Articles tagged with Cell Therapies
Researchers have found that valosin-containing protein (VCP) is essential for KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell growth and survival. Inhibiting VCP, combined with autophagy inhibition, enhances efficacy in preclinical studies.
Scientists have identified a new molecule that could help distinguish and treat patients with a specific subgroup of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. The discovery points to potential targeted therapies using a drug or drugs to block the molecule's activity.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have made significant progress in treating multiple myeloma using chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR-T cell therapy), which has shown a median progression-free survival of 13.3 months compared to 4.4 months for standard treatment regimens.
Researchers found that immunotherapy can activate tumor-fighting T cells in nearby lymph nodes, potentially boosting efficacy against solid tumors. The study suggests leaving lymph nodes intact until after immunotherapy could improve treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers.
A team of researchers developed a novel cancer therapeutic combining antibody fragments with molecularly engineered nanoparticles, permanently eradicating gastric cancer in treated mice. The 'hit and run' drug delivery system targets HER2 proteins associated with gastric cancer.
Researchers have designed a new RNA sensor that can selectively activate synthetic genes in specific cells, opening up possibilities for targeted therapies for cancer and other diseases. The system uses an enzyme that naturally exists in most animal cells to detect and repair mismatches in double-stranded RNA.
Researchers discovered that targeting two inflammatory regulators simultaneously can boost T cell expansion and increase antitumor immune activity in models. The findings showed at least 10 times greater T cell expansion when both regulators were knocked out, resulting in improved durability.
UVA researchers discovered a metabolic pathway that can modulate COVID-19 inflammation, lung recovery, and host metabolic health. They suggest a potentially viable therapeutic agent that may be combined with existing anti-viral agents to treat severe COVID-19 in patients with underlying metabolic disease.
A new review paper suggests that selective protection of normal cells from chemotherapy could increase the therapeutic window and improve outcomes for cancer patients. The authors propose using antagonistic drug combinations to kill drug-resistant cancer cells, reducing side effects and improving quality of life.
Researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research found that introducing bacteria to a tumor's microenvironment triggers an immune response, activating neutrophils to destroy tumors in animal models. This breakthrough therapy targets neutrophils to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Dr. Natasha Kekre, a University of Ottawa associate professor and hematologist, has secured millions in funding and published numerous peer-reviewed papers on CAR-T cellular therapies for cancer treatment. Her work has advanced the immunotherapy field in Canada and made her an expert in cancer immunotherapies.
A new study found that less than 4% of people with sickle cell disease have prescriptions for newer FDA-approved pain-relieving drugs, despite their availability. The study also revealed significant gaps in prescription patterns by geographic region and age group, emphasizing the need for education and access to treatment options.
A new cell therapy has demonstrated significant benefits in improving the heart's pumping ability and reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with chronic heart failure. The therapy, using mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs), also showed a strong signal in reducing inflammation and improving microv...
CHOP researchers have identified variants of a chaperone molecule that can enhance the loading of peptides across different HLA types, which could be used in cell therapy and immunization applications. The study found that chicken-derived TAPBPR proteins can react with multiple HLA allotypes and stabilize the empty MHC-I groove, boosti...
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified CD70 as a novel therapeutic target for eliminating drug-resistant cancer cells in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. CD70 targeting strategies showed significant anti-tumor activity, eliminating resistant cells in laboratory models.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a method to fine-tune CAR-T cell stimulation using artificial antigen-presenting scaffolds. This approach enhances consistency and potency of resulting CAR-T cell products, allowing for better cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers highlight CD200's role in regulating immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and propose alternative strategies for its neutralization. Unbiased genomic- and proteomic-based approaches may help clarify CD200 expression regulation across various human cancers.
The NCI is funding a $587,000 research grant to improve KRAS treatment resistance in pancreatic cancer. Dr. Andrew Waters aims to develop personalized medicine approaches by studying unique resistance mechanisms.
A UCF cancer researcher is studying the molecular causes of Alzheimer's disease by examining a protein deficiency in the brain. His research may lead to new targets for therapy and earlier diagnosis. The study focuses on KLF8, a protein important for brain function that has been recorded as deficient in patients with Alzheimer's.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new type of CAR T-cell therapy that effectively attacks and destroys ovarian cancer cells, significantly prolonging the lives of mice with the disease. The treatment has shown promising results in reducing tumor size and curing several mice.
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting conventional signalling pathway by disrupting LCK allows more efficient tumour cell killing, using FYN protein instead. This approach enhances T-cell function and reduces graft-versus-host disease, making CAR-T therapy more accessible to patients.
Researchers at Saint Louis University found that COVID-19 vaccination does not interfere with cancer immunotherapy in previously vaccinated patients. The study supports recommending vaccination to patients with cancer, including those receiving systemic therapies.
Researchers discover gene therapy ophNdi1 that boosts mitochondrial performance in retinal ganglion cells, potentially treating glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. The therapy shows protective effects in three models of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Researchers developed a cancer-selective therapeutic agent that targets cancer cells' unique acidic pH microenvironment, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and killing only cancer cells. The agent, Mito-SA, forms charge-shielded nano-assemblies that selectively disassemble in the tumoral environment.
Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new model system to study human CD8 T-cell dysfunction and found that boosting bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) while blocking transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) preserves the function of chronically stimulated T cells. This approach improved re...
A team of researchers from Korea and USA identified the importance of lipid homeostasis in overcoming brain cancer radioresistance. They found that regulating diacylglycerol kinase B and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 could potentially sensitize brain cancer cells to radiotherapy, offering a new treatment strategy.
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.
Researchers discovered that 15-deoxy-prostamide-J2 induces ER stress-mediated apoptosis selectively in tumor cells, reducing melanoma growth. The molecule activates PERK, IP3R, and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, leading to cell death.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center develop a novel mRNA delivery system using extracellular vesicles, which can initiate collagen production in cells and has potential for other mRNA therapies
A preclinical study shows CAR T cell therapy can eliminate residual tumor cells after surgery in mice with breast and pancreatic cancer. The treatment involves applying a gel containing human CAR T cells to surgical wounds, allowing the mice to survive where they would otherwise succumb to tumor recurrence.
Scientists created Cyborg Cells by combining synthetic polymer networks with bacterial cells, giving them enhanced stress resistance and ability to invade cancer cells. This breakthrough demonstrates the therapeutic potential of Cyborg Cells for various applications.
A new method utilizes an unnatural sugar to anchor cytokines to T cells, enhancing their functions without systemic side-effects. The approach has shown promise in stimulating the host immune system against tumor cells and inhibiting tumor growth in mice with melanoma.
Researchers have discovered a new biomarker that predicts the response to CAR-T cell therapy in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The biomarker identifies differentiated T cells, which can be removed from leukemia products to improve therapy success rates.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have created a detailed molecular profile of endometriosis, identifying key differences between major subtypes and potential therapeutic targets. The new database will lead to improved care for millions of women suffering from the disease.
In a Phase I clinical trial, afami-cel achieved an objective response rate of 44% in patients with synovial sarcoma and 24% across all cancer types. The therapy demonstrated manageable toxicity and early activity in other cancer types, suggesting potential for solid tumors.
Researchers found that MMTV-NeuT/ATTAC mice treated with anti-PD-1 therapy developed increased tumor-associated macrophages, EMT, fibroblast proliferation, and enhanced extracellular matrix. These findings suggest potential therapeutic avenues to enhance PD-1 immune checkpoint sensitivity.
A team of researchers led by Adrian Oblak and Peter Bor-Chian Lin studied the INPP5D gene, which is associated with microglia-specific immune cells. They found that reducing its expression can mitigate Alzheimer's disease pathology, preserving cognitive function in lab models.
Scientists discover a way to train healthy immune cells to acquire tumor cells' skills for accelerating diabetic wound healing. TAMs-educated macrophages promote cell proliferation, resolve inflammation and orchestrate vasculature.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a novel triple immunotherapy combination targeting checkpoints in T cells and myeloid suppressor cells, improving anti-tumor responses and survival rates in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. The study found that neutralizing specific immunosuppressive mechanisms dramatical...
A wafer-thin device called NICHE has been developed to treat Type 1 diabetes by delivering islet cells and immunotherapy directly into the body. The device restored healthy glucose levels and eliminated symptoms for over 150 days, avoiding severe adverse effects of anti-rejection therapy.
Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a preclinical evaluation pipeline for characterization of bacterial therapies in lung cancer models. They combined bacterial therapies with other modalities of treatment to improve treatment efficacy without any additional toxicity.
The CodeBreaK 100 trial demonstrates meaningful anticancer activity with sotorasib in heavily pretreated patients with KRAS G12C-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. The results show an objective response rate of 21.1% and a median time-to-response of 1.5 months.
Smidt Heart Institute researchers have identified a way to control the natural 'fight back' response of heart cells against RNA therapies, leading to increased effectiveness. By targeting specific microRNAs, they were able to stabilize the heartbeat and boost gene expression.
UCSF researchers identified glioma's cellular source of recurrent disease, finding cells shift to mesenchymal, radiation-resistant phenotype in response to standard therapy. Paracrine signals from tumor microenvironment drive this transition through AP1 pathway, leading to therapy resistance and tumor recurrence.
Researchers investigate how lung cancers evade the immune system to develop more effective immunotherapy treatments. The study aims to uncover a new way lung cancers disguise themselves from the immune system, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers have demonstrated successful re-treatment with CAR T cell therapy for patients whose cancers relapsed after previous treatment. The novel fourth-generation CAR T therapy, huCART19-IL18, showed safe and potent antitumor efficacy in a Phase I clinical trial.
Researchers from The Mount Sinai Hospital found that talquetamab, a bispecific antibody, was successful in killing multiple myeloma cells in over 70% of patients. This therapy directs the immune system to target cancer cells and has shown promise even for those who have resisted all other treatments.
A team led by UMass Amherst scientist Margaret Stratton is studying the calcium-sensitive protein CaMKII to understand long-term memory and its potential therapeutic applications. The research has far-reaching implications for treating neurologic diseases, cardiac dysfunction, and infertility.
The TIL trial has demonstrated that cell therapy using patient's own immune cells is an extremely powerful immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, with significant shrinkage of metastases in half of patients. Progression-free survival after six months was 53%, significantly better than standard immunotherapy with ipilimumab.
A University of Ottawa-led team identified a new entry route for SARS-CoV-2 using metalloproteinases, which may lead to more widespread cell infection and severe illness. The study suggests that variants like the Delta strain may prefer this entry method, while others like Omicron do not.
Rice University researchers are developing implants that can produce and deliver monoclonal anti-HIV antibody therapeutics for at least a year. The project aims to reduce the cost and improve the logistics of HIV treatment, making it more accessible and beneficial for patients worldwide.
Researchers from Seoul National University identified genes that suppress T cell exhaustion and stimulate effector cells to kill cancer cells. They found that Klf4 enhances cytotoxic secretions and reinvigorates exhausted T cells.
Researchers at Texas A&M University engineered DARPins to block the interaction between the COVID-19 virus and host cells, significantly reducing disease progression. The nasal sprays showed effectiveness against various variants, including omicron, and could provide a lower-cost therapeutic option for those at high risk.
Nucleic acid therapies aim to treat genetic disorders and diseases, but delivering therapeutics is a significant challenge. Researchers are investigating nanoparticle delivery systems to target specific cells and sub-cellular compartments for effective delivery.
Researchers have engineered a family of adeno-associated viral vectors that can deliver cargo to the primate brain, offering a safer and more efficient way to treat genetic diseases. The PAL family of AAVs has been shown to be three times better at delivering their cargo into the brain than current leading AAV delivery vehicle AAV9.
Researchers have identified a protein that can predict how well breast cancer patients will respond to chemotherapy. Increasing levels of this variant p53 makes breast cancer cells unresponsive to existing therapies, highlighting its potential as a target for enhanced treatments.
A Rice University bioengineer has developed a noninvasive technology to measure gene expression in deep tissues, particularly in the brain. This innovation could improve the monitoring of gene therapy treating neurodegenerative disorders such as epilepsy, ALS, and Huntington's disease.
USCF researchers have developed a new approach called CAR Pooling to compare different re-engineered T cells with varying molecular features. The screen revealed new and surprising receptors that make these therapeutic cells more powerful, promising a better treatment for blood cancers.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have discovered why a stem cell transplant is effective in treating multiple sclerosis. The study found that memory T cells reappear immediately after the transplant and do not trigger an autoimmune reaction due to pre-damage caused by chemotherapy. This knowledge enables the body to gradually ...
Researchers have found therapies that can help patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who tried CAR-T therapy, including bispecific antibodies and other types of CAR-T cell therapy. The study analyzed 79 patients and found that stem cell transplants and other drug combinations showed some efficacy in these patients.