Researchers discovered COVID-19 causes epigenetic scars in lung tissue that lead to hyperinflammation and fibrosis. These changes are associated with increased interferons and chemokines, promoting inflammation.
An international team of researchers analyzed 1.7 million cells from 225 samples across 11 different cancer types, identifying regions in the DNA that are differentially activated or inactivated in a cancer-specific manner. These epigenetic changes create a signature for each tumour and correspond to hallmarks of cancer.
A recent study found that formaldehyde, a common environmental hazard, can change the epigenetics of cells. The toxic substance alters the regulation of genes and is linked to an increased risk of developing cancer, as well as other diseases such as hepatic degeneration and asthma.
Scientists have developed a cellular model that behaves like childhood leukemia in patients, shedding light on the disease's complexities. The model mimics key features of B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL), particularly those with the MLL::AF4 gene fusion, which has a poor prognosis.
Scientists discovered epigenetic signatures in immune cells that allow for rapid activation of key genes, enabling quick recall of antigens. This rearrangement is accompanied by changes in the 3D distribution of DNA in the nucleus, which affects gene expression and could lead to new therapies for autoimmune diseases.
A study by Dr. Manel Esteller's team has identified a key epigenetic alteration in liver cancer that makes tumors more vulnerable to a specific class of anticancer drugs. This discovery may lead to improved treatment options for patients with liver cancer, particularly those with intact NSUN7 gene function.
Tumors with low PD-L1 levels use genetic strategies like MYC activation to avoid immune attack, but this can be predicted by monitoring for MYC status. The study's findings could lead to new clinical trials assessing MYC status as a marker for selecting patients for immunotherapy.
Researchers developed liCHi-C, a new method to analyze the interactome of cancer cells directly from patient samples. This reduces the sample size needed, allowing for higher resolution maps and identification of altered networks in leukemia.
Researchers from Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre and Josep Carreras Institute create a cell therapy based on STAb cells for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL), a rare disease with few treatment options. The new therapy offers an alternative to CAR-T therapies, which have limitations in treating this type of leukemia.
The article explains how epigenetic changes are used to diagnose brain tumors, predict disease progression, and determine treatment efficacy. Epigenetic drugs have shown promising results in treating various types of leukemia and lymphoma, offering a new approach to cancer management.
The AlphaFold2 AI model has contributed 25% more high-quality protein structures to existing species, aiding in understanding protein function and designing targeted drugs for cancer. Despite limitations, its impact will transform life sciences with new computational tools.
Researchers found that vitamin C improves dendritic cell activation, promoting immune response and antigen presentation. This discovery may lead to more potent dendritic cell-based therapies against cancer.
Researchers discovered that pairs of unrelated 'look-alikes' share similar genetic variations, physical characteristics, and even behavior. Genome-wide analyses found common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine out of 16 pairs, with similarities in weights and lifestyle factors.
Leukemia cells exploit metabolic pathways to evade programmed cell death, but researchers identified a weak spot in acute lymphoblastic leukemia that can be targeted with experimental drugs. Inhibiting glutathione metabolism induces ferroptosis, leading to the death of malignant lymphocytes.
Researchers identify chromosomal abnormalities associated with relapse in a frequent subset of B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL), a severe condition affecting especially children. The study found that chromosome 10 and 18 trisomies are good prognosis markers, while lower clonal heterogeneity can predict higher relapse risk.
Researchers identified an epigenetic signature, EPIMISC, associated with the development of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) after SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The study found deregulation of epigenetic cellular programming leading to hyperinflammation in tissues.
Researchers have discovered a new molecular treatment effective against low-flow vascular malformations using the AKT inhibitor miransertib. The study also found that active angiogenesis is needed for malformations to occur, opening the door to preventive strategies.
A new study explains how leukemia cells can transform into harmless immune cells through epigenetic changes, potentially leading to novel therapies for blood malignancies. The METTL3 gene is identified as a key controller of this process.
Researchers have developed a refined tool to identify potentially druggable gene amplifications in tumors using epigenetic data. The new methodology improves the characterization of somatic copy number alterations up to 20% with high accuracy, reaching 100% specificity and 93.3% sensitivity.
A blood test can differentiate between severe COVID-19 and preeclampsia in pregnant women by analyzing indicators of endothelial dysfunction, blood clotting, and immune function. The study also highlights similarities between the two conditions, including activation of the complement system.
A new genomic platform has been developed to study the mouse epigenome, allowing researchers to analyze 285,000 epigenetic control points. The system uses microarrays to detect changes in DNA methylation sites and has been validated using archival specimens.
Scientists at the Josep Carreras Institute and CIC Biogune discovered that blood vessels use small molecules to instruct adipose tissue to release fat. This finding sheds light on the importance of blood vessels in regulating obesity and opens up opportunities for improving human health through vascular regulation.
Researchers found that certain transfer RNAs are dysregulated in human cancer, leading to a worse clinical course. Re-silencing these molecules in preclinical studies halted tumor growth, suggesting they could be attractive targets for next-generation drugs.
Researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute and the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital discovered that vitamin D activates the tolerance program of dendritic cells through epigenetic modification. This finding offers new hope for treating autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis by optimizing tolerogenic dendritic cells.
Researchers found a genetic regulation profile associated with improved overall survival and reduced disease relapse in patients treated with CAR-T cells. The epigenetic pattern is typical of young T lymphocytes, suggesting they may be ideal for selection and administration.
Researchers discovered epigenetic variations in individuals with severe COVID-19, associating them with excessive inflammatory response and poor health state. These findings enable the identification of a high-risk group (EPICOVID), warranting special care and personalized medicine approaches.
Researchers at Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute discovered a marker predicting aggressive clinical course in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. The marker allows identifying patients with poor evolution, enabling early intervention and improved treatment outcomes.
A 1975 discovery about a missing nucleotide in tumor RNA has been linked to cancer development. Researchers have found that the TYW2 gene is epigenetically silenced, causing small but aggressive tumors and leading to poor survival rates.
Researchers found that having two mutated copies of TP53 gene worsens the prognosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer. This study confirms that TP53 mutation status is the most important variable in predicting disease course.
Researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute have identified a new enzymatic activity of Sirtuin SIRT7 that regulates the cellular response to metabolic stress. This discovery opens the door to new therapeutic targets for treating leukaemia and other malignant haemopathies.
The OneChain Immunotherapeutics spin-off aims to develop CAR-T therapies for rare leukaemia subtypes like coT-ALL, which affects children and has a poor prognosis. The spin-off is funded by €3M and will enable the transfer of research knowledge from academia to clinical use.
A study published in the Journal Blood reveals the molecular landscape of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN), a group of rare malignancies with overlapping features. The researchers identified genotype-phenotype associations and potential diagnostic molecular markers that can improve diagnosis and risk stratificatio...
The use of CAR-T immunotherapy against acute myeloid leukemia is being reevaluated due to concerns over its impact on healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Studies have shown that anti-CD123 CAR T-cells can inhibit normal hematopoiesis, leading to irreversible impairment in blood cell formation.
A comprehensive epigenetic study on human tumor organoids reveals their potential as a reliable model for cancer research. The findings validate the use of these samples in biomedical research and pharmaceutical development, opening up new avenues for discovering anti-cancer treatments.
Hyperdiploid B-ALL, the most common subtype of pediatric leukemia, arises from a malfunctioning Condensin complex, Aurora B kinase, and mitotic checkpoint in cell division. Researchers have unveiled the molecular mechanisms underlying HyperD-ALL origin and progression.
Research reveals frequent RB1 intragenic rearrangements in non-smoking patients with EGFR mutations, indicating higher resistance to EGFR inhibitors. The alteration may favor growth and tumoural versatility of resistant clones.
Scientists at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute developed an innovative diagnostic assay to identify leukemic stem cells, a key cause of relapse and resistance to treatment. The assay uses advanced cytomics methods to analyze multiple functional characteristics of myeloblasts, revealing differential responses to chemotherapy
Researchers have discovered a way in which leukemia cells can change their identity to become macrophages, a process known as transdifferentiation. This transformation occurs through epigenetic changes that alter the cell's genetic material, allowing it to acquire new functions and behaviors.
Researchers develop a new technique to detect activated complement pathway in patients with thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA), allowing clinicians to determine potential use of existing treatment for other diseases. The technique could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of secondary TMAs, such as pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.
Dr. Yamamoto received the prestigious Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award and Lectureship for his work on blood group genes. He has contributed to a better understanding of glycosylation polymorphisms and cancer-specific glycosylation alterations.
A study has identified a new mechanism by which pancreatic beta-cells respond to inflammatory environments, leading to the onset of Type 1 Diabetes. Researchers mapped approximately 3,600 non-coding DNA regions that activate in response to inflammation.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of antitumor response of Natural Killer (NK) cells in myeloma, utilizing histones. Histones bind to CD138 receptors on myeloma cells, promoting tumor cell aggregation and enhancing the recruitment of T lymphocytes, thereby increasing antitumor activity.
Researchers developed guidelines to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decision-making for patients with MDS and CMML. The guide provides technical aspects, quality controls, and step-by-step instructions for applying Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in hospitals and laboratories.
Researchers have found a group of antihistamines that can induce differentiation in leukaemic stem cells, leading to cell death. The discovery offers a potential new approach to treating Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), a disease with a high rate of recidivism.
A non-coding region of the genome has been discovered to regulate the development of cancer in various types of tumors, including breast cancer and sarcomas. The RPSAP52 RNA molecule triggers cell proliferation and cancels differentiation, allowing tumor cells to multiply and spread.
A study published in Acta Neuropathologica has identified an epigenetic lesion called NSUN5 that can predict good clinical course in 15% of patients with gliomas, a type of brain cancer. The researchers found that this alteration allows the tumor to grow slowly and enables patients to survive longer.