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Closing in on triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers analyzed cells within triple-negative breast cancer tumors before and after radiation therapy with immunotherapy, identifying three patient groups with distinct responses. The study found that combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy may improve tumor-fighting immune response prior to surgery for some patients.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalCancer Cell·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 8, 2024

U of M-led study presents a promising alternative to viral vectors for cancer immunotherapy

A U of M-led study introduces an innovative genetic engineering method that avoids cost and safety concerns associated with viral vectors. The method combines CRISPR-Cas9 precision genome editing and a novel DNA integration mechanism, integrating large DNA sequences into human T-cells with high efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2023

Real world data shows impact of immunotherapy in populations underrepresented in clinical trials, according to JNCCN study

A recent study published in JNCCN found that patients from underrepresented groups treated with first-line immunotherapy for advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) showed similar survival outcomes as their White counterparts. The study analyzed data from 248 patients and highlighted the need for more diverse patient representation...

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateDec 11, 2023

Third-generation anti-CD19 CAR T-cells demonstrate efficacy without neurotoxicity in B-cell lymphoma phase 1 clinical trial

A phase 1 clinical trial demonstrates the efficacy of third-generation anti-CD19 CAR T-cells in treating relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas without causing neurotoxicity. The study also shows a robust response rate of 52% and improved safety profile compared to previous CAR T-cell therapies.

SourceMalaghan Institute of Medical Research·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2023

Moffitt researchers identify key mechanisms of action differences in 2 immune checkpoint inhibitor combination therapies for advanced melanoma

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center analyzed the mechanisms of action of anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/LAG-3 combination therapies, identifying specific subtypes of CD4 T cells that become activated. The study found differences in how these therapies affect CD4 T cells, leading to distinct anticancer effects.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2023

Enhanced treatment of liver carcinoma with a drug-eluting hydrogel

Scientists have developed a drug-eluting hydrogel that provides sustained, pH-dependent drug co-delivery and promotes anti-tumor immune responses, reducing tumor cell proliferation and growth. The treatment shows promise in treating hepatocellular carcinoma, with enhanced efficacy compared to traditional methods.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Scientists map the antigenic landscape

Researchers have successfully mapped the entire HLA class II landscape, predicting how pathogens are displayed on cell surfaces. The mapping reveals that multiple HLA variants play essential roles in autoimmune disorders and organ rejection, highlighting their potential for developing immunotherapy treatments.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 24, 2023

Immunotherapy drug is well tolerated in lung cancer patients with limited physical function, study suggests

A phase 2 trial found that durvalumab is safe and may benefit overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with borderline performance status. The study also showed stable quality of life and a lower incidence of severe treatment-related adverse events compared to platinum doublet chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 21, 2023

Breakthrough in bladder cancer research

Two phase-3 clinical trials demonstrate a significant increase in overall survival and progression-free survival for bladder cancer patients treated with immunotherapy combinations. The studies show a 22% reduction in the risk of death compared to chemotherapy alone, providing a promising new approach for treating advanced bladder cancer.

SourceNetherlands Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 16, 2023

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai secures $5 million NIH grant for cutting-edge cancer target discovery and development center

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has been awarded a $5 million NIH grant to establish a state-of-the-art center dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. The Center will utilize cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations to accelerate the translation of scientif...

Disrupting a single gene could improve CAR T cell immunotherapy, new study shows

Researchers have discovered that disrupting a single gene, SUV39H1, can restore the expression of multiple genes in CAR T cells, making them more potent and long-lasting. This approach has shown improved effectiveness against multiple cancers in mice, potentially expanding patient eligibility and reducing side effects.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2023

Researchers develop gel to deliver cancer drugs for solid tumors

A team of researchers developed a gel delivery system that overcomes challenges in intratumoral therapy. The gel contains an imaging agent and can hold a high concentration of drug for slow release. In preclinical models, the treatment induced tumor regression and improved survival in immunotherapy-resistant colon and breast cancer.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2023

Scientists engineer potent immune cells for ‘off-the-shelf’ cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to engineer more powerful immune cells that can potentially be used for 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy to treat challenging cancers. Gamma delta T cells with high expressions of CD16 surface marker exhibited increased ability to recognize and kill cancer cells.

Wistar scientists engineer new NK cell engaging immunotherapy approaches to target and potentially treat recalcitrant ovarian cancer

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have engineered novel monoclonal antibodies that engage Natural Killer cells through Siglec-7, a conserved glyco-immune marker, to fight against cancer. These new approaches demonstrate preclinical feasibility and potential for treating treatment-resistant ovarian cancers.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2023

Breakthrough T cell discovery has huge potential for engineering custom immune responses

Researchers at Institute for Systems Biology have made a breakthrough discovery about T cells, finding that the genetically encoded T-cell receptor sequence determines a T cell's function. This fundamental discovery has huge potential for developing custom immune responses to specific antigens.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalCell Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Cancer's sweet Achilles heel

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has found that a deficiency in the enzyme B4GALT3 inhibits tumor growth in mice. The study shows that reduced glycosylation on T cell surfaces correlates with increased CD8+ immune cells infiltrating tumors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

Lung cancer outcomes significantly improved with immunotherapy-based treatment given before and after surgery

A Phase III trial found that patients who received perioperative immunotherapy had a 32% lower chance of disease recurrence, progression, or death compared to those who only received chemotherapy. The treatment also showed higher rates of pathologic complete response and improved event-free survival.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 23, 2023

Adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy regimen improves survival in metastatic bladder cancer patients

A clinical trial has shown that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy nivolumab significantly improved outcomes in patients with advanced bladder cancer. The study found nearly twice as many patients with no evidence of disease after treatment, and a median complete response of 37.1 months.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 22, 2023