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Garvan scientists capture ‘housekeeping’ immune cells attacking live melanoma

Scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research captured 'housekeeping' immune cells actively attacking and engulfing live melanoma cells. These macrophages patrol the edges of melanoma tumours, steadily engulfing cancer cells and slowing tumour growth. The discovery has big implications for immunotherapy.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

We can help the body fight entire viral families

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that combining key vaccine ingredients could give the body the tools it needs to fight the entire family of arenaviruses with a single vaccine. This approach may protect against life-threatening infections from Lassa virus, Junin virus, and many other arenaviruses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2026

Combination therapy with stem cell-derived immune cells boost anti-cancer response

A recent study reveals that combining iNKT cell therapy with antigen-presenting cells activated by a lipid compound triggers effective antitumor immunity. The therapy generates memory-phenotype T cells that can recognize and respond to specific threats, offering a promising personalized approach to cancer treatment.

SourceChiba University·JournalStem Cell Research & Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2026

Your nose is a battlefield

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that FluMist can trigger an immune response directly in nasal tissue, training immune cells to recognize and fight influenza virus infection. This response stays in the upper airways and cannot be detected via blood samples.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2026

Anxiety regulated by key signal in brain immune cells

Researchers identify calcium as a key chemical signal that triggers immune cells during obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related behaviors. This discovery establishes a new framework to study how anxiety arises and persists through calcium signals in microglia, potentially leading to targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2026

How immune cell networks drive liver disease

A study published in Nature Communications reveals how immune cell networks contribute to liver damage and fibrosis. The research team identified a key interaction between dendritic cells and γδ T cells, triggering pro-inflammatory signals that amplify inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2026

Researchers develop high-precision human immune aging clock, identifying RUNX1 as key target for T-cell senescence

A high-precision Human Immune Aging Clock (HIAC) has been developed to quantify immunosenescence and identify actionable intervention targets. The study identified RUNX1 as a functional 'brake' on T-cell senescence, and found that individuals with decelerated immune aging displayed a more youthful immune profile.

Characteristics of CD4+T-cell reduction and pulmonary infections in critically ill immunocompromised patients

A retrospective study of 40 immunocompromised ICU patients found associations between low CD4+T-cell counts and specific lung pathogens. Patients with severe CD4 depletion had higher proportions of fungal infections, while moderate immunosuppression was linked to Streptococcus pneumoniae.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 2, 2026

Engineered lipid nanoparticles reprogram immune metabolism for better mRNA vaccines

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed lipid nanoparticles that modify immune metabolism to strengthen mRNA vaccines and reduce common side effects. The new lipid boosts the metabolism of immune cells, providing energy for the body's defenses while dialing down inflammatory signals.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2026

A new method produces CAR-T cells to keep fighting disease longer

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a new strategy to engineer immune cells that prolong their effectiveness, addressing a major limitation of current treatments. The new method generates longer-lasting immune cells that provide more sustained control of human blood cancers and suppression of HIV-infection.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2026

Building protection against infectious diseases with nanostructured vaccines

Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed DoriVac, a DNA nanotechnology-enabled vaccine platform that induces broad immunity against infectious viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola. The platform produces potent antigen-specific immune responses and is more stable and easier to manufacture than traditional vaccine platforms.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2026

Why does the body deem some foods safe and others unsafe?

Researchers have identified three new proteins, called epitopes, that help the body determine 'safe' foods, aiding in food tolerance and allergy understanding. The epitopes were found in seed proteins from corn, wheat, and soybean, and interact with regulatory T cells to inform tolerance-or-rejection decisions.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 6, 2026

Immune cells link lactation to long-lasting health

Recent studies show that T cells support milk production and have lasting effects on maternal health and infant immunity. The review highlights emerging evidence of the crucial role of immune cells in lactation, which can inform strategies to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Immunology·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Novel cellular phenomenon reveals how immune cells extract nuclear DNA from dying cells

Immune cells have been found to selectively extract nuclear DNA from dying cells, a regulated cellular function that challenges traditional views of the nucleus. This discovery, known as nucleocytosis, may hold implications for understanding autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancer, as well as informing drug development strategies.

SourceThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

The Frontiers of Knowledge Award goes to Carl June and Michel Sadelain for revolutionizing cancer treatment using immunotherapy based on the patient’s own genetically modified cells

Researchers have developed a breakthrough technique to transform a patient's own T cells into soldiers trained to recognize and kill cancer cells, benefiting tens of thousands of individuals with blood cancers. The approach is now being explored for solid tumors and other diseases.

Immune 'hijacking' predicts cancer evolution

Scientists at UNIGE discovered that neutrophils, a type of immune cell, undergo reprogramming to produce chemokine CCL3, promoting cancer growth. This mechanism appears to be a major variable in tumour biology and could serve as an indicator of disease progression.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCancer Cell·TypeNews article·DateFeb 5, 2026

How do nature and nurture shape our immune cells?

Researchers at Salk Institute debut an epigenetic catalog that shows genetic inheritance and life experiences have distinct effects on various types of immune cells, shedding light on individual differences in immune responses and potential new personalized therapeutics.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 27, 2026

Inflammation and autoimmune-like dysfunction may play a role in heart failure

A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that helper T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. The activation of these T cells highlights the impact of inflammation and immune dysfunction in heart failure.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2026

Discrimination linked to diminished immune system function

Researchers found that people experiencing everyday discrimination have elevated levels of "exhausted" white blood cells, indicating chronic stress may hamper the immune system. This study suggests social experiences like discrimination shape immune health at the cellular level and contribute to biological aging.

SourceNew York University·JournalBrain Behavior & Immunity - Health·DateJan 26, 2026

Antibodies targeting immunoglobulin E Cε2 region as potential rapid anti-allergy therapy

Researchers identified Fab antibody fragments that target the IgE Cε2 domain, effectively stripping IgE from mast cells. The most potent Fab clones showed rapid efficacy in cellular assays and in vivo anaphylaxis models, demonstrating potential as a next-generation anti-allergy therapy.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2026

“Recipe book” for reprogramming immune cells

Researchers have created a library of over 400 immune-related factors to reprogram rare immune cell populations. This technique allows for the systematic discovery of 'recipes' for specific immune cells, offering hope for unresponsive patients and advancing immunotherapy.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Sequestered in immune cells, barium titanate nanoparticles stimulated by ultrasound launch inflammatory response

Boston College researchers used piezoelectric nanoparticles to trigger macrophages, a key part of the body's immune response. The study suggests that this method could be used to activate immune cells specifically at an infection or tumor site, avoiding side effects associated with systemic administration of drugs.

SourceBoston College·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

USC researchers develop next-generation CAR T cells that show stronger, safer response in animal models

Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a new type of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell that elicits a more controlled immune response to cancer. The engineered CAR T cells may offer a way to more safely treat blood cancers and reduce the chance of relapse.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

A type of immune cell could hold a key to preventing scar tissue buildup in wounds

A study by University of Arizona researchers reveals a previously unknown population of circulating immune cells that play a critical role in fibrosis, the buildup of scar tissue. Blocking signals from these cells during wound healing can reduce scar tissue formation and promote normal healing.

SourceUniversity of Arizona, Office of Research and Partnerships·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 25, 2025