Articles tagged with Cancer Immunotherapy
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that body mass index (BMI) has a more complex relationship with mortality risk during cancer therapy than previously thought. For patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, higher BMI was associated with lower mortality when undergoing immunotherapy or conventional chemotherapy. Howe...
Researchers highlight key phagocytosis checkpoints and 'do not eat me' signals as potential therapeutic targets for novel immunotherapies. The editorial summarizes challenges in targeting CD47 and potential solutions to overcome these obstacles.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center discover targeting an immunosuppressive protein on two fronts reduces metastasis and restores sensitivity to immunotherapy in a preclinical model. TNBC cells become resistant to immunotherapy due to membrane instability, enabling PD-L1 protein to drop inside the cell.
A University of Leicester study has found that certain gut bacteria may influence whether a patient's immune system is successful in fighting mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer. Researchers suggest that dietary changes, such as increased fibre intake, could improve the benefits of immunotherapy for these patients.
A Mass General Brigham-led study found that a large language model improves the accuracy of immune-related adverse event detection, identifying additional cases not picked up by manual adjudication. The model demonstrated excellent specificity and sensitivity, opening up opportunities for collaboration among institutions.
Researchers at WEHI have identified a promising new two-in-one treatment that targets and destroys glioma cells while strengthening the immune system to prevent future tumour growth. CAR T cell therapy, using a specific immunotherapy targeting EphA3, has shown effective elimination of glioma cells and long-lasting immunity.
Researchers developed a new tool to track immune health patterns over time, revealing how checkpoint inhibitor therapies work together to recruit new T cells. The study found that the combination therapy produces waves of new T cells with each dose, rather than continually strengthening existing ones.
Recent years have seen therapeutic advances in kidney cancer due to deeper understanding of the disease's biology, with improved treatments and early detection contributing to decreased deaths. Cigarette smoking and being overweight remain major risk factors for kidney cancer.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a rare type of pancreatic cancer. Folinic acid has been found to weaken the cancer's defenses by elevating levels of anti-cancer immune molecules, enabling a more effective immune response and slower tumor growth.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive mass spectrometry-based method to detect mutation-derived tumor neoepitopes, which are recognized by the immune system. The new protocol enables the detection of low-abundance peptides in minimal tissue samples, paving the way for personalized cancer immunotherapies.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a humanized antibody that blocks the DKK1–CKAP4 pathway, stimulating cancer cell growth. The new anti-CKAP4 antibody suppressed tumor formation in mice with both human and mouse tumors, as well as modulating anti-tumor immune reactions.
Patients with high-risk liver cancer who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery had comparable outcomes to those who received surgery upfront. Successful resection rates were higher among those treated with immunotherapy, leading to improved median recurrence-free survival.
Researchers uncovered how combining immunotherapies targeting PD1 and LAG3 enhances CD8+ T cell responses, leading to improved cancer-killing prowess and enhanced survival rates. The studies also revealed that relatlimab is not inert and can be combined with other immunotherapies to improve responses.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that macrophages can be programmed to respond to light, triggering an increase in their appetite and improving the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. The findings offer a new way to enhance trained immunity, a type of memory exhibited in the innate immune system.
EZH2 plays a multifaceted role in cancer biology, influencing both tumor and immune cells. Its inhibition has shown synergistic effects with various immunotherapies, offering new avenues for treating resistant cancers. Ongoing research aims to elucidate the mechanisms of EZH2 modulation and develop targeted inhibitors.
Researchers found that macrophages induce cancer cell apoptosis and then eat away dead cells after BCG vaccine injection in a new animal model. This breakthrough could lead to more effective bladder cancer treatments.
Researchers found that a specific pattern of gene activity can predict which melanoma patients are likely to experience severe side effects from immunotherapy. The study identified a heightened gene signature, known as the spleen tyrosine kinase pathway, as the key indicator of increased risk.
Researchers have discovered the potential of progenitor exhausted CD8+ T cells (Tpex) in overcoming immune resistance in tumors. Tpex cells, identified by their robust self-renewal and proliferative capacities, can transform into more functional exhausted CD8+ T cells, maintaining robust anti-tumor activity.
Researchers developed a drug that enhances killer T cells' fighting power while reducing the toxicity of unmodified IL-2 treatments, overcoming inhibitory Tr1 cells and increasing immunotherapy's effectiveness. The study aims to personalize cancer immunotherapy for more patients.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield have developed a new form of immunotherapy using nanoparticles that delays the onset of resistance to hormone therapy in prostate cancer. This innovative approach stimulates immune cells called T cells to attack cancer cells, marking a significant breakthrough in treating prostate cancer.
The study found that 29% of patients experienced progression-free survival at five years and 40% achieved overall survival. However, important survivorship issues were identified, including nonrelapse mortality rates of 16.2%, with over half occurring beyond two years post-treatment.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified two chemokines, CXCL8 and CXCL16, expressed by osteosarcoma that improved CAR T-cell homing. Modified cells expressing these chemokine receptors showed enhanced infiltration into tumors, leading to prolonged survival in a model of metastatic disease.
A recent study published in CANCER found that patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapy had improved overall and cancer-specific survival rates compared to those without it. The median overall survival was eight months, while cancer-specific survival was 10 months.
Researchers are exploring the use of CRISPR Prime Editing to optimize CAR-T cells for treating multiple myeloma and other cancers. The goal is to improve effectiveness, duration, and cost-effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapies.
Researchers identified tissue-resident CD8 T cells and γδ T cells as key drivers of immunotherapy response in Merkel cell carcinoma patients. Patients with tumors containing these immune cells are more likely to respond to treatment, suggesting potential for enhanced outcomes.
A clinical trial found that fecal microbiota transplants can boost the effectiveness of immunotherapy in a range of gastrointestinal cancers. The study identified specific bacterial strains associated with better or worse responses, and showed promise for improving treatment outcomes.
Scientists discovered that Tumour Treating Fields (TTFs) improve Natural Killer cell killing by increasing degranulation, a sign of better cell function. The findings offer promising implications for treating glioblastoma and other cancers.
A blood test measures lymphocyte count to predict treatment response in relapsed multiple myeloma. Patients with higher lymphocyte counts experience better cancer control for longer periods.
A study comprehensively evaluated occurrence patterns of immune-related adverse events, including those affecting single organs and multiple organs. Researchers found that most events tend to co-occur and identified seven patient clusters with different development patterns, which were associated with improved or worsened survival outc...
The study compared FDG-PET/CT and CT for evaluating treatment response in unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. The results showed that both imaging modalities provided accurate findings for tumor response evaluation, with high concordance between the two methods.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered that the protein IRF1 can both hinder and help the body's immune response to tumors, depending on which cells it is found in. The study suggests that targeting IRF1 could enhance cancer treatment effectiveness by boosting natural antitumor immunity.
Scientists have developed a new immunotherapy that can identify and fight cancer cells in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. The treatment involves stimulating the immune system's T cells against specific elements of the virus involved in cancer formation.
Researchers develop a method that fuses AlphaFold's strengths with computer simulations based on physics laws to predict protein structures, enabling faster drug development. The approach filters down initial hypotheses to a more manageable set of structures, increasing the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals.
Researchers describe a new concept for an immune response against cancer and aging using senescent cell-derived vaccines. The vaccines aim to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells and slow down or reverse aging-related diseases.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach in treating metastatic colorectal cancer, especially for patients with dMMR/MSI-H tumors. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown favorable outcomes in clinical trials, including improved progression-free survival and disease control rates.
Researchers develop optogenetic system to precisely target cancer cells using light, inducing inflammatory cell death and triggering immune response. The approach aims to modulate the immune suppressive environment around cancer cells, helping T cells recognize and attack the disease.
Researchers at Howard University have identified a new therapeutic strategy to combat prostate cancer by depleting amino acids. This depletion induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in cancer cells, making them more susceptible to treatment with DNA repair-targeted and immune checkpoint blockade therapies.
Researchers found that adding an anti-inflammatory drug to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy resulted in a high response rate of 67% among patients with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. The study suggests that reducing chronic inflammation may improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
Researchers identify key factors that determine when melanoma metastasizes, shedding light on optimal treatment strategies. Understanding tumor doubling time and risk assessment can help clinicians select high-risk patients who may benefit from adjuvant systemic therapy.
Researchers found TIMP-1 enhances antitumor immunity through self-stimulation and activates immune cells. Increasing TIMP-1 expression could improve cancer immunotherapies in patients with deficient immune responses.
A new trial indicates that immunotherapy could successfully treat the most common form of colorectal cancer. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that botensilimab and balstilimab caused tumours to shrink or remain stable in 61% of patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer.
A new study finds that periods of fasting can reprogram the immune system's natural killer cells to better fight cancer. The research suggests that fasting may help improve immune responses and make immunotherapy more effective by training NK cells to survive in the tumor environment and produce more cytokines.
Researchers at Wyss Institute develop subcutaneous scaffolds to restimulate CAR-T cells, increasing therapeutic efficacy in mice with aggressive blood tumors. The biomaterials increase CAR-T cell numbers and steer differentiation into tumor-killing T cells.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center-led research team discovered a connection between obesity and cancer, revealing that macrophages play an unexpected role in the complicated connection. Obesity increases macrophage frequency in tumors and induces PD-1 expression, which can contribute to both increased cancer risk and enhanced resp...
A recent study suggests that inhibiting epigenetic control enzymes in immune cells, specifically HDAC1, improves anti-tumor immunity and tumor surveillance. This finding could lead to new therapeutic strategies in cancer immunotherapy.
A novel combination of oncolytic virus and immune checkpoint inhibitor has shown remarkable efficacy in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, with a complete response rate of 57.1% at 12 months. The therapy demonstrated durable responses, with a median duration of response not yet reached after a median follow-up of 26.5 months.
The Association for Molecular Pathology has published guidelines for tumor mutational burden (TMB) testing, aiming to standardize calculation and reporting of TMB as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. These recommendations emphasize the importance of comprehensive methodological descriptions in publications.
A short course of immunotherapy prior to surgery was highly effective in treating colon cancer, with 95% of patients showing significant tumor reduction or complete elimination. The treatment also showed promising results in preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis over a two-year follow-up period.
Researchers found that tumor-associated macrophages respond to physical properties of fibrosis by synthesizing injury-associated collagens, resulting in metabolic changes that suppress CTL function. This provides an alternative explanation for why anti-tumor immunity is impaired in fibrotic solid tumors.
Researchers demonstrate the utility of analysing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) through a high-sensitivity liquid biopsy platform, allowing for early prediction of treatment response and prognosis. The study shows that detecting low levels of ctDNA can predict longer progression-free survival and overall survival.
A study from Michigan Medicine reveals a connection between neutrophil activation and severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially life-threatening reaction to CAR T-Cell therapy. Researchers identified biomarkers of NETosis, a process in which neutrophils create webs that may contribute to CRS.
The NADINA trial found that 59% of patients responded well to neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery, allowing them to forgo adjuvant treatment. This treatment approach also showed rapid effects, with 95% of patients remaining tumor-free after just six weeks.
A new 'armored' form of CAR T cell therapy, developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers, has shown significant responses in patients whose cancers don't respond to current CAR T cell therapies. The three-day manufacturing process also shortens treatment time for aggressive, fast-growing cancers.
A new type of immunotherapy has been developed to treat bone cancer osteosarcoma, with promising preclinical results in mice. The treatment uses gamma-delta T cells, which are less well-known immune cells that can be engineered to target tumours.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes used CRISPR interference to map the layered mechanisms controlling expression of key immune genes. The study provides valuable insights into immune balance, autoimmunity, and cancer immunotherapies, shedding light on genetic variants linked to disease risk and potential treatments.
Researchers found that extending treatments to every six weeks instead of every three weeks would require 15,000 fewer infusions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 200 tons per year. This change could improve patient quality of life and result in cost savings for the healthcare system.
Researchers found that optimizing individual time-of-day delivery can significantly enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades in solid tumors. Proper regulation of circadian rhythms is necessary to suppress inflammation and support peak immune function.
Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a subset of T cells called CD8-fit that show high motility and serial killing capabilities in patients with clinical responses. These cells were discovered using a patented approach called TIMING, which evaluates cell behavior and movement to identify potential cancer-killing cells.
A new strain of vaccinia virus has been developed to induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, increasing immunogenicity and reducing toxicity. The virus shows high efficiency in activating immune responses against various types of cancer, including melanoma, colon, and kidney cancer.
A study by UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that combining experimental immunotherapy drugs with chemotherapy significantly improves progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The median progression-free survival was 6.2 months compared to 2.1 months f...