Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a potential therapeutic target, IL-21, to reduce endocrine autoimmune side effects from checkpoint immunotherapy. A specific group of immune cells play a central role in this autoimmune attack and blocking IL-21 prevents thyroid autoimmunity.
A Phase I/II clinical trial combining intratumoral delivery of an engineered oncolytic virus with subsequent immunotherapy improved survival outcomes in a subset of patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The study demonstrated the combination was well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities.
A targeted kinase inhibitor added to a two-drug immunotherapy combination slowed the progression of advanced kidney cancer, with patients experiencing significantly improved progression-free survival. The median PFS was 11.3 months for those on nivolumab and ipilimumab alone, compared to not yet reached in the three-drug group.
University of Pittsburgh researchers created a universal receptor system allowing T cells to recognize any cell surface target. This enables highly customizable CAR T cell and other immunotherapies for treating cancer and diseases, with potential applications in solid tumors.
A recent clinical trial showed that cemiplimab plus platinum chemotherapy can prolong survival in patients with advanced lung cancer, improving their quality of life. The treatment also reduced symptoms such as pain and cough, and delayed clinically meaningful deterioration.
Researchers have developed a new immunotherapy targeting tumour macrophages, which are immunosuppressive cells that weaken the immune system. The treatment, RImAb, reduces tumour growth and modifies the tumour microenvironment, offering potential for a new line of treatment for lung cancer patients.
Researchers discovered that gamma delta T cells can effectively combat triple-negative breast cancer by targeting stress-induced molecules and phosphoantigens. Counteracting metabolic changes with zolendronate makes immunotherapy more efficient.
Researchers developed a biomarker signature test to predict which bladder cancer tumors will respond to immunotherapy, potentially improving survival rates. The study identified three types of responsive tumors and two non-responsive ones, providing insights into potential new treatments.
Blinatumomab immunotherapy significantly improves the survival rate of babies with aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), from 66% to 93%, while reducing side effects. The treatment is now standard for babies worldwide.
Researchers propose a new theory on how cancer cells actively adapt to evade the immune system, losing and gaining tumor-associated antigens. This adaptation makes it difficult for immunotherapies to target cancer cells effectively, but may also create new vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted.
Research suggests that patients with advanced melanoma who receive immunotherapy medications may benefit from maintaining normal vitamin D levels. The study found a favorable response rate in 56% of patients with normal baseline vitamin D levels, compared to 36% with low levels.
TRIO Pharmaceuticals is developing a proprietary platform of dual-action tumor immunity-enhancing drugs aimed at treating cancers with high unmet medical needs. The company's innovative approach selectively eliminates immunosuppressive cells, enhancing antitumor activity.
Researchers developed bottlebrush-like nanoparticles that deliver immunostimulatory drugs to tumors, provoking an immune response and slowing tumor growth. The approach avoids systemic inflammation, making it a potential solution for boosting immune system responses in cancer patients.
A team of researchers has discovered that a naturally produced chemical in the body helps glioblastoma cells go unrecognized by the immune system. The findings could lead to the development of new and more effective treatments for this aggressive brain cancer.
Researchers have reported promising results in rare gynecologic cancers from the DART immunotherapy trial, with durable responses and complete remissions observed in patients. The findings suggest a potential new treatment approach for these previously underserved patient populations.
A recent study found that immunotherapy alone resulted in a 89% favorable treatment response rate for patients with desmoplastic melanoma. This suggests that combination therapies may not be necessary for these patients, reducing the risk of toxicity.
A recent clinical trial found that nearly 90% of patients with unresectable desmoplastic melanoma responded to treatment with pembrolizumab. The immunotherapy drug showed impressive results in both treatable and inoperable cases, suggesting a promising treatment option for this rare form of skin cancer.
Researchers at Mass General Cancer Center presented recent breakthroughs in cancer treatment, including a new mutant-selective drug that targets PI3Kα inhibitors, and innovations in whole-genome sequencing and imaging-based evaluation of cancer dependencies. These findings aim to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy and personali...
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of tumor microenvironment in developing and controlling triple negative breast cancer progression. Researchers suggest that technological advancements like genomics and epigenomics hold promise for overcoming TNBC's current limitations.
The study reveals that intratumoral natural killer cells' loss of membrane protrusions impairs their ability to recognize and kill tumor cells. Researchers developed a single-immunocyte mass spectrometry technology to detect the decrease in sphingomyelin, which can restore protrusion formation and improve NK cells' killing capacity.
Researchers have identified a biomarker signature that can predict which patients with kidney cancer will respond well to immunotherapy. The signature is based on the number of immune cells in and around tumors, the amount of dead cancer tissue, and mutations to a tumor suppressor gene called PBRM1.
Researchers found that probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri stimulates cancer-killing T cells by secreting indole-3-aldehyde, which activates a receptor in CD8 cells. A diet rich in tryptophan enhances the effect of immunotherapy on shrinking tumors and prolonging survival.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a type of cell that plays a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. The authors suggest that understanding CAFs is essential for developing effective cancer therapies. Research targeting CAFs has shown promise, but challenges remain due to their complex nature.
An international panel of experts has developed standardized definitions for immunotherapy side effects, providing a shared vocabulary for clinicians to standardize clinical practice guidelines. This will help support clinicians in offering the best treatment to patients and enable research into biomarkers predicting adverse effects.
Researchers developed 'BioArm,' a portable 3D bioprinter for cancer research, which can print complex tumoroids in under 90 seconds. The device enables testing of immunotherapy treatments and mimics the tumor microenvironment.
A study published in the journal Cancer found that long-term pancreatic cancer survivors have a robust immune response and enriched gut microbiome species, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. The research suggests that these bacterial species may promote immune response to pancreas cancer.
A phase 2 study found a 92% disease control rate with the combination of belzutifan and cabozantinib in pre-treated advanced kidney cancer patients. The treatment has a manageable safety profile, providing a potential alternative for patients experiencing disease progression on immunotherapy.
Researchers found that neutrophils can be pro- or anti-tumour depending on their surface markers, and those fighting tumours share cytotoxic power with neutrophils in bacterial infections. Blocking these anti-tumour neutrophils eliminates treatment benefits.
Researchers found that neutrophils activated by T cell-based immunotherapy can kill tumor cells that evade targeted therapies. This unexpected antitumor response could lead to new immunotherapies that harness this potent immune mechanism.
Cancer cells have been found to employ a strategy to evade the immune system's killer T cells by interacting with myeloid cells and suppressing type 1 interferon production. This natural pathway is crucial for recruiting killer T cells to combat cancer spread. Researchers hope to develop new therapeutic approaches, such as forcing tumo...
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found a significant reduction in disease growth when combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy in patients with advanced endometrial cancer. The study resulted in a 70% risk reduction in the deficient mismatch repair group.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered a combination strategy that targets the STING signaling pathway, resulting in improved antitumor activity. Inhibiting methylation increases STING expression and activates immune cells, leading to enhanced antitumor immunity.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells' glycocalyx thickness affects immune cell evasion and engineered immune cells work better with thinner barriers. They also developed special enzymes to overcome the barrier, potentially improving immunotherapies.
Researchers discovered over 500 non-canonical protein-derived peptides that could be recognized by T-cells, but found no spontaneous immune response. Three novel T-cell receptors were identified for specific non-canonical HLA-I tumor ligands with promising tumor specificity.
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 comprehensive analysis of invasive ER+ breast cancers found macrophages as dominant immune cells infiltrating tumors. The study identified distinct immune cell 'neighborhoods' associated with good patient outcomes and highlights the need for tailored immunotherapies targeting macrophages.
A Phase II trial led by researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that adding ipilimumab to a neoadjuvant combination of nivolumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in a major pathologic response in half of all treated patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also...
Researchers have developed CAR T cell-based microrobots that can autonomously navigate to tumor sites and exert immune effects. The M-CAR T demonstrated controllable movement and penetrated artificial tumor tissues under magnetic-acoustic sequential actuation.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered an immune cell in women with pancreatic cancer that blocks the immune response, leading to poor survival. The study identifies a specific protein FPR2 as a potential therapeutic target for immunotherapy in women.
Researchers discovered that tumors with specific genetic mutations may evade the immune system, and a new class of immunotherapies targets these cells. The study's findings suggest that genetic testing could identify patients more likely to benefit from these therapies.
Researchers have identified two potential molecular targets, CSF1R and CD86, that can be used to develop CAR-T cells effective against acute myeloid leukemia. The study's findings demonstrate the potential of AI-assisted analysis in discovering new treatment options.
Researchers found that a healthy gut microbiome can predict the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy in patients with B-cell lymphomas. The study identified specific microbiome features associated with improved treatment outcomes, but highlights the need for further investigation into the causal nature of this relationship.
A new study found that antibiotic treatment and certain types of microorganisms in the gut can impact CAR T-cell therapy outcomes. Patients with higher levels of Bifidobacterium longum had improved overall survival rates, while those with other bacteria were associated with poorer responses.
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.
Lung cancer patients with moderate to severe depression are 2-3 times more likely to have inflammation levels that predict poor survival rates, according to a new study. The results suggest depression may be as important or even more important than other factors in determining lung cancer outcomes.
A biological messenger called interleukin-33 (IL-33) plays a crucial role in maintaining cytotoxic T cells' 'marathon runner' state, allowing them to provide sustained immunity against chronic infections. This finding has implications for improving treatment of hepatitis C and cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers discovered a new personalized immunotherapy combination that treats aggressive forms of advanced prostate cancer. By blocking PD-1-expressing macrophages and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, the therapy significantly improves response rates in PTEN-deficient cancers.
Patients with stage IIIB-IV melanoma who received neoadjuvant pembrolizumab had a significantly lower risk of cancer recurrence compared to those receiving adjuvant therapy only. The study found improved event-free survival rates in the neoadjuvant group, suggesting that starting immunotherapy before surgery generates better outcomes.
The NCCN Annual Conference will debut a new hybrid format featuring in-person events at a new venue, allowing for hallway conversations and networking opportunities. The conference will also showcase more than 100 abstract poster presentations on various oncology-related categories.
Researchers found that combining a chemical blocker of immune cell exit with immunotherapy stopped melanoma tumor enlargement in over half of mice tested. The study showed that T cells circulate out of tumors, reshaping scientific views of tumor immunology.
A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.
The ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2023 features presentations on drug discovery and development for various targets, precision medicine, and early clinical trial methodology. Keynote lectures highlight novel insights in mutational signatures and epigenetic therapies.
Researchers discovered that combining ferroptosis induction with immune checkpoint inhibition reduces liver tumour growth and metastases, offering a promising new approach for treating liver cancer
A recent study suggests that routine evaluation of HER2 expression in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is crucial to avoid under or overtreatment. The research found a significant association between HER2 overexpression and a higher risk of recurrence, as well as improved radiotherapy outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that cancer patients who don't respond to immunotherapy often lack CD5+ dendritic cells, which are essential for effective T cell activity. Boosting these cells may help more patients benefit from immunotherapy.
Researchers developed a computational tool called BipotentR that identifies targets to block immune activation while stimulating metabolism. The tool predicted patients' outcomes after immunotherapy and identified ESRRA as the top regulator.
Researchers at Uppsala University developed a prognostic method using a combination of immune cells to provide clearer disease prognoses and predict which patients will respond best to immunotherapy. The method was shown to be associated with patient fate in several types of cancer.
The study validated the clinical utility of Strata Oncology's proprietary pan-solid tumor predictive biomarker, Immunotherapy Response Score (IRS), which predicts response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. IRS captures tumor biology and microenvironment by combining tumor mutation burden with quantitative expression of PD-L1, PD-1, ADAM...
Researchers developed a novel pH-activated nanocytokine system using IL-12, which enhances immunity and eradicates tumors in murine models. The nanocytokine controls inflammation through spatiotemporal regulation, blocking counteractive immune responses and reducing toxicity.
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.