chimeric protein where the additional secretable effector molecule is CD40L.
  • a cell can also be further engineered to express additional proteins in addition to the chimeric proteins (e.g., the membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins having the formula S - C - MT or MT - C - S described herein), proteins of interest, or effector molecules described herein.
  • a cell can be further engineered to express one or more antigen recognizing receptors.
  • An antigen recognizing receptor can include an antigen-binding domain, such as an antibody, an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody, a F(ab) fragment, a F(ab') fragment, a single chain variable fragment (scFv), or a single-domain antibody (sdAb).
  • An antigen recognizing receptors can include an scFv.
  • An scFv can include a heavy chain variable domain (VH) and a light chain variable domain (VL), which can be separated by a peptide linker.
  • VH heavy chain variable domain
  • VL light chain variable domain
  • an scFv can include the structure VH-L-VL or VL-L-VH, wherein VH is the heavy chain variable domain, L is the peptide linker, and VL is the light chain variable domain.
  • An antigen recognizing receptor can be a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).
  • a CAR can have one or more intracellular signaling domains, such as a CD3zeta-chain intracellular signaling domain, a CD97 intracellular signaling domain, a CDl la-CD18 intracellular signaling domain, a CD2 intracellular signaling domain, an ICOS intracellular signaling domain, a CD27 intracellular signaling domain, a CD 154 intracellular signaling domain, a CD8 intracellular signaling domain, an 0X40 intracellular signaling domain, a 4- IBB intracellular signaling domain, a CD28 intracellular signaling domain, a ZAP40 intracellular signaling domain, a CD30 intracellular signaling domain, a GITR intracellular signaling domain, an HVEM intracellular signaling domain, a DAP 10 intracellular signaling domain, a DAP 12 intracellular signaling domain, a MyD88 intracellular signaling domain, fragments thereof, combinations thereof, or combinations of fragments thereof.
  • a CAR can have a transmembrane domain, such as a CD8 transmembrane domain, a CD28 transmembrane domain a CD3zeta-chain transmembrane domain, a CD4 transmembrane domain, a 4- IBB transmembrane domain, an 0X40 transmembrane domain, an ICOS transmembrane domain, a CTLA-4 transmembrane domain, a PD-1 transmembrane domain, a LAG-3 transmembrane domain, a 2B4 transmembrane domain, a BTLA transmembrane domain, fragments thereof, combinations thereof, or combinations of fragments thereof.
  • a CAR can have a spacer region between the antigen-binding domain and the transmembrane domain.
  • An antigen recognizing receptor can be a T cell receptor (TCR).
  • Cells can be engineered to comprise any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein (e.g., any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of the membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins, the bivalent aCARs, and the iCARsdescribed herein). Cells can be engineered to possess any of the features of any of the engineered cells described herein. In a particular aspect, provided herein are cells engineered to produce each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR. In a particular aspect, provided herein are cells engineered to produce two or more chimeric proteins.
  • the engineered cells can be an immune cell, including but not limited to, a T cell, a CD8+ T cell, a CD4+ T cell, a gamma-delta (y ⁇ 5) T cell, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), a regulatory T cell, a viral- specific T cell, a Natural Killer T (NKT) cell, a Natural Killer (NK) cell, a B cell, a tumor- infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL), an innate lymphoid cell, a mast cell, an eosinophil, a basophil, a neutrophil, a myeloid cell, a macrophage, a monocyte, or a dendritic cell.
  • the engineered cells can be a T cell.
  • the engineered cells can be an NK cell.
  • Cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) are also referred to as CAR cells.
  • CAR chimeric antigen receptor
  • T cells engineered to express a CAR are also referred to as CAR-T cells and likewise NK cells engineered to express a CAR are also referred to as CAR-NK cells.
  • the engineered cells can be a stem cell, including but not limited to, a human embryonic stem cell (ESC), an ESC-derived cell, a pluripotent stem cell, a mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC), an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), or an iPSC-derived cell.
  • ESC human embryonic stem cell
  • ESC-derived cell a pluripotent stem cell
  • MSC mesenchymal stromal cell
  • iPSC induced pluripotent stem cell
  • iPSC-derived cell an iPSC-derived cell.
  • the engineered cells can be tumor-derived cells.
  • tumor cells include, but are not limited to, a bladder tumor cell, a brain tumor cell, a breast tumor cell, a cervical tumor cell, a colorectal tumor cell, an esophageal tumor cell, a glioma cell, a kidney tumor cell, a liver tumor cell, a lung tumor cell, a melanoma cell, an ovarian tumor cell, a pancreatic tumor cell, a prostate tumor cell, a skin tumor cell, a thyroid tumor cell, and a uterine tumor cell.
  • a cell can be engineered to produce the chimeric proteins using methods known to those skilled in the art.
  • cells can be transduced to engineer the tumor.
  • the cell is transduced using a virus.
  • the cell is transduced using an oncolytic virus.
  • oncolytic viruses include, but are not limited to, an oncolytic herpes simplex virus, an oncolytic adenovirus, an oncolytic measles virus, an oncolytic influenza virus, an oncolytic Indiana vesiculovirus, an oncolytic Newcastle disease virus, an oncolytic vaccinia virus, an oncolytic poliovirus, an oncolytic myxoma virus, an oncolytic reovirus, an oncolytic mumps virus, an oncolytic Maraba virus, an oncolytic rabies virus, an oncolytic rotavirus, an oncolytic hepatitis virus, an oncolytic rubella virus, an oncolytic dengue virus, an oncolytic chikungunya virus, an oncolytic respiratory syncytial virus, an oncolytic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, an oncolytic morbillivirus, an oncolytic lentivirus,
  • the virus can be a recombinant virus that encodes one more transgenes encoding one or more chimeric proteins, such as any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein.
  • the virus can be a recombinant virus that encodes one more transgenes encoding one or more of the two or more chimeric proteins, such as any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein.
  • Erythrocytes can be engineered to comprise any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein. Erythrocytes can be engineered to possess any of the features of any of the engineered cells described herein. In a particular aspect, provided herein are erythrocytes engineered to produce one or more of the chimeric proteins described herein. In a particular aspect, provided herein are erythrocytes engineered to produce two or more of the chimeric proteins described herein.
  • platelet cells can be engineered to comprise any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein. Platelet cells can be engineered to possess any of the features of any of the engineered cells described herein. In a particular aspect, provided herein are platelet cells engineered to produce one or more of the chimeric proteins described herein. In a particular aspect, provided herein are platelet cells engineered to produce two or more of the chimeric proteins described herein.
  • Bacterial cells can be engineered to comprise any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein. Bacterial cells can be engineered to possess any of the features of any of the engineered cells described herein. In a particular aspect, provided herein are bacterial cells engineered to produce two or more of the chimeric proteins described herein. Bacterial cells can be engineered to produce one or more mammalian- derived chimeric proteins. Bacterial cells can be engineered to produce two or more mammalian-derived chimeric proteins.
  • Examples of bacterial cells include, but are not limited to, Clostridium beijerinckii, Clostridium sporogenes, Clostridium novyi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Salmonella choleraesuis.
  • An engineered cell can be a human cell.
  • An engineered cell can be a human primary cell.
  • An engineered primary cell can be a tumor infiltrating primary cell.
  • An engineered primary cell can be a primary T cell.
  • An engineered primary cell can be a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC).
  • An engineered primary cell can be a natural killer (NK) cell.
  • An engineered primary cell can be any somatic cell.
  • An engineered primary cell can be a MSC.
  • Human cells e.g., immune cells
  • Human cells can be engineered to comprise any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein.
  • Human cells e.g., immune cells
  • Human cells can be engineered to possess any of the features of any of the engineered cells described herein.
  • human cells e.g., immune cells
  • human cells e.g., immune cells
  • human cells e.g., immune cells
  • two or more of the chimeric proteins described herein are provided herein.
  • An engineered cell can be isolated from a subject (autologous), such as a subject known or suspected to have cancer.
  • Cell isolation methods are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, sorting techniques based on cell-surface marker expression, such as FACS sorting, positive isolation techniques, and negative isolation, magnetic isolation, and combinations thereof.
  • An engineered cell can be allogenic with reference to the subject being administered a treatment. Allogenic modified cells can be HLA-matched to the subject being administered a treatment.
  • An engineered cell can be a cultured cell, such as an ex vivo cultured cell.
  • An engineered cell can be an ex vivo cultured cell, such as a primary cell isolated from a subject.
  • a cultured cell can be cultured with one or more cytokines.
  • compositions and methods for engineering cells to produce one or more proteins of interest or effector molecules e.g., the multicistronic expression systems that encode each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein).
  • cells are engineered to produce proteins of interest or effector molecules through introduction (i.e., delivery) of polynucleotides encoding the one or more proteins of interest or effector molecules, e.g., the chimeric proteins described herein including the protein of interest or effector molecule, into the cell’s cytosol and/or nucleus.
  • the polynucleotides encoding the one or more chimeric proteins can be any of the multicistronic expression systems that encode each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein.
  • Delivery methods include, but are not limited to, viral-mediated delivery, lipid-mediated transfection, nanoparticle delivery, electroporation, sonication, and cell membrane deformation by physical means.
  • delivery method can depend on the specific cell type to be engineered.
  • Viral vector-based delivery platforms can be used to engineer cells.
  • a viral vector-based delivery platform engineers a cell through introducing (i.e., delivering) into a host cell.
  • a viral vector-based delivery platform can engineer a cell through introducing any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein (e.g., any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein, and/or any of the expression cassettes described herein containing a promoter and an exogenous polynucleotide sequence encoding the chimeric proteins, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal).
  • the engineered nucleic acids described herein e.g., any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aC
  • a viral vector-based delivery platform can be a nucleic acid, and as such, an engineered nucleic acid can also encompass an engineered virally-derived nucleic acid.
  • engineered virally-derived nucleic acids can also be referred to as recombinant viruses or engineered viruses.
  • a viral vector-based delivery platform can encode more than one engineered nucleic acid, gene, or transgene within the same nucleic acid.
  • an engineered virally- derived nucleic acid e.g., a recombinant virus or an engineered virus
  • can encode one or more transgenes including, but not limited to, any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein that encode one or more of the chimeric proteins described herein.
  • the one or more transgenes encoding the one or more chimeric proteins can be configured to express the one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest.
  • a viral vector-based delivery platform can encode one or more genes in addition to the one or more transgenes (e.g., transgenes encoding the one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest), such as viral genes needed for viral infectivity and/or viral production (e.g., capsid proteins, envelope proteins, viral polymerases, viral transcriptases, etc.), referred to as cis-acting elements or genes.
  • transgenes e.g., transgenes encoding the one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest
  • viral genes needed for viral infectivity and/or viral production e.g., capsid proteins, envelope proteins, viral polymerases, viral transcriptases, etc.
  • a viral vector-based delivery platform can comprise more than one viral vector, such as separate viral vectors encoding the engineered nucleic acids, genes, or transgenes described herein, and referred to as trans-acting elements or genes.
  • a helper-dependent viral vector-based delivery platform can provide additional genes needed for viral infectivity and/or viral production on one or more additional separate vectors in addition to the vector encoding the one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest.
  • One viral vector can deliver more than one engineered nucleic acids, such as one vector that delivers engineered nucleic acids that are configured to produce two or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest.
  • More than one viral vector can deliver more than one engineered nucleic acids, such as more than one vector that delivers one or more engineered nucleic acid configured to produce one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest.
  • the number of viral vectors used can depend on the packaging capacity of the above mentioned viral vector-based vaccine platforms, and one skilled in the art can select the appropriate number of viral vectors.
  • any of the viral vector-based systems can be used for the in vitro production of molecules, such as the chimeric proteins, effector molecules, and/or other protein of interest described herein, or used in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy procedures, e.g., for in vivo delivery of the engineered nucleic acids encoding one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest.
  • the selection of an appropriate viral vector-based system will depend on a variety of factors, such as cargo/payload size, immunogenicity of the viral system, target cell of interest, gene expression strength and timing, and other factors appreciated by one skilled in the art.
  • Viral vector-based delivery platforms can be RNA-based viruses or DNA-based viruses.
  • Exemplary viral vector-based delivery platforms include, but are not limited to, a herpes simplex virus, a adenovirus, a measles virus, an influenza virus, a Indiana vesiculovirus, a Newcastle disease virus, a vaccinia virus, a poliovirus, a myxoma virus, a reovirus, a mumps virus, a Maraba virus, a rabies virus, a rotavirus, a hepatitis virus, a rubella virus, a dengue virus, a chikungunya virus, a respiratory syncytial virus, a lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, a morbillivirus, a lentivirus, a replicating retrovirus, a rhabdovirus, a Seneca Valley virus, a Sindbis virus, and any variant or derivative thereof.
  • viral vector-based delivery platforms are described in the art, such as vaccinia, fowlpox, self-replicating alphavirus, marabavirus, adenovirus (See, e.g., Tatsis et al., Adenoviruses, Molecular Therapy (2004) 10, 616 — 629), or lentivirus, including but not limited to second, third or hybrid second/third generation lentivirus and recombinant lentivirus of any generation designed to target specific cell types or receptors (See, e.g., Hu et al., Immunization Delivered by Lentiviral Vectors for Cancer and Infectious Diseases, Immunol Rev.
  • sequences may be preceded with one or more sequences targeting a subcellular compartment.
  • infected cells i.e., an engineered cell
  • infected cells i.e., an engineered cell
  • Vaccinia vectors and methods useful in immunization protocols are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,848.
  • Another vector is BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin). BCG vectors are described in Stover et al. (Nature 351:456-460 (1991)).
  • BCG vectors are described in Stover et al. (Nature 351:456-460 (1991)).
  • a wide variety of other vectors useful for the introduction (z.e., delivery) of engineered nucleic acids e.g., Salmonella typhi vectors, and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description herein.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platforms can be a virus that targets a cell, herein referred to as an oncolytic virus.
  • oncolytic viruses include, but are not limited to, an oncolytic herpes simplex virus, an oncolytic adenovirus, an oncolytic measles virus, an oncolytic influenza virus, an oncolytic Indiana vesiculovirus, an oncolytic Newcastle disease virus, an oncolytic vaccinia virus, an oncolytic poliovirus, an oncolytic myxoma virus, an oncolytic reovirus, an oncolytic mumps virus, an oncolytic Maraba virus, an oncolytic rabies virus, an oncolytic rotavirus, an oncolytic hepatitis virus, an oncolytic rubella virus, an oncolytic dengue virus, an oncolytic chikungunya virus, an oncolytic respiratory syncytial virus, an oncolytic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, an oncolytic morbill
  • any of the oncolytic viruses described herein can be a recombinant oncolytic virus comprising one more transgenes (e.g., an engineered nucleic acid) encoding one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest.
  • the transgenes encoding the one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest can be configured to express the chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be retrovirus-based.
  • retroviral vectors are comprised of cis-acting long terminal repeats with packaging capacity for up to 6-10 kb of foreign sequence.
  • the minimum cis-acting LTRs are sufficient for replication and packaging of the vectors, which are then used to integrate the one or more engineered nucleic acids (e.g., transgenes encoding the one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest) into the target cell to provide permanent transgene expression.
  • Retroviral-based delivery systems include, but are not limited to, those based upon murine leukemia, virus (MuLV), gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), Simian Immuno deficiency vims (SIV), human immuno deficiency vims (HIV), and combinations thereof (see, e.g., Buchscher et al., J. Virol. 66:2731-2739 (1992); Johann et ah, J. Virol. 66:1635-1640 (1992); Sommnerfelt et al., Virol. 176:58-59 (1990); Wilson et ah, J. Virol. 63:2374-2378 (1989); Miller et al, J, Virol. 65:2220- 2224 (1991); PCT/US94/05700).
  • Other retroviral systems include the Phoenix retrovirus system.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be lentivirus-based.
  • lentiviral vectors are retroviral vectors that are able to transduce or infect non-dividing cells and typically produce high viral titers.
  • Lentiviral-based delivery platforms can be HIV -based, such as ViraPower systems (ThermoFisher) or pLenti systems (Cell Biolabs).
  • Lentiviral-based delivery platforms can be SIV, or FIV-based.
  • Other exemplary lentivirus-based delivery platforms are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be adenovirus-based.
  • adenoviral based vectors are capable of very high transduction efficiency in many cell types, do not require cell division, achieve high titer and levels of expression, and can be produced in large quantities in a relatively simple system.
  • adenoviruses can be used for transient expression of a transgene within an infected cell since adenoviruses do not typically integrate into a host’s genome.
  • Adenovirus-based delivery platforms are described in more detail in Li et al., Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci 35:2543 2549, 1994; Borras et al., Gene Ther 6:515 524, 1999; Li and Davidson, PNAS 92:77007704, 1995; Sakamoto et al., H Gene Ther 5:1088 1097, 1999; WO 94/12649, WO 93/03769; WO 93/19191; WO 94/28938; WO 95/11984 and WO 95/00655, each herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • Other exemplary adenovirus-based delivery platforms are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based.
  • Adeno-associated virus (“AAV”) vectors may be used to transduce cells with engineered nucleic acids (e.g., any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein).
  • AAV systems can be used for the in vitro production of proteins of interest, such as the chimeric proteins described herein and/or effector molecules, or used in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy procedures, e.g., for in vivo delivery of the engineered nucleic acids encoding one or more chimeric proteins and/or other protein of interest (see, e.g., West et al., Virology 160:38-47 (1987); U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • an AAV-based vector comprises a capsid protein having an amino acid sequence corresponding to any one of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAV.RhlO, AAV11 and variants thereof.
  • an AAV-based vector has a capsid protein having an amino acid sequence corresponding to AAV2.
  • an AAV-based vector has a capsid protein having an amino acid sequence corresponding to AAV8.
  • AAV vectors can be engineered to have any of the exogenous polynucleotide sequences encoding the membrane-cleavable chimeric proteins described herein having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be a virus-like particle (VLP) platform.
  • VLPs are constructed by producing viral structural proteins and purifying resulting viral particles. Then, following purification, a cargo/payload (e.g., any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein) is encapsulated within the purified particle ex vivo. Accordingly, production of VLPs maintains separation of the nucleic acids encoding viral structural proteins and the nucleic acids encoding the cargo/payload.
  • the viral structural proteins used in VLP production can be produced in a variety of expression systems, including mammalian, yeast, insect, bacterial, or in vivo translation expression systems.
  • the purified viral particles can be denatured and reformed in the presence of the desired cargo to produce VLPs using methods known to those skilled in the art. Production of VLPs are described in more detail in Seow et al. (Mol Ther. 2009 May; 17(5): 767-777), herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be engineered to target (z.e., infect) a range of cells, target a narrow subset of cells, or target a specific cell.
  • the envelope protein chosen for the viral vector-based delivery platform will determine the viral tropism.
  • the virus used in the viral vector-based delivery platform can be pseudotyped to target a specific cell of interest.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be pantropic and infect a range of cells.
  • pantropic viral vector-based delivery platforms can include the VSV-G envelope.
  • the viral vector-based delivery platform can be amphotropic and infect mammalian cells. Accordingly, one skilled in the art can select the appropriate tropism, pseudotype, and/or envelope protein for targeting a desired cell type.
  • engineered nucleic acids e.g., any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein
  • lipid-mediated delivery systems nanoparticle/nanomaterial delivery systems
  • genomic editing systems electroporation, sonication, gene gun, hydrodynamic injection, and cell membrane deformation by physical means, including exemplary versions of those systems described in International Application Pub. No. WO2023205614, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • compositions for delivering a cargo/payload (a “delivery vehicle”).
  • the cargo can comprise nucleic acids (e.g., any of the engineered nucleic acids described herein, such as any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein), as described above.
  • the cargo can comprise proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, small molecules, and/or combinations thereof.
  • the cargo can be any of the chimeric proteins provided for herein (e.g., any of the multicistronic systems encoding each of (i) a membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) a bivalent aCAR; and (iii) an iCAR described herein).
  • the cargo can be a combination of the chimeric proteins described herein, e.g., two or more of the chimeric proteins described herein.
  • the cargo can be a combination of the chimeric protein described herein and another cargo of interest, such as another protein, carbohydrate, lipid, small molecule, and/or combination thereof.
  • the delivery vehicle can comprise any composition suitable for delivering a cargo.
  • the delivery vehicle can comprise any composition suitable for delivering a protein (e.g., any of the chimeric proteins described herein).
  • the delivery vehicle can be any of the lipid structure delivery systems described herein.
  • a delivery vehicle can be a lipid-based structure including, but not limited to, a lipid-based nanoparticle, a liposome, a micelle, an exosome, a vesicle, an extracellular vesicle, a cell, or a tissue.
  • the delivery vehicle can be any of the nanoparticles described herein, such as nanoparticles comprising lipids (as previously described), inorganic nanomaterials, and other polymeric materials.
  • the delivery vehicle can be capable of delivering the cargo to a cell, such as delivering any of the chimeric proteins described herein to a cell.
  • the delivery vehicle can be capable of delivering the cargo to a cell, such as delivering any of the chimeric proteins described herein to a cell.
  • the delivery vehicle can be configured to target a specific cell, such as configured with a re-directing antibody to target a specific cell.
  • the delivery vehicle can be capable of delivering the cargo to a cell in vivo.
  • the delivery vehicle can be capable of delivering the cargo to a tissue or tissue environment (e.g., a tumor microenvironment), such as delivering any of the chimeric proteins described herein to a tissue or tissue environment in vivo.
  • Delivering a cargo can include secreting the cargo, such as secreting any of the chimeric proteins described herein.
  • the delivery vehicle can be capable of secreting the cargo, such as secreting any of the chimeric proteins described herein.
  • the delivery vehicle can be capable of secreting the cargo to a tissue or tissue environment (e.g., a tumor microenvironment), such as secreting any of the chimeric proteins described herein into a tissue or tissue environment.
  • the delivery vehicle can be configured to target a specific tissue or tissue environment (e.g., a tumor microenvironment), such as configured with a re-directing antibody to target a specific tissue or tissue environment.
  • Embodiment 1 A method of treating a subject known or suspected of having cancer, the method comprising: administering a cell therapy to the subject, wherein the cell therapy comprises an immunoresponsive cell engineered to express a recombinant cytokine, wherein the immunoresponsive cell engineered to express the recombinant cytokine comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S, wherein S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine, C comprises a protease cleavage site, and MT comprises a cell membrane tethering domain, wherein S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide; and administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2.
  • the cell therapy comprises an
  • Embodiment 2 The method of embodiment 1, wherein the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • iCAR inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor
  • EMCN antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin
  • EMCN antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin
  • polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • Embodiment 3 The method of any one of embodiments 1-2, wherein the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR) comprising: an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3; an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response; and one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • aCAR bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor
  • Embodiment 4 A method of treating a subject known or suspected of having cancer, the method comprising: administering a cell therapy to the subject , wherein the cell therapy comprises an immunoresponsive cell engineered to express a recombinant cytokine; and administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2.
  • Embodiment 5 The method of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the immunoresponsive cell is engineered to express the recombinant cytokine is from a multicistronic expression system.
  • Embodiment 6 The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the administration of IL-2 comprises multiple administrations.
  • Embodiment 7 The method of embodiment 6, wherein the multiple administrations of IL- 2 is at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, or at least 9 administrations.
  • Embodiment 8 The method of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein IL-2 is administered within 4, within 5, within 7, or within 8 hours following the start of the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 9 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered within 4 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 10 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered within 6 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 11 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered within 4 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 12 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered within 5 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 13 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered within 6 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 14 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered within 7 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 15 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered within 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 16 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered between 4 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 17 The method of embodiment 1-8, wherein IL-2 is administered between 6 to 8 hours following the administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 18 The method of any one of embodiments 1-17, wherein IL-2 is administered within 24 or 48 hours after the administering of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 19 The method of any one of embodiments 1-18, wherein the administration of the cell therapy comprises multiple administrations.
  • Embodiment 20 The method of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein IL-2 is administered at least 1, at least 2, a least 3 times a week following each administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 21 The method of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein IL-2 is administered at least 1 time a week following administration of each dose of a cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 22 The method of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein IL-2 is administered at least 2 times a week following administration of each dose of a cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 23 The method of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein IL-2 is administered at least 3 times a week following administration of each dose of a cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 24 The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the cell therapy is administered again at least on day 7 and/or day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 25 The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the cell therapy is administered again at least on day 7 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 26 The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the cell therapy is administered again at least on day 7 and day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 27 The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the cell therapy and the pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2 are administered again at least on day 7 and/or day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 28 The method of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein the cell therapy and the pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2 are administered again at least on day 7 following the initial administration of the cell therapy
  • Embodiment 29 The method of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein the cell therapy and the pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2 are administered again at least on day 7 and day 14 following the initial administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 30 The method of any one of embodiments 1-29, wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount of of IL-2 is between 1-10 MIU, optionally wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-2 is a dose of 3 MIU.
  • Embodiment 31 The method of any one of embodiments 1-30, wherein the recombinant cytokine comprises IL- 15 or a functional fragment thereof.
  • Embodiment 32 The method of any one of embodiments 1-31, wherein the recombinant cytokine comprises crIL15.
  • Embodiment 33 The method of any one of embodiments 1-32, wherein the subject has, prior to administration of the cell therapy, been administered one or more lymphodepletion agents.
  • Embodiment 34 The method of embodiment 33, wherein the one or more lymphodepletion agents is administered 5 days prior to administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 35 The method of embodiments 33-34, wherein the one or more lymphodepletion agents is administered daily until administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 36 The method of embodiments 33-35, wherein the one or more lympodepletion agents comprises fludarabine, cytarabine (Ara-C), or combinations thereof.
  • Embodiment 37 The method of embodiments 33-36, wherein the one or more lymphodepletion agents are administered intravenously.
  • Embodiment 38 The method of embodiments 33-37, wherein fludarabine is administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and cytarabine (Ara-C) is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2.
  • Embodiment 39 The method of any one of embodiments 1-38, wherein the method of treatment comprises a reduction in tumor volume in the subject.
  • Embodiment 40 The method of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the method of treatment comprises treatment of a solid tumor in the subject.
  • Embodiment 41 The method of any one of embodiments 1-40, wherein the method of treatment comprises inducing an immune response in the subject.
  • Embodiment 42 The method of any one of embodiments 1-41, wherein the immunoresponsive cell engineered to express the recombinant cytokine comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula:
  • S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine,
  • C comprises a protease cleavage site
  • Embodiment 43 The method of any one of embodiments 1-42, wherein the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • iCAR inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor
  • EMCN antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin
  • EMCN antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin
  • polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • Embodiment 44 The method of any one of embodiments 1-43, wherein the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR) comprising: an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3; an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response; and one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • aCAR bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor
  • Embodiment 45 The method of any one of embodiments 1-44, wherein the immunoresponsive cell comprises an engineered nucleic acid comprising: an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S, wherein S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine, C comprises a protease cleavage site, and MT comprises a cell membrane tethering domain, wherein S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide; an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and one or more poly
  • Embodiment 46 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-45, wherein the exogenous polynucleotides encoding each of the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the iCAR, and the bivalent aCAR are linked together by a polynucleotide linker encoding a 2A ribosome skipping element, optionally wherein the 2A ribosome skipping element is selected from the group consisting of: a T2A ribosome skipping element, a E2A ribosome skipping element, a P2A ribosome skipping element, a F2A ribosome skipping element, ribosome skipping element fusions thereof, and combinations thereof, optionally wherein the ribosome skipping element fusion comprises an E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element, optionally wherein the E2A/T2A ribosome skipping element comprises the amino acid sequence QCTNYALLKLAGDVESNPGPGSGEG
  • Embodiment 47 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-46, wherein the membrane-cleavable chimeric protein, the iCAR, and the bivalent aCAR are encoded in order from 5’ to 3’: (i) membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) bivalent aCAR; and (iii) iCAR; or from 5’ to 3’: (i) membrane-cleavable chimeric protein; (ii) iCAR; and (iii) bivalent aCAR.
  • Embodiment 48 The multicistronic expression system of any one of claims 1-47, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises a signal peptide or a signal-anchor sequence, optionally wherein the signal peptide comprises a native signal peptide native to the secretable effector molecule, optionally wherein the signal peptide comprises a non-native signal peptide or the signal-anchor sequence comprises a non-native signal-anchor sequence non-native to the secretable effector molecule, optionally wherein the non-native signal peptide or the non-native signal-anchor sequence is selected from the group consisting of: IgE, IL- 12, IL-2, optimized IL- 2, trypsiongen-2, Gaussia luciferase, CD5, human IgKVII, murine IgKVII, VSV-G, prolactin, serum albumin preprotein, azurocidin preprotein, osteonectin, CD33, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, TIMP2, V
  • Embodiment 49 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-48, wherein the protease cleavage site further comprises the N-terminal peptide linker, optionally selected from the group consisting of: SGGGGSGGGGSG(SEQ ID NO: 230);
  • GGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 231); GGS(SEQ ID NO: 232); GGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 233); GGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 234); GGSGGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 235);
  • protease cleavage site further comprises the N-terminal peptide linker SGGGGSGGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 230), optionally wherein the protease cleavage site further comprises a C-terminal peptide linker, optionally selected from the group consisting of: SGGGGSGGGGSG(SEQ ID NO: 230); GGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ(SEQ ID NO: 231); GGS(SEQ ID NO: 232); GGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 233); GGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 234); GGSGGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 235); GGSGGSGGSGGSGGS(SEQ ID NO: 236); GGGS (SEQ ID NO: 237); GGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 238); GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGS
  • protease cleavage site further comprises the C-terminal linker GGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 231), optionally wherein the protease cleavage site comprises a Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Converting Enzyme (TACE)-specific cleavage site, optionally wherein the TACE-specific cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence VTPEPIFSLI (SEQ ID NO: 191), optionally, wherein the TACE-specific cleavage site comprises the amino acid sequence SGGGGSGGGGSGVTPEPIFSLIGGGSGGGGSGGGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 250), optionally wherein the TACE-specific cleavage site is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence TCAGGCGGCGGTGGTAGTGGAGGCGGAGGCTCAGG
  • Embodiment 50 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-49, wherein the cell membrane tethering domain comprises a transmembrane domain selected from the group consisting of: PDGFR-beta, CD8, CD28, CD3zeta-chain, CD4, 4- IBB, 0X40, ICOS, CTLA-4, PD-1, LAG-3, 2B4, LNGFR, NKG2D, EpoR, TNFR2, LIR1, B7-1, and BTLA, optionally wherein the cell membrane tethering domain comprises a B7-1 transmembrane domain, optionally wherein the B7-1 transmembrane domain comprises the amino acid sequence LLPSWAITLISVNGIFVICCLTYCFAPRCRERRRNERLRRESVRPV (SEQ ID NO: 204), optionally wherein the B7-1 transmembrane domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence TTGCTGCCTAGCTGGGCCATCACACTGATCTCCG
  • membrane-cleavable chimeric protein is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence ATGGACTGGACTTGGATACTCTTTCTGGTCGCTGCCGCCACACGGGTGCACTCTAAT TGGGTCAACGTGATCAGCGACCTGAAGAAGATCGAGGACCTGATCCAGAGCATGCA CATCGACGCCACACTGTACACCGAGTCCGATGTGCACCCTAGCTGCAAAGTGACCG CCATGAAGTGCTTTCTGCTGGAACTGC
  • Embodiment 51 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-50, wherein the antigen-binding domain specific for EMCN comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region, wherein: the EMCN-VH comprises: a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of RYDMH (SEQ ID NO: 291), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-H2) having the amino acid sequence of VIWGNGNTHYHSALKS (SEQ ID NO: 296), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of RIKD (SEQ ID NO: 298), and the EMCN-VL comprises: a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of KSSQSLVASDENTYLN (SEQ ID NO: 299), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-L2) having the
  • GGGS(SEQ ID NO: 237) ; GGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 238); GGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 239); GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 240); GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 241); GGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 242); GGGGSGGGGS(SEQ ID NO: 243);
  • the peptide linker comprises the amino acid sequence GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 244), optionally wherein the peptide linker is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence GGAGGCGGAGGATCTGGTGGCGGAGGAAGTGGCGGAGGCGGTTCT (SEQ ID NO: 253).
  • Embodiment 52 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-51, wherein the intracellular inhibitory domain comprises a LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain, optionally wherein the LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain comprises the amino acid sequence LRHRRQGKHWTSTQRKADFQHPAGAVGPEPTDRGLQWRSSPAADAQEENLYAAVKH TQPEDGVEMDTRSPHDEDPQAVTYAEVKHSRPRREMASPPSPLSGEFLDTKDRQAEED RQMDTEAAASEAPQDVTYAQLHSLTLRREATEPPPSQEGPSPAVPSIYATLAIH (SEQ ID NO: 285), optionally wherein the LIR1 intracellular inhibitory domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence CTGCGGCACAGAAGGCAGGGCAAGCACTGGACAAGCACCCAGAGAAAGGCCGACT TTCAGCATCCTGCTGGCGCCGTTGGACCTGAGCCTACAGATAGAGGACTGCAGTGG CGGT
  • Embodiment 53 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-52, wherein (A) the signal peptide is present in the iCAR, optionally wherein the signal peptide of the iCAR comprises a native signal peptide native or a non-native signal peptide, optionally wherein the non-native signal peptide or the non-native signal-anchor sequence is selected from the group consisting of: IgE, IL- 12, IL-2, optimized IL-2, trypsiongen-2, Gaussia luciferase, CD5, human IgKVII, murine IgKVII, VSV-G, prolactin, serum albumin preprotein, azurocidin preprotein, osteonectin, CD33, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, TIMP2, VEGFB, osteoprotegerin, serpin El, GROalpha, CXCL12, IL-21, CD8, NKG2D, TNFR2, and GMCSF, optionally wherein the
  • TTTPAPRPPTPAPTIALQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVHTRGLDFACD (SEQ ID NO: 271), optionally wherein the CD8 hinge comprises is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • transmembrane domain of the iCAR comprises a transmembrane domain selected from the group consisting of: PDGFR- beta, CD8, CD28, CD3zeta-chain, CD4, 4- IBB, 0X40, ICOS, CTLA-4, PD-1, LAG-3, 2B4, LNGFR, NKG2D, EpoR, TNFR2, B7-1, LIR1, and BTLA, optionally wherein the transmembrane domain of the iCAR comprises a LIR1 transmembrane domain, optionally wherein the LIR1 transmembrane domain
  • VIGILVAVILLLLLLLLLFLI SEQ ID NO: 259, optionally wherein the LIR1 transmembrane domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • Embodiment 54 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-53, wherein the iCAR comprises the amino acid sequence:
  • Embodiment 55 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-54, wherein the antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3 comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region, wherein: the FLT3-VH comprises: a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of GGTFSSYAIS (SEQ ID NO: 360), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR- H2) having the amino acid sequence of GIIPIFGTANYAQKFQG (SEQ ID NO: 361), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of FAEFGFREQAFDI (SEQ ID NO: 362), and the FLT3-VL comprises: a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of RASQSISSYLN (SEQ ID NO: 363), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (C
  • the FLT3-VL comprises the amino acid sequence DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQSISSYLNWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYAASSLQSGVPS RFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDLATYYCQQSYSTPFTFGPGTKVDIK (SEQ ID NO: 316), optionally wherein the FLT3-VH, and the FLT3-VL are separated by peptide linkers.
  • Embodiment 56 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-55, wherein the antigen-binding domain specific for CD33 comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region, wherein: the CD33-VH comprises: a heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-H1) having the amino acid sequence of DYNMH (SEQ ID NO: 402), a heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-H2) having the amino acid sequence of YIYPYNGGTGYNQKFKSKA (SEQ ID NO: 403), and a heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-H3) having the amino acid sequence of GRPAMDYWGQ (SEQ ID NO: 404), and the CD33-VL comprises a light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDR-L1) having the amino acid sequence of
  • RASES VDNYGISFMN (SEQ ID NO: 405), a light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDR-L2) having the amino acid sequence of AASNQGS (SEQ ID NO: 406), and a light chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR-L3) having the amino acid sequence of QQSKEVPWT (SEQ ID NO: 407), and wherein the amino acid sequences of the CDR-H1, the CDR-H2, the CDR-H3, the CDR-L1, the CDR-L2, and the CDR-L3 of the reference antibody are defined based on the Kabat numbering scheme; optionally wherein: the CD33-VH comprises the amino acid sequence
  • CD33-VL comprises the amino acid sequence DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASESVDNYGISFMNWFQQKPGKAPKLLIYAASNQG SGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQSKEVPWTFGQGTKVEIK (SEQ ID NO: 330), optionally wherein the CD33-VH, and the CD33-VL are separated by peptide linkers.
  • Embodiment 58 The multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-57, wherein the aCAR intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response is selected from the group consisting of: CD3-zeta, FcR gamma, FcR beta, CD3 gamma, CD3 delta, CD3 epsilon, CD5, CD22, CD79a, CD79b, CD278, FceRI, DAP10, DAP12, CD66d, CD97, CD2, ICOS, CD27, CD154, CD8, 0X40, 4-1BB, CD28, ZAP40, CD30, GITR, HVEM, DAP10, DAP12, MyD88, 2B4, CD40, PD-1, LFA-1, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, B7-H3, an MHC class I molecule, a TNF receptor protein, an Immunoglobulin-like protein, a cytokine receptor, an integrin, a SLAM protein, an activ
  • CD28 co-stimulatory domain is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence AGAAGCAAGCGGAGCAGACTGCTGCACAGCGACTACATGAACATGACCCCTAGAC GGCCCGGACCTACCAGAAAGCACTACCAGCCTTACGCTCCTCCTAGAGATTTCGCC GCCTACCGGTCC (SEQ ID NO: 288), optionally wherein the CD3( ⁇ signaling domain comprises the amino acid sequence RVKFSRSADAPAYKQGQNQLYNELNLGRREEYDVLDKRRGRDPEMGGKPRRKNPQEG LYNELQKDKMAEAYSEIGMKGERRRGKGHDGLYQGLSTATKDTYDALHMQALPPR (SEQ ID NO: 289), optionally wherein the CD3( ⁇ signaling domain is encoded by a polynucleot
  • the hinge domain of the aCAR is present, optionally wherein the hinge domain of the aCAR is selected from the group consisting of a human Ig (immunoglobulin) hinge, an IgG4 hinge, an IgG2 hinge, a CD8a hinge, or an IgD hinge, a KIR2DS2 hinge, an LNGFR hinge, a LIR1 hinge, a PDGFR-beta extracellular linker, and combinations thereof, optionally wherein the hinge domain of the aCAR comprises a CD8 hinge, optionally wherein the CD8 hinge comprises the amino acid sequence
  • ALSNSIMYFSHFVPVFLPAKPTTTPAPRPPTPAPTIASQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVHTRGL DFACD (SEQ ID NO: 272), optionally wherein the CD8 hinge comprises is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence
  • the transmembrane domain of the aCAR is present, optionally wherein the transmembrane domain of the aCAR is selected from the group consisting of a human Ig (immunoglobulin) hinge, an IgG4 hinge, an IgG2 hinge, a CD8a hinge, or an IgD hinge, a KIR2DS2 hinge, an LNGFR hinge, a LIR1 hinge, a PDGFR-beta extracellular linker, and combinations thereof, optionally wherein the transmembrane domain of the aCAR comprises a CD8 hinge, optionally wherein the CD8 transmembrane comprises the amino acid sequence IYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHR (SEQ ID NO: 206), optionally wherein the CD8 transmembrane comprises is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence ATCTATATCTGGGCCCCTCTGGCTGGCACATGCGGAGTTCTGCTGCTCAGCCTGGTC ATCACCCT
  • the aCAR signal peptide of the aCAR is present, optionally wherein the signal peptide of the aCAR is selected from the group consisting of: IgE, IL- 12, IL-2, optimized IL-2, trypsiongen-2, Gaussia luciferase, CD5, human IgKVII, murine IgKVII, VSV-G, prolactin, serum albumin preprotein, azurocidin preprotein, osteonectin, CD33, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, TIMP2, VEGFB, osteoprotegerin, serpin El, GROalpha, CXCL12, IL-21, CD8, NKG2D, TNFR2, GMCSF, and GM-CSFRa, optionally wherein the signal peptide of the aCAR comprises a GM-CSFRa signal peptide, optionally wherein the GM-CSFRa signal peptide comprises the amino acid sequence MLLLVTSLLLCELPHPAFLLIP (S)
  • aCAR comprises the amino acid sequence MLLLVTSLLLCELPHPAFLLIPEVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGGTFSSYAISWVR QAPGQGLEWMGGIIPIFGTANYAQKFQGRVTITADKSTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCA TFALFGFREQAFDIWGQGTTVTVSSGGGGSQVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYT FTDYNMHWVRQAPGQGLEWIGYIYPYNGGTGYNQKFKSKATITADESTNTAYMELSSL RSEDTAVYYCARGRPAMDYWGQGTLVTVSSGSTSGSGKPGSGEGSTKGDIQMTQSPSS LSASVGDRVTITCRASESVDNYGISFMNWFQQK
  • Embodiment 59 An expression vector comprising the multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-58.
  • Embodiment 60 An isolated cell comprising the multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-59 or the expression vector of embodiment 59, optionally wherein the cell comprises an immune cell, optionally wherein the cell is selected from the group consisting of a T cell, a Natural Killer (NK) cell, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), a regulatory T cell, a Natural Killer T (NKT) cell, a myeloid cell, a macrophage, a human embryonic stem cell (ESC), an ESC-derived cell, a pluripotent stem cell, and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), and an iPSC-derived cell, optionally wherein the cell is an NK cell.
  • NK Natural Killer
  • CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte
  • NKT Natural Killer T
  • myeloid cell a macrophage
  • ESC human embryonic stem cell
  • ESC-derived cell a pluripotent stem cell
  • iPSC induced pluripotent stem cell
  • Embodiment 61 A method of treating a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of any of the isolated cells of embodiment 60, optionally wherein the subject has cancer, optionally wherein the isolated cell is derived from the subject or is allogeneic with reference to the subject.
  • Embodiment 62 A method of stimulating a cell-mediated immune response to a tumor cell in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject having a tumor a therapeutically effective dose of any of the isolated cells of embodiment 60, optionally wherein the isolated cell is derived from the subject or is allogeneic with reference to the subject.
  • Embodiment 63 A method of making an engineered cell, comprising transducing an isolated cell with the multicistronic expression system of any one of embodiments 1-58 or the expression vector of embodiment 59.
  • Embodiment 64 A method of treating a subject known or suspected of having cancer, the method comprising: administering a cell therapy to the subject, wherein the cell therapy comprises an immunoresponsive cell engineered to express a recombinant cytokine, wherein the immunoresponsive cell engineered to express the recombinant cytokine comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a controlled release cytokine, oriented from N-terminal to C-terminal, having the formula: S - C - MT or MT - C - S, wherein S comprises a secretable effector molecule, wherein the secretable effector molecule comprises the recombinant cytokine, C comprises a protease cleavage site, and MT comprises a cell membrane tethering domain, wherein S - C - MT or MT - C - S is configured to be expressed as a single polypeptide; and administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of:
  • Embodiment 65 The method of embodiment 64, wherein the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) comprising: an antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin (EMCN); one or more intracellular inhibitory domains that inhibit an immune response; and one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • iCAR inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor
  • EMCN antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin
  • EMCN antigen-binding domain specific for endomucin
  • polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • Embodiment 66 The method of any one of embodiments 64 or 65, wherein the immunoresponsive cell comprises an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor (aCAR) comprising an antigen-binding domain specific for FLT3; an antigen-binding domain specific for CD33; one or more intracellular signaling domains that stimulate an immune response; and one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of: a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, a hinge domain, a spacer region, one or more peptide linkers, and combinations thereof.
  • aCAR bivalent activating chimeric antigen receptor
  • Embodiment 67 The method of any one of embodiments 64-66, wherein the agent comprises the combination of fludarabine and Ara-C.
  • Embodiment 68 The method of embodiment 67, wherein the fludarabine is administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and the cytarabine (Ara-C) is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2.
  • Embodiment 69 The method of any one of embodiments 64-68, wherein the agent is administered intravenously.
  • Embodiment 70 The method of any one of embodiments 64-69, wherein the agent is administered 5 days prior to administration of the cell therapy.
  • Embodiment 71 The method of any one of embodiments 64-70, wherein when the Ara-C is administered, the Ara-C is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2.
  • Embodiment 72 The method of any one of embodiments 64-66, wherein the agent comprises the combination of fludarabine and Ara-C, wherein the fludarabine is administered at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and the Ara-C is administered at a dose of 2 g/m2, and wherein the agent is administered 5 days prior to administration of the cell therapy.
  • Example 1 Clinical Assessment of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cell therapy combine with IL2 administration
  • the study is made up of 4 parts that have different procedures: screening, study treatment, post- treatment follow up, and long-term follow up.
  • the study doctor collects information on subject’s medical condition(s) and performs tests determine if inclusion criteria are met.
  • Subjects participate in a screening period that begins at the time a subject signs the informed consent and lasts for up to 28 days, but it may be shorter.
  • Bone marrow sample (within 14 days of first FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cell thereapy dose and before the start of lymphodepletion (LD)).
  • Electrocardiogram ECG: This test is performed three times within 5 minutes of each other as a routine analysis to ensure the reading is correct.
  • ECG Electrocardiogram
  • MUGA Multigated acquisition
  • cancer treatments are stopped before the subject’s first dose of the FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cell thereapy. Part of the screening determines whether the subject is able to stay off cancer treatment before joining the study. Cancer treatments are stopped at certain timesdepending on the type of previous cancer treatment the subject was getting.
  • the conditioning therapy is a 5-day lymphodepletion with fludarabine and cytarabine (ara-C).
  • Administration of fludarabine and cytarabine begins 7 days prior to the first dose of the cell therapy. Each day of lymphodepletion, fludarabine and cytarabine are given by a slow infusion through a vein (intravenous or IV) for 30-60 minutes. Fludarabine is given first, followed 4 hours later by cytarabine.
  • the standard dose is 30 mg/m2 of fludarabine and 2 g/m2 of cytarabine, but the doctor may change this dose based on the subject’s medical status.
  • the subject receives the FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cell therapy.
  • the cell therapy is given once a week for 3 weeks (on Days 0, 7, 14).
  • Some (but not all) participants receive recombinant human IL2 (rhIL2) 6-8 hours after each cell therapy dose.
  • the cell therapy dose levels that are being evaluated in this study are: 500 million cells, 1 billion cells, and 1.5 billion cells per dose. These doses are all measured as the number of CAR- positive cells, but the total number of cells the subject receives may be higher because some of the NK cells may not be CAR-positive. If the subject weighs less than 50kg, the actual dose received is adjusted based on weight and is a little less than 500 million, 1 billion, or 1.5 billion cells.
  • the first dose level tested in the study is 1 billion cells. A group of participants is receiving this dose. After this first group of participants finishes one treatment cycle (they must receive in total 3 doses of 1 billion cells given on Days 0, 7 and 14), the study sponsor and the study doctors reviews the study data and chooses which dose level to evaluate next.
  • the second dose level evaluated by the study may be higher (1.5 billion cells) or lower (500 million cells) depending on if the previous subjects have side effects. A new group of participants receives this second dose level. After the second group finishes a treatment cycle, the study sponsor and study doctors review the data again and select the recommended dose going forward. There is a possibility the study sponsor and study doctors could choose to evaluate an in-between dose if study data indicates the need to do so.
  • Subjects assigned to the study group also receiving rhIL2 are receiving an ultra-low dose of rhIL2 (3 MIU) approximately 6 to 8 hours after each cell therapy infusion (days 0, 7, and 14 of each treatment cycle).
  • the rhIL2 is given by a small needle by subcutaneous injection. If the subject experiences side effects from rhIL2, the study doctor may choose to skip further doses of rhIL2 and continue with chemotherapy and the cell therapy alone.
  • the treatment cycle may be repeated up to 3 times.
  • the subject’s doctor decides based on side effects the subject may be experiencing and how the subject’s cancer responds to the cell therapy.
  • FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells were manufactured using enriched NK cells from the peripheral blood of healthy adult donors (PBNK cells). Each lot of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells started with the co-culture of PBNK cells and irradiated activating cells (XK562-mIL21).
  • the NK cells were transduced with a tricistronic y-retroviral vector to express a CD33/FLT3 bivalent activating CAR (aCAR) that recognizes and activates the killing of cells expressing CD33 and/or FLT3, an endomucin (EMCN) inhibitory CAR (iCAR) that binds and inhibits the killing of cells expressing EMCN.
  • aCAR CD33/FLT3 bivalent activating CAR
  • EMCN endomucin
  • iCAR endomucin inhibitory CAR
  • the same vector also encodes the controlled release IL15 (crIL15).
  • engineered cells A schematic illustration of the components of the engineered NK cell system is shown in FIG. 1.
  • each of the components were encoded in constructs in a multicistronic system where each of the components were encoded in a single engineered nucleic acid capable of transcription as a single mRNA transcript and separated by 2A ribosome skipping elements. Following transcription, each of the encoded proteins would be translated as distinct peptides.
  • the cells were then transferred into a closed system and expanded until the target number of NK cells was reached ( ⁇ 14 days).
  • the harvest cell suspension was volume reduced, pooled, washed, and formulated and the CAR NK cells were dispensed into vials, frozen, and stored in vapor phase liquid nitrogen (LN2) until their use in assays to determine persistence.
  • LN2 vapor phase liquid nitrogen
  • % crIL15 + represents the percentage of cells that stain positively for IL15 by flow cytometry at the time of the assay. This metric does not account for cells that may express crIL15 which is then released and not detected.
  • NK MACS NK MACS Basal Medium, 465 mL; NK MACS Supplement, 5 mL; Human AB Serum, 25 mL; Penicillin/Streptomycin, 5 mL).
  • NK cells were used to test “high dose” cytokine conditions and were cultured in NK MACS complete medium supplemented with 500 lU/mL rhIL-2 and 10 ng/mL recombinant human IL 15 (rhIL15).
  • NK cells were plated in triplicate for each planned time point at the start of the experiment, and three wells for each culture condition were collected, counted, and discarded at each time point. The exceptions to this were the high dose cytokine growth conditions, for which a smaller number of wells were plated; in these cases, samples were taken from a subset of cells on a rotational basis, to maximize the time between which the same well would be sampled.
  • Table 14 summarizes the culture conditions and cell counting schedule.
  • Total live cell number (Live cell concentration) * (Remaining volume in well)
  • the fold change in cell count at each time point was calculated using the baseline count established at day 0 for each lot of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells. This analysis was performed using the following formula:
  • the duration of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells in vitro persistence under conditions without IL-2 supplementation was defined as the time point when (1) the difference in mean fold change between FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells. and non-engineered NK cells was not statistically significant, and (2) the fold change in total live cell number dropped below 0.1, indicating less than 10% of seeded cells were remaining in the counted wells.
  • the threshold of 0.1 was arbitrarily chosen to indicate a low number of remaining cells.
  • FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cell cultures were characterized by an initial decrease in cell number at the first time point taken, followed by a period of recovery and eventual decline in cell count.
  • Lor the three lots that showed in vitro persistence the initial decrease in cell count was followed by an increase over the next 7-10 days, before cell numbers steadily decreased again until live cells were no longer detected.
  • the increase in cell number was higher for Lot 3 and Lot 4 compared to the other lots, reaching a maximum of about 0.75-fold above what was originally seeded for Lot 3, and a maximum of about 0.2-fold above that seeded for Lot 4.
  • non-engineered NK cell counts from matched lots declined sharply and rapidly, with live cells being no longer detectable by day 7 in all NK lots tested. This suggested that the non-engineered NK cells were unable to survive without cytokine support.
  • Lot 1 The initial drop in cell count was reduced with the addition of IL-2. About 50% of originally seeded cells (approximately the peak cell count observed without IL-2) were maintained in cultures for 18 days before cell numbers started to decline. Lot 2: A small portion of cells persisted for 11 days before starting to decline.
  • Lot 3 and Lot 4 The peak of NK cell expansion at days 10-14 was slightly higher with the addition of 10 lU/mL IL-2 compared to the condition lacking IL-2 supplementation.
  • NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against target cell lines was assessed using a flow cytometry-based cytotoxicity assay. Briefly, target cell lines were stained with a fluorescent labeling reagent and co-cultured with NK cells. At the end of the culture period, cells were stained with a fluorescent viability dye before being analyzed on a flow cytometer.
  • NK cells were washed in RPML1640 + 10% FBS (assay medium) and plated in 96-well U-bottom plates.
  • Target cell lines were stained with a labeling reagent according to vendor’s instructions and resuspended in assay medium.
  • Cytotoxicity was calculated by normalizing the viability of co-cultured AML target cells to their viability at baseline. The following formula was used to calculate percent NK- mediated cytotoxicity:
  • KG- la cells that do not express CD33 and FLT3 displayed no cytotoxicity in the presence of the “IL-2, 4 days” condition whether the KG- la cells were cultured with non-engineered NK cells or FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells indicating AML cells were not killed by the presence of IL-2 alone (FIG. 6).
  • FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells cultured without IL-2 had high cytotoxicity at 2: 1 E:T ratio ranging from nearly 80-100% against HL-60, THP-1 and Kasumi-1 to 50-65% against MOLM-13 and MV4-11 (FIG. 7). With decreasing E:T ratio, the cytotoxicity generally decreased, although there was robust (50% or higher) cytotoxicity observed against HL-60, THP-1, and Kasumi-1.
  • the serial killing activity of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells was assessed in comparison to non-engineered NK cells against AML target cell lines and effect of IL-2 on the serial killing activity of FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells against AML target cell lines.
  • AML target cell lines were stained with a fluorescent labeling reagent according to manufacturer’s instructions and resuspended in assay medium. 5xl0 4 AML target cells were then plated into each designated well in assay medium, for a final E:T ratio of 2:1. To establish a baseline cytotoxicity measurement, some wells contained AML target cells that were cultured in the absence of NK cells.
  • Co-cultures were analyzed by flow cytometry, with AML target cells distinguished by the fluorescent labeling reagent staining and dead cells identified by viability staining.
  • FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells demonstrated significantly increased serial killing ability over three rounds compared to donor- matched non-engineered NK cells.
  • An increase in cytotoxicity for FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells in at least one round of serial killing was observed in all 5 AML target cell lines tested. All statistical significance values are listed in Table 16.
  • FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cell serial killing was further assessed on all AML target cell lines in the presence or absence of IL-2. As shown in FIG. 10, IL-2 enhanced FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells serial killing for three (MV4-11, MOLM-13, and HL-60) out of the five AML target cell lines tested. All statistical significance values are listed in Table 17.
  • Engineered FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells.
  • FLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR-NK cells recombinantly expressing crIL15 exhibited serial killing even in the absence of IL-2 supplementation during the killing assay; the lowest level of cytotoxicity observed for all conditions was between 40-50%.
  • supplementation with IL2 showed significantly greater cytotoxicity compared to no IL-2 supplementation, even in the presence of recombinantly expressed crIL15 (see the 3rd re- challenge with MOLM-13 and MV4-11, and the 2nd re-challenge with HL- 60).
  • the average cytotoxicity of LLT3 OR CD33 NOT EMCN logic-gated CAR- NK cells without IL-2 was at least 70%, limiting the ability to assess additional cytotoxic benefit due to supplementation with IL-2.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne des systèmes d'expression multicistronique qui codent pour des protéines chimériques, en particulier des systèmes chimériques clivables par membrane et des récepteurs antigéniques chimériques pour une administration en combinaison avec la cytokine IL2 pour traiter un sujet atteint d'un cancer. La présente invention concerne, en outre, des acides nucléiques, des cellules et des méthodes associées.
PCT/US2024/056286 2023-11-16 2024-11-15 Procédés d'amélioration de la cytotoxicité des cellules immunitaires modifiées Pending WO2025106924A1 (fr)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20190151362A1 (en) * 2016-04-22 2019-05-23 Carsgen Therapeutics Co., Ltd. Compositions and methods of cellular immunotherapy
US20200010803A1 (en) * 2017-03-08 2020-01-09 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Immune cell compositions and methods of use
WO2020223445A1 (fr) * 2019-04-30 2020-11-05 Senti Biosciences, Inc. Récepteurs chimériques et leurs méthodes d'utilisation
WO2022266396A1 (fr) * 2021-06-16 2022-12-22 Senti Biosciences, Inc. Récepteurs chimériques armés et leurs méthodes d'utilisation

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20190151362A1 (en) * 2016-04-22 2019-05-23 Carsgen Therapeutics Co., Ltd. Compositions and methods of cellular immunotherapy
US20200010803A1 (en) * 2017-03-08 2020-01-09 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Immune cell compositions and methods of use
WO2020223445A1 (fr) * 2019-04-30 2020-11-05 Senti Biosciences, Inc. Récepteurs chimériques et leurs méthodes d'utilisation
WO2022266396A1 (fr) * 2021-06-16 2022-12-22 Senti Biosciences, Inc. Récepteurs chimériques armés et leurs méthodes d'utilisation

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