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Hypothermia underutilized in cardiac arrest cases treated in US hospitals

A study of over 26,000 patients found that therapeutic hypothermia was used in only 0.35% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in the US. Despite its proven benefits in reducing mortality and improving neurologic outcomes after a heart attack, hypothermic therapy is not being widely adopted in clinical practice.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTherapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management·DateJan 4, 2012

Universal donor immune cells

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have developed a new form of adoptive cell transfer that overcomes limitations of current therapies. This approach uses a donor pool of immune T cells prepared in advance, which are outfitted with receptors to specifically target and destroy tumors.

NIH scientists unveil mechanisms of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome

Researchers discovered that activated T cells play a key role in IRIS, producing excessive interferon gamma and triggering an exaggerated immune response. A new animal model also confirmed the involvement of macrophages in sparking IRIS. These findings may lead to targeted prevention or therapy for HIV patients developing IRIS.

Rare hybrid cell key to regulating the immune system

Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have identified a rare hybrid cell that can switch the immune system on or off, expressing indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase to turn off T cells. This unique cell has properties of both dendritic and B cells, with potential implications for cancer and rheumatoid arthritis therapies.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2010

Nanomagnets guide stem cells to damaged tissue

A new technique uses microscopic magnetic particles to target stem cells to sites of cardiovascular injury, resulting in a five-fold increase in cell localization and six-fold increase in cell capture. The method is directly applicable to clinical practice and could lead to the treatment of heart attacks and other vascular injuries usi...

More insulin-producing cells, at the flip of a 'switch'

Scientists discover a single transcription factor that can convert alpha cells into functional beta cells, increasing their number eight-fold in mice. The study shows promise for a potential new treatment for type I diabetes, where the body autodestructs beta cells leading to insulin deficiency and complications.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateAug 6, 2009

PTEN: the Treg's handbrake

Researchers identified PTEN as a key regulator of Treg responsiveness to IL-2, enabling their proliferation and maintaining suppressive function. This discovery could provide a way to overcome the major challenge of harnessing Tregs for autoimmune disease treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 17, 2006

Purdue scientists treat cancer with RNA nanotechnology

Researchers have developed RNA nanoparticles that can carry multiple therapeutic agents into specific cancer cells, where they can halt viral growth or cancer progression. The tiny particles are assembled from three short pieces of ribonucleic acid and possess the right size and structure to gain entry into cells.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 14, 2005

Why IL-2 works in HIV

Researchers found that intermittent IL-2 administration induces high CD4 and CD8 cell proliferation followed by prolonged CD4 cell survival. This effect helps explain the preferential increase of CD4 cells in patients treated with IL-2 therapy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 14, 2005

Two studies compare triple nucleoside therapy Ziagen® + Combivir® with protease inhibitorplus Combivir® regimens in therapy-naive patients

Two studies compare the efficacy and adherence of the triple nucleoside regimen of Ziagen/Combivir versus PI-containing regimens. Preliminary data show that patients on the Ziagen/Combivir regimen had better viral load suppression, with 68% achieving <400 copies/ml at 24 weeks, compared to 57% on the PI-containing regimen.