Modulation of yeast-based immunotherapy products and responses

Abstract

Disclosed are methods to modulate yeast-based immunotherapy products and the immune responses, prophylactic responses, and/or therapeutic responses elicited by such products. Also disclosed are modified yeast-based immunotherapy products, kits and compositions.

1 .- 66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . A method to inhibit the production or survival of CD4+TH17 cells in a subject, comprising administering to a subject:
 a) a yeast-based immunotherapy composition comprising a whole yeast and an antigen;   b) a virus-based vaccine, and   c) an agent that inhibits the production or survival of CD4+TH17 cells, wherein the agent inhibits interleukin-17 (IL-17).   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the agent is an anti-IL-17 antibody. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein administration of the agent is prior to, in conjunction with, and/or following administration of the yeast-based immunotherapy composition, and wherein the production or survival of CD4+TH17 cells is inhibited in the subject. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein T cells isolated from the subject do not proliferate or proliferate weakly in response to contact with a yeast-based immunotherapy composition. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein T cells isolated from the subject have greater than normal retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-γ expression and/or have greater than normal levels of IL-17 production. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the yeast-based immunotherapy composition is administered in one or more doses over a period of time prior to commencing the administration of the agent. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein administration of the agent, virus-based vaccine and the yeast-based immunotherapy enhances CD8+ T cell responses, as compared to administration of the yeast-based immunotherapy composition alone. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the whole yeast is a heat-inactivated whole yeast. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the whole yeast is from  Saccharomyces.    
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the whole yeast is from  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the virus-based vaccine expresses the same antigen as the antigen in the yeast-based immunotherapeutic composition. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the virus-based vaccine expresses a different antigen than the antigen in the yeast-based immunotherapeutic composition.