In situ mobilization, reprogramming, and release of CAR-T cells

Abstract

Disclosed are hydrogel matrices for use in recruiting and reprogramming CAR T cells, CAR NK cells, CAR NK T cells, CAR macrophages, tumor-infiltrating NK cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and bone marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] I. Background technology Adoptive cell transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected T lymphocytes (CAR-T cells) has produced impressive clinical benefits against B-cell malignancies and is also effective against other types of cancer. Current clinical-scale production methods for CAR-T cells require extensive ex vivo cell engineering: isolation of autologous T cells, transduction with a viral vector encoding the CAR, and ex vivo expansion of CAR-T cells before infusion back into the patient. The elaborate and time-intensive ex vivo procedures are substantially expensive; the procedure takes 3–4 weeks and costs approximately $500,000. These costs limit the potential for extending this technology to other cancers and patients. Novel methods for mobilizing and modifying T cells to circumvent the challenges associated with current CAR T cells are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0002] II. Summary of the Invention 2. Methods and compositions relating to hydrogels containing chemoattractants are disclosed.

[0003] 3. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a hydrogel matrix comprising one or more chemoattractants, wherein the one or more chemoattractants include C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2.

[0004] 4. Also disclosed herein is the hydrogel matrix of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a viral vector (e.g., a lentivirus, retrovirus, adenovirus, or adeno-associated virus) encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor (including but not limited to an anti-CD3 antibody, CD1d, an immunoglobulin Fc fragment, or an anti-i-Fcγ receptor (FcγRIII) antibody), an NK T cell receptor, and / or a T cell receptor (e.g., an antigen-specific T cell receptor).

[0005] 5. In one aspect, also disclosed herein is a hydrogel matrix of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising one or more antibodies, cytokines, and / or costimulatory molecules that activate T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (MILs), tumor-infiltrating NK cells (TINKs), dendritic cells, or macrophages. For example, the antibodies can include anti-CD3, anti-CD28, anti-inducible costimulatory factor (ICOS), anti-CD40L, anti-DAP10, and the cytokines can include IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, TNF-α, or IFN-γ.

[0006] 6. Also disclosed herein is the hydrogel matrix of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a chemotherapeutic agent.

[0007] 7. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a bioresponsive hydrogel of any preceding aspect. For example, disclosed herein are subject cancer treatment methods comprising administering to a subject a hydrogel matrix comprising one or more chemoattractants, the one or more chemoattractants comprising C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2, wherein the chemoattractants attract and retain immune cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, TILs, MILs, TINKs, dendritic cells, and / or macrophages) to the hydrogel.

[0008] 8. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the matrix further comprises an immunoblocking inhibitor and / or a chemotherapeutic agent.

[0009] 9. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of any of the preceding aspects for treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis, wherein the hydrogel further comprises a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor (including, but not limited to, an anti-CD3 antibody, CD1d, an immunoglobulin Fc fragment, or an anti-Fcγ receptor (FcγRIII) antibody), an NK T cell receptor, and / or a T cell receptor (TCR) (including an antigen-specific T cell receptor). In one aspect, the viral vector transduces immune cells, and the transduced immune cells are released from the hydrogel to the cancer. It is understood, and is also contemplated herein, that the viral vector can be introduced into the hydrogel matrix prior to administration to a subject or about 1 to about 14 days after administration of the hydrogel matrix to a subject. That is, the viral vector can be introduced into the hydrogel in vivo.

[0010] 10. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the immune cells are released for about 1 week to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel.

[0011] 11. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the one or more chemoattractants are released from about 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel.

[0012] 12. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of transducing immune cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, TILs, or MILs) of a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject one or more chemoattractants (e.g., CCL1, CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2) and a transgene (e.g., a CAR, an NK cell receptor (including, but not limited to, an anti-CD3 antibody, CD1d, an immunoglobulin Fc fragment, or an anti-Fcγ receptor (FcγRIII) antibody), ...TcγRIII) antibody), an NK cell receptor (including, but not limited to, an anti-Fcγ receptor (TcγRIII) antibody), an NK cell receptor (including, but not limited to, an anti-Fcγ receptor (TcγRIII) antibody), an The method includes administering a hydrogel containing a viral vector (e.g., lentivirus, retrovirus, adenovirus, or adeno-associated virus) encoding a T cell receptor and / or TCR (including, but not limited to, an antigen-specific TCR). It is understood, and is contemplated herein, that the viral vector can be introduced into the hydrogel matrix prior to administration to the subject or from about 1 day to about 14 days after administration of the hydrogel matrix to the subject. That is, the viral vector can be introduced into the hydrogel in vivo.

[0013] 13. Also disclosed herein is a method of transducing immune cells according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the one or more chemoattractants are released from about 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel.

[0014] 14. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of any of the preceding aspects, of transducing immune cells, wherein the hydrogel further comprises one or more antibodies, cytokines and / or costimulatory molecules that activate T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, TILs, or MILs. For example, antibodies can include anti-CD28, CD3, B7-1, B7-2, anti-induced costimulatory factor (ICOS), ICOS ligand, anti-CD27, CD70, 4-1BBL, anti-41-BB, anti-CD40L, CD40, anti-DAP10, anti-CD30, CD30L, anti-TIM-1, anti-TIM-2, anti-TIM-3, anti-CD44, anti-NK1.1, lectin-like transcript-1 (LLT-1), anti-CD137, CD48, MICA, anti-2B4, and anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR), and cytokines can include IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, TNF-α, or IFN-γ. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and, together with the description, explain the compositions and methods of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 1] 16. This represents the in situ generation of CAR-T cells. The implanted scaffold releases chemokines to recruit host T cells. A viral vector reprograms the T cells with a tumor-specific CAR construct, and the CAR-modified T cells migrate out and attack the cancer. [Figure 2] 17. Illustrates the fabrication of macroporous gels via cryogelation. [Figure 3] 18. Shows SEM images of gels prepared by freeze-drying regimen (-20°C). [Figure 4] 19. CXCL10 regulates T cell recruitment to implanted scaffolds. Figure 4A shows the experimental schedule, and Figure 4B shows FACS analysis of CD3+ T cells recruited to blank (control) or CXCL10-releasing scaffolds. [Figure 5] 20. Demonstration that pre-seeded and mobilized T cells can be transduced within implanted scaffolds. Experimental schedule (5A, 5C) and FACS analysis (5B, 5D) for GFP+ T cells pre-seeded on scaffolds or mobilized to scaffolds with CXCL10. 5D shows the additional impact of CD3 / CD28 and IL-2 on scaffolds. [Figure 6] 21. Demonstrates in situ generation of CAR T cells. [Figure 7] 22. Shows in vivo transduction of recruited T cells with CD19 CAR virus. [Figure 8] 23. Schematic diagram of mouse Burkitt lymphoma tumor model generation. [Figure 9A] 24. Luminescent images of tumor size are shown at 19, 24, 29, 33, and 43 days after tumor inoculation for animals that received no treatment, iv administration of CD19 CAR T cells, or CCI-alginate scaffold (CCI-Alg) treatment. [Figure 9B] 25. Total flux and % body weight change at various time points after tumor inoculation for animals that received no treatment, iv administration of CD19 CAR T cells, or CCI-alginate scaffold (CCI-Alg) treatment are shown. [Figure 10] 26. CAR+ cell counts per 100 μl of blood were obtained from mice implanted with CCI scaffolds or intravenously injected with CAR-T cells. Blood was collected from the cheek of the mice, red blood cells were lysed, and cells were stained with Hu-CD45, Hu-CD3, and CAR.19 antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] IV. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 27. Before the present compounds, compositions, articles, devices, and / or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that they are not limited to particular synthetic methods, or to particular recombinant biotechnology methods, unless otherwise expressly stated, or to particular reagents, unless otherwise expressly stated, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0018] A.Definition 28. In this specification and the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings:

[0019] 29. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a "pharmaceutical carrier" includes mixtures of two or more such carriers, and the like.

[0020] 30. As used herein, ranges can be expressed from one particular value and / or to another particular value using the term "about." When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value creates another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values ​​disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as "about" that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is also disclosed. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed, "less than or equal to" that value, "greater than or equal to" that value, and possible ranges between values ​​are also disclosed, as would be well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, "greater than or equal to 10 (10 or less)" is also disclosed, as well as "less than or equal to 10 (10 or less)." It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and this data represents endpoints and starting points, as well as ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point 15 are disclosed, it is understood that values ​​between 10 and 15 are contemplated, as well as values ​​greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two specified units is disclosed. For example, if "10 and 15" are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0021] 31. "Administration" to a subject includes any route of introducing or delivering an agent to a subject. Administration can be by any suitable route, including oral, topical, intravenous, subcutaneous, transcutaneous, transdermal, intramuscular, intraarticular, parenteral, intraarteriolar, intradermal, intraventricular, intracranial, intraperitoneal, intralesional, intranasal, rectal, vaginal, by inhalation, via an implanted reservoir, parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intraperitoneal, intrahepatic, intralesional, and intracranial injection or infusion techniques), and the like. As used herein, "co-administration," "administration in combination," "co-administration," or "administered simultaneously" means that compounds are administered at the same time or essentially immediately after each other. In the latter case, the two compounds are administered sufficiently close in time that the results achieved and observed are indistinguishable from those that would be achieved if the compounds were administered at the same time. "Systemic administration" refers to the introduction or delivery of an agent to a subject via a route that introduces or delivers the agent to a wide area of ​​the subject's body (e.g., more than 50% of the body), for example, through entry into the circulatory or lymphatic system. In contrast, "local administration" refers to the introduction or delivery of an agent to a subject via a route that introduces or delivers the agent to the area of ​​the point of administration or an area immediately adjacent to the point of administration, but does not introduce the agent systemically in therapeutically significant amounts. For example, a locally administered agent is readily detectable in the local vicinity of the point of administration, but is undetectable or detectable in negligible amounts in distal portions of the subject's body. Administration includes self-administration and administration by another.

[0022] 32. "Biocompatible" generally refers to a material and any metabolic or decomposition products thereof that are generally non-toxic to the recipient and do not cause significant adverse effects in the subject.

[0023] 33. "Comprising" is intended to mean that the composition, method, etc. includes the recited elements but does not exclude other elements. "Consisting essentially of," when used to define compositions and methods, shall mean including the recited elements but excluding any elements essential to the combination. Thus, a composition consisting essentially of the elements defined herein does not exclude trace amounts of contaminants from isolation and purification methods, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, e.g., phosphate-buffered saline, preservatives, etc. "Consisting of" shall mean excluding more than trace amounts of other components and substantial method steps for administering the compositions of the invention. Embodiments defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of the present invention.

[0024] 34. A "control" is a substitute subject or sample used in an experiment for comparison purposes. Controls may be "positive" or "negative."

[0025] 35. "Controlled release" or "sustained release" refers to the release of a drug in a controlled manner from a given dosage form to achieve a desired pharmacokinetic profile in vivo. One aspect of "controlled release" drug delivery is the ability to manipulate the formulation and / or dosage form to establish desired kinetics of drug release.

[0026] 36. An "effective amount" of a drug refers to an amount of drug sufficient to provide a desired effect. The amount of drug that is "effective" will vary from subject to subject, depending on many factors, such as the subject's age and general condition, the particular drug or drugs, and other factors. Therefore, it is not always possible to specify a quantified "effective amount." However, an appropriate "effective amount" for any given subject may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using routine experimentation. Also, as used herein, unless otherwise specified, an "effective amount" of a drug can refer to an amount that covers both therapeutically and prophylactically effective amounts. The "effective amount" of a drug required to achieve a therapeutic effect may vary depending on factors such as the subject's age, sex, and weight. Dosage regimens can be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response. For example, several divided doses may be administered daily, or the dose may be proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation.

[0027] 1. "Increase" can refer to any change that results in a greater amount of a sign, disease, composition, symptom, or activity. An increase can be an increase in either the individual, median, or mean of a symptom, sign, activity, or composition by a statistically significant amount. Thus, an increase can be a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% increase, as long as it is statistically significant. An increase can also refer to a fold increase. For example, the increase is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 10 3 , 10 4 , 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 , 10 8 , 10 9 , 10 10 Including a doubling increase.

[0028] 2. "Reduction" can refer to any change that results in a smaller amount of gene expression, protein expression, symptom, disease, composition, condition, or activity. A substance is also understood to reduce the genetic output of a gene when the genetic output of a gene product containing the substance is less than the output of the gene product without the substance. A reduction can also be a change in the symptoms of a disorder, for example, such that the symptoms are lower than previously observed. A reduction can be a statistically significant amount of reduction in the individual, median, or mean of any condition, symptom, activity, or composition. Thus, as long as the reduction is statistically significant, the reduction can be a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% reduction. A reduction can also refer to a fold reduction. For example, decreases are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 10 3 , 10 4 , 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 , 10 8 , 10 9 , 10 10 Including a double reduction.

[0029] 3. "Inhibit," "inhibiting," and "inhibition" mean to reduce an activity, response, condition, disease, or other biological parameter. This can include, but is not limited to, the complete elimination of the activity, response, condition, or disease. This can also include, for example, a 10% reduction in the activity, response, condition, or disease compared to native or control levels. Thus, a reduction can be a 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100%, or any amount therebetween, compared to native or control levels.

[0030] 4. As used herein, the terms "prevent," "preventing," "prevention," and grammatical variations thereof refer to a method of partially or completely delaying or preventing the onset or recurrence of a disease and / or one or more symptoms associated with the disease, or preventing a subject from acquiring or re-acquiring a disease, or reducing a subject's risk of acquiring or re-acquiring a disease or one or more symptoms associated with the disease.

[0031] 5. A "pharmaceutically acceptable" ingredient can refer to an ingredient that is not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., the ingredient can be incorporated into the pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention and administered to a subject as described herein without causing significant undesirable biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any other ingredients of the formulation in which it is included. When used in connection with human administration, the term generally implies that the ingredient has met the required standards of toxicology and manufacturing testing or that the ingredient is listed in the Inactive Ingredients Guide prepared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

[0032] 6. "Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" (sometimes referred to as "carrier") means a carrier or excipient useful in preparing a pharmaceutical or therapeutic composition that is generally safe and non-toxic, and includes carriers acceptable for veterinary and / or human pharmaceutical or therapeutic use. The term "carrier" or "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" can include, but is not limited to, phosphate buffered saline, water, emulsions (such as oil / water emulsions or water / oil emulsions), and / or various types of wetting agents. As used herein, the term "carrier" encompasses, but is not limited to, any excipient, diluent, filler, salt, buffer, stabilizer, solubilizer, lipid, stabilizer, or other material well known in the art for use in pharmaceutical formulations and as further described herein.

[0033] 7. "Pharmacologically active" derivative or analogue, as in "pharmacologically active" (or simply "active"), can refer to a derivative or analogue (e.g., salt, ester, amide, conjugate, metabolite, isomer, fragment, etc.) that has the same type of pharmacological activity as the parent compound, and to about the same extent.

[0034] 8. "Therapeutic agent" refers to any composition that has a beneficial biological effect. Beneficial biological effects include both therapeutic effects, e.g., treatment of a disorder or other undesirable physiological condition, and prophylactic effects, e.g., prevention of a disorder or other undesirable physiological condition (e.g., non-immunogenic cancer). These terms also encompass pharmaceutically acceptable, pharmacologically active derivatives of the beneficial agents specifically named herein, including, but not limited to, salts, esters, amides, proagents, active metabolites, isomers, fragments, analogs, and the like. When the term "therapeutic agent" is used, or when a particular agent is specifically identified, it should be understood that the term includes the agent itself as well as pharmaceutically acceptable, pharmacologically active salts, esters, amides, proagents, conjugates, active metabolites, isomers, fragments, analogs, and the like.

[0035] 9. A "therapeutically effective amount" or "therapeutically effective dose" of a composition (e.g., a composition containing a drug) refers to an amount that is effective to achieve a desired therapeutic result. In some embodiments, the desired therapeutic result is the suppression of type 1 diabetes. In some embodiments, the desired therapeutic result is the suppression of obesity. The therapeutically effective amount of a given therapeutic agent will typically vary depending on factors such as the type and severity of the disorder or disease being treated, as well as the age, sex, and weight of the subject. The term can also refer to the amount of therapeutic agent or the rate of delivery of the therapeutic agent (e.g., amount over time) effective to promote a desired therapeutic effect, such as pain relief. The exact desired therapeutic effect will vary depending on the condition being treated, the subject's tolerance, the drug and / or drug formulation to be administered (e.g., the potency of the therapeutic agent, the concentration of the drug in the formulation, etc.), and various other factors understood by those skilled in the art. In some examples, the desired biological or medical response is achieved after administering multiple doses of the composition to the subject over a period of days, weeks, or years.

[0036] 10. In this specification and the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings:

[0037] 11. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and the description includes both the occurrence and non-occurrence of the event or circumstance.

[0038] 12. Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this application pertains. The references disclosed are also individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein for the material contained in them that is discussed in the sentence in which the reference is relied upon.

[0039] B. Composition 13. In addition to the components used to prepare the disclosed compositions, the compositions themselves used in the methods disclosed herein are also disclosed. These and other materials are disclosed herein, and when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed, it is understood that specific reference to each of the various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these compounds is not explicitly disclosed, but each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For example, if a particular hydrogel matrix containing a chemoattractant is disclosed and discussed, and numerous modifications that can be made to numerous molecules that comprise the chemoattractant-containing hydrogel matrix are discussed, then any and all combinations and permutations of the chemoattractant-containing hydrogel matrix and possible modifications thereof are specifically contemplated unless specifically stated otherwise. Thus, if classes of molecules A, B, and C are disclosed, as well as classes of molecules D, E, and F, and an example of a combined molecule, AD, is disclosed, then the combinations AE, AF, BD, BE, BF, CD, CE, and CF, each individually and collectively contemplated, are considered to be disclosed, even when not individually described. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also disclosed. Thus, for example, the subgroups AE, BF, and CE are considered to be disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this application, including, but not limited to, steps in the methods of making and using the disclosed compositions. Thus, if there are various additional steps that can be performed, it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed by any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed method.

[0040] Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy is a type of cancer immunotherapy that involves genetic modification of a patient's autologous T cells, NK cells, and / or macrophages into CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, CAR-NK-T cells, or CAR-macrophages (CARMA), respectively. These CAR cells express antibody-based chimeric antigen receptors that can target specific tumor antigens. The process involves the isolation of autologous T cells, NK cells, NK-T cells, or macrophages, transduction with a viral vector encoding the CAR, and ex vivo expansion and subsequent infusion of the CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, CAR-NK-T cells, or CARMA back into the patient. Despite significant clinical success, the cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly procedures associated with generating clinical-grade CAR immune cells (e.g., CAR T cells) according to strict regulatory standards remain a major barrier to implementing CAR immune cell therapy as a standard of care for cancer treatment. Approaches that can reduce the time and costs associated with generating CAR immune cells would be of great clinical importance and could dramatically increase the efficacy of CAR T cell, CAR-NK cell, CAR-NK-T cell and / or CARMA therapies.

[0041] 15. Generating tumor-specific CAR immune cells in situ can solve many of the challenges associated with ex vivo generation of CAR-T cells. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic receptors that redirect the specificity of immune cells (e.g., CAR T cells, CAR-NK cells, CAR-NK-T cells, or CARMA) to tumor-associated antigens. CD19 infusion. CAR-T cells have shown remarkable antitumor efficacy in clinical trials, initially via CD19 infusion. CAR-T therapy was approved by the FDA in 2017. T cell collection, ex vivo activation, gene modification, and cell expansion, followed by patient infusion, are time-consuming (approximately 4 weeks) and expensive (approximately $500,000). Given the significant burden cancer already places on healthcare systems, providing CAR immune cell therapy to millions of cancer patients presents a significant challenge. Herein, we demonstrate that CAR immune cells can be generated in situ in macroporous scaffolds loaded with T cell-recruiting factors and viral vectors encoding the CAR. This approach can reduce the time and cost associated with generating CAR immune cells (e.g., CAR T cells, CAR-NK cells, CAR-NK-T cells, or CARMA) which may be of clinical importance and dramatically increase the efficacy of CAR immune cell therapy.

[0042] 16. Disclosed herein is a strategy for in situ generation of CAR immune cells in patients using bioactive macroporous scaffolds. The scaffolds recruit immune cells, activate and reprogram them into CAR immune cells, and release the CAR immune cells into the body, directing them to tumors (Figure 1). Controlled release of chemokines from the scaffolds creates a gradient that attracts T cells (including but not limited to TILs and MILs), NK cells (including but not limited to TINKs), NK T cells, dendritic cells, and / or macrophages to the scaffold. The macroporous scaffolds promote chemokine-mediated infiltration of T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, and / or macrophages, and, together with embedded cytokines and antibodies, promote the survival and proliferation of T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, and / or macrophages, and also provide an interface for transduction with viral particles. After the chemokine is completely released, its depletion promotes the migration of CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, CAR-NK-T cells, or CARMA from the scaffold. In this approach, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, and / or macrophages are recruited to the biomaterial scaffold, reprogrammed with a CAR gene by a viral vector, and released from the scaffold into the bloodstream, resulting in the continuous generation of T cells, CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, CAR-NK-T cells, or CARMA in situ. Thus, in one aspect, disclosed herein is a hydrogel matrix comprising one or more chemoattractants.

[0043] 17. It is understood and contemplated herein that the purpose of the chemoattractant is to attract immune cells (e.g., T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), marrow infiltrating lymphocytes (MIL), tumor infiltrating NK cells (TINK), dendritic cells, and / or macrophages) to the hydrogel. Examples of one or more chemoattractants for use in the disclosed hydrogels include, but are not limited to, C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2.

[0044] 18. The hydrogels disclosed herein can be produced using any suitable biodegradable polymer. A "polymer" refers to a relatively high molecular weight organic compound, natural or synthetic, whose structure can be represented by repeating small units, or monomers. Non-limiting examples of polymers include polyethylene, rubber, and cellulose. Synthetic polymers are typically formed by addition or condensation polymerization of monomers. The term "copolymer" refers to a polymer formed from two or more different repeating units (monomer residues). By way of example and not limitation, a copolymer can be an alternating copolymer, a random copolymer, a block copolymer, or a graft copolymer. In certain embodiments, it is also contemplated that various block segments of a block copolymer may themselves comprise copolymers. The term "polymer" encompasses all forms of polymers, including, but not limited to, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, homopolymers, heteropolymers or copolymers, addition polymers, and the like.

[0045] 19. In one embodiment, the hydrogel can include a biocompatible polymer (e.g., alginate, etc.). Such a polymer can also serve to release CAR T cells, CAR NK cells, CAR NK T cells, CARMA, TILs, MILs, TINKs, and / or MILs over time into the tissue. As used herein, biocompatible polymers include, but are not limited to, polysaccharides such as alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, hydrophilic polypeptides, proteins such as collagen, fibrin, and gelatin, poly(amino acids) such as poly-L-glutamic acid (PGS), gamma-polyglutamic acid, poly-L-aspartic acid, poly-L-serine, or poly-L-lysine, polyalkylene glycols and polyalkylene oxides such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG), and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(oxyethylated polyols), poly(olefin alcohols), polyvinylpyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylamides), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylates), poly(saccharides), poly(hydroxy acids), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(lactic acid). Polyhydroxy acids such as poly(glycolic acid) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polyhydroxyalkanolates such as poly3-hydroxybutyrate or poly4-hydroxybutyrate, polycaprolactone, poly(orthoesters), polyanhydrides, poly(phosphazenes), poly(lactide-co-caprolactone), polycarbonates such as tyrosine polycarbonate, polyamides (including synthetic and natural polyamides), polypeptides and poly(amino acids), polyesteramides, polyesters, poly(dioxanones), poly(alkylene alkylates), hydrophobic polyethers, polyurethanes, polyetheresters, polyacetals, polycyanoacrylates, polyacrylates, polymethyl methacrylates, polysiloxanes, poly(oxyethylene) / poly(oxypropylene) copolymers, polyketals, polyphosphates, polyhydroxyvalerates, polyalkylene oxalates, polyalkylene succinates, poly(maleic acid), and copolymers thereof.Biocompatible polymers also include polyamides, polycarbonates, polyalkylenes, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene terephthalates, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), methacrylate PVA (m-PVA), polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes and their copolymers, alkyl celluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, nitrocellulose, polymers of acrylic esters and methacrylic esters, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, carboxyl Also included may be ethyl cellulose, cellulose triacetate, cellulose sulfate sodium salt, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate), poly(isobutyl methacrylate), poly(hexyl methacrylate), poly(isodecyl methacrylate), poly(lauryl methacrylate), poly(phenyl methacrylate), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(isopropyl acrylate), poly(isobutyl acrylate), poly(octadecyl acrylate), polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polyvinylpyrrolidone, derivatives thereof, linear and branched copolymers thereof, and block copolymers thereof, and blends thereof.Exemplary biodegradable polymers include polyesters, poly(orthoesters), poly(ethyleneamines), poly(caprolactones), poly(hydroxybutyrates), poly(hydroxyvalerates), polyanhydrides, poly(acrylic acids), polyglycolides, poly(urethanes), polycarbonates, polyphosphate esters, polyphospriazenes, derivatives thereof, linear and branched copolymers thereof, and block copolymers thereof, and blends thereof.

[0046] 20. In some embodiments, the particles comprise biocompatible and / or biodegradable polyesters or polyanhydrides, such as poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid). The particles may contain one of the following polyesters: homopolymers containing glycolic acid units, referred to herein as "PGA," such as poly-L-lactic acid, poly-D-lactic acid, poly-D,L-lactic acid, poly-L-lactide, poly-D-lactide, and poly-D,L-lactide 5, collectively referred to herein as "PLA," and caprolactone units, such as poly(e-caprolactone), collectively referred to herein as "PCL"; and copolymers containing lactic acid and glycolic acid units, such as various forms of poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide), characterized by a lactic acid:glycolic acid ratio and collectively referred to herein as "PLGA"; and polyacrylates, and derivatives thereof. Exemplary polymers also include copolymers of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with the above-mentioned polyesters, collectively referred to herein as "PEGylated polymers," such as various forms of PLGA-PEG or PLA-PEG copolymers. In certain embodiments, PEG regions can be covalently attached to the polymer to produce a "PEGylated polymer" via a cleavable linker. In one aspect, the polymer comprises at least 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent acetal pendant groups.

[0047] 21. Triblock copolymers disclosed herein include core polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), polymethacrylate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polycaprolactam, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, poly(lactic-glycolic) acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), cellulose derivatives such as hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc.

[0048] 22. In one embodiment, the hydrogel matrix can further comprise antibodies, chemokines and cytokines (e.g., CD28, CD3, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, IFN-γ and TNF-α) for immune activation and / or maintenance.

[0049] 23. It is understood and contemplated herein that the disclosed hydrogel matrices can further comprise one or more immune checkpoint inhibitors and / or chemotherapeutic agents. Chemotherapeutic agents that can be used in the disclosed hydrogel matrices can be any chemotherapeutic agent, including, but not limited to, the following: Abemaciclib, Abiraterone acetate, Abitrexate (Methotrexate), Abraxane (Paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation), ABVD, ABVE, ABVE-PC, AC, AC-T, Adcetris (Brentuximab Vedotin), ADE, Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine, Adriamycin (Doxorubicin hydrochloride), Afatinib dimaleate, Afinitor (Everolimus), Akynzeo (Netupitant and Palonosetron hydrochloride), Aldara (Imiquimod), Aldesleukin, Alecensa (Alectinib), Alectinib, Alemtuzumab, Alimta (Pemetrexed disodium), Aliqopa (Copanlisib hydrochloride), Alkeran for injection (Melphalan hydrochloride), Alkeran tablets (Melphalan), Aloxi (Palonosetron hydrochloride), Alunbrig (Brigatinib), Ambochlorin (Chlorambucil), Ambochlorin Chlorambucil), Amifostine, Aminolevulinic Acid, Anastrozole, Aprepitant, Aredia (Pamidronate Disodium), Arimidex (Anastrozole), Aromasin (Exemestane), Arranon (Nelarabine), Arsenic Trioxide, Arzerra (Ofatumumab), Erwinia chrysanthemi Asparaginase, Atezolizumab, Avastin (Bevacizumab), Avelumab, Axitinib, Azacitidine, Bavencio (Avelumab), BEACOPP, Becenum (Carmustine), Beleoodaq (Belinostat), Belinostat, Bendamustine Hydrochloride, BEP, Besponsa (Inotuzumab Ozogamicin), Bevacizumab, Bexarotene, Bexxar (Tositumomab and Iodine I 131Tositumomab)、Bicalutamide、BiCNU(Carmustine)、Bleomycin、Blinatumomab、Blincyto(Blinatumomab)、Bortezomib、Bosulif(Bosutinib)、Bosutinib、Brentuximab Vedotin, Brigatinib, BuMel, Busulfan, Busulfex(Busulfan), Cabazitaxel, Cabomethyx (Cabozantinib-S-Protein), Cabozantinib-S-Protein, CAF, Campath(Alemtuzumab), Campt osar, (Irinotecan ingredient), Capecitabine, CAPOX, Carac(Fluorouracil-drug), Carboplati n、CARBOPLATIN-TAXOL、Carfilzomib、Carmubris(Carmustine)、Carmustine、Carmustine Implant, Casodex (Bicalutamide), CEM, Ceritinib, Cerubidine (Daunorubicin and Cervarix).HPV bivalent vaccine), Cetuximab, CEV, Chlorambucil, CHLORAMBUCIL-PREDNISONE, CHOP, Cisplatin, Cladribine, Clafen (Cyclophosphamide), Clofarabine, Clofarex (Clofarabine), Clolar (Clofarabine), CMF, Cobimetinib, Cometriq (Cabozantinib-S-Maleate), Copanlisib Hydrochloride, COPDAC, COPP, COPP-ABV, Cosmegen (Dactinomycin), Cotellic (Cobimetinib), Crizotinib, CVP, Cyclophosphamide, Cyfos (I fosfamide), Cyramza (Ramucirumab), Cytarabine, Cytarabine liposome, Cytosar-U (Cytarabine), Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide), Dabrafenib, Dacarbazine, Dacogen (Decitabine), Dactinomycin, Daratumumab, Darzalex (Daratumumab), Dasatinib, Daunorubicin hydrochloride, Daunorubicin hydrochloride and Cytarabine liposome, Decitabine, Defibrotide sodium, Defitelio (Defibrotide sodium), Degarelix, Denileukin Diftitox, Denosumab, DepoCyt (Cytarabine liposome), Dexamethasone, Dexrazoxane hydrochloride, Dinutuximab, Docetaxel, Doxil (Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome), Doxorubicin hydrochloride, Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome, Dox-SL (Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome), DTIC-Dome (Dacarbazine), Durvalumab, Efudex (Fluorouracil - topical), Elitek (Rasburicase), Ellence (Epirubicin hydrochloride), Elotuzumab, Eloxatin (Oxaliplatin), EltrombopagOlamine, Emend (Aprepitant), Empliciti (Elotuzumab), Enasidenib Mesylate, Enzalutamide, Epirubicin Hydrochloride, EPOCH, Erbitux (Cetuximab), Eribulin Mesylate, Erivedge (Vismodegib), Erlotinib Hydrochloride, Erwinaze (Erwinia chrysanthemi Asparaginase), Ethyol (Amifostine), Etopophos (Etoposide Phosphate), Etoposide, Etoposide Phosphate, Evacet (Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposomal), Everolimus, Evista, (Raloxifene Hydrochloride), Evomela (Melphalan Hydrochloride), Exemestane, 5-FU (Fluorouracil Injection), 5-FU (Fluorouracil - Topical), Fareston (Toremifene), Farydak (Panobinostat), Faslodex (Fulvestrant), FEC, Femara (Letrozole), Filgrastim, Fludara (Fludarabine Phosphate), Fludarabine Phosphate, Fluoroplex (Fluorouracil - Topical), Fluorouracil Injection, Fluorouracil - Topical, Flutamide, Folex (Methotrexate), Folex PFS (Methotrexate), FOLFIRI, FOLFIRI-BEVACIZUMAB, FOLFIRI-CETUXIMAB, FOLFIRINOX, FOLFOX, Folotyn (Pralatrexate), FU-LV, Fulvestrant, Gardasil (recombinant HPV quadrivalent vaccine), Gardasil 9 (recombinant HPV nonavalent vaccine), Gazyva (Obinutuzumab), Gefitinib, Gemcitabine hydrochloride, Gemcitabine-CISPLATIN, Gemcitabine-OXALIPLATIN, GemtuzumabOzogamicin, Gemzar (Gemcitabine hydrochloride), Gilotrif (Afatinib dimaleate), Gleevec (Imatinib mesylate), Gliadel (Carmustine implant), Gliadel wafer (Carmustine implant), Glucarpidase, Goserelin acetate, Halaven (Eribulin mesylate), Hemangeol (Propranolol hydrochloride), Herceptin (Trastuzumab), HPV bivalent vaccine, recombinant, HPV nonavalent vaccine, recombinant, HPV quadrivalent vaccine, recombinant, Hycamtin (Topotecan hydrochloride), Hydrea (Hydroxyurea), Hydroxyurea, Hyper-CVAD, Ibrance (Palbociclib), Ibritumomab Tiuxetan, Ibrutinib, ICE, Iclusig (Ponatinib Hydrochloride), Idamycin (Idarubicin Hydrochloride), Idarubicin Hydrochloride, Idelalisib, Idhifa (Enasidenib Mesylate), Ifex (Ifosfamide), Ifosfamide, Ifosfamidum (Ifosfamide), IL-2 (Aldesleukin), Imatinib Mesylate, Imbruvica (Ibrutinib), Imfinzi (Durvalumab), Imiquimod, Imlygic (Talimogene Laherparepvec), Inlyta (Axitinib), Inotuzumab Ozogamicin, Interferon Alfa-2b, Recombinant, Interleukin-2 (Aldesleukin), Intron A (Recombinant Interferon α-2b), Iodine I 131 Tositumomab and Tositumomab, Ipilimumab, Iressa (Gefitinib), Irinotecan Hydrochloride, Irinotecan Hydrochloride Liposomal, Istodax (Romidepsin), Ixabepilone, IxazomibCitrate, Ixempra (Ixabepilone), Jakafi (Ruxolitinib Phosphate), JEB, Jevtana (Cabazitaxel), Kadcyla (Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine), Keoxifene (Raloxifene Hydrochloride), Kepivance (Palifermin), Keytruda (Pembrolizumab), Kisqali (Ribociclib), Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel), Kyprolis (Carfilzomib), Lanreotide Acetate, Lapatinib Ditosylate, Lartruvo (Olaratumab), Lenalidomide, Lenvatinib Mesylate, Lenvima (Lenvatinib Mesylate), Letrozole, Leucovorin Calcium, Leukeran (Chlorambucil), Leuprolide acetate, Leustatin (Cladribine), Levulan (Aminolevulinic Acid), Linfolizin (Chlorambucil), LipoDox (Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome), Lomustine, Lonsurf (Trifluridine and Tipiracil hydrochloride), Lupron (Leuprolide acetate), Lupron Depot (Leuprolide acetate), Lupron Depot-Ped (Leuprolide acetate), Lynparza (Olaparib), Marqibo (Vincristine Sulfate liposome), M atulane (Procarbazine hydrochloride), Mechlorethamine hydrochloride, Megestrol acetate, Mekinist (Trametinib), Melphalan, Melphalan hydrochloride, Mercaptopurine, Mesna, Mesnex (Mesna), Methazolastone (Temozolomide), Methotrexate, Methotrexate LPF (Methotrexate), Methylnaltrexone Bromide, Mexate (Methotrexate), Mexate-AQ (Methotrexate), Midostaurin, Mitomycin C, Mitoxantrone hydrochloride, Mitozytrex (Mitomycin C), MOPP, Mozobil (Plerixafor), Mustargen (Mechlorethamine hydrochloride), Mutamycin (Mitomycin C), Myleran (Busulfan), Mylosar (Azacitidine), Mylotarg (Gemtuzumab) Ozogamicin), Nanoparticle Paclitaxel (Paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation), Navelbine (Vinorelbine succinate), Necitumumab, Nelarabine, Neosar (Cyclophosphamide), Neratinib Maleate, Nerlynx (Neratinib Maleate), Netupitant and Palonosetron Hydrochloride, Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim), Neupogen (Filgrastim), Nexavar (Sorafenib Tosylate), Nilandron (Nilutamide), Nilotinib, Nilutamide, Ninlaro (Ixazomib) Citrate), Niraparib Tosylate Monohydrate, Nivolumab, Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate), Nplate (Romiplostim), Obinutuzumab, Odomzo (Sonidegib), OEPA, Ofatumumab, OFF, Olaparib, Olaratumab, OmacetaxineMepesuccinate, Oncaspar (Pegaspargase), Ondansetron Hydrochloride, Onivyde (Irinotecan Hydrochloride Liposomal), Ontak (Denileukin Diftitox), Opdivo (Nivolumab), OPPA, Osimertinib, Oxaliplatin, Paclitaxel, Paclitaxel Albumin-Stabilized Nanoparticle Formulation, PAD, Palbociclib, Palifermin, Palonosetron Hydrochloride, Palonosetron Hydrochloride and Netupitant, Pamidronate Disodium, Panitumumab, Panobinostat, Paraplat (Carboplatin), Paraplatin (Carboplatin), Pazopanib Hydrochloride, PCV, PEB, Pegaspargase, Pegfilgrastim, Peginterferon Alfa-2b, PEG-Intron (Peginterferon Alfa-2b), Pembrolizumab, Pemetrexed Disodium, Perjeta (Pertuzumab), Pertuzumab, Platinol (Cisplatin), Platinol-AQ (Cisplatin), Plerixafor, Pomalidomide, Pomalyst (Pomalidomide), Pon atinib hydrochloride, Portrazza (Necitumumab), Pralatrexate, Prednisone, Procarbazine hydrochloride, Proleukin (Aldesleukin), Prolia (Denosumab), Promacta (Eltrombopag) Olamine), Propranolol Hydrochloride, Provenge (Sipuleucel-T), Purinethol (Mercaptopurine), Purixan (Mercaptopurine), Radium 223Dichloride, Raloxifene Hydrochloride, Ramucirumab, Rasburicase, R-CHOP, R-CVP, Recombinant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Bivalent Vaccine, Recombinant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Nonavalent Vaccine, Recombinant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Quadrivalent Vaccine, Recombinant Interferon α-2b, Regorafenib, Relistor (Methylnaltrexone Bromide), R-EPOCH, Revlimid (Lenalidomide), Rheumatrex (Methotrexate), Ribociclib, R-ICE, Rituxan (Rituximab), Rituxan Hycela (Rituximab and human hyaluronidase), Rituximab, Rituximab and human hyaluronidase, Rolapitant hydrochloride, Romidepsin, Romiplostim, Rubidomycin (Daunorubicin hydrochloride), Rubraca (Rucaparib camsylate), Rucaparib camsylate, Ruxolitinib phosphate, Rydapt (Midostaurin), Sclerosol intrapleural aerosol (Talc), Siltuximab, Sipuleucel-T, Somatuline Depot (Lanreotide acetate), Sonidegib, Sorafenib tosylate, Sprycel (Dasatinib), STANFORD V, Sterile Talc Powder (Talc), Steritalc (Talc), Stivarga (Regorafenib), Sunitinib Maleate, Sutent (Sunitinib Maleate), Sylatron (Peginterferon Alfa-2b), Sylvant (Siltuximab), Synribo (Omacetaxine) Mepesuccinate), Tabloid (Thioguanine), TAC, Tafinlar (Dabrafenib), Tagrisso (Osimertinib), Talc, Talimogene Laherparepvec, Tamoxifen Citrate, TarabinePFS (Cytarabine), Tarceva (Erlotinib hydrochloride), Targretin (Bexarotene), Tasigna (Nilotinib), Taxol (Paclitaxel), Taxotere (Docetaxel), Tecentriq, (Atezolizumab), Temodar (Temozolomide), Temozolomide, Temsirolimus, Thalidomide, Thalomid (Thalidomide), Thioguanine, Thiotepa, Tisagenlecleucel, Tolak (Fluorouracil-topical), Topotecan hydrochloride, Toremifene, Torisel (Temsirolimus), Tositumomab and Iodine-131 Tositumomab, Totect (Dexrazoxane Hydrochloride), TPF, Trabectedin, Trametinib, Trastuzumab, Treanda (Bendamustine Hydrochloride), Trifluridine and Tipiracil Hydrochloride, Trisenox (Arsenic Trioxide), Tykerb (Lapatinib Ditosylate), Unituxin (Dinutuximab), Uridine Triacetate, VAC, Vandetanib, VAMP, Varubi (Rolapitant Hydrochloride), Vectibix (Panitumumab), VeIP, Velban (Vinblastine) Sulfate), Velcade (Bortezomib), Velsar (Vinblastine sulfate), Vemurafenib, Venclexta (Venetoclax), Venetoclax, Verzenio (Abemaciclib), Viadur (Leuprolide acetate), Vidaza (Azacitidine), Vinblastine sulfate, VincasarPFS (Vincristine sulfate), Vincristine sulfate, Vincristine sulfate liposome, Vinorelbine tartrate, VIP, Vismodegib, Vistogard (Uridine triacetate), Voraxaze (Glucarpidase), Vorinostat, Votrient (Pazopanib hydrochloride), Vyxeos (Daunorubicin hydrochloride and Cytarabine liposome), Wellcovorin (Leucovorin calcium), Xalkori (Crizotinib), Xeloda (Capecitabine), XELIRI, XELOX, Xgeva (Denosumab), Xofigo (Radium 223 Dichloride), Xtandi (Enzalutamide), Yervoy (Ipilimumab), Yondelis (Trabectedin), Zaltrap (Ziv-Aflibercept), Zarxio (Filgrastim), Zejula (Niraparib Tosylate Monohydrate), Zelboraf (Vemurafenib), Zevalin (Ibritumomab Tiuxetan), Zinecard (Dexrazoxane Hydrochloride), Ziv-Aflibercept, Zofran (Ondansetron Hydrochloride), Zoladex (Goserelin Acetate), Zoledronic Acid, Zolinza (Vorinostat), Zometa (Zoledronic Acid)Acid), Zydelig (Idelalisib), Zykadia (Ceritinib), and / or Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate). Checkpoint inhibitors include, but are not limited to, antibodies that block PD-1 (Nivolumab (BMS-936558 or MDX1106), CT-011, MK-3475), PD-L1 (MDX-1105 (BMS-936559), MPDL3280A, MSB0010718C), PD-L2 (rHIgM12B7), CTLA-4 (Ipilimumab (MDX-010), Tremelimumab (CP-675,206)), IDO, B7-H3 (MGA271), B7-H4, TIM3, LAG-3 (BMS-986016).

[0050] 24. In one aspect, also disclosed herein is a hydrogel matrix, as disclosed herein, further comprising one or more antibodies, cytokines, and / or costimulatory molecules that activate T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, tumor-infiltrating NK cells (TINK), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), or marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (MIL). For example, the antibodies can include anti-CD28, CD3, B7-1, B7-2, anti-induced costimulatory factor (ICOS), ICOS ligand, anti-CD27, CD70, 4-1BBL, anti-41-BB, anti-CD40L, CD40, anti-DAP10, anti-CD30, CD30L, anti-TIM-1, anti-TIM-2, anti-TIM-3, anti-CD44, anti-NK1.1, lectin-like transcript-1 (LLT-1), anti-CD137, CD48, MICA, anti-2B4, and anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR), and the cytokines can include IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, TNF-α, or IFN-γ.

[0051] 25. One advantage of the disclosed hydrogel is that after immune cells come into contact with the hydrogel, the immune cells can be transduced to contain transgenes, such as chimeric antigen receptors (e.g., antibodies or scFvs targeting cancer-specific antigens), T cell receptors (e.g., antigen-specific T cell receptors), NK cell receptors (including, but not limited to, anti-CD3 antibodies, CD1d, immunoglobulin Fc fragments, or anti-Fcγ receptors (FcγRIII) antibodies), and NK T cell receptors. T antigens are proteins produced by tumor cells and elicit immune responses, particularly those mediated by T cells. The additional antigen-binding domain can be an antibody or a natural ligand of the T antigen, or a molecule that recognizes a peptide derived from the T antigen presented by an MHC molecule. The selection of the additional antigen-binding domain will depend on the specific type of cancer to be treated. T antigens are well known in the art and include, for example, glioma-associated antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), EGFRvIII, IL-11Ra, IL-13Ra, EGFR, FAP, B7H3, Kit, CA LX, CS-1, MUC1, BCMA, bcr-abl, HER2, β-human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), ALK, CD19, CD123, cyclin B1, lectin-reactive AFP, Fos-related antigen 1, ADRB3, thyroglobulin, EphA2, RAGE-1, RUL, RU2, SSX2, AKAP-4, LCK, OY-TES1, PAX5, SART3, CLL-1, fucosyl-GM1, GloboH, MN-CA IX, EPCAM, EVT6-AML, TGS5, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, polysialic acid, PLAC1, RUL, RU2 (AS), intestinal carboxylesterase, lewisY, sLE, LY6K, muthsp70-2, M-CSF, MYCN, RhoC, TRP-2, CYPIBI, BORIS, prostase, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PAX3, PAP, NY-ESO-1, LAGE-la, LMP2, NCAM, p53, p53 mutants, Ra mutants, gp100, prostain, OR51E2, PANX3, PSMA, PSCA, Her2 / neu, hTERT, HMWMAA, HAVCR1, VEGFR2, PDGFR-beta, survivin and telomerase, legumain, HPV E6, E7, sperm protein 17, SSEA-4, tyrosinase, TARP, WT1, prostate cancer tumor antigen-1 (PCTA-1), ML-IAP, MAGE, MAGE-A1, MAD-CT-1, MAD-CT-2, MelanA / MART 1, XAGE1, ELF2M, ERG (TMPRSS2) ETS fusion gene), NA17, neutrophil elastase, sarcoma translocation breakpoint, NY-BR-1, ephnnB2, CD20, CD22, CD24, CD30, CD33, CD38, CD44v6, CD97, CD171, CD179a, androgen receptor, FAP, insulin growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF II, IGF-I receptor, GD2, o-acetyl-GD2, GD3, GM3, GPRC5D, GPR20, CXORF61, folate receptor (FRa), folate receptor beta, ROR1, Flt3, TAG72, TN Ag, Tie 2, TEM1, TEM7R, CLDN6, TSHR, UPK2, and mesothelin.

[0052] 1. Delivery of compositions to cells 26. Transduction of immune cells can be achieved by any means known in the art. In one aspect, transduction of immune cells can be achieved via a viral vector encoding a transgene (e.g., a CAR). Thus, in one aspect, disclosed herein is any of the disclosed hydrogels further comprising a viral vector (e.g., a lentivirus, retrovirus, adenovirus, or adeno-associated virus) encoding a transgene (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), a T cell receptor, an NK cell receptor, and / or an NK T cell receptor).

[0053] 27. There are many compositions and methods that can be used to deliver nucleic acids to cells in vitro or in vivo. These methods and compositions can be divided into two main categories: viral-based delivery systems and non-viral-based delivery systems. For example, nucleic acids can be delivered via a number of direct delivery systems, such as electroporation, lipofection, calcium phosphate precipitation, plasmids, viral vectors, viral nucleic acids, phage nucleic acids, phages, cosmids, etc., or via the transfer of genetic material into cells or carriers, such as cationic liposomes. Suitable means for transfection, such as viral vectors, chemical transfectants, or physical and mechanical methods, such as electroporation and direct diffusion of DNA, are described, for example, in Wolff, JA et al., Science 247, 1465-1468 (1990) and Wolff, JANature, 352, 815-818 (1991). Such methods are well known in the art and can be readily adapted for use in the compositions and methods described herein. In certain cases, the methods may be modified to work specifically with large DNA molecules. Furthermore, these methods can be used to target specific diseases and cell populations by using the targeted characteristics of the carrier.

[0054] (1) Retroviral vector 28. Retroviruses are animal viruses that belong to the viral family Retroviridae, which includes any type, subfamily, genus, or tropism. Retroviral vectors are generally described in Verma, I.M., Retroviral vectors for gene transfer.

[0055] 29. Retroviruses are essentially packages that encase a nucleic acid cargo inside. The nucleic acid cargo carries a packaging signal, which allows the replicated daughter molecules to be efficiently packaged within the package coat. In addition to the packaging signal, there are many other molecules required for replication in cis and packaging of the replicated virus. Typically, a retroviral genome contains the gag, pol, and env genes, which are involved in making the protein coat. Typically, the gag, pol, and env genes are replaced with foreign DNA, which is then transported into the target cell. Retroviral vectors typically contain a packaging signal for incorporation into the package coat, a sequence that signals the initiation of the gag transcription unit, elements required for reverse transcription (including a primer binding site for binding a tRNA primer for reverse transcription), long terminal repeats that direct RNA strand switching during DNA synthesis, a purine-rich 5'→3' LTR that serves as a priming site for second-strand DNA synthesis, and specific sequences near the end of the LTR that allow the retrovirus to insert DNA into the host genome. Removal of the gag, pol, and env genes allows approximately 8 kb of foreign sequence to be inserted into the viral genome, reverse transcribed, replicated, and packaged into new retroviral particles. This amount of nucleic acid is sufficient for delivery of one to multiple genes, depending on the size of each transcript. It is preferable to have a positive or negative selectable marker, along with other genes, in the insert.

[0056] 30. Because the replication machinery and packaging proteins (gag, pol, and env) have been removed from most retroviral vectors, vectors can typically be generated by introducing them into packaging cell lines. Packaging cell lines are cell lines transfected or transformed by a retrovirus that contains the replication and packaging machinery, but lacks any packaging signal. When a vector carrying a selected DNA is transfected into these cell lines, the vector containing the gene of interest is replicated and packaged into new retroviral particles by machinery provided in cis by the helper cells. Genomes associated with the machinery are not packaged because they lack the necessary signals.

[0057] (2) Adenovirus vector 31. The construction of replication-deficient adenoviruses has been described in Berkner et al., J. Virology 61:1213-1220 (1987), Massie et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:2872-2883 (1986), Haj-Ahmad et al., J. Virology 57:267-274 (1986), Davidson et al., J. Virology 61:1226-1239 (1987), and Zhang, "Generation and Identification of Recombinant Adenovirus by Liposome-Mediated Transfection and PCR Analysis," BioTechniques 15:868-872 (1993). The advantage of using these viruses as vectors is that they are limited in their ability to spread to other cell types, since they can replicate only in the initially infected cell and are unable to form new infectious viral particles. Recombinant adenoviruses have been shown to be capable of highly efficient gene transfer after direct in vivo delivery to airway epithelia, hepatocytes, vascular endothelium, CNS parenchymal tissue, and many other tissue sites (Morsy, J. Clin. Invest. 92:1580-1586 (1993); Kirshenbaum (J. Clin.)Invest.92:381-387(1993), Roessler, J. Clin. Invest.92:1085-1092(1993), Moullier, Nature Genetics 4:154-159(1993), La Salle, Science 259:988-990(1993), Gomez-Foix, J.Biol.Chem.267:25129-25134(1992), Rich, Human Gene Therapy 4:461-476(1993), Zabner, Nature Genetics 6:75-83(1994), Guzman, Circulation Research 73:1201-1207 (1993), Bout, Human Gene Therapy 5:3-10 (1994), Zabner, Cell 75:207-216 (1993), Caillaud, Eur. J. Neuroscience 5:1287-1291 (1993), and Ragot, J. Gen. Virology 74:501-507 (1993). Recombinant adenoviruses effect gene transfer by binding to specific cell surface receptors, after which the virus is internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis in the same manner as wild-type or replication-deficient adenoviruses. (Chardonnet and Dales, Virology 40:462-477 (1970), Brown and Burlingham, J. Virology 12:386-396 (1973), Svensson and Persson, J. Virology 55:442-449 (1985), Seth et al. al., J. Virol. 51:650-655 (1984), Seth et al., Mol. Cell. 73:309-319(1993)).

[0058] 32. The viral vector can be based on an adenovirus from which the E1 gene has been removed, and these virions are produced in a cell line such as the human 293 cell line. In another preferred embodiment, both the E1 and E3 genes are removed from the adenoviral genome.

[0059] (3) Adeno-associated virus vector 33. Another type of viral vector is based on adeno-associated virus (AAV). This defective parvovirus is a preferred vector because it can infect many cell types and is nonpathogenic to humans. AAV-type vectors can transport approximately 4-5 kb, and wild-type AAV is known to stably integrate into chromosome 19 (e.g., at AAV integration site 1 (AAVS1)). Vectors with this site-specific integration property are preferred. A particularly preferred embodiment of this type of vector is the P4.1C vector manufactured by Avigen, San Francisco, CA, which can contain the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene HSV-tk and / or a marker gene (e.g., a gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP)).

[0060] 34. In another type of AAV virus, the AAV contains a pair of inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) flanking at least one cassette containing a promoter that directs cell-specific expression operably linked to a heterologous gene. In this context, heterologous refers to a nucleotide sequence or gene that does not naturally occur in AAV or B19 parvovirus.

[0061] 35. Typically, the AAV and B19 coding regions are deleted, resulting in a safe, non-cytotoxic vector. The AAV ITRs or modifications thereof are infectious and capable of site-specific integration, but are not cytotoxic, and the promoters direct cell-specific expression. U.S. Patent No. 6,261,834 is incorporated herein by reference for material related to AAV vectors.

[0062] 36. The vectors disclosed therein provide DNA molecules that can be integrated into mammalian chromosomes without substantial toxicity.

[0063] 37. Genes inserted into viruses and retroviruses usually contain promoters and / or enhancers useful for controlling the expression of the gene product of interest. A promoter is generally a DNA sequence that functions when present in a relatively fixed location relative to the transcription start site. A promoter contains core elements required for basic interaction of RNA polymerase and transcription factors and may also contain upstream elements and response elements.

[0064] (4) Viral vectors for large payloads 38. Molecular genetic experiments with large human herpesviruses have provided the means by which large heterologous DNA fragments can be cloned, propagated, and established in cells susceptible to herpesvirus infection (Sun et al., Nature Genetics 8:33-41, 1994; Cotter and Robertson, Curr Opin Mol Ther 5:633-644, 1999). These large DNA viruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), have the ability to deliver human heterologous DNA fragments of >150 kb to specific cells. Recombinant EBV can be maintained as large pieces of DNA within infected B cells as episomal DNA. Individual clones have carried human genome-derived inserts of up to 330 kb and appear to be genetically stable. Maintenance of these episomes requires the constitutive expression of a specific EBV nucleoprotein (EBNA1) during infection with EBV. Furthermore, these vectors can be used in transfections to transiently produce large amounts of protein in vitro. The herpesvirus amplicon system has also been used to package DNA fragments of >220 kb and infect cells where the DNA can be stably maintained as an episome.

[0065] 39. Other useful systems include, for example, replicating and host-restricted non-replicating vaccinia virus vectors.

[0066] 2. Expression system 40. Nucleic acids delivered to cells typically contain expression control systems. For example, genes inserted into viral and retroviral systems usually contain promoters and / or enhancers useful for controlling the expression of the gene product of interest. A promoter is generally a DNA sequence that functions when present in a relatively fixed location relative to the transcription start site. A promoter contains core elements required for basic interaction of RNA polymerase and transcription factors and may also contain upstream elements and response elements.

[0067] a) Viral promoters and enhancers 41. In mammalian host cells, preferred promoters controlling transcription from vectors can be derived from a variety of sources (e.g., viral genomes), including, for example: Promoters of polyoma, Simian Virus 40 (SV40), adenovirus, retrovirus, hepatitis B virus, and, most preferably, cytomegalovirus, or heterologous mammalian origin (e.g., the beta-actin promoter) may be used. The SV40 early and late promoters are conveniently obtained as an SV40 restriction fragment which also contains the SV40 viral origin of replication (Fiers et al., Nature, 273:113 (1978)). The immediate early promoter of the human cytomegalovirus is conveniently obtained as a HindIII E restriction fragment (Greenway, PJ et al., Gene, 18:355-360 (1982)). Of course, promoters from the host cell or related species are also useful in the present invention.

[0068] 42. Enhancers generally refer to DNA sequences that function at variable distances from the transcription start site and can be either 5' (Laimins, L. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 78:993 (1981)) or 3' (Lusky, M. Let al., Mol. Cell Bio. 3:1108 (1983)) of the transcription unit. Furthermore, enhancers can be located within introns (Banerji, J. Let al., Cell 33:729 (1983)) or within the coding sequence itself (Osborne, T. F. et al., Mol. Cell Bio. 4:1293 (1984)). 4: They are usually 10-300 bp long and function in cis. Enhancers function to increase transcription from nearby promoters. Enhancers also often contain response elements that mediate transcriptional regulation. Promoters can also contain response elements that mediate transcriptional regulation. Enhancers often determine the regulation of gene expression. Many enhancer sequences are now known from mammalian genes (globin, elastase, albumin, -fetoprotein, and insulin), but typically, enhancers from eukaryotic cell viruses are used for general expression. Preferred examples are the SV40 replication origin late side (bp 100-270) enhancer, the cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, the polyoma replication origin late side enhancer, and adenovirus enhancers.

[0069] 43. Promoters or enhancers can be specifically activated by light or specific chemical events that initiate their function. The system can be regulated by agents such as tetracycline and dexamethasone. There are also ways to enhance gene expression of viral vectors by exposure to irradiation (e.g., gamma irradiation) or alkylating chemotherapy drugs.

[0070] 44. In certain embodiments, the promoter and / or enhancer region can act as a constitutive promoter and / or enhancer to maximize expression of the region of the transcription unit to be transcribed. In certain constructs, the promoter and / or enhancer region is active in all types of eukaryotic cells, but is expressed only in certain types of cells at certain times. A preferred promoter of this type is the CMV promoter (650 bases). Other preferred promoters are the SV40 promoter, cytomegalovirus (full-length promoter), and retroviral vector LTR.

[0071] 45. It has been shown that all specific regulatory elements can be cloned and used to construct expression vectors that are selectively expressed in specific cell types (e.g., melanoma cells). The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter has been used to selectively express genes in cells of glial origin.

[0072] 46. ​​Expression vectors for use in eukaryotic host cells (yeast, fungi, insects, bacteria, animals, humans, or nucleated cells) may also contain sequences necessary for transcription termination, which can affect mRNA expression. These regions are transcribed as polyadenylation segments in the untranslated portion of the mRNA encoding tissue factor protein. The 3' untranslated region also contains a transcription termination site. It is preferable that the transcription unit also contain a polyadenylation region. One benefit of this region is that it increases the likelihood that the transcribed unit will be processed and transported like mRNA. The identification and use of polyadenylation signals in expression constructs is well established. It is preferable to use a homologous polyadenylation signal in the introduced gene construct. In certain transcription units, the polyadenylation region is derived from the SV40 early polyadenylation signal and consists of approximately 400 bases. It is also preferable that the transcribed unit contain other standard sequences that, alone or in combination with the above sequences, improve or stabilize expression from the construct.

[0073] b) Marker 47. Viral vectors can contain nucleic acid sequences encoding marker products. These marker products are used to determine whether the gene has been delivered to the cell and is expressed after delivery. Preferred marker genes are the E. coli lacZ gene, which encodes β-galactosidase, and green fluorescent protein.

[0074] 48. In some embodiments, the marker can be a selectable marker. Examples of suitable selectable markers for mammalian cells are dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), thymidine kinase, neomycin, neomycin analog G418, hydromycin, and puromycin. When mammalian host cells are successfully transformed with such selectable markers, the transformed mammalian host cells can survive when placed under selective pressure. There are two different categories of selection regimens that are widely used. The first category is based on cellular metabolism and the use of mutant cell lines that are unable to survive independent of a supplemented medium. Two examples are CHO DHFR-cells and mouse LTK-cells. These cells are unable to grow without the addition of nutrients such as thymidine or hypoxanthine. These cells lack certain genes necessary for a complete nucleotide synthesis pathway and therefore cannot survive unless the missing nucleotides are provided in a supplemented medium. As an alternative to supplementing the medium, the complete DHFR or TK gene is introduced into cells lacking the respective gene, thereby altering their growth requirements. Individual cells not transformed with the DHFR or TK gene will not survive in non-supplemented medium.

[0075] 49. The second category of selection methods is dominant selection, which refers to selection schemes that can be used with any type of cell and do not require the use of mutant cell lines. These schemes typically use drugs that inhibit the growth of host cells. Cells carrying a novel gene carry a protein that confers drug resistance and survive selection. Examples of such dominant selection are the use of the drugs neomycin (Southern P. and Berg, PJ, Molec. Appl. Genet. 1:327 (1982)), mycophenolic acid (Mulligan, RC and Berg, P., Science 209:1422 (1980)), or hygromycin (Sugden, B. et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:410-413 (1985)). Three examples use bacterial genes under eukaryotic control to confer resistance to the appropriate drugs, G418 or neomycin (geneticin), xgpt (mycophenolic acid), or hygromycin, respectively. Other examples include the neomycin analog G418 and puromycin.

[0076] 3. Pharmaceutical Carriers / Pharmaceutical Product Delivery 50. As noted above, the composition can also be administered in vivo in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. "Pharmaceutically acceptable" means a material that is not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., the material may be administered to a subject together with the nucleic acid or vector without causing any undesired biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any other components of the pharmaceutical composition in which it is included. The carrier would naturally be selected to minimize any degradation of the active ingredient and to minimize any adverse side effects in the subject, as would be well known to one of skill in the art.

[0077] 51. The compositions can be administered orally, parenterally (e.g., intravenously), by intramuscular injection, intraperitoneal injection, transdermally, extracorporeally, etc., including topical intranasal administration or administration by inhalant. As used herein, "topical intranasal administration" refers to delivery of a composition to the nose and intranasal cavity through one or both nostrils and can include delivery by spray or droplet mechanism or via aerosolization of the nucleic acid or vector. Administration of a composition by inhalant can be through the nose or mouth via delivery by spray or droplet mechanism. Delivery can also be directly to any region of the respiratory system (e.g., lungs) via intubation. The exact amount of composition required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age, weight, and general condition of the subject, the severity of the allergic disorder being treated, the particular nucleic acid or vector used, its mode of administration, etc. Therefore, it is not possible to specify an exact amount for every composition. However, an appropriate amount can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation, given the teachings herein.

[0078] 52. Parenteral administration of compositions, when used, is generally characterized by injection. Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms, such as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for dissolving in liquid for suspension before injection, or emulsions. A relatively recent approach to parenteral administration involves the use of slow-release or sustained-release systems to maintain a constant dose. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,610,795, incorporated herein by reference.

[0079] 53. Materials may be in solution, suspension (e.g., incorporated into microparticles, liposomes, or cells), and may be targeted to specific cell types via antibodies, receptors, or receptor ligands. The following references are examples of the use of this technology to target specific proteins to tumor tissue (Senter, et al., Bioconjugate Chem., 2:447-451, (1991); Bagshawe, KD, Br. J. Cancer, 60:275-281, (1989); Bagshawe, et al., Br. J. Cancer, 58:700-703, (1988); Senter, et al., Bioconjugate Chem., 4:3-9, (1993); Battelli, et al., Cancer Immunol. Immunother., 35:421-425, (1992); Pietersz and McKenzie, Immunolog. Reviews, 129:57-80, (1992); and Roffler, et al. al. Biochem. Pharmacol, 42:2062-2065, (1991)). Vehicles such as "stealth" and other liposomes conjugated with antibodies (including lipid-mediated drug targeting to colon carcinoma), receptor-mediated targeting of DNA via cell-specific ligands, lymphocyte-induced tumor targeting, and highly specific therapeutic retroviral targeting of mouse glioma cells in vivo. The following references are examples of the use of this technology to target specific proteins to tumor tissue (Hughes et al., Cancer Research, 49:6214-6220, (1989); and Litzinger and Huang, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1104:179-187, (1992)). Generally, receptors are involved in endocytic pathways, either constitutive or ligand-induced. These receptors assemble into clathrin-coated pits, enter the cell via clathrin-coated vesicles, and pass through acidified endosomes, where they are sorted and then either recycled to the cell surface, stored intracellularly, or degraded in lysosomes.Internalization pathways perform a variety of functions, including nutrient uptake, removal of activated proteins, clearance of macromolecules, opportunistic entry of viruses and toxins, ligand dissociation and degradation, and regulation of receptor levels. Many receptors follow more than one intracellular pathway, depending on the cell type, receptor concentration, ligand type, ligand valency, and ligand concentration. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of receptor-mediated endocytosis have been reviewed (Brown and Greene, DNA and Cell Biology 10:6, 399-409 (1991)).

[0080] a) Pharmaceutically Acceptable Carriers 54. Compositions containing antibodies can be used therapeutically in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0081] 55. Suitable carriers and their formulations are described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (19th ed.) ed. A.R. Gennaro, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA 1995. Typically, an appropriate amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt is used in the formulation to render the formulation isotonic. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, saline, Ringer's solution, and dextrose solution. The pH of the solution is preferably about 5 to about 8, more preferably about 7 to about 7.5. Additional carriers include sustained-release preparations, such as semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the antibody, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g., films, liposomes, or microparticles. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain carriers may be more preferable depending, for example, on the route of administration and concentration of the administered composition.

[0082] 56. Pharmaceutical carriers are known to those skilled in the art. These will most typically be standard carriers for administering drugs to humans, including solutions such as sterile water, saline, and solutions buffered at physiological pH. The compositions can be administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Other compounds will be administered according to standard procedures used by those skilled in the art.

[0083] 57. Pharmaceutical compositions may include, in addition to the molecule of choice, carriers, thickeners, diluents, buffers, preservatives, surfactants, etc. Pharmaceutical compositions may also include one or more active ingredients, such as antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anesthetics, etc.

[0084] 58. Pharmaceutical compositions can be administered in several ways, depending on whether local or systemic treatment is desired and the area to be treated. Administration can be topical (including ophthalmic, vaginal, rectal, or nasal), oral, by inhalation, or parenteral, e.g., by infusion, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intramuscular injection. The disclosed antibodies can be administered intravenously, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intracavity, or transdermally.

[0085] 59. Preparations for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. Examples of non-aqueous solvents are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Aqueous carriers include water, alcoholic / aqueous solutions, emulsions, or suspensions, including saline and buffered media. Parenteral vehicles include sodium chloride solution, Ringer's dextrose solution, dextrose and sodium chloride, lactated Ringer's solution, or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles include fluid and nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (such as those based on Ringer's dextrose solution), and the like. Preservatives and other additives, such as antibacterial agents, antioxidants, chelating agents, and inert gases, may also be present.

[0086] 60. Formulations for topical administration may include ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids, and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder, or oily bases, thickeners, and the like may be necessary or desirable.

[0087] 61. Compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets, or tablets. Thickeners, flavorings, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids, or binders may be desirable.

[0088] 62. Some of the compositions can potentially be administered as pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts formed by reaction with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, thiocyanic acid, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid, and organic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid, or by reaction with inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and organic bases such as mono-, di-, tri-, and arylamines and substituted ethanolamines.

[0089] b) Therapeutic use 63. Effective doses and schedules for administering the compositions can be determined empirically, and making such determinations is within the skill of those in the art. The dosage range for administering the compositions is large enough to produce the desired effect in which the symptoms of the disorder are affected. The dosage should not be so large as to cause side effects, such as undesirable cross-reactions or anaphylactic-type reactions. Generally, dosages vary depending on the patient's age, condition, sex, extent of disease, route of administration, or whether other drugs are included in the regimen, and can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. Doses can be adjusted by the individual physician in the event of any contraindications. Doses can be varied and administered in one or more doses daily, for one or several days. Guidance regarding appropriate dosages for a given class of pharmaceutical products can be found in the literature. For example, guidance in selecting an appropriate dose of an antibody can be found in the literature on the therapeutic use of antibodies, e.g., Handbook of Monoclonal Antibodies, Ferrone et al., eds., Noges Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, (1985) ch. 22 and pp. 303-357; Smith et al., Antibodies in Human Diagnosis and Therapy, Haber et al., eds., Raven Press, New York (1977) pp. 365-389. A typical daily dose of an antibody used alone can range from about 1 μg / kg to up to 100 mg / kg of body weight or more per day, depending on the factors mentioned above.

[0090] C. Methods for Transducing Immune Cells 64. It is understood and contemplated herein that the disclosed hydrogels can be used to attract immune cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, TINK, TIL and / or MIL) to the hydrogel, resulting in in vivo transduction of the immune cells. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of transducing a subject's immune cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, TINK, TIL, or MIL), comprising transducing to the subject one or more chemoattractants (e.g., CCL1, CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2) and a transgene (e.g., a CAR, an NK cell receptor (including, but not limited to, an anti-CD3 antibody, CD1d, an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin, or an anti-Fcγ receptor (FcγRIII) antibody), a T cell receptor (e.g., an antigen-specific T cell receptor), or an NK The method includes administering a hydrogel comprising a viral vector (e.g., a lentivirus, retrovirus, adenovirus, or adeno-associated virus) encoding a T cell receptor (T cell receptor).

[0091] 65. It is understood and contemplated herein that a viral vector can be introduced into a hydrogel matrix prior to administration to a subject, or from about 1 day to about 14 days after administration of the hydrogel matrix to a subject. That is, the viral vector can be introduced into the hydrogel in vivo. For example, the viral vector can be introduced during gelation of the hydrogel, after gelation but before administration of the hydrogel to a subject, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 days after administration of the hydrogel to a subject.

[0092] 66. It is understood, and contemplated herein, that the disclosed chemoattractants leach or release into the hydrogel over time, attracting immune cells to the hydrogel, such as T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, TINK, TIL, or MIL, which may be transduced with a transgene such as a chimeric antigen receptor, NK T cell receptor, NK cell receptor (including, but not limited to, anti-CD3 antibody, CD1d, Fc fragment of immunoglobulin, or anti-Fcγ receptor (FcγRIII) antibody), or T cell receptor (including, but not limited to, an antigen-specific T cell receptor). In one embodiment, release of the chemoattractant can occur from 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. For example, release of the chemoattractant can be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 hours, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 30, 31 days, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. Thus, in one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of transducing immune cells, wherein one or more chemoattractants are released from about 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. The release time of the chemoattractant can be adjusted by adding the chemoattractant to the hydrogel polymer before or after gelation, where addition after gelation results in a fast release time of the chemoattractant and addition to the polymer during or before gelation results in a slow release.

[0093] 67. In one aspect, it is recognized that immune cells can benefit from further stimulation to maintain the cells or to activate the immune cells for therapeutic purposes. Accordingly, in one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of transducing, wherein the hydrogel further comprises one or more antibodies, cytokines, and / or T costimulatory molecules that activate cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, TINK, TIL, or MIL. For example, the antibodies can include anti-CD28, CD3, B7-1, B7-2, anti-induced costimulatory factor (ICOS), ICOS ligand, anti-CD27, CD70, 4-1BBL, anti-41-BB, anti-CD40L, CD40, anti-DAP10, anti-CD30, CD30L, anti-TIM-1, anti-TIM-2, anti-TIM-3, anti-CD44, anti-NK1.1, lectin-like transcript-1 (LLT-1), anti-CD137, CD48, MICA, anti-2B4, and anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR), and the cytokines can include IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, TNF-α, or IFN-γ.

[0094] D. How to Treat Cancer 68. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis in a subject, comprising administering to the subject any of the bioresponsive hydrogel matrices disclosed herein. For example, disclosed herein are subject cancer treatment methods comprising administering to a subject a hydrogel matrix comprising one or more chemoattractants, wherein the one or more chemoattractants include C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, or CXCL CXCLCXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP212, and wherein the chemoattractants attract and retain immune cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, TINK, TIL, or MIL) to the hydrogel.

[0095] 69. In one embodiment, the hydrogel matrix used in the methods of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis disclosed herein can further comprise a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor (including, but not limited to, an anti-CD3 antibody, CD1d, an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin, or an anti-Fcγ receptor (FcγRIII) antibody), an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor (TCR) (including, but not limited to, an antigen-specific T cell receptor). In one embodiment, the viral vector transduces immune cells, and the transduced immune cells are released from the hydrogel to the cancer. It is understood, and is also contemplated herein, that the viral vector can be introduced into the hydrogel matrix prior to administration to a subject or from about 1 day to about 14 days after administration of the hydrogel matrix to a subject. That is, the viral vector can be introduced into the hydrogel in vivo. For example, the viral vector can be introduced during gelation of the hydrogel, after gelation but before administration of the hydrogel to a subject, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 days after administration of the hydrogel to a subject.

[0096] 70. It is understood and contemplated herein that the disclosed chemoattractants can leach or be released into the hydrogel over time, attracting immune cells to the hydrogel, and the immune cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, TINK, TIL, or MIL) can be transduced with a transgene (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor, a T cell receptor, a NK cell receptor, and / or a NK T cell receptor). In one embodiment, release of the chemoattractant can be from 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. For example, release of the chemoattractant can be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 hours, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 30, 31 days, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis, wherein one or more chemoattractants are released from about 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. The release time of the chemoattractant can be adjusted by adding the chemoattractant to the hydrogel polymer before or after gelation, where addition after gelation results in a fast release time of the chemoattractant and addition to the polymer during or before gelation results in a slow release.

[0097] 71. Similarly, it is understood, and contemplated herein, that one advantage of the disclosed hydrogels over conventional CAR therapy is the slow release of CAR T cells, CAR NK cells, CAR NK T cells, CAR MA, TINK, MIL, or TIL into the tumor microenvironment. It is understood, and contemplated herein, that release of immune cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, TINK, TIL, or MIL) can be from 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. For example, release of the chemoattractant can be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 hours, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 30, 31 days, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. Accordingly, in one aspect, disclosed herein is a method of treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis, wherein immune cells are released from about 1 week to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel.

[0098] 72. It is understood and contemplated herein that the disclosed hydrogel matrices used in the disclosed methods for treating, preventing, inhibiting, and / or reducing cancer or metastasis can further comprise one or more immune blocking inhibitors and / or chemotherapeutic agents. Chemotherapeutic agents that can be used in the disclosed hydrogel matrices can be any chemotherapeutic agent, including, but not limited to, the following: Abemaciclib, Abiraterone acetate, Abitrexate (Methotrexate), Abraxane (Paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation), ABVD, ABVE, ABVE-PC, AC, AC-T, Adcetris (Brentuximab Vedotin), ADE, Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine, Adriamycin (Doxorubicin hydrochloride), Afatinib dimaleate, Afinitor (Everolimus), Akynzeo (Netupitant and Palonosetron hydrochloride), Aldara (Imiquimod), Aldesleukin, Alecensa (Alectinib), Alectinib, Alemtuzumab, Alimta (Pemetrexed disodium), Aliqopa (Copanlisib hydrochloride), Alkeran for injection (Melphalan hydrochloride), Alkeran tablets (Melphalan), Aloxi (Palonosetron hydrochloride), Alunbrig (Brigatinib), Ambochlorin (Chlorambucil), Ambochlorin Chlorambucil), Amifostine, Aminolevulinic Acid, Anastrozole, Aprepitant, Aredia (Pamidronate Disodium), Arimidex (Anastrozole), Aromasin (Exemestane), Arranon (Nelarabine), Arsenic Trioxide, Arzerra (Ofatumumab), Erwinia chrysanthemi Asparaginase, Atezolizumab, Avastin (Bevacizumab), Avelumab, Axitinib, Azacitidine, Bavencio (Avelumab), BEACOPP, Becenum (Carmustine), Beleoodaq (Belinostat), Belinostat, Bendamustine Hydrochloride, BEP, Besponsa (Inotuzumab Ozogamicin), Bevacizumab, Bexarotene, Bexxar (Tositumomab and Iodine I 131Tositumomab)、Bicalutamide、BiCNU(Carmustine)、Bleomycin、Blinatumomab、Blincyto(Blinatumomab)、Bortezomib、Bosulif(Bosutinib)、Bosutinib、Brentuximab Vedotin, Brigatinib, BuMel, Busulfan, Busulfex(Busulfan), Cabazitaxel, Cabomethyx (Cabozantinib-S-Protein), Cabozantinib-S-Protein, CAF, Campath(Alemtuzumab), Campt osar, (Irinotecan ingredient), Capecitabine, CAPOX, Carac(Fluorouracil-drug), Carboplati n、CARBOPLATIN-TAXOL、Carfilzomib、Carmubris(Carmustine)、Carmustine、CarmustineImplant, Casodex (Bicalutamide), CEM, Ceritinib, Cerubidine (Daunorubicin Hydrochloride), Cervarix (Recombinant HPV Bivalent Vaccine), Cetuximab, CEV, Chlorambucil, CHLORAMBUCIL-PREDNISONE, CHOP, Cisplatin, Cladribine, Clafen (Cyclophosphamide), Clofarabine, Clofarex (Clofarabine), Clolar (Clofarabine), CMF, Cobimetinib, Cometriq (Cabozantinib-S-Maleate), Copanlisib Hydrochloride, COPDAC, COPP, COPP-ABV, Cosmegen (Dactinomycin), Cotellic (Cobimetinib) b), Crizotinib, CVP, Cyclophosphamide, Cyfos (Ifosfamide), Cyramza (Ramucirumab), Cytarabine, Cytarabine liposome, Cytosar-U (Cytarabine), Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide), Dabrafenib, Dacarbazine, Dacogen (Decitabine), Dactinomycin, Daratumumab, Darzalex (Daratumumab), Dasatinib, Daunorubicin hydrochloride, Daunorubicin hydrochloride and Cytarabine liposome, Decitabine, Defibrotide sodium, Defitelio (Defibrotide sodium), Degarelix, DenileukinDiftitox, Denosumab, DepoCyt (Cytarabine liposome), Dexamethasone, Dexrazoxane hydrochloride, Dinutuximab, Docetaxel, Doxil (Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome), Doxorubicin hydrochloride, Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome, Dox-SL (Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome), DTIC-Dome (Dacarbazine), Durvalumab, Efudex (Fluorouracil - topical), Elitek (Rasburicase), Ellence (Epirubicin hydrochloride), Elotuzumab, Eloxatin (Oxaliplatin), Eltrombopag Olamine, Emend (Aprepitant), Empliciti (Elotuzumab), Enasidenib Mesylate, Enzalutamide, Epirubicin Hydrochloride, EPOCH, Erbitux (Cetuximab), Eribulin Mesylate, Erivedge (Vismodegib), Erlotinib Hydrochloride, Erwinaze (Erwinia chrysanthemi Asparaginase), Ethyol (Amifostine), Etopophos (Etoposide Phosphate), Etoposide, Etoposide Phosphate, Evacet (Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposomal), Everolimus, Evista, (Raloxifene Hydrochloride), Evomela (Melphalan Hydrochloride), Exemestane, 5-FU (Fluorouracil Injection), 5-FU (Fluorouracil - Topical), Fareston (Toremifene), Farydak (Panobinostat), Faslodex (Fulvestrant), FEC, Femara (Letrozole), Filgrastim, Fludara (Fludarabine Phosphate), Fludarabine Phosphate, Fluoroplex (Fluorouracil - Topical), FluorouracilInjection, Fluorouracil - Topical, Flutamide, Folex (Methotrexate), Folex PFS (Methotrexate), FOLFIRI, FOLFIRI-BEVACIZUMAB, FOLFIRI-CETUXIMAB, FOLFIRINOX, FOLFOX, Folotyn (Pralatrexate), FU-LV, Fulvestrant, Gardasil (Recombinant HPV Quadrivalent Vaccine), Gardasil 9 (Recombinant HPV Nonavalent Vaccine), Gazyva (Obinutuzumab), Gefitinib, Gemcitabine Hydrochloride, Gemcitabine-Cisplatin, Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin, Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin, Gemzar (Gemcitabine hydrochloride), Gilotrif (Afatinib dimaleate), Gleevec (Imatinib mesylate), Gliadel (Carmustine implant), Gliadel wafer (Carmustine implant), Glucarpidase, Goserelin acetate, Halaven (Eribulin mesylate), Hemangeol (Propranolol hydrochloride), Herceptin (Trastuzumab), HPV bivalent vaccine, recombinant, HPV nonavalent vaccine, recombinant, HPV quadrivalent vaccine, recombinant, Hycamtin (Topotecan hydrochloride), Hydrea (Hydroxyurea), Hydroxyurea, Hyper-CVAD, Ibrance (Palbociclib), Ibritumomab Tiuxetan, Ibrutinib, ICE, Iclusig (Ponatinib Hydrochloride), Idamycin (Idarubicin Hydrochloride), Idarubicin Hydrochloride, Idelalisib, Idhifa (Enasidenib Mesylate), Ifex (Ifosfamide), Ifosfamide, Ifosfamidum (Ifosfamide), IL-2 (Aldesleukin), Imatinib Mesylate, Imbruvica (Ibrutinib), Imfinzi (Durvalumab), Imiquimod, Imlygic (Talimogene)Laherparepvec), Inlyta (Axitinib), Inotuzumab Ozogamicin, Interferon Alfa-2b, Recombinant, Interleukin-2 (Aldesleukin), Intron A (Recombinant Interferon α-2b), Iodine I 131 Tositumomab and Tositumomab, Ipilimumab, Iressa (Gefitinib), Irinotecan Hydrochloride, Irinotecan Hydrochloride Liposomal, Istodax (Romidepsin), Ixabepilone, Ixazomib Citrate, Ixempra (Ixabepilone), Jakafi (Ruxolitinib Phosphate), JEB, Jevtana (Cabazitaxel), Kadcyla (Ado-Trastuzumab) Emtansine), Keoxifene (Raloxifene Hydrochloride), Kepivance (Palifermin), Keytruda (Pembrolizumab), Kisqali (Ribociclib), Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel), Kyprolis (Carfilzomib), Lanreotide Acetate, Lapatinib Ditosylate, Lartruvo (Olaratumab), Lenalidomide, Lenvatinib Mesylate, Lenvima (Lenvatinib Mesylate), Letrozole, Leucovorin Calcium, Leukeran (Chlorambucil), Leuprolide Acetate, Leustatin (Cladribine), Levulan (Aminolevulinic Acid), Linfolizin (Chlorambucil), LipoDox (Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposomal), Lomustine, Lonsurf (Trifluridine and Tipiracil hydrochloride), Lupron (Leuprolide acetate), Lupron Depot (Leuprolide acetate), Lupron Depot-Ped (Leuprolide acetate), Lynparza (Olaparib), Marqibo (Vincristine)Sulfate liposomes), Ma Tulane (Procarbazine Hydrochloride), Mechlorethamine Hydrochloride, Megestrol Acetate, Mekinist (Trametinib), Melphalan, Melphalan Hydrochloride, Mercaptopurine, Mesna, Mesnex (Mesna), Methazolastone (Temozolomide), Methotrexate, Methotrexate LPF (Methotrexate), Methylnaltrexone Bromide, Mexate (Methotrexate), Mexate-AQ (Methotrexate), Midostaurin, Mitomycin C, Mitoxantrone Hydrochloride, Mitozytrex (Mitomycin C), MOPP, Mozobil (Plerixafor), Mustargen (Mechlorethamine Hydrochloride), Mutamycin (Mitomycin C), Myleran (Busulfan), Mylosar (Azacitidine), Mylotarg (Gemtuzumab) Ozogamicin), Nanoparticle Paclitaxel (Paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation), Navelbine (Vinorelbine succinate), Necitumumab, Nelarabine, Neosar (Cyclophosphamide), Neratinib Maleate, Nerlynx (Neratinib Maleate), Netupitant and Palonosetron Hydrochloride, Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim), Neupogen (Filgrastim), Nexavar (Sorafenib Tosylate), Nilandron (Nilutamide), Nilotinib, Nilutamide, Ninlaro (Ixazomib) Citrate), Niraparib Tosylate Monohydrate, Nivolumab, Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate), Nplate (Romiplostim), Obinutuzumab, Odomzo (Sonidegib), OEPA, Ofatumumab, OFF, Olaparib, Olaratumab, OmacetaxineMepesuccinate, Oncaspar (Pegaspargase), Ondansetron Hydrochloride, Onivyde (Irinotecan Hydrochloride Liposomal), Ontak (Denileukin Diftitox), Opdivo (Nivolumab), OPPA, Osimertinib, Oxaliplatin, Paclitaxel, Paclitaxel Albumin-Stabilized Nanoparticle Formulation, PAD, Palbociclib, Palifermin, Palonosetron Hydrochloride, Palonosetron Hydrochloride and Netupitant, Pamidronate Disodium, Panitumumab, Panobinostat, Paraplat (Carboplatin), Paraplatin (Carboplatin), Pazopanib Hydrochloride, PCV, PEB, Pegaspargase, Pegfilgrastim, Peginterferon Alfa-2b, PEG-Intron (Peginterferon Alfa-2b), Pembrolizumab, Pemetrexed Disodium, Perjeta (Pertuzumab), Pertuzumab, Platinol (Cisplatin), Platinol-AQ (Cisplatin), Plerixafor, Pomalidomide, Pomalyst (Pomalidomide), Pon atinib hydrochloride, Portrazza (Necitumumab), Pralatrexate, Prednisone, Procarbazine hydrochloride, Proleukin (Aldesleukin), Prolia (Denosumab), Promacta (Eltrombopag) Olamine), Propranolol Hydrochloride, Provenge (Sipuleucel-T), Purinethol (Mercaptopurine), Purixan (Mercaptopurine), Radium 223Dichloride, Raloxifene Hydrochloride, Ramucirumab, Rasburicase, R-CHOP, R-CVP, Recombinant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Bivalent Vaccine, Recombinant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Nonavalent Vaccine, Recombinant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Quadrivalent Vaccine, Recombinant Interferon α-2b, Regorafenib, Relistor (Methylnaltrexone Bromide), R-EPOCH, Revlimid (Lenalidomide), Rheumatrex (Methotrexate), Ribociclib, R-ICE, Rituxan (Rituximab), Rituxan Hycela (Rituximab and Human Hyaluronidase), Rituximab, Rituximab and Human Hyaluronidase, Rolapitant Hydrochloride, Romidepsin, Romiplostim, Rubidomycin (Daunorubicin Hydrochloride), Rubraca (Rucaparib Camsylate), Rucaparib Camsylate, Ruxolitinib Phosphate, Rydapt (Midostaurin), Sclerosol Intrapleural Aerosol (Talc), Siltuximab, Sipuleucel-T, Somatuline Depot (Lanreotide Acetate), Sonidegib, Sorafenib Tosylate, Sprycel (Dasatinib), STANFORD V, Sterile Talc Powder (Talc), Steritalc (Talc), Stivarga (Regorafenib), Sunitinib Maleate, Sutent (Sunitinib Maleate), Sylatron (Peginterferon Alfa-2b), Sylvant (Siltuximab), Synribo (Omacetaxine) Mepesuccinate), Tabloid (Thioguanine), TAC, Tafinlar (Dabrafenib), Tagrisso (Osimertinib), Talc, Talimogene Laherparepvec, Tamoxifen Citrate, TarabinePFS (Cytarabine), Tarceva (Erlotinib hydrochloride), Targretin (Bexarotene), Tasigna (Nilotinib), Taxol (Paclitaxel), Taxotere (Docetaxel), Tecentriq, (Atezolizumab), Temodar (Temozolomide), Temozolomide, Temsirolimus, Thalidomide, Thalomid (Thalidomide), Thioguanine, Thiotepa, Tisagenlecleucel, Tolak (Fluorouracil-topical), Topotecan hydrochloride, Toremifene, Torisel (Temsirolimus), Tositumomab and Iodine-131 Tositumomab, Totect (Dexrazoxane Hydrochloride), TPF, Trabectedin, Trametinib, Trastuzumab, Treanda (Bendamustine Hydrochloride), Trifluridine and Tipiracil Hydrochloride, Trisenox (Arsenic Trioxide), Tykerb (Lapatinib Ditosylate), Unituxin (Dinutuximab), Uridine Triacetate, VAC, Vandetanib, VAMP, Varubi (Rolapitant Hydrochloride), Vectibix (Panitumumab), VeIP, Velban (Vinblastine) Sulfate), Velcade (Bortezomib), Velsar (Vinblastine sulfate), Vemurafenib, Venclexta (Venetoclax), Venetoclax, Verzenio (Abemaciclib), Viadur (Leuprolide acetate), Vidaza (Azacitidine), Vinblastine sulfate, VincasarPFS (Vincristine sulfate), Vincristine sulfate, Vincristine sulfate liposome, Vinorelbine tartrate, VIP, Vismodegib, Vistogard (Uridine triacetate), Voraxaze (Glucarpidase), Vorinostat, Votrient (Pazopanib hydrochloride), Vyxeos (Daunorubicin hydrochloride and Cytarabine liposome), Wellcovorin (Leucovorin calcium), Xalkori (Crizotinib), Xeloda (Capecitabine), XELIRI, XELOX, Xgeva (Denosumab), Xofigo (Radium 223 Dichloride), Xtandi (Enzalutamide), Yervoy (Ipilimumab), Yondelis (Trabectedin), Zaltrap (Ziv-Aflibercept), Zarxio (Filgrastim), Zejula (Niraparib Tosylate Monohydrate), Zelboraf (Vemurafenib), Zevalin (Ibritumomab Tiuxetan), Zinecard (Dexrazoxane Hydrochloride), Ziv-Aflibercept, Zofran (Ondansetron Hydrochloride), Zoladex (Goserelin Acetate), Zoledronic Acid, Zolinza (Vorinostat), Zometa (Zoledronic Acid)Acid), Zydelig (Idelalisib), Zykadia (Ceritinib), and / or Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate). Checkpoint inhibitors include, but are not limited to, antibodies that block PD-1 (Nivolumab (BMS-936558 or MDX1106), CT-011, MK-3475), PD-L1 (MDX-1105 (BMS-936559), MPDL3280A, MSB0010718C), PD-L2 (rHIgM12B7), CTLA-4 (Ipilimumab (MDX-010), Tremelimumab (CP-675,206)), IDO, B7-H3 (MGA271), B7-H4, TIM3, LAG-3 (BMS-986016).

[0099] 73. The disclosed compositions can be used to treat any disease in which unregulated cell proliferation occurs, such as cancer. An exemplary, non-limiting list of cancers that can be treated using the disclosed compositions is as follows: lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, Hodgkin's disease, myeloid leukemia, bladder cancer, brain tumor, nervous system cancer, head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, lung cancer, including small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma / glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, skin cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, throat, larynx, and lung, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and epithelial cancer, renal cancer, genitourinary cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, head and neck carcinoma, colon cancer, hematopoietic cancer; testicular cancer; colon cancer, rectal cancer, prostate cancer, or pancreatic cancer. [Example]

[0100] E. Working Example 74. The following examples are presented to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how the compounds, compositions, articles, devices, and / or methods claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely illustrative and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperatures, etc.), but some errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless otherwise specified, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in °C or is ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

[0101] 1. Example 1: Preparation of Microporous Gels via Cryogel Formation 75. Alginate is cross-linked with calcium gluconate and frozen at -20°C. Gelation occurs in the vicinity of the ice crystals, which act as porogens (Figure 2). The macroporosity of the scaffold promotes chemokine-mediated T cell infiltration and also provides an interface for transduction by viral particles. Figure 3 shows a scanning electron micrograph of the gel prepared in this way.

[0102] 2. Example 2: Mediated Recruitment and Reprogramming of Host T Cells This example demonstrates that implanted CXCL10-releasing macroporous scaffolds efficiently recruit transplanted T cells (Figures 4A and 4B). This example also demonstrates that approximately 20% of activated human T cells preloaded into alginate scaffolds are transduced with viral vectors (Figures 5A and 5B). Furthermore, when CD3 / CD28 antibodies and IL-2 are combined within the gel, 1–2% of the implanted 2–3 million human PBMCs are recruited from the bloodstream (Figures 5C and 5D), demonstrating that CD3 / CD28 antibodies and IL-2 provide environmental factors to promote T cell activation.

[0103] 3. Example 3: Optimizing parameters in scaffold-mediated T cell reprogramming 77. The results demonstrate that controlled release of the chemoattractant CXCL10 recruits circulating T cells to implanted scaffolds. Furthermore, we show herein that scaffolds preloaded with activated T cells can be transduced with viruses. Using GFP and CAR-T vectors, we investigate the in vivo transduction efficiency of viral vectors on recruited T cells.

[0104] 4. Example 4: Optimization and characterization of in vivo transduction of T cells with a viral vector encoding GFP 78. The ability of the encapsulated retroviral vector to transduce recruited T cells can be tested. Human PBMCs (1 x 10) can be transduced into NSG mice. 7 Cells (per mouse) can be implanted for 20 days. Alginate scaffolds loaded with CXCL10 (4 μg / mg alginate) and a retroviral vector encoding GFP (at two different concentrations) can be implanted into the subcutaneous space of mice (n=4). At several time points (4, 6, and 8 days after scaffold implantation), the scaffolds can be explanted, and the frequency of CD45+CD3+GFP+ cells can be assessed by flow cytometry. Controls can include: 1) empty gels without chemokines, and 2) mock virus injections.

[0105] 5. Example 5: In situ generation of CAR-T cells: 79. CAR transduction can be performed in situ using a chemokine-loaded scaffold and a CAR-encoding viral vector. Optimal recruitment and reprogramming conditions for T cells can be tested with a CAR-encoding viral construct. n = 10 is used (see the "Statistical Analysis" section). Scaffolds can be explanted, and the percentage of recruited and CD19.CAR+ cells can be assessed by flow cytometry. Controls can include: 1) empty gel without chemokine, and 2) mock virus administration. Viral vectors can degrade over time in vivo. In such a scenario, the virus can be administered via one or more slow intra-scaffold injections. Similar results are observed with GFP- and CAR-encoding viral vectors.

[0106] 80. Hu-PBMC-NSG mice were implanted with a scaffold (CCI-Alg) bearing CXCL10. A gamma retrovirus encoding human CD19 CAR was administered by slow intrascaffold injection. Three days after virus administration, the scaffolds were explanted, and digested and isolated cells were stained with CD3 and CD19 antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry (Figure 6). Figure 7 shows in vivo transduction of recruited T cells by the CD19 CAR virus.

[0107] 6. Example 6: Characterization of Transduced T Cell Migration: 81. After T cell mobilization and reprogramming, efficient release of reprogrammed cells into the bloodstream is important for therapeutic function. The migration efficiency and kinetics of transduced T cells into the circulation can be characterized.

[0108] To assess the migration of transduced T cells into the bloodstream, GFP+ or CAR+ T cells can be measured in mice (n=12) bearing scaffolds for T cell recruitment and transduction. At several time points (5, 10, and 15 days after scaffold implantation), mice can be sacrificed and GFP or CAR expression in systemic T cells can be quantified. The optimal conditions can be used for T cell recruitment and reprogramming. At several time points, T cells can be isolated from the blood, spleen, bone marrow, draining lymph nodes, and peripheral lymph nodes, and the frequency and number of CD45+CD3+GFP+ or CD45+CD3+CAR+ cells can be assessed by flow cytometry. Controls can include: 1) virus-free scaffolds; 2) scaffolds pre-seeded with GFP+ T cells. The macroporous nature of the scaffolds facilitates migration of CAR-T cells from the scaffold into the bloodstream. If migration is slow or T cells are trapped within the scaffold, the scaffold can be modified with collagen-like peptides, as lymphocytes are known to migrate along collagen fibers. Furthermore, the biodegradation rate of alginate can be tuned by careful chemical modification, and the degradation of the scaffold can be used to increase the release of CAR-T.

[0109] 7. Example 7: Statistical Analysis: 83. The number of animals for the GFP experiment was determined based on 80% power to detect the above differences at a two-sided α = 0.05. The number of animals for the in situ generation of CAR T cells was determined based on a two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean CD19 percentage, with a half-width of ≈3.6% and an estimated SD of ≈5%.

[0110] 8. Example 8: Tumor Model We developed a mouse model of human Burkitt lymphoma (a type of B-cell lymphoma) using NSG mice by using 84.Daudi.ffluc cells (CD19+ tumor cells) (Figure 8). Mice were monitored at 19, 24, 29, 33, and 43 days after tumor inoculation. As shown in Figure 9A, tumor size was monitored by luminescence and compared between untreated controls and mice treated with alginate scaffolds or administered i.v. As shown in Figure 9B, mouse weight gain and flux were also measured, but no discernible differences were observed between the treatment groups. Furthermore, the number of CAR-T cells in 100 μl of blood from mice implanted with CCI scaffolds or injected i.v. with CAR-T cells was measured at several time points after tumor inoculation in animals receiving i.v. administration of CD19 CAR T cells or CCI-alginate scaffolds (CCI-Alg). Blood was collected from the cheek of the mice, red blood cells were lysed, and cells were stained with Hu-CD45, Hu-CD3, and CAR.19 antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry (Figure 10). The present application also relates to the following aspects: (1) A hydrogel matrix comprising one or more chemoattractants, wherein the one or more chemoattractants include C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2. (2) The hydrogel matrix according to (1), further comprising a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor, an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor. (3) The hydrogel matrix according to (2), wherein the viral vector comprises a lentivirus, a retrovirus, an adenovirus, or an adeno-associated virus. (4) The hydrogel matrix according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising one or more antibodies, cytokines and / or costimulatory molecules that activate T cells, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells, tumor-infiltrating NK cells (TINK), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), or bone marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (MIL). (5) The hydrogel matrix according to (4), wherein the antibody comprises anti-CD3, CD28, B7-1, B7-2, anti-induced costimulatory factor (ICOS), ICOS ligand, anti-CD27, CD70, 4-1BBL, anti-41-BB, anti-CD40L, CD40, anti-DAP10, anti-CD30, CD30L, anti-TIM-1, anti-TIM-2, anti-TIM-3, anti-CD44, anti-NK1.1, lectin-like transcription factor-1 (LLT-1), anti-CD137, CD48, MICA, anti-2B4, and anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR). (6) The hydrogel matrix according to (4), wherein the cytokine comprises IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, TNF-α, or IFN-γ. (7) The hydrogel matrix according to any one of (1) to (6) above, further comprising a chemotherapeutic agent. (8) A method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering the hydrogel matrix according to any one of (1) to (7) to the subject. (9) A method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a hydrogel matrix comprising one or more chemoattractants, wherein the one or more chemoattractants comprise C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2, and wherein the chemoattractants attract and retain immune cells to the hydrogel. (10) The method for treating cancer according to (9) above, wherein the immune cells include T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, TINK, TIL, or MIL. (11) The method for treating cancer described in (9) or (10) above, wherein the hydrogel matrix further contains an immune blocking inhibitor. (12) The method for treating cancer according to any one of (9) to (11) above, wherein the hydrogel matrix further contains a chemotherapeutic agent. (13) The method for treating cancer according to any one of (9) to (12), wherein the hydrogel further comprises a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor, an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor. (14) The method for treating cancer according to (13), wherein the viral vector transduces the immune cells, and the transduced immune cells are released from the hydrogel toward the cancer. (15) The method for treating cancer according to (14), wherein the viral vector is introduced into the hydrogel in vivo about 1 day to about 14 days after administration of the hydrogel to the subject. (16) The method for treating cancer according to (14), wherein the viral vector is introduced into the hydrogel before administration of the hydrogel to the subject. (17) The method for treating cancer according to any one of (14) to (16) above, wherein the immune cells are released for about 1 week to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. (18) The method for treating cancer according to any one of (9) to (17), wherein the one or more chemoattractants are released from about 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. (19) A method for transducing immune cells in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a hydrogel comprising one or more chemoattractants and a viral vector encoding a transgene. (20) The method for transducing immune cells according to (19), wherein the viral vector is introduced into the hydrogel in vivo on about 1 day to about 14 days after administration of the hydrogel to the subject. (21) The method for transducing immune cells according to (19), wherein the viral vector is introduced into the hydrogel before administration of the hydrogel to the subject. (22) The method for transducing immune cells according to any one of (19) to (21), wherein the one or more chemoattractants include C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2. (23) The method for transducing immune cells according to any one of (19) to (22), wherein the one or more chemoattractants are released from about 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel. (24) The method for transducing immune cells according to any one of (19) to (23), wherein the transgene encoded by the viral vector comprises a CAR, an NK cell receptor, an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor. (25) The method for transducing immune cells according to any one of (19) to (24), wherein the viral vector comprises a lentivirus, a retrovirus, an adenovirus, or an adeno-associated virus. (26) The method for transducing immune cells according to any one of (19) to (25), wherein the immune cells include T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, TINK cells, TIL cells, or MIL cells. (27) The method for transducing immune cells according to any one of (19) to (26), wherein the hydrogel further comprises one or more antibodies, cytokines and / or costimulatory molecules that activate T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, TINK cells, TIL cells or MIL cells. (28) The method of transducing immune cells according to (27), wherein the antibody comprises anti-CD28, CD3, B7-1, B7-2, anti-inducible costimulatory factor (ICOS), ICOS ligand, anti-CD27, CD70, 4-1BBL, anti-41-BB, anti-CD40L, CD40, anti-DAP10, anti-CD30, CD30L, anti-TIM-1, anti-TIM-2, anti-TIM-3, anti-CD44, anti-NK1.1, lectin-like transcription factor-1 (LLT-1), anti-CD137, CD48, MICA, anti-2B4, and anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR). (29) The method for transducing immune cells according to (27), wherein the cytokine comprises IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, TNF-α, or IFN-γ.

[0111] F. References Brentjens, R.J. et al. CD19-targeted T cells rapidly induce molecular remissions in adults with chemotherapy-refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sci. Transl. Med. 5, 177ra38 (2013). Dotti, G., Gottschalk, S., Savoldo, B. & Brenner, M.K. Design and development of therapies using chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells. Immunol. Rev. 257, 107-126 (2014). Enblad, G. et al. A PHASE I / IIa TRIAL USING CD19-TARGETED THIRD GENERATION CAR T CELLS FOR LYMPHOMA AND LEUKEMIA. Clin. Cancer Res. (2018). doi:10.1158 / 1078-0432.CCR-18-0426 Grupp, S.A. et al. Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified T Cells for Acute Lymphoid Leukemia. N. Engl. J. Med. 368, 1509-1518 (2013). Kalos,M.et al.T cells with chimeric antigen receptors have potent antitumor effects and can establish memory in patients with advanced leukemia.Sci.Transl.Med.3,95ra73(2011). Kochenderfer,J.N.&Rosenberg,S.A.Treating B-cell cancer with T cells expressing anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptors.Nat.Rev.Clin.Oncol.10,267-276(2013). Kochenderfer,J.N.et al.Eradication of B-lineage cells and regression of lymphoma in a patient treated with autologous T cells genetically engineered to recognize CD19.Blood 116,4099-4102(2010). Lee,D.W.et al.T cells expressing CD19 chimeric antigen receptors for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children and young adults:a phase 1 dose-escalation trial.Lancet 385,517-528(2015). Maude,S.L.et al.Chimeric antigen receptor T cells for sustained remissions in leukemia.N.Engl.J.Med.371,1507-1517(2014). Prasad,V.Immunotherapy:Tisagenlecleucel -the first approved CAR-T-cell therapy:implications for payers and policy makers.Nat.Rev.Clin.Oncol.15,11-12(2018). Ramos,C.A.,Savoldo,B.&Dotti,G.CD19-CAR trials.Cancer J.20,112-118(2014). Sadelain,M.,Brentjens,R.&Riviere,I.The promise and potential pitfalls of chimeric antigen receptors.Curr.Opin.Immunol.21,215-223(2009). Sharma,P.,King,G.T.,Shinde,S.S.,Purev,E.&Jimeno,A.Axicabtagene ciloleucel for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.Drugs Today 54,187-198(2018).

Claims

1. 1. A hydrogel matrix comprising one or more chemoattractants, wherein the one or more chemoattractants comprise C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2; A hydrogel matrix comprising a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor, an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor.

2. 10. The hydrogel matrix of claim 1, wherein the viral vector comprises a lentivirus, a retrovirus, an adenovirus, or an adeno-associated virus.

3. 3. The hydrogel matrix of claim 1 or 2, further comprising one or more antibodies, cytokines and / or costimulatory molecules that activate T cells, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells, tumor-infiltrating NK cells (TINK), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), or marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (MIL).

4. 4. The hydrogel matrix of claim 3, wherein the antibodies comprise anti-CD3, CD28, B7-1, B7-2, anti-induced costimulatory factor (ICOS), ICOS ligand, anti-CD27, CD70, 4-1BBL, anti-41-BB, anti-CD40L, CD40, anti-DAP10, anti-CD30, CD30L, anti-TIM-1, anti-TIM-2, anti-TIM-3, anti-CD44, anti-NK1.1, lectin-like transcription factor-1 (LLT-1), anti-CD137, CD48, MICA, anti-2B4, and anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR).

5. 4. The hydrogel matrix of claim 3, wherein the cytokine comprises IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, TNF-α, or IFN-γ.

6. The hydrogel matrix of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a chemotherapeutic agent.

7. A pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer in a subject, comprising the hydrogel matrix of any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer in a subject, comprising a hydrogel matrix containing one or more chemoattractants, wherein the one or more chemoattractants comprise C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2; the hydrogel matrix further comprises a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor, an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor. A pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer, wherein the chemoattractant attracts and retains immune cells to the hydrogel matrix.

9. The pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment according to claim 8 , wherein the immune cells comprise T cells, NK cells, NK T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, TINK, TIL or MIL.

10. The pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the hydrogel matrix further comprises an immune blocking inhibitor.

11. The pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the hydrogel matrix further comprises a chemotherapeutic agent.

12. 12. The pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment according to claim 11, wherein the viral vector transduces the immune cells, and the transduced immune cells are released from the hydrogel matrix towards the cancer.

13. A pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer in a subject, comprising a hydrogel matrix containing one or more chemoattractants, wherein the one or more chemoattractants comprise C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 1 (CCL1), CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CCL22, CCL28, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 (CXCL1), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, M-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MCP-3, CCL2, CCL3, CCL7, CCL20, CX3CL1, BRAK, IL-12, S1P, and / or MCP2; the hydrogel matrix further comprises a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor, an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor.

1. A pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer, wherein the chemoattractant attracts and retains immune cells in the hydrogel matrix, the hydrogel matrix further comprises a chemotherapeutic agent; a viral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), an NK cell receptor, an NK T cell receptor, or a T cell receptor is introduced into the hydrogel matrix in vivo from about day 1 to about day 14 after administration of the hydrogel matrix to the subject; the viral vector transduces the immune cells, and the transduced immune cells are released from the hydrogel matrix toward the cancer. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer.

14. The pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer according to claim 12, wherein the viral vector is introduced into the hydrogel matrix prior to administration of the hydrogel matrix to the subject.

15. The pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the immune cells are released for about 1 week to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel matrix.

16. 16. The pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the one or more chemoattractants are released from about 1 hour after administration of the hydrogel matrix to about 12 weeks after administration of the hydrogel matrix.

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