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New molecules against hard-to-treat tumors

Researchers developed small molecules that activate macrophages to attack cancer cells, weakening the tumor's defenses against the immune system. The molecules, called Phagocytic Synapse Enhancers, were tested in cell cultures and animal models and showed promising results, slowing tumor growth and extending survival.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCancer Research·DateSep 7, 2026

Shedding light on why immunotherapy sometimes fails

Researchers found that certain antibodies can reduce antitumor immune cells, highlighting the need to consider ADCC activity when designing or selecting ICI therapeutics. This study could help improve cancer treatment by engineering antibodies that avoid damaging essential immune cells.

SourceChiba University·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2025

Most patients with advanced melanoma who received pre-surgical immunotherapy remain alive and disease free four years later

A Phase II study found that 87% of patients with stage III melanoma remained alive and disease-free four years after treatment with nivolumab and relatlimab. Researchers identified unique biomarkers associated with better outcomes, including high TIGIT levels and low B7-H3 levels.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 10, 2025

New gene-editing therapy shows early success in fighting advanced GI cancers

Researchers have successfully tested a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique to enhance the immune system's fight against advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The treatment showed encouraging signs of safety and potential effectiveness in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer, halting tumor growth and even achieving complete responses.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 2, 2025

KAIST identifies master regulator blocking immunotherapy, paving the way for a new lung cancer treatment​

Researchers at KAIST discovered that DDX54 is the master regulator hindering immunotherapy's effectiveness in lung cancer. Supressing DDX54 enhances immune cell infiltration into tumors and improves immunotherapy efficacy.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 9, 2025

Targeted alpha therapy: a breakthrough in treating refractory skin cancer

A team of researchers from Chiba University has developed a novel radioactive drug that targets and treats metastatic melanoma. The treatment utilizes astatine-211 labeled peptide analog, which shows high accumulation in tumors, rapid clearance from non-target organs, and significant tumor suppression.

SourceChiba University·JournalEuropean Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2025

Your immune cells are what they eat

Researchers at Salk Institute establish a novel framework for the relationship between nutrition and cell identity. They found that a nutritional switch from acetate to citrate plays a key role in determining T cell fates, shifting them from active effector cells to exhausted cells.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 12, 2024

Opioids interfere with cancer immunotherapy but these drugs could help

New research from the University of Pittsburgh found that opioids can suppress the immune system and reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy for head and neck cancer. However, peripherally restricted OPRM1 antagonists (PAMORAs) may block opioid-induced immunosuppression and improve response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateDec 5, 2024

Five key factors predict the response of cancer patients to immunotherapy

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.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 12, 2024

Oncotarget | Resistance of MMTV-NeuT/ATTAC mice to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint therapy is associated with macrophage infiltration and Wnt pathway expression

Researchers found that MMTV-NeuT/ATTAC mice treated with anti-PD-1 therapy developed increased tumor-associated macrophages, EMT, fibroblast proliferation, and enhanced extracellular matrix. These findings suggest potential therapeutic avenues to enhance PD-1 immune checkpoint sensitivity.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2023

Cellular messengers improve cancer therapy

Extracellular vesicles from immune cells have been shown to activate the immune system in mice with skin cancer, rendering them sensitive to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The treatment improved survival rates when used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022

Cancer patients treated with immunotherapy can safely receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, according to JNCCN study

Researchers analyzed 408 patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and found no increased risk of side effects from receiving both immunotherapy and the vaccine. The study supports NCCN's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in people with cancer, citing strong protection against severe COVID-19 for all variants.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateOct 17, 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

UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists identify germline signature that predicts side effects from anti-PD1/PDL1 checkpoint therapy

Researchers have identified a germline biomarker signature that can predict serious side effects in up to 3 in 10 patients undergoing anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy. The findings represent an important step toward personalizing checkpoint therapy, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing harm.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 3, 2022

Penn study finds solid-tumor cancer patients ineligible for clinical trials receive immunotherapy at greater rates despite lack of benefits

A nationwide study published in JAMA Oncology found that immunotherapy use among trial-ineligible solid-tumor cancer patients increased significantly between 2014 and 2019, yet no survival benefit was observed. Researchers emphasize cautious use of immunotherapies for this population due to potential early harm.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 9, 2021

A helping hand for cancer immunotherapy

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered that PRMT5 inhibitors can sensitize unresponsive melanoma to immune checkpoint therapy, enhancing antigen presentation and innate immunity. The study suggests that these inhibitors may also be effective in tumors of other types, providing a potential breakthrough for cancer treatment.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 8, 2020