Melanoma patients respond to immunotherapy after changes to gut microbiome
A new study found that altering the gut microbiome can take a patient with advanced melanoma who has never responded to immunotherapy and convert them into responders.
Immunotherapy
Articles tagged with Immunotherapy
Using Artificial Intelligence to prevent harm caused by immunotherapy
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have discovered biomarkers using AI analysis of simple tissue scans to predict which lung cancer patients will be harmed by immunotherapy. This new work builds on previous research that used AI and machine learning to identify patients who will benefit from the treatment.
Study defines small-cell lung cancer subtypes and distinct therapeutic vulnerabilities for each type
Researchers have developed a comprehensive framework to classify small-cell lung cancer into four unique subtypes based on gene expression. The study identifies potential therapeutic targets for each type, including an inflamed group that tends to be more responsive to immunotherapy.
The role of T cells in fighting cancer
Researchers found that mice with different types of T cells responded differently to tumors, with some rejecting them and others succumbing to development. The study aims to develop more effective personalized immunotherapy for cancer patients by understanding the role of T cells in immune response variation.
SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateJan 14, 2021
Recurrent GBM brain tumors with few mutations respond best to immunotherapy
A recent study found that recurrent glioblastoma tumors with few mutations respond best to immunotherapy, suggesting a predictive biomarker for survival. The finding could lead to new approaches to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating this incurable disease.
Peanut treatment lowers risk of severe allergic reactions in preschoolers
A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that exposing children to small, regular doses of peanuts can reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions. Nearly 80% of preschoolers were able to eat a full serving of peanuts without reaction, protecting them from 99% of accidental exposures.
ESMO Immuno-Oncology Virtual Congress 2020
The ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2020 discussed the latest developments in cancer treatment, including adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments, tumour microenvironments, and novel therapeutics. The event also examined the impact of COVID-19 on immunotherapy in cancer patients.
Immunotherapy for lung and other cancers may also be beneficial for rare skin cancer
Researchers found that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and surface protein markers PD-1 and PD-L1 can help guide immunotherapy treatment for cutaneous angiosarcomas. The study suggests that combining immunotherapies with conventional chemotherapy may be effective in treating this rare skin cancer.
SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Dermatopathology·DateNov 18, 2020
MD Anderson researchers present immunotherapy advances at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center present promising clinical data on combination therapies for patients with metastatic melanoma and advanced refractory solid tumors. The treatments showed activity in activating immune pathways, leading to antitumor responses.
Immunotherapy may work better in stomach cancer when combined with chemo, given earlier
Researchers found that administering immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy earlier in the course of disease can slow cancer progression. Combining the therapies also kills myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which appear to overpower immunotherapies, thereby improving response rates.
Scientists engineer new cancer immunotherapy to train immune system in cancer fight
Scientists develop a new type of cancer immunotherapy that uses nanobiologics to train the innate immune system to eliminate tumor cells. The therapy targets the bone marrow and activates trained immunity, reprogramming bone marrow progenitor cells to produce immune cells that halt cancer growth.
Groundbreaking study on trained immunity to fight cancer
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology developed a 'nanobiologic' immunotherapy that trains the innate immune system to eliminate tumorous cells. The approach has shown promising results in mouse melanoma models and non-human primates, offering a new anti-cancer therapy.
CNIO team finds how melanoma 'deceives' the immune system, increasing resistance to immunotherapy
A research team led by Marisol Soengas discovered that melanoma cells use the MIDKINE protein to evade the immune system, leading to increased resistance to immunotherapy. Blocking MIDKINE can restore normal immune function and lead to tumor attack.
Increasing the effectiveness of cancer treatments: Anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Harvard Medical School found that controlling the nuclear localization of PD-L1 can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for cancer treatment. They discovered that removal of a specific modification allows PD-L1 to enter the nucleus and regulate the immune response.
RethiNKing which immune cells are the best weapon against lung cancer
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute found that natural killer cells are essential for slowing small cell lung cancer's aggressive spread, while T cells do not play a significant role. Supercharging NK cells further enhances their cancer-fighting abilities, offering hope for better treatments.
New tool identifies which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy
Researchers developed a prognostic tool that identifies immune cell interactions with tumour cells and reports on immune-checkpoint activation status. The tool predicts which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from checkpoint inhibitor therapy, allowing clinicians to tailor treatments specifically to patients.
UCalgary researchers discover the microbiome's role in attacking cancerous tumours
Researchers have identified specific bacterial species that boost T-cell immunity and improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating certain cancers. The discovery may lead to new treatments by harnessing the power of the microbiome to target cancer cells.
Internal differences: A new method for seeing into cells
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science develop new technology to see inside tens of thousands of individual cells at once, identifying a subset of innate immune cells that collaborate with cancer. This breakthrough may lead to immunotherapy treatment for cancer.
Nano-radiomics unveils treatment effect on tumor microenvironment
Researchers developed a noninvasive method to assess the effect of cellular immunotherapies on the tumor microenvironment, which inhibits the immune response and evades cancer treatments. Nano-radiomics combines imaging technology with radiomics to analyze changes in the TME that conventional methods cannot detect.
SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJul 10, 2020
Drug treatment could improve effectiveness of immunotherapy for cancer patients
Researchers found that blocking the tumor-promoting protein MDM2 could boost immunotherapy's effectiveness by allowing immune cells to kill tumor cells more efficiently. The study also suggests that combining MDM2 inhibitors with immunotherapy may lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients whose tumors are predicted to undergo hy...
Blocking a 'jamming signal' can unleash immune system to fight tumors
Researchers blocked a 'jamming signal' that prevents interleukin-18 from reaching tumors, significantly reducing their growth in mice with cancer. The treatment, developed by Yale scientists, uses a synthetic version of IL-18 that can overcome the blocking protein and increase anti-tumor responses.
Study led by City of Hope, TGen shows new way of ID'ing tumor response to immunotherapy
Scientists at City of Hope and TGen found that circulating immune cell dynamics can inform how patients respond to immunotherapy. The study's findings highlight an important predator-prey relationship between immune cells and tumor response.
Call for caution for using a CAR-T immunotherapy against acute myeloid leukemia
The use of CAR-T immunotherapy against acute myeloid leukemia is being reevaluated due to concerns over its impact on healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Studies have shown that anti-CD123 CAR T-cells can inhibit normal hematopoiesis, leading to irreversible impairment in blood cell formation.
SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateJun 17, 2020
Birmingham scientists 're-train' immune system to prevent attack of healthy cells
Researchers reprogrammed T-cells to recognize proteins as part of the body, preventing autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. The study's findings have important implications for treating autoimmune conditions and may lead to advances in overcoming autoimmunity.
Leukemia immune profiles predict drug resistance and benefits of immunotherapy
Researchers analyzed 442 AML samples to identify immune classes that predict drug resistance and response to immunotherapy. IFN-γ-dominant AML patients showed strong responses to flotetuzumab and improved survival rates, highlighting the potential for T cell-targeting therapies.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 4, 2020
Immunotherapy for bowel cancer could change clinical practice
A large international trial found that pembrolizumab more than doubled the progression-free survival time of patients with a specific subtype of advanced bowel cancer, compared to chemotherapy. The treatment also showed durable benefits, with 48.3% of patients experiencing no disease progression after two years.
Mapping immune cells in brain tumors
A study by researchers at the University of Zurich mapped immune cells in different types of brain tumors, revealing tumor-specific instructions for tissue-invasive leukocytes. The findings provide a basis for developing tailored immunotherapies for various types of brain tumors.
Novel biomarkers predict benefit with immunotherapy in metastatic breast cancer
Researchers identified two novel biomarkers, PDL1/CD274 copy number alteration and PD-L1 combined positive score, that correlate with improved outcomes in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with immunotherapy. These biomarkers may help identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment.
Scientists identify promising immunotherapy combination for pediatric brain cancer
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys identified a promising immunotherapy combination that eradicates medulloblastoma in mice. By adding tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the treatment removes the 'invisibility cloak' from p53-mutant tumors, allowing them to be detected and destroyed by the immune system.
Combination of chemo and immunotherapy is shown to work against metastatic bladder cancer
A clinical trial led by Mount Sinai researchers showed that combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy can significantly delay the progression of metastatic bladder cancer. The trial also found that immunotherapy alone may be an option for patients with high PD-L1 protein expression in their tumors.
Missing BAP1 gene associated with immunosuppressive molecules in uveal melanoma
Researchers discovered that UM cells lacking the BAP1 protein activate mechanisms shutting down T lymphocytes, which are crucial immune cells fighting cancer. The study identified potential target molecules using existing drugs approved for other diseases, offering a promising approach to combat metastatic uveal melanoma.
Gut bacteria can penetrate tumors and aid cancer therapy, study suggests
Researchers found that Bifidobacteria accumulate in tumors and activate the stimulation of interferon genes pathway, enhancing anti-tumor efficacy of CD47 immunotherapy. Supplementation with Bifidobacteria improved treatment response in mice with previously non-responsive tumors.
Severe peanut allergy may be a 'gut reaction'
Researchers found IgE-producing plasma cells abundant in the stomach and duodenum of patients with peanut allergy, highlighting a potential mechanism for severe allergies. The study suggests that targeted prevention of class switch recombination in the gut may be a promising treatment approach for severe peanut allergy.
Study reveals potential new treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma
A pilot study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati shows that radiation therapy before immunotherapy may increase patient survival for those with brain metastases. The combination therapy was found to be superior to radiation alone, with genes associated with cell death signaling and inflammation present in tissue.
Immune therapy reduces risk of recurrence in aggressive breast cancer
A clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London found that immune therapy drug pembrolizumab significantly reduced the risk of cancer recurrence in patients with early triple negative breast cancer. Nearly 65% of women showed no sign of cancer after treatment, compared to 51% on chemotherapy alone.
New mechanism involved in senescence modulates inflammation, response to immunotherapy
A newly discovered molecular pathway involving topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) enables the detection of DNA in the cytoplasm, triggering inflammation and cellular senescence. This pathway may be targeted to enhance the response of cancer cells to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Predicting immunotherapy success
Weizmann Institute researchers found that overexpression of specific immunoproteasome subunits in melanoma is tied to anti-cancer immune activity. The study's findings suggest that these biomarkers may improve patient matching to current immunotherapy treatments, leading to better outcomes.
Math models add up to improved cancer immunotherapy
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed mathematical models to predict how tumors may respond to immunotherapy and how adding other anti-cancer drugs could lead to improved treatment. The models suggest that normalization of the tumor microenvironment, including blood supply, could improve treatment efficacy.
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020
B cells linked to effective cancer immunotherapy
Research from Lund University found that clusters of B cells in melanoma tumors, called tertiary lymphoid structures, are linked to improved prognosis and response to immunotherapy. This study confirms the role of B-cells in the immune response against cancer cells.
B cells: New allies in sarcoma immunotherapy?
Researchers have found that B cells play a crucial role in the response to immunotherapy for certain types of cancer, including soft tissue sarcomas. These cells, which were previously thought to be passive bystanders, are now seen as key players in the anti-tumor immune response.
SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2020
Multimodal genomic analyses predict response to immunotherapy in lung cancer patients
Researchers developed an integrated genomic approach to predict which lung cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy. They found a correlation between tumor mutational burden and tumor purity, and corrected TMB estimates improved prediction of overall survival.
Researchers decipher a new way that immune cells detect infections and cancers
A breakthrough study published in Science has deciphered a new way that gamma-delta T cells detect infections and cancers. The research team identified a key molecule, butyrophilin 2A1, which is present on the surface of these immune cells and binds to specific molecules on cancer cells.
Study reveals a new approach to enhancing response to immunotherapy in melanoma
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have discovered a new way to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer. The study found that a PD-1 inhibitor can be used to treat tumors that currently do not respond to this therapy, when administered in mice lacking the Siah2 gene.
Flu vaccines and cancer immunotherapy in mice
Researchers found that injecting seasonal flu vaccines into tumors in mice increased systemic immune responses and sensitivity to treatments. The results suggest that antipathogen vaccines may find additional benefit as cancer immunotherapies, potentially converting cold tumors to 'hot' states.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019
Researchers identify potential formula for blood cancer vaccine
A study published in Clinical Cancer Research identified neoantigens in 184 patients with multiple myeloma, showing an increase in these genetic markers in patients who had relapsed. The researchers found common neoantigens between patients, which could lead to new vaccine therapies.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateDec 19, 2019
Prostate cancer 'super responders' live for 2 years on immunotherapy
A phase II clinical trial found that a small proportion of men with end-stage prostate cancer responded to pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy treatment, and lived for two years or more. The study identified a group of patients with DNA repair gene mutations who responded particularly well to the treatment.
Immunotherapy is safe following chemoradiotherapy for women with node-positive cervical cancer
Results from NRG-GOG 9929 show that ipilimumab is tolerated in the curative treatment of women with lymph node-positive cervical cancer. The trial found a 12-month progression-free survival rate of 81% and overall survival rate of 90%. Future studies are needed to identify therapeutic targets for improved outcomes.
Using artificial intelligence to determine whether immunotherapy is working
A study published in Cancer Immunology Research uses AI to analyze changes in CT scans before and after immunotherapy treatment, predicting patient response. The researchers found that textural changes, not just tumor size, are a better indicator of therapy effectiveness.
Findings could identify aggressive breast cancers that will respond to immunotherapy
UNC Lineberger researchers have discovered a method to identify triple negative breast cancer tumors that will respond to immunotherapy. The findings, published in the journal Cell, could help guide patients to the right treatments and lead to new approaches to make drugs work in cancers that don't initially respond.
Allergy shots may be an effective treatment for pediatric pollen food allergy syndrome
Researchers found that allergy shots significantly improved PFAS symptoms in 11 out of 20 surveyed children, with no reported worsening. The treatment showed promise for kids receiving allergy shots and suffering from PFAS.
2019 ESMO Award for Immuno-Oncology goes to Thomas Gajewski
Gajewski's research found that a 'hot' or T cell inflamed tumour microenvironment is key to unlocking immunotherapy efficacy. STING agonists and targeted therapies are being developed to combat 'cold' tumours with limited immune response.
Moffitt researchers identify a mechanism controlling tumor cell recognition by immune cells
Moffitt researchers discovered that the STING protein signaling pathway induces an inflammatory response and enables immune cells to recognize human melanoma cells. Activation of STING results in production of interferon-beta and CXCL10, stimulating inflammation and immune response.
SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Immunology Research·DateNov 1, 2019
Immunotherapy for peanut allergy provides protection but not a cure
Researchers at King's College London have found that immunotherapy for peanut allergy reduces sensitivity to peanuts, providing some protection against accidental reactions. However, the treatment does not cure allergies and can actually increase allergic reactions in some patients, highlighting the need for continued research.
Cancer treatment: A researcher makes breakthrough immunotherapy discovery
A new cell therapy approach has been developed by Dr Christopher E Rudd, boosting the immune response of T lymphocytes to malignant tumours.
Algorithm personalizes which cancer mutations are best targets for immunotherapy
A new model developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has been created to personalize which cancer mutations are best targets for immunotherapy. The algorithm analyzes protein sequences from individual patient samples and evaluates their similarity to healthy cells, predicting a better immune response.
Adding radiation after immunotherapy improves PFS for some pts with metastatic NSCLC
A phase II trial found that adding radiation therapy to immunotherapy increases progression-free survival for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. T cells played a key role in the immune response, with certain markers predicting longer disease-free periods.
Electronic nose can sniff out which lung cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy
A new electronic nose can identify lung cancer patients who will respond to immunotherapy with 85% accuracy, outperforming the current gold standard of immunohistochemistry. The non-invasive test detects chemicals in patient breath and provides instant feedback, potentially avoiding ineffective treatment and side effects.
Protein mapping pinpoints why metastatic melanoma patients do not respond to immunotherapy
A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center identified differences in the metabolism of cancer cells between responders and non-responders to immunotherapy. Higher levels of proteins associated with lipid metabolism were found in responders, leading to better recognition by the immune system.
'Tiny fat bubbles' can boost immunity, calm disease
Researchers have isolated specific cells that can target rogue immune T-cells, potentially rebooting the immune system. This 'antigen-specific immunotherapy' shows promise in treating existing inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
New peanut allergy treatment shows effectiveness and safety
A new peanut allergy treatment, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), has shown effectiveness in protecting patients from severe allergic reactions. SLIT involves placing tiny amounts of peanut protein under the tongue, where it is absorbed immediately into the bloodstream, desensitizing the immune system to larger amounts of peanut protein.
SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateSep 4, 2019