Articles tagged with Immunotherapy
Prof Laurence Zitvogel has been awarded the first ESMO Award for Immuno-Oncology for her pioneering work in advancing cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Her research focuses on understanding the gut microbiome's role in cancer immunosurveillance, with implications for predicting response to immunomodulators.
Researchers found a strong association between certain beneficial gut bacteria and improved response to immunotherapies in patients with metastatic melanoma. The beneficial bacteria, including three specific species, were found to prime the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively.
A study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers reveals that a simple blood test can predict which patients will respond to checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapies, with 45% of patients showing significant response. The findings suggest that patients with high numbers of genomic alterations in their tumo...
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed a drug combination that doubles down on immunotherapy's effectiveness in treating head and neck cancer. The combination of toll-like receptors agonists and other immunotherapies injected directly into tumors suppresses tumor growth throughout the body.
A study found that vessel growth created by tumors can enhance immunotherapy effects against melanoma. The growth secreted chemokines that attracted T cells into the tumor environment, leading to long-lasting anti-tumor immunity.
Lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in both cancer metastasis and immune therapy. Researchers have discovered that VEGF-C levels in the blood before immunotherapy can predict its effectiveness in melanoma patients, with patients showing strong responses to treatment when VEGF-C levels are high.
A genetic study suggests that existing immunotherapy drugs could help some breast cancer patients with specific genetic changes in their tumors. The research identified a particular group of breast cancer patients who have genetic mutations that occur due to an abnormal DNA repair mechanism.
Researchers discovered that promoting T cells to use fat as energy instead of glucose increases their antitumor activity and improves T cell function within tumors. This metabolic shift also enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
A special focus issue on immunotherapy has been published in Future Medicinal Chemistry, discussing the discovery and development of novel immunotherapeutic agents for use as anti-inflammatories and cancer treatments. The issue addresses recent scientific advances and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.
A recent study demonstrates the safety of immunotherapy in treating type 1 diabetes. The treatment showed metabolic effects without accelerating β-cell destruction, suggesting a viable option for patients.
A new NCI study identifies more than 100 genes necessary for cancer cells to respond to T cell-mediated killing, shedding light on resistance to immunotherapies. The findings offer a blueprint for studying tumor resistance and developing new therapeutics.
A new study found that patients with lower immune cell numbers, particularly those with exhausted T cells, benefit most from combination immunotherapy. Researchers developed an assay to measure immune cell populations and predict patient responses.
Researchers used Bio-Rad's Droplet Digital PCR to detect patient response to immunotherapies, identifying pseudoprogression. A biomarker detected by ddPCR indicates how well patients with non-small cell lung cancer respond to treatment, guiding toxic treatments only when necessary.
A new combination immunotherapy has significantly improved response rates for kidney cancer patients, with 40% experiencing prolonged responses. This treatment approach has the potential to set a new standard of care for kidney cancer patients, offering durable and reversible side effects compared to current therapies.
A phase III clinical trial shows that nivolumab improves response rates in stage IV lung cancer patients with specific molecular characteristics. The study found a 75% response rate among patients with high tumor mutation burden and PDL-1 positive status.
Scientists have discovered a new type of immune cell that can predict which lung cancer patients will benefit from immunotherapy treatment. The study found that patients with high levels of tissue-resident memory T-cells in their tumour were more likely to survive, and the cells' behaviour played a key role in increasing survival rates.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology identify tissue-resident memory T cells as an important distinguishing factor between cancer patients whose immune system mounts an effective anti-tumor response. The study found that patients with a high density of these cells in tumor tissue survived significantly longer.
Targeting a subset of immune cells called regulatory T cells could be an effective approach to treating cancers. By blocking or deleting a surface protein called neuropilin-1, researchers found that tumor growth was dramatically reduced in mice, suggesting this could lead to more effective immunotherapy treatments.
Researchers have identified histologic subtype distinctions and heterogeneity of neurofibromatosis type 1-associated tumors through immune profiling. The findings suggest potential targets for T cell-based immunotherapies, but also highlight the complexity of tumor heterogeneity within subtypes.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have found a new way to use immunotherapy to treat triple negative breast cancers arising in women with BRCA1 mutations. The combination of two immunotherapy drugs effectively controls tumour growth and improves survival rates in laboratory models.
A new combination immunotherapy has shown promise in treating advanced kidney cancer, with the potential to identify biomarkers for many cancers. The study's principal investigator, Dr. Timothy Kuzel, hopes that this treatment will help more patients benefit from immunotherapy.
Researchers developed a novel mathematical model to explore interactions between prostate tumors and common immunotherapies, predicting their effects on patient-specific immune systems. The study highlights a potential therapeutic strategy for managing tumor growth more effectively.
Researchers found that commercial preparations for allergy shots often lack sufficient levels of key allergens, which could affect treatment success. Customized immunotherapy tailored to individual patients' reactions is a promising approach, but its development is still in its infancy.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have developed a practical way to use light to guide T cells towards tumors, overcoming the challenges of immunotherapy. The innovative method could lead to safer and more effective treatment options for cancer patients.
Researchers found that certain lung cancer patients can continue treatment with immunotherapy even if the disease appears to be progressing, according to a study presented at ELCC 2017. The study used immune-related RECIST criteria, which take into account temporary tumour enlargement in patients taking immunotherapy.
A new study maps immune system components in early lung cancer, identifying potential targets for immunotherapy and suggesting a possible cure. The research reveals that early lesions are heavily infiltrated with immune cells, making immunotherapy a promising treatment option.
A comprehensive atlas of immune cells in renal cancer has been created, revealing new relationships between immune cells and their role in disease progression. The study identified specific protein structures on the surface of immune cells that can help tailor treatments to individual patients.
Stand Up To Cancer has released a series of online training modules for nurses to prepare them for the unique challenges of immunotherapy. The modules, developed by Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, equip nurses with knowledge and skills needed to care for patients undergoing emerging cancer treatment therapies.
Researchers found that patients with increased PD-1+ CD8 T cells in their blood after starting treatment experienced better clinical outcomes. The study's results suggest that monitoring activated T cells may help oncologists and patients decide whether to continue or combine treatments.
Researchers found that SLAMF7 is essential for immune cells to target cancer cells, leading to a potential breakthrough in precision medicine. The discovery could help predict which patients will respond to CD47 inhibitors and improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
Dr. Neville Sanjana, a CRISPR specialist, has received the prestigious 2017 Kimmel Scholar Award to fund his study on cancer immunotherapy. His research aims to leverage CRISPR technology to comprehensively survey mutations that allow cancer cells to resist immunotherapy treatment.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are developing T-cell therapies for a type of acute myeloid leukemia. They aim to create targeted immunotherapy that recognizes and kills cancer-specific proteins within the cell.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that higher levels of tumor-associated immune cells and certain T cell types are associated with better response to immunotherapy. This could lead to more effective treatments for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.
Researchers from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are presenting new developments in immunotherapy and proteomics at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. A new adoptive T-cell therapy for ovarian cancer has shown promising results, while a vaccine adjuvant has boosted immune responses to sarcomas.
The National Institutes of Health has designated $42.7 million for the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) over seven years to continue evaluating new approaches to treat food allergy. CoFAR scientists are working on immunotherapy approaches to reduce immediate allergic symptoms and bring about long-term relief.
FARE has awarded over $1 million to three scientists to study the causes of food allergies and develop new treatments. The recipients will focus on improving oral immunotherapy, IgE glycosylation, and understanding the role of Dock8 in maintaining tolerance to food antigens.
Acquired mutations in IDH enzyme help gliomas evade immune system activation by suppressing T cell recruitment. Inhibition of mutant IDH enhances vaccine-based immunotherapy treatment efficacy in glioma-bearing mice, suggesting potential for combinatorial therapies to counteract mutation effects.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that exhausted T cells have distinct DNA structures and activate specific genes, including NFAT and Nr4a proteins. These findings provide new insights into the molecular underpinnings of T cell exhaustion and offer potential targets for improving cancer immunotherapies.
An international study has shown that immunotherapy can cure Tasmanian devils of the deadly devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). The treatment successfully triggered the devil's immune system to recognise and destroy established DFTD tumours, with tumours shrinking and disappearing over three months.
A two-year course of immunotherapy did not significantly improve nasal symptoms in patients with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis at three-year follow-up. Long-term benefits are unknown, but a shorter treatment duration may reduce costs and inconvenience.
Researchers found that downregulation of the interferon receptor IFNAR1 creates an environment where cancer cells can survive and reproduce unchecked. Modifying immunotherapies by stabilizing IFNAR1 may improve treatment outcomes for solid tumor cancers.
A study by Stanford researchers found that a systemic, whole-body immune response is essential for effectively attacking and eradicating tumors. The researchers used mass cytometry to monitor the physical attributes of individual cells in samples of millions or billions, revealing an increase in immune cells and regulatory T cells in s...
A new study found that high-aneuploidy tumors have increased expression of genes involved in DNA replication and cell cycle, but decreased expression of genes characteristic of immune cells. This suggests that jumbled chromosomes in tumors may limit the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments.
Researchers at Uppsala University developed a new antibody design that increases brain uptake of antibodies almost 100-fold, offering new opportunities for treating brain diseases. The modified antibodies use the transferrin receptor to transport them across the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers found that localized chemotherapy delivered directly to the brain improved survival rates in mice with glioblastoma when combined with immunotherapy. The study suggests that systemic chemotherapy weakens the immune system and may hinder its ability to fight tumors.
Research suggests that adapting people's gut bacteria through antibiotics, probiotics, or faecal transplants may increase the benefits of new immunotherapy drugs for treating cancer. Patients with advanced melanoma who had greater diversity in their gut bacteria were more likely to respond to immunotherapy treatment.
A wearable patch delivering small amounts of peanut protein through the skin has shown safety and efficacy in treating peanut allergy in children aged 4-25 years. The low-dose and high-dose regimens offered similar benefits, with significant treatment effects seen in younger children.
A small molecule can turn short-lived T-cells into long-lived, renewable cells that destroy tumour cells. Researchers have identified a way to increase the life-span of these T-cells, overcoming a key hurdle in immunotherapy.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel immunotherapy strategy that targets specific types of cancer while minimizing side effects. They aim to create new and more effective immunotherapies by modulating T cells with a fusion protein.
The CheckMate 026 trial found that nivolumab did not improve progression-free survival over chemotherapy in patients with PD-L1 positive tumours. However, combination immunotherapies are being investigated to potentially increase the proportion of patients who benefit from treatment.
Researchers found that neoadjuvant immunotherapy with nivolumab was safe and did not delay surgery in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer. Six of 15 patients experienced major pathological regression, suggesting potential activity of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in early stage lung cancer.
Researchers found that when tumor cells lack sufficient neo-epitopes, they are no longer recognized by T-cells. Epitopes require enzymatic processing for correct trimming and presentation on the cell surface.
A study found that over 90% of targeted therapy and immunotherapy trials scored poorly on reporting recurrent and late toxicities. Limitations were also seen in presenting adverse events and assessing follow-up intervals.
Scientists combine immunotherapy with chemotherapy to destroy a majority of dormant cancer cells, preventing recurrence. The study shows that quiescent but not indolent cancer cells can evade immunotherapy, offering new hope for cancer treatment.
A clinical trial found that oral immunotherapy is safe and effective for peanut-allergic preschool children, with over 80% successfully introducing peanut into their diets. The treatment involved gradually increasing amounts of peanut protein daily and was comparable in effectiveness between low-dose and high-dose regimens.
Researchers found that certain immune cells can recognize cancerous changes before a human tumor is clinically recognizable. However, these T cells are quickly silenced by the tumor, making them non-functional. The study's findings highlight potential strategies to rescue and improve immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors.
A phase I trial found that combining anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy with a MEK inhibitor achieves partial responses and is well-tolerated in patients with microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer. The combination was shown to increase the number of active immune cells in tumors, leading to improved responses.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame develop new T cell receptor technology to enhance immune system's ability to target specific cancer antigens. The engineered receptors allow for a more directed and accurate immune response against cancer cells.
A small clinical trial found that combining checkpoint inhibitors with T-cell therapy may boost treatment effectiveness for metastatic melanoma. Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center suggest this approach could be beneficial for fighting other cancers as well.
Dr. Glen Weiss presents five innovative cancer studies at ASCO, including liquid biopsies for predicting treatment improvements and promising results with avelumab against recurrent-refractory ovarian cancer. Brigatinib shows substantial antitumor activity in ALK non-small cell lung cancer patients.