DR. RICHARD J HODES, M.D.
Osteopathic Medicine at Lone Oak Dr, Bethesda, MD

2011028, Nov 24, 2011

Sep 13, 2007

12/441335

Hua Gu - New York NY, US
Richard Hodes - Bethesda MD, US
Jeffrey J. Chiang - Herndon VA, US
Ihnkyung Jang - New York NY, US

The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Dept of the HH - Rockville MD
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK - New York NY

A61K 35/14, A61M 37/00, A61P 35/00, A61P 37/04, C12N 5/0783, G01N 33/566

4242771, 435375, 435 71, 435 792, 604522

The invention provides an isolated, purified population of human cells comprising CD8+ T cells with reduced Cbl-b activity. The invention provides uses of such cells in methods for inducing or enhancing an anti-tumor immune response in a subject. These methods comprise: (a) providing a cell population, from a subject or from another source, which comprises CD8+ T cells, (b) reducing Cbl-b activity in the CD8+ T-cells, (c) administering the cells of step (b) to the subject. The invention provides methods for making CD8+ T cells that do not require stimulation through a co-receptor in order for the cell to become activated or proliferated in response to contact via its T cell receptor. Such methods are based upon reducing function of Cbl-b. The invention also provides methods for identifying agents which affect Cbl-b expression or activity.