A new study reveals that two proteins, MreB and CcmA, work together to balance cell-wall synthesis on opposite sides of the curvy-shaped bacterium, maintaining its helical shape. Disrupting this balance could lead to the development of more targeted antibiotics to prevent H. pylori infections.
Since the mid-2000s, bone marrow transplant mortality rates have declined significantly, falling by 34% between 2003-2007 and 2013-2017. This improvement is largely attributed to advancements in prevention and treatment of infections and diseases related to transplantation.
Researchers have found that a balance between neutrophils and T cells can accurately predict which patients will respond to immunotherapy. A clinical trial is underway to test a drug that reduces neutrophil levels in tumors, boosting the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have successfully shrunk solid tumors using a thin metal mesh loaded with CAR T cells in preclinical models of ovarian cancer. The approach showed promising results, clearing tumors in 70% of treated mice within 20 days.
A new study published in Nature found that a single genetic mutation in the SF3B1 gene is associated with an increased risk of developing various types of cancer. The researchers discovered that this mutation leads to the production of abnormal RNA molecules, including noncoding DNA sequences that disrupt the genetic message.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains reduces death following breast cancer, slows diabetes progression, and prevents coronary heart disease. The study, led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers, followed nearly 49,000 postmenopausal women for nearly 20...
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center use CRISPR/Cas9 to edit long-lived blood stem cells, reversing symptoms of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The study demonstrates efficient modification of targeted stem cells, reducing costs and risks associated with gene-editing treatments.
A team at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has identified a gene called DUX4 that can prevent the immune system from recognizing and attacking cancer cells. This discovery suggests that blocking the activity of this gene might increase the success of immunotherapy treatments for a wide range of cancers.
A recent multicenter analysis found that including diverse populations in large-scale genomic studies is critical for reducing health disparities and accurately representing genetics-related disease risks. The study identified 27 new trait-variant associations, furthersing our understanding of the genetic architecture of traits.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have successfully treated cancer patients with HIV using immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab. The study found that the drug was safe and effective in patients with well-controlled HIV, offering hope for inclusivity in future clinical trials.
A proof-of-principle study shows that gold nanoparticles loaded with CRISPR safely and effectively edited blood stem cells in lab models of HIV and inherited blood disorders. The researchers found that the Cas12a protein partner delivered precise genetic edits, which were maintained for eight weeks after injection.
The CASSINI Trial found that while there was no significant reduction in venous thromboembolism or death over 180 days, cancer patients taking rivaroxaban had a lower incidence of these events while on the drug or during the treatment period.
Research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that patients face structural and clinical barriers to participating in clinical trials, with nearly 22% deemed ineligible. The team calls for policy changes such as expanding trial locations and proactively discussing options with patients to increase access and participation.
A new study finds that antibodies produced by B cells play a dominant role in controlling cytomegalovirus reactivation in people with compromised immune systems. The discovery challenges long-held theories and could pave the way for safer therapies to protect patients from life-threatening infections.
Researchers discovered 40 new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, validating 55 previously identified variants. The study also identified a rare protective variant for sporadic colorectal cancer, offering hope for targeted treatments.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center present promising results on CAR T-cell therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma. The studies show potential for improved outcomes and increased survival rates for patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers.
A study published in Nature Communications confirms that HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART) is driven by the proliferation of infected cells, rather than viral replication. This finding suggests that reducing cellular proliferation could help deplete the latent HIV reservoir and potentially lead to a functional cure.
Researchers discover cancer cells hide a key gene marker from immune system, allowing tumors to recur. By reactivating this marker, the team hopes to develop more effective immunotherapies to combat relapse.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found a specific strain of Helicobacter pylori strongly correlated with stomach cancer. The study suggests that the EPIYA D variant of the cagA gene may be used to identify high-risk patients and improve screening and treatment plans.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center compared two common CAR designs in lab models and found that the CD28 CAR showed faster and stronger activity, while the 4-1BB CAR was more effective in clearing cancer cells. The study provides insights into how to improve immunotherapy by designing future generations of CAR T-cell therapies.
A large prospective study has found that childhood sexual and physical abuse is associated with a greater risk of endometriosis diagnosed during adulthood. Women reporting severe-chronic abuse had a 79 percent increased risk of laparoscopically-confirmed endometriosis.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology has endorsed guidelines from the Society for Integrative Oncology, recommending integrative therapies for anxiety, depression, and quality of life improvement. However, some treatments like ginseng and acupressure require further research due to safety concerns.
Scientists have discovered a human antibody, CIS43, that protects against malaria better than any previous antibody, and identified a unique binding site on the malaria parasite's surface protein. This could lead to new pathways for malaria prevention, potentially offering an effective vaccine or direct infusion therapy.
Scientists have pinpointed seven bacterial species whose presence in high concentrations may significantly increase the risk of HIV infection in women. The study, which used data from six African nations, found that women carrying these bacteria had a 4.6-to-1 increased odds of acquiring HIV.
A new category of immunotherapies called checkpoint inhibitors shows promise in treating cancers in HIV patients, who were previously excluded from clinical trials. The ongoing study suggests that these drugs can be safely used to manage cancer in people with HIV, providing a new hope for this population.
A study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center has identified a specific subset of adult blood stem cells responsible for regenerating the entire blood and immune system. The 5% subset, marked as CD34+CD45RA-CD90+, was found to rebuild all different cells of the blood and immune system within 10 days after being infused in nonhuman primates.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have engineered a novel way to genetically modify T cells to target and prevent leukemia relapse. The new immunotherapy, relying on engineered T-cell receptors, represents a different method of genetic engineering than CAR T-cell therapies.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center identified potential biomarkers and created algorithms to identify patients at risk of severe side effects from CAR T-cell therapy. The studies found that most patients with these toxicities experienced reversible or no harm, but severe cases were associated with endothelial cell activation.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a nanoparticle delivery system to extend the therapeutic potential of messenger RNA, delivering gene changes to targeted cells. The 'hit-and-run' genetic programming approach can be easily scaled up for various disease applications.
A clinical trial of CAR T-cell immunotherapy achieved durable molecular remissions in 71% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who had failed other treatments. Genetic tracing of cancer cells from bone marrow biopsies showed a better predictor of prognosis than standard lymph node scans.
A team of researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center will use recent technological advances in proteogenomics to identify biomarkers predicting treatment response and novel therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. The goal is to improve understanding of drug resistance and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.
A new study analyzed flu samples from four transplant patients with long-lasting infections, revealing certain viral changes that matched global flu evolution trends. The researchers found that some mutations fixed in these patients would eventually take over the worldwide population of viruses.
Long-term colorectal cancer survivors who use NSAIDs experience a 25% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 40% survival benefit when taking the drugs after diagnosis for KRAS wild-type tumors
A study analyzing SWOG clinical trials found that cancer patients in the US have gained a cumulative 3.34 million years of life due to successful therapies. The analysis calculated that an NCI investment of $125 for each year of life saved was sufficient, making it a cost-effective approach.
Researchers from Fred Hutch Cancer Center are showcasing promising new treatments for various types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, and early-stage breast cancer. The findings suggest that experimental drugs, triple immunotherapy, and novel sarcoma vaccines may provide extended progression-free survival p...
A novel sarcoma vaccine has shown an escalating immune response in patients, indicating its potential anti-cancer effects. The findings suggest that the vaccine can generate an immune response and stabilize tumors, making it a promising treatment option.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have identified key mutations that allow HIV to escape a broadly neutralizing antibody. The study's findings could inform the development of more effective vaccines against this notoriously difficult-to-target virus.
In a Phase 2 clinical trial, adding an experimental drug to standard chemotherapy improved progression-free survival by four months in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and high levels of hyaluronic acid in their tumors. The results suggest the benefit of the treatment is restricted to patients with this specific biomarker.
A study from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that up to 53% of cancer patients' non-admission ED visits could be prevented with timely care in an outpatient setting. The most common reason for ED visits was pain, costing a median $1,127 per visit.
A small clinical trial found that three out of four patients treated with a combination of T-cell therapy, avelumab, and either radiation or interferon achieved complete remission. The treatment approach may offer new hope for patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer with limited treatment options.
A study at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that asymptomatic women with early-stage breast cancer often undergo unnecessary advanced imaging and tests, which provide little medical benefit but may have harmful effects and increase financial burden. ASCO guidelines recommend against routine surveillance testing for these patients.
A new study suggests that a mother's cells can directly act as part of her child's immune system, even after birth. Babies born to mothers infected with malaria during pregnancy have higher levels of maternal microchimerism, which may confer some protection against the disease.
Researchers have identified two sarcoma subtypes, leiomyosarcoma and pleomorphic, as likely susceptible to immunotherapy. The study analyzed 81 patient samples, revealing patterns of immune response that suggest these subtypes can be targeted with checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a synthetic scaffold loaded with cancer-fighting T cells that shrank tumors more effectively than traditional injection methods. The scaffold created a homey environment for the T cells to survive and proliferate, outwitting self-defense chemicals released by tumors.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed biodegradable nanoparticles that can genetically program immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The study showed that nanoparticle-programmed immune cells, known as T cells, can rapidly clear or slow the progression of leukemia in a mouse model.
An international effort analyzed 1,610 Ebola virus genomes from the 2013-2016 West African epidemic, revealing insights into factors that sped or slowed the outbreak. The study found that cities played a major role in the magnitude of the epidemic and that distance between cities was key to sparing nearby regions from severe epidemics.
Scientists are working on tweaking T-cell therapy for leukemia to apply to solid tumors like ovarian cancer. The researchers identified proteins overproduced by ovarian cancer cells and found that engineered T cells can kill both human and mouse ovarian cancer cells in the lab.
A recent Phase 1 trial found that an experimental drug called G100 triggered a heightened immune response in tumors, causing them to stop growing or shrink in 14 out of 15 patients. The treatment, which is based on a bacterial molecule, may represent a promising way to induce localized immune responses against cancer.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are developing T-cell therapies for a type of acute myeloid leukemia. They aim to create targeted immunotherapy that recognizes and kills cancer-specific proteins within the cell.
Researchers develop new technologies to precisely measure protein levels serving as tumor markers for personalized cancer treatment. This approach aims to predict tumor response to cancer therapeutics and match patients with the right drug.