Researchers at the Wistar Institute have designed a novel trispecific antibody that targets glioblastoma antigens, providing long-term survival and sustained antitumor efficacy in heterogeneous GBM challenge models. The treatment promotes antitumor cytotoxicity with patient immune cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise in delivering treatments directly to cancer cells and boosting the immune system's fight against cancer. However, ongoing research highlights challenges related to MSC behavior, including variability in their effects and potential to create conditions that support tumor growth.
Researchers have identified UBA1 enzyme as key mediator for immune response to tumors, inhibiting its activity increases T-cell recruitment and lowers tumor resistance. Pairing UBA1 inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade therapies may make immunotherapy more effective for patients with 'cold' tumors.
The ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2024 will present key findings on new therapeutic opportunities and management of treatment-related toxicities. Leading experts will share their research advancements in the rapidly evolving field of immuno-oncology.
A large-scale analysis found that cancer immunotherapies are equally effective for both Black and white patients, with Black patients experiencing a lower risk of severe side effects. The study looked at data from over 26,000 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors through the Veteran Health Administration.
Researchers at WashU Medicine engineered a probiotic that delivers immunotherapy directly to the gut, shrinking tumors in mice. The probiotic uses a yeast-based system to produce immune checkpoint inhibitors, potentially treating hard-to-reach cancers.
DZ-002 delivers anticancer drugs exclusively to cancer cells using a cancer-targeting dye carrier, improving tumor diagnosis, detection, and treatment. The technology aims to enhance patient survival rates and quality of life.
A phase II clinical trial showed that combining radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy can shrink tumors and allow surgery, resulting in significantly improved outcomes. The study found that patients who underwent surgery had a 82% reduction in risk of death at one year follow-up.
Researchers have developed a simple and innovative test to monitor the function of cancer-fighting T cells over time. The plug-and-play approach requires only a small blood sample and can be adapted for use in various viral infections and cancer therapies.
Researchers create a simple and innovative test that enables real-time monitoring of modified T cells in patients with cancer. The test, which requires only a small blood sample, helps clinicians track the function of these cancer-fighting cells over time.
New treatment combinations and predictive biomarkers hold promise for improving bladder cancer outcomes. The NIAGARA trial showed that combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy can significantly increase two-year survival rates and reduce cancer recurrences.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have shown that combining pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, with standard chemotherapy can improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced small cell bladder cancer and small cell/neuroendocrine prostate cancer. The study found that the combination treatment resul...
Researchers have developed an immunotherapy that targets glioblastoma by turning its microenvironment against it. The treatment uses CAR T-cells with a blueprint for a molecule that blocks tumor signals, allowing macrophages and microglia to support the attack on cancer cells.
A new clinical trial found that the addition of immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard treatment improved disease-free survival rates for patients with stage 3 soft tissue sarcoma. The study showed that pembrolizumab reduced recurrence or death for patients by 15 percentage points compared to standard treatment.
Researchers developed a single-cell RNA-sequencing atlas of the Multiple Myeloma immune microenvironment across disease stages. The atlas reveals potential resistance mechanisms and identifies conventional dendritic cells as a targetable population in MM.
The review explores the impact of extracellular matrix (ECM) geometry on immune cell behavior and treatment efficacy. Specific ECM configurations, known as Tumor-Associated Collagen Signatures (TACS), create physical barriers that limit immune cell access to tumors.
A study by Niigata University found that AI analysis of PET/CT images can predict the occurrence of interstitial lung disease, a serious side effect of immunotherapy. Patients with high inflammation in non-cancerous lungs are at a higher risk of developing this condition.
Researchers at POSTECH have identified GLUT3 as essential for the suppressive function of regulatory T cells in tumor microenvironments, which can be targeted for cancer immunotherapy. The team's findings highlight the critical role of GLUT3 in regulating protein modifications that sustain immune suppression within tumors.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center present promising new treatments, including a gastric cancer therapy using T cell antigen coupler technology. Additionally, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are shown to improve responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung and melanoma cancers.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic have made significant progress in their novel vaccine aimed at preventing triple-negative breast cancer. The study found that the investigational vaccine was generally well-tolerated and produced an immune response in most patients, with the highest tolerated dose to date identified.
Researchers have found that combining the VIGex gene expression signature with liquid biopsy analysis improves response prediction to immunotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study analyzed tumor samples and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by liquid biopsy, showing that the VIGex-Hot subgroup was associated with higher o...
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that SLC13A3 transporter impairs tumor immunity by endowing ferroptosis resistance. This discovery suggests a potential target for improving immunotherapy responses in cancer patients.
Researchers document remarkable response to pembrolizumab in patient with metastatic adenosquamous pancreatic cancer (ASCP) and KRAS G12C mutation. The study highlights potential shift in treatment of ASCP, a rare form of pancreatic cancer traditionally underserved by current therapies.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that the combination of vidutolimod and nivolumab led to tumor control in 55% of patients, with higher levels of immune-related proteins detected in responders. The study also uncovered unique signatures of TLR9 activation and a link between gut microbiome and response to therapy.
Researchers from Texas A&M University synthesized research findings to improve medical devices and therapy success rates. The review emphasizes the need to understand macrophage cell behavior to develop targeted immunotherapy treatments.
Researchers developed a method to assess which patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer can benefit from immunotherapy. The tool uses predictive biomarkers and machine learning-based approaches to identify patients who are likely to respond to treatment.
Researchers identified a previously unknown form of lymph node-like structures in liver tumors that are associated with greater treatment response and lower recurrence rates. The structures, found in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, contain infection-fighting immune B cells and tumor-killing immune T cells.
Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute have identified a novel type of immune cell that plays a pivotal role in anti-tumor immunity. The stem-like CD4 T cells can be activated to fight tumors more effectively, offering new hope for broader treatment success.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance's Project Cure CRC has awarded nearly $5 million in research grants to advance urgent science in colorectal cancer. Recent awardees are working on topics such as radioimmunotherapy, CRISPR technology, and the protein drug ProAgio to better understand and treat this disease.
Researchers discovered a mechanism used by ovarian tumors to cripple immune cells by blocking the energy supply T cells depend on. The discovery points toward a promising new immunotherapy approach for treating ovarian cancer.
Ludwig Cancer Research scientists have devised new types of chimeric antigen-receptor (CAR) T cells that can be switched on and off with existing drugs, improving safety and efficacy in solid tumors. The design and preclinical evaluation of the CAR-T cells addresses the challenges of traditional therapy.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have re-engineered natural killer immune cells with blue light-activated protein function, allowing them to infiltrate and kill solid tumor spheroids. The technology has shown promising results in killing breast cancer and melanoma cells within seven days.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2024
Immunotherapy holds promise for treating breast cancer, but its effectiveness varies. Researchers Karin de Visser, Sandra Demaria, and María Casanova-Acebes discuss advances and challenges in applying immunotherapy to this common tumor. They highlight the importance of factors like diet, biorhythms, and personalized approaches to impro...
Researchers reported a complete and long-lasting response to immunotherapy in a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patient with brain metastases. The patient achieved overall survival of 87 months and progression-free survival of 73 months after treatment sequencing.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a biomarker that can predict which patients with liver cancer are likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The study found that high levels of the immune-suppressing protein NBR1 may identify patients who will not respond to treatment, while lowering NBR1 levels may help shrink tumors.
A new treatment approach using immunotherapy has shown promising results in treating advanced Hodgkin lymphoma, with a remarkable 92% survival rate. The innovative clinical trial, led by Wilmot Director Jonathan Friedberg, also minimizes long-term side effects and toxicities.
The developed pipeline, NeoDisc, integrates molecular and genetic analyses of tumors and utilizes artificial intelligence algorithms to identify personalized neoantigens for vaccine design. Researchers also show that NeoDisc provides a more accurate selection of effective cancer antigens than current computational tools.
Researchers found that disrupting the Asxl1 gene in T cells improved sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade and enabled long-term tumor control. This discovery is a critical advancement for the field, allowing for further engineering of T cells with durable anti-tumor responses.
A UCLA team has unveiled a powerful tool to overcome limitations in CAR-T cell therapy by mimicking natural interactions between immune cells. The new platform facilitates a high capacity for stimulating T cells to reproduce while preserving their versatility and potency.
Scientists engineered E. coli bacteria to express immune-activating cytokines, which induced potent immune responses in tumors. The bacteria acted as a 'tumor GPS' for mesothelin targeting CAR NK cells, enhancing treatment efficacy. Multiple hard-to-treat tumors responded well to this approach.
Researchers created the largest atlas of how tumor architecture changes in response to immune checkpoint therapy. The study found that multiple T cells recognize different neoantigens, altering the tumor ecosystem, and challenged prevailing theories on immunotherapy.
A new trial suggests that adding immunotherapy to chemoradiation can extend survival in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. However, the findings also indicate that delivering the treatments at different times yields varying results, with concurrent treatment not offering improved survival benefits.
Researchers discovered that activating the pentose phosphate pathway makes antitumor CD8 T cells more likely to stay in an immature state, leading to better results in animal models and human organoids. This metabolic reprogramming strategy may enhance checkpoint inhibitor therapy by boosting a long-term supply of active cytotoxic T ce...
A new study published in Nature has found that the type 2 immune response is positively correlated with long-term cancer remission, contradicting previous theories that it promotes tumor growth. The research used samples from pioneering clinical trials and revealed a statistically significant correlation between type 2 immune factors a...
Researchers have tested a combination of treatments in mice with lung cancer and shown that these allow immunotherapies to target non-responsive tumours. The combination therapy allows 'immune cold' tumours to respond to the body's own defences.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that innate-like T cells mature differently in humans than in mice, with age playing a critical role in their development. This finding has significant implications for the development of immunotherapeutics, highlighting the need to consider human-specific differences when te...
A recent study found that Black patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) received immunotherapy at significantly lower rates than white patients. However, when they did receive immunotherapy, their overall survival rate was similar to that of white patients. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors may be the main barrie...
Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine investigated T-cell responses between male and female patients with lung cancer. They found that a protein called CXCL13 is more highly expressed in females than males, indicating a better marker of immunotherapy response in females.
The integration of artificial intelligence in intratumoral immunotherapy can refine diagnoses, guide interventions, predict treatment responses, and adapt therapeutic strategies. This enables the enhancement of patient outcomes, including improved survival rates and quality of life.
A phase 1b/2 clinical trial found a combination of immunotherapy and FGFR inhibitor to be safe and tolerable in patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. The treatment showed increased response rates, including 54% for patients with high FGFR mRNA expression.
A recent study found a correlation between higher anti-PD-1 autoantibody levels and lower survival rates in patients with advanced liver cancer, suggesting these autoantibodies as potential biomarkers for predicting treatment response. The discovery aims to improve treatment regimens for patients with liver cancer.
A new study found that immunotherapy can effectively treat prostate cancer in men with a specific genetic type, slowing disease progression by four to 33 months. This treatment approach may be beneficial for approximately 4-5% of patients, who experience significant cancer control.
Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital have created a strategy to boost mitochondrial activity in T cells, improving their ability to penetrate and kill tumor cells. The new approach helps to overcome a major barrier in immunotherapy by increasing the energy capacity of T cells.
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...
A study by IRB Barcelona researchers has identified five independent factors that determine patients' response and survival after receiving checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy. These findings provide a framework for current and future biomarkers of immunotherapy response and could lead to more accurate patient classification.
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.