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Killer cells get better with age

Research by Saarland University scientists reveals that killer T cells become more effective and powerful with age, making them a promising tool for cancer immunotherapy. The study's findings suggest that older patients' immune systems can produce more potent killer cells to fight off pathogens.

SourceSaarland University·JournalAging Cell·DateSep 21, 2022

Experimental test promises to predict side-effects and cancer’s return in patients treated with immunotherapy

A new study found that a single research test can predict which patients are likely to experience severe side effects or have their cancer recur after treatment with immunotherapies. The test uses autoantibody signatures to identify patients at risk of immune-related adverse effects.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 15, 2022

Immuno-oncology treatment pre-surgery safe and effective option for localized non-small cell lung cancer

A new study led by Ohio State University researchers found that atezolizumab is a safe and effective treatment option for stage IB-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer patients prior to surgery, with survival rates reaching 80% at three years post-treatment. The study also identified new blood markers that can help predict treatment response.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2022

Tumor-infiltrating B cells and plasma cells influence early-stage lung cancer biology, immunotherapy responses

A new study provides valuable insights into the roles of B cells and plasma cells in early-stage lung cancer biology, highlighting their influence on tumor development and treatment outcomes. The research also reveals environmental factors and molecular features that contribute to the landscape of infiltrating immune cells.

Immunotherapy before surgery induces complete response in more than half of patients with common skin cancer in international study

In an international clinical trial, 63.3% of patients with stage II-IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma saw their tumors nearly or completely disappear when treated with immunotherapy before surgery. The anti-PD1 therapy cemiplimab was well-tolerated and met its primary endpoint with a pathologic complete response rate of 50.6%.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 12, 2022

University of Cincinnati study: Immunotherapy drug did not increase surgery complications

Researchers conducted a study on administering immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery for oral cavity cancer and found no increased rates of complications during and after surgery. The findings are encouraging for patients who have not previously received treatment for their oral cavity cancer, suggesting that complication rat...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022

Researchers discover potential new melanoma treatment giving hope to patients

A phase II study found that treating late-stage, treatment-resistant melanoma patients with a combination of Azacitidine and Carboplatin significantly increases their survival times. The treatment re-sensitized cancer cells to immunotherapy, allowing the body's immune system to fight the cancer.

SourceHunter Medical Research Institute·JournalCancer Research Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 5, 2022

Researchers developed a small molecule that makes immunotherapy available to all cancer patients

Researchers developed a small molecule that effectively controls tumor growth by inhibiting PD-1/PD-L1 binding, overcoming accessibility and cost issues of existing antibody treatments. The new molecule has advantages in terms of affordability and oral administration, making immunotherapy more accessible to all cancer patients.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateAug 8, 2022

Reinvigorating ‘lost cause’ exhausted T cells could improve cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that even terminally exhausted T cells retain some capacity to function again. They identified approaches to overcome exhaustion by targeting co-stimulation pathways and reprogramming T cells to be resistant to hypoxia, a common tumor microenvironmental signal.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2022

Liver cancer’s supercharged metabolism offers a new treatment strategy, Penn study suggests

Researchers discovered that liver cancer cells modify their metabolism to leave them susceptible to disruptions in arginine supply, a key molecule. A three-pronged approach targeting tumor metabolism, blocking survival-promoting responses, and starving tumors of arginine can induce senescence, making cancer cells killable.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Oncotarget | Chemoradiation-induced alteration of programmed death-ligand 1, CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and mucin expression in rectal cancer

Researchers investigated the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, PD-L1, and mucin expression in rectal cancer patients. The study found that nCRT exposure was associated with higher mucin expression and a non-significant difference in PD-L1 expression, suggesting an immunosuppressive phenotype.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Destroying tumor cells: Targeted immunotherapy using injectable materials

Researchers at TIBI developed a minimally invasive method for targeted delivery of immunotherapeutic treatments, resulting in slower tumor growth and higher activation of T-cells. The injectable gelatin biomaterial containing silicate nanoplatelets showed sustained drug release and controlled ICI delivery.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2022

Moffitt researchers use mathematical modeling to explain immunotherapy responses

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center used mathematical modeling to study the impact of tumor size, immune cell populations, and interactions on cancer treatment outcomes. The models predicted optimal therapeutic approaches for different types of therapies, including cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapies.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 26, 2022

Oncotarget | Predicting cancer immunotherapy response from gut microbiomes using machine learning models

A new study uses machine learning models to predict cancer patients' responses to immunotherapy based on their gut microbiome features. The research identifies common gut bacterial taxa associated with responders versus non-responders, providing a potential tool for distinguishing and predicting immunotherapy responders.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 19, 2022

Anti-rejection medication and immunotherapy kicks cancer and protects kidney transplants

Researchers at the University of South Australia have discovered that combining anti-rejection medication with immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly reduce the risk of organ rejection and eliminate cancer cells in a quarter of patients. The study involved 22 patients with renal transplants and incurable locally advanced or met...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Genetic discovery to improve lung cancer treatment

Researchers at Edith Cowan University have found a genetic link between human leukocyte antigens and immunotherapy side effects in non-small cell lung cancer patients. The discovery enables doctors to tailor treatment to individual patients, reducing the risk of toxicities and improving overall outcomes.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 13, 2022

Cleveland Clinic research suggests tumors with specific genetic mutations are sensitive to immunotherapy

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic discovered that pathogenic POLE/POLD1 genetic mutations in tumors lead to a high level of immune cell infiltration and improved response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. The study's findings contribute to the growing list of discoveries that prove certain classes of drugs are more effective based o...

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 12, 2022

New classification system proposed for colorectal cancer to guide treatment and clinical trials

A new classification system for colorectal cancer has been proposed, grouping cancers into five subtypes based on epithelial status, microsatellite status, and fibrosis. This update could inform targeted drug development efforts and improve treatment approaches for patients with different biological characteristics.

SourceSingHealth·JournalNature Genetics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 1, 2022

Studies reveal new insights into gut microbiome impact on immunotherapy response in multiple cancers, including glioblastoma

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found distinct gut microbiome signatures associated with immunotherapy response in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The study identified a link between gut microbiome signatures and immune checkpoint blockade response in melanoma, NSCLC, and sarcoma.

NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Xiamen University researchers use nanotechnology to destroy and prevent relapse of solid tumour cancers

Researchers at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Xiamen University have developed a novel nanovaccine that achieves complete clearance of solid tumors and induces long-lasting immune memory. The vaccine stimulates anti-tumor immunity by presenting antigens in a way that traditional vaccines cannot.

Sanoff offers perspective on a promising rectal cancer study in the New England Journal of Medicine

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that dostarlimab was effective in treating a subtype of rectal cancer, showing remarkable responses and resolving difficult symptoms. The treatment offers a more effective and less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy and radiation.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 5, 2022

New drug combination lengthened survival for some with lung cancer

A new drug combination of ramucirumab and pembrolizumab significantly extended overall survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients who had progressed on prior immunotherapy. The study found a 31% reduction in risk of death compared to standard therapy, with median overall survival times of 14.5 months.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 3, 2022

Biomarker in liquid biopsy for lung cancer appears more accurate in predicting immunotherapy response than tumor biopsy

Researchers validated a liquid biopsy test as a better predictor of immunotherapy response in lung cancer patients compared to traditional tumor biopsies. The test measures the PD-L1 biomarker in blood, showing improved accuracy in predicting treatment outcomes and survival.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research·DateJun 2, 2022

Killing cancers with Z-DNA: A new approach to treating therapy resistant tumors that targets a very-specific cell-death pathway

Scientists have discovered a small molecule that bypasses ADAR1 suppression and directly activates tumor cell death by ZBP1, inducing highly immunogenic cell death and destroying fibroblasts supporting tumor growth. This approach has the potential to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating therapy-resistant tumors.

SourceInsideOutBio·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2022