Articles tagged with Immunotherapy
Dr. Aparna Bhaduri receives $750k Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize for her innovative glioblastoma research. Her advanced human organoid models reveal how tumors interact with the immune system and brain cells, driving tumor aggressiveness.
Researchers discovered CLCA4 suppresses CSC properties and enhances anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, halting tumor growth and immune suppression in colorectal cancer. CLCA4 overexpression also reshaped the tumor immune microenvironment, sensitizing tumors to anti-PD-1 therapy.
Researchers developed a highly homogeneous population of stem cell memory T cells that exhibit superior expansion and persistence, enabling complete responses at low doses. The study showed a favorable tolerability profile and demonstrated the separation between beneficial effects and toxic consequences.
A new study reveals that impaired protein recycling is the key factor in T cell exhaustion, allowing researchers to develop a 'tag and sort' fix to restore normal proteostasis. This approach boosts the potency of cell therapy against cancer.
Researchers found that tumor genetics alone did not explain which patients responded to combination therapy, but rather the tumor's immune environment. Patients with active networks of cancer-killing T cells were more likely to benefit from treatment, while those with dense clusters of plasma cells were less likely.
A new treatment using low-dose nivolumab injections into precancerous oral lesions significantly reduced lesion size and risk of cancer progression. The study showed a 60% average reduction in lesion size and complete pathologic response in six patients, with no dose-limiting side effects.
Chemokines regulate immune cell infiltration and local immunity in tumors, and targeting their receptor axis has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy. Chemokine-modulating strategies combining with other immunotherapies have demonstrated considerable synergistic potential.
A University of Calgary-led study found that multiple myeloma tumour cells adapt in multiple ways to become resistant to treatment, highlighting the need for personalized cancer therapy. The research aims to develop next-generation treatments designed to anticipate and overcome these changes.
Researchers from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center present studies on single-cell technologies, integrative computational approaches, and experimental therapeutics, highlighting innovations in mRNA vaccines and spatial multi-omics techniques. The studies aim to improve immunotherapy responses and detect treatment-resistant glioma cells.
James P. Allison, Ph.D., is recognized for his lifelong commitment to scientific discovery and seminal findings that launched the field of cancer immunotherapy. His work led to the development of ipilimumab, an antibody to human CTLA-4, approved as part of therapeutic regimens for multiple cancer types.
Researchers at OHSU have uncovered that pancreatic tumors co-opt regulatory immune cells, leading to resistance against immunotherapy. A promising strategy involves reprogramming these cells to support anti-tumor activity, potentially making immunotherapy viable for treatment-resistant cancers.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer care, including a blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome and a new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. The studies also identified a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer.
A study published in Cancer Research has identified DPY30 as an epigenetic target that can sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. By modulating DNA replication stress, DPY30 promotes the addition of activation signals at stressed replication forks, supporting cancer cell survival and proliferation.
Researchers propose tailored approaches using CAR platforms, incorporating effector cells like macrophages and Tregs to modulate key processes in neurodegeneration. High-precision immunomodulation is essential for overcoming the complex nature of these diseases.
Researchers have developed a new single-cell technology called CIPHER-seq that captures the timing of cytokine activity with greater accuracy. This allows for a clearer view of immune cell behavior and strengthens the foundation for understanding cancer, inflammation, and treatment resistance.
The study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors significantly improved key clinical outcomes, including disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. However, no clear improvement in overall survival was observed across studies, highlighting the need for careful patient selection and monitoring.
Researchers developed first-in-class dual HIF inhibitors that, when combined with immunotherapy, can completely eliminate breast, colorectal, melanoma, and prostate tumors in mice. The drugs target HIF-1/2 transcription factors, which are key regulators of cancer progression.
Scientists discovered how tumors disable dendritic cell function by decreasing their mitochondrial fitness, leading to weakened immune defenses against cancer. Restoring mitochondrial function in dendritic cells improves antitumor immune responses and enhances immunotherapeutic efficacy.
Fábio Rosa's research has enabled genetic reprogramming of various cancer cell types to activate the immune system and bring about their own destruction. His approach uses tools from gene therapy to generate rare and functionally specialized immune cells that trigger powerful anti-tumor responses.
Researchers have discovered a tumor biomarker that can predict which gastric cancer patients will benefit from immunotherapy before surgery. The biomarker, tsMHC-II expression, showed strong correlation with treatment response and was easily assessable using standard immunohistochemistry techniques.
Ludwig Lausanne's Ping-Chih Ho has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his distinguished contributions to immune metabolism. His research focuses on elucidating the role of metabolism in anti-tumor immunity and advancing cancer therapy.
Researchers found that combining targeted radiation therapy with BO-112 and anti-PD-1 therapy before surgery activated the immune system to fight cancer. This approach reshaped the tumor microenvironment to support T-cell activity, resulting in fewer cancer cells and a more effective anti-tumor response.
Gladstone Institutes has secured over 105,000 square feet of future laboratory space in a newly constructed building, empowering its scientists to create medicines of the future. The new space will be home to approximately 300 scientists across 20 labs, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and computational abilities.
A new study found that the common blood pressure medication telmisartan can significantly enhance the cancer-killing activity of olaparib, potentially expanding its use to many more patients. Telmisartan made tumors more vulnerable to PARP inhibitors, even when they lacked specific DNA repair defects.
A new study suggests that autoantibodies from Long COVID patients can induce persistent pain-like symptoms in mice, providing evidence for a potential causal role of autoantibodies in the condition. The research also highlights distinct biological subgroups and offers hope for targeted antibody-based therapies.
Researchers discovered VISTA as a critical immune checkpoint that balances immune activation and inflammation resolution during kidney injury. Administering exogenous VISTA protein shows potent protection against acute kidney injury and its progression to chronic disease.
Researchers develop new approach to prevent chemotherapy-related leukemia by analyzing blood samples from four clinical trials, showing a 26-36% reduction in blood cell growth with mutated TP53 gene. They also discover that monoclonal antibodies can turn neutrophils into cancer killers and induce tumor eradication in preclinical models.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has completed enrollment of 600 patients in the phase 2/3 trial EA6141, evaluating dual checkpoint blockade with nivolumab and ipilimumab plus sargramostim for unresectable stage 3 or 4 melanoma. The trial aims to assess overall survival, progression-free survival, and treatment tolerability.
Researchers engineered supercharged T cells that can recognize and kill prostate cancer cells more effectively. By fine-tuning how they physically interact with tumor cells, the T cells form a stronger bond, allowing them to deliver a targeted immune response without damaging healthy tissue.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel immunotherapy that uses CAR-NKT cell therapy to fight endometrial cancer. The therapy achieved complete tumor elimination and prolonged survival in mouse models, outperforming conventional CAR-T cell therapies.
The Sylvester Cancer Tip Sheet for March 2026 highlights the importance of genetic testing for cancer risk assessment. Researchers have made significant progress in developing new treatments, including mRNA-based immunotherapy for colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Additionally, the Dolphins Cancer Challenge has surpassed $100 million ...
Researchers at Arc Institute and Stanford University found that ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate strengthens CAR T cell fitness and antitumor activity. BHB supplementation improves CAR T cell expansion and tumor killing in mice, mirroring the effects of a ketogenic diet.
Researchers at UC San Diego discover a new way to re-educate the immune system to attack ovarian cancer tumors by blocking protein FAK. The study offers hope for developing better treatments by turning the tumor environment from immune-suppressing to immune-activating.
The James P. Allison Institute at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center appoints Eric Gardner, Betty Kim, Rodrigo Romero, and Hojong Yoon to advance immunotherapy research. These experts bring expertise in immune therapy resistance, cancer vaccines, bioengineering, tumor evolution, and drug development.
Researchers developed a new immunotherapy strategy by pairing next-generation therapy with standard hormone therapy before surgery, reducing Treg levels inside tumors and improving patient outcomes. The study provides clinical evidence for the effectiveness of engineered anti-CTLA-4 therapies in early-stage prostate cancer treatment.
Researchers developed mRNA-encoded nanobodies to combat colorectal cancer, offering new hope for patients resistant to conventional immunotherapies. The treatment demonstrated superior efficacy against sporadic and colitis-associated colorectal cancer.
Researchers have engineered a novel CAR-T cell that can be switched off on demand using a cancer drug, offering improved safety and efficacy. The new system, known as DROP-CAR-T, uses a clinically approved drug to disrupt tumor cell binding, preserving the cells for continued treatment.
A new UCLA study found that adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy before surgery is safe and shows promise for some patients with borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer. The combination treatment helped patients live long enough to reach surgery, shrank tumors, and produced encouraging survival outcomes.
Researchers have engineered Listeria bacteria to stimulate the body's innate immune system and eliminate cancer cells. The therapy, which boosts gamma delta T cells, shows promise in treating children with leukemia and preventing graft-versus-host disease.
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.
Researchers developed a PD-L1-binding antigen presenter that redirects antiviral antibodies to target cancer cells, transforming virus-specific immune memory into precision anti-cancer weapons. This strategy has significant potential for treating hard-to-treat cancers and represents a lower-cost, safer avenue for tumor immunotherapy.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that the ABCA1 protein plays a crucial role in directing how myeloid immune cells, particularly macrophages, behave. When ABCA1 is expressed, these cells become better at fighting cancer and supporting T cell function.
Engineered yeast cells can mimic real cancer cells and be used to test new cancer immunotherapies much faster and cheaper than before. This new technology enables researchers to assess which CAR T variants are most promising much more quickly, leading to safer and more targeted cancer treatments.
Researchers at Salk Institute uncover two transcription factors, ZSCAN20 and JDP2, that determine T cell fate. Turning off these genes reverses T cell exhaustion and restores their ability to kill tumors without losing immune memory. The study challenges the long-standing belief of inevitable immune exhaustion.
A UCLA research team has identified the best design for a promising new type of immunotherapy that could be mass-produced to treat multiple solid tumors. The 4-1BB-containing CAR design emerged as superior, demonstrating strongest anti-tumor activity and persistence.
Dr. George Coukos, a leading authority on tumor immunology and cellular immunotherapy, joins Weill Cornell Medicine to lead the Ludwig Laboratory for Cell Therapy.
A new clinical trial shows that treating desmoplastic melanoma with immunotherapy before surgery dramatically shrinks or eliminates tumors, improving quality of life for patients. The study found that 71% of patients had no detectable cancer remaining at the time of surgery.
A novel antibody-based therapy has been shown to reduce plaque in the arteries of mice, eliminating harmful immune cells that drive inflammation and unstable plaque formation. This immunotherapy could complement traditional methods and help patients with advanced coronary artery disease.
Lipid droplets regulate diverse cellular processes in cancer, including membrane biosynthesis and metabolic homeostasis. Targeting lipid metabolism may disrupt tumor survival and counteract immune cell-mediated protumorigenic effects.
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.
A Mount Sinai study found that antibody-producing immune cells called IgG1 plasma cells help patients respond to PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have transformed cancer care. The researchers identified IgG1 plasma cells as a critical factor in determining clinical outcomes.
The cGAS-STING pathway plays a crucial role in detecting cellular DNA, triggering type I interferons and cytokines, and modulating immune responses. Its therapeutic potential is being explored in cancer and various diseases, with promising preclinical evidence suggesting its potential as a target for next-generation immunotherapies.
Researchers propose a new conceptual framework for neutrophils, highlighting their dynamic and adaptable nature. The study reveals neutrophils' functional diversification and immunological memory capabilities, opening avenues for innovative therapeutic strategies.
A study from Flinders University found that patients with progressive disease, which describes the way cancer grows, have varying survival rates depending on whether their existing tumours re-grow or new ones appear. Understanding this progression can help doctors make better decisions about future treatment strategies.
Researchers discovered that CHD1 and MAP3K7 gene deletion improves tumor vulnerability to immunotherapy. This finding suggests new biomarkers for predicting patient response and opening up personalized cancer care. The study sheds light on why some patients are more or less likely to respond to certain types of cancer treatments.
A team at Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that even with effective treatments for TB and HIV, the immune system remains seriously out-of-whack following treatment. The study suggests that host-directed therapies specifically targeting the immune system could potentially restore lung immune system functionality.
A new blood test has been developed to predict which patients with lung cancer will benefit from the newly approved immunotherapy drug tarlatamab. The test, based on circulating tumor cells, correctly identified 85% of patients who responded to the drug and 100% of those who did not.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a small compound produced by gut bacteria that doubles the response to lung cancer immunotherapy treatment in mice. The findings could lead to a new combination therapy that boosts patient responsiveness by 50% without adding invasive treatments.
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.
A Phase I study led by Timothy Yap demonstrates the potential of linavonkibart to target and prevent activation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1), overcoming treatment resistance in multiple cancers. The trial showed manageable safety profiles and objective responses in heavily pre-treated patients, suggesting a promising ne...