Articles tagged with Immunotherapy
A new strategy remodels the cell membrane to convert ordinary macrophages into pathogen-targeting immune cells. Engineered macrophages successfully overcame limitations of conventional antimicrobial therapies, demonstrating improved bacterial recognition and elimination.
A new study identifies MSLN, TROP-2, and LIV-1 as potential therapeutic targets for cervical cancer, with distinct profiles across tumor subtypes. LIV-1 may represent a precision medicine target for a biologically defined subgroup of cervical cancer patients.
The PolyU developed AI Virtual Patient Simulation System combines multimodal data from genomic, medical imaging and clinical records to create a digital twin model tracking real-time changes in a patient's condition. It predicts the effectiveness of different cancer treatment options and supports personalized medical solutions.
A study maps how antibodies target a key region of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, neutralizing the virus, and how emerging variants escape. Researchers identified three immune escape strategies: disruption, glycan shielding, and conformational remodeling.
Researchers from the University of Rochester's TraCe-bMPS have developed tissue chips that can predict dangerous immune reactions to cancer therapies. The technology, which uses human cells and sensors, has been accepted into the FDA's Innovative Science and Technology Approaches for New Drugs pilot program.
Researchers at USC have developed a genetic tool called the Mechano-Recorder to measure tumor cell softness. This insight can help target hard-to-reach cancer stem-like cells for destruction, potentially improving cancer treatment outcomes.
A single-cell atlas reveals that a balance between two macrophage states, with lipid-fueled immunesupressors, tracks clinical outcomes in gastric cancer patients. Tumors with a more permissive immune state respond better to immunotherapy and have longer progression-free survival.
Researchers identified two immune cell populations present in both initial and recurrent arthritis flares, suggesting an immune-memory disease. These cells may serve as biomarkers for high-risk patients or to guide targeted therapies to reduce side effects.
Researchers develop new CAR-T engineering strategies to address the barriers of solid tumors, including tumor access, targeting specificity, cellular resilience, and patient physiological context. The approaches aim to build cellular fitness and overcome immunosuppressive signals, with promising results in clinical trials.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are developing drug-based strategies to enhance cancer immunotherapy for melanoma and potentially other cancers. They identified two promising compounds that could strengthen T cell interaction with cancer cells or make tumor cells more susceptible to destruction by T cells.
A blood test that detects circulating tumor DNA can predict whether patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer are benefiting from immunotherapy. The test was found to be accurate in predicting therapy response and can provide clinically meaningful information weeks before conventional imaging.
Researchers found that tumor cells use DDB1 to ubiquitinate PD-L1, allowing it to enter the nucleus and drive immune suppression. A new compound, thalidomide, disrupts this process, restoring sensitivity to immunotherapy in preclinical breast cancer models.
The Alliance QUANTUM trial is testing whether post-transplant consolidation therapy with teclistamab improves survival in patients with primary plasma cell leukemia. Plasma cell leukemia is a rare but aggressive blood cancer with poor long-term survival rates.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that combining two immunotherapies with standard chemotherapy prior to surgery improved pathologic complete response rates in high-risk, early-stage HER2-negative breast cancer patients. The regimen demonstrated strong activity among patients with ImPrint-positive tumors, including high pCR rates.
Researchers developed a quantum machine learning framework to predict which tumor mutations will trigger an immune response. The Q-CHIPP model outperformed classical computing methods and achieved a significant technical milestone by scaling to full-length peptide modeling on quantum hardware.
Researchers have identified a new strategy to prevent T cell exhaustion and boost immunotherapy by blocking MEK signaling. This approach has shown promise in lab models, enabling T cells to persist under harsh tumor conditions. However, the effectiveness of this treatment may vary among patients due to the complexity of T cell exhaustion.
A new study reveals that p53 mutations in cancer cells can limit the effectiveness of immunotherapy by manipulating cellular metabolism, specifically through autophagy. Removing these mutant forms of p53 restores mTORC1 activity and reduces autophagy, making tumors more vulnerable to immune attack.
A study published in Cancer Research identified an immune pathway that promotes the progression of oral precancerous lesions into head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The researchers found that targeting a key inflammation signal known as interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) could help restore immune surveillance and prevent high-risk lesions...
A subset of cancers, known as microsatellite instability (MSI) and deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) cancers, are more visible to the immune system than others. Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC identified a biological feedback loop that helps activate the immune response against these types of cancer.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a previously unknown mechanism by which T cells attack and eliminate acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The discovery reveals that AML cells use a CD64-dependent pathway to evade traditional MHC recognition, potentially explaining why AML is sensitive to immune-based treatments.
Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified a specific gut bacterium, Bacteroides uniformis, and its metabolites that can positively impact the body's immune response to cancer. The study found that these metabolites can suppress tumor growth and boost anti-tumor immunity in mice.
Researchers created a comprehensive single-cell map of the tumor immune microenvironment in multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions. The study identified five distinct subtypes, or 'ecotypes,' that capture meaningful insights into signaling pathways and genetic programs not fully explained by disease stage alone.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) gene signatures can predict prognosis and respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, validating these signatures across different platforms and overcoming ethical concerns hinder their widespread adoption. Integrating multi-omics approaches with liquid biopsy holds promise for personalized therapy,...
A new method called ATTACH identifies strong interactions between T cells and cancer-specific proteins to isolate effective tumor-reactive T cells. This approach overcomes key challenges in immunotherapy development, offering a rapid and accessible way for isolating rare immune cells.
The new journal features cutting-edge research across basic, clinical, and translational immunology. It is designed to connect researchers across the full breadth of immunology, deepening understanding of the immune system in health and disease.
A team of researchers has developed chimeric allergen receptors that can suppress the immune system's response to common allergens, reducing or preventing asthma symptoms in mice. The technique could eventually be used to treat a wide variety of allergies in humans.
The T2EVOLVE Association aims to accelerate innovation and patient access in advanced cell therapies by fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and harmonization efforts. It will address scientific, manufacturing, regulatory, clinical, and access challenges through five strategic workstreams.
The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has appointed three Clinical Scholars, Bernhard Gentner, Caroline Arber, and Christian Hinrichs, to advance cancer research and clinical interventions. The new scholars will focus on translating scientific discoveries into clinical trials and partnerships with leading clinical facilities.
Lili Yang and her team aim to develop a universal CAR-NKT cell immunotherapy for multiple sclerosis, providing a sustained therapeutic effect that daily or weekly medications cannot match. The approach targets the core biological mechanisms of MS, offering a potentially more significant delay or even cure.
Scientists have identified a unique chimeric RNA called UBA1-CDK16 that plays important roles in women's blood cell development and disease severity. The findings suggest the chimeric RNA may serve as a natural brake to protect women from excessive autoimmune activity.
The US retains its scientific edge but is losing the race to translate discoveries into cures, warns a new report from Cure Innovation Index. Without immediate renewed investment and policy changes, the US scientific edge will not hold.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have achieved high response rates in patients with hard-to-treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using an all-oral combination therapy. The study also provides insights into the origins of cancer, revealing that tumors evolve rapidly through bursts of genetic changes.
Researchers found that radiation therapy not only targets tumor cells but also activates immune pathways to make tumors more receptive to immunotherapy. The study suggests that radiation-immunotherapy combination strategies could improve patient outcomes by reshaping the surrounding immune landscape and recruiting T cells.
The University of Virginia has joined SPARK GLOBAL to leverage resources and expertise in accelerating the development of new medicines. This collaboration aims to reduce time from lab discoveries to clinic trials, delivering tangible healthcare solutions to patients.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, can dampen the effect of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. When neutrophils were absent, several immunotherapies became more effective, leading to increased T-cell activation and tumor shrinkage.
The study synthesizes recent advances in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to identify tumor-enriched cell subsets closely related to prognosis and treatment response. The review introduces the
Johanna Joyce, a leading tumor immunologist, has begun her two-year term as President of the European Association for Cancer Research. She will focus on strategic oversight, promoting broad scientific collaboration, dialogue, and training, while addressing issues such as gender disparities in science.
Rice University has received a $2 million CPRIT award to advance cancer research, including new studies in immunotherapy and ovarian cancer. The funding will support the expansion of the Genetic Design and Engineering Center, which provides a centralized hub for DNA tools used in cancer research.
TIGIT is a second-generation immune checkpoint that exerts immunosuppressive effects through multiple pathways, promoting a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Combination with PD-1 inhibitors has shown remarkable promise, improving objective remission rates and progression-free survival.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advances in understanding cancer biology, developing AI-powered atlas of tertiary lymphoid structures as prognostic biomarkers, and uncovering drivers of resistance to KRAS inhibitors. Additionally, they have discovered a molecular pathway that drives stressed cells to b...
Researchers have found a widely available drug combination to be an effective treatment for patients with systemically active Sjögren's disease. The combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine reduced disease activity while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
The study demonstrated a response to treatment in several tumor types, including lung cancer and head and neck cancers. A significant tumor shrinkage was observed in four out of 14 patients treated within the optimal dose range.
Researchers discovered that degrading mutant KRAS protein leads to greater lung cancer regression and more durable antitumor responses than conventional inhibitors. The study also identifies resistance mechanisms distinct from those previously described, offering new insights into targeted protein degradation therapies.
A study published in Nature Communications has identified sialylation as a key mechanism by which breast tumours evade the immune system, leading to limited effectiveness of immunotherapies. Targeting this process may improve the efficacy of these therapies, providing new hope for patients with breast cancer.
A novel chromosomal instability-based signature, CIN score, guides survival prediction and immunotherapy response in breast cancer. High-CIN scores indicate poorer overall survival and unfavorable clinicopathological features.
Researchers discovered a new gene expression signature linked to prolonged overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who responded to combined immune checkpoint inhibitors. The biomarker has the potential to help identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment combination.
A University of Bristol-led pilot trial found that tocilizumab reduced symptoms of depression, fatigue and anxiety in people who had not responded to standard treatments. The study provides early evidence for a new treatment option for patients with inflammation-related depression.
A new study by the University of Southampton has found that reusable catheters are just as safe for patients as single-use ones and do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections. The study followed hundreds of patients for a year and discovered that those who tested reusable catheters used 35 per cent fewer antibiotics.
A new cytokine-armored CAR-T cell therapy has been developed to attack aggressive brain tumors in mice while reducing side effects. The approach recruits the body's immune system using IL-12 and DR-18 proteins, strengthening the anti-cancer response and improving tumor control.
Researchers have developed engineered peptide binders called CRABs that can selectively interfere with calcium signaling pathways, potentially leading to more effective and safer immunotherapies. The study's findings offer new hope for treating disorders linked to excessive CRAC-channel activity.
The LUNA-2 trial will pair immunotherapy with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to boost treatment effectiveness in people with non-small cell lung cancer. If successful, it could provide new treatment options for those living with the disease, helping them live longer and with fewer side effects.
A new mRNA-based strategy amplifies the T-cell response to vaccines, enabling more powerful cancer vaccines and stronger protection against infectious diseases. The approach reprograms immune cells from within using mRNA instructions that expand cancer-fighting T cells.
Researchers have developed CRAC channel inhibitory binders that can selectively interfere with STIM-ORAI communication, reducing calcium entry through CRAC channels. This may help restore thrombocyte progenitor production and improve treatment outcomes for Stormorken syndrome patients.
Researchers discovered that mezigdomide can reinvigorate exhausted T cells and enhance immunotherapies. The drug works by degrading key gene regulators Ikaros and Aiolos, which sustain genetic and epigenetic programs keeping T cells in an exhausted state.
Four new OICR-funded studies using CATALYST will advance cancer insights by reanalyzing existing patient samples and data. The initiatives aim to improve cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment by building on previous research.
Researchers at WashU Medicine conducted a clinical trial showing that genetically engineered donor stem cells can prevent toxic side effects and improve treatment options for patients with AML and MDS. The study found that removing the CD33 protein from donor stem cells helped target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells untouched.
A new review highlights the escalating global burden of MASLD, which can progress to liver cancer, emphasizing the need for early detection and multifaceted treatment. Non-invasive biomarkers are being developed to improve diagnostic precision, including multi-omic panels and molecular markers that outperform traditional tests.
Researchers summarize universal mechanisms of regulatory T cells in solid organ transplantation, enabling durable immune tolerance and reducing rejection. Gene-editing technologies create hypoimmunogenic Tregs for standardized, scalable availability.
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.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have identified a promising new strategy to overcome resistance to immunotherapy in colorectal cancer. The approach, which restores communication between key immune cells, achieved up to 100% tumor clearance in some models.