Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Eating gradually increasing doses of store-bought peanut butter enables children with high-threshold allergy to safely consume peanuts

A new study led by researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital found that children with high-threshold peanut allergy can be treated with a safe and effective approach, allowing them to tolerate larger doses of peanut butter. The treatment involves gradually increasing doses over 18 months, resulting in sustained unresponsiveness to peanuts fo...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Researchers develop a device that replicates tumours to study the efficacy of immunotherapy treatments

The Micro Immune Response On chip (MIRO) replicates tumours and their environment, allowing researchers to study the efficacy of immunotherapy treatments. This technology has been tested with breast cancer samples and shows promise in understanding how the immune system interacts with tumours.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2025

Anti-correlation between KLRG1 and PD-1 in tumor CD8 T cells

A new study published in Oncotarget discovered an anti-correlation between PD-1 and KLRG1 expression in human tumor infiltrating CD8 T cells. This finding suggests the potential for combination therapy to enhance cancer treatment by targeting both markers simultaneously, which could lead to more significant and long-lasting benefits.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeNews article·DateJan 21, 2025

Your immune cells are what they eat

Researchers at Salk Institute establish a novel framework for the relationship between nutrition and cell identity. They found that a nutritional switch from acetate to citrate plays a key role in determining T cell fates, shifting them from active effector cells to exhausted cells.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 12, 2024

Therapeutic potential of a novel mixture of mRNA in nanoparticles overcomes tumor progression

A novel mixture of mRNA in nanoparticles has been developed to protect therapeutic mRNA against degradation, improving its overall efficacy. The therapy stimulates the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells while limiting detrimental side effects, also leading to immunological memory that protects against tumor rechallenge.

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2024

Global clinical trial shows improved survival rates for common childhood leukemia

A global clinical trial has shown a significant improvement in disease-free survival rates for children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) by combining standard chemotherapy with blinatumomab, an immunotherapy. The study found improved survival rates of up to 97.5% after three years, compared to 90% with chemotherapy alone.

SourceThe Hospital for Sick Children·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 7, 2024

Opioids interfere with cancer immunotherapy but these drugs could help

New research from the University of Pittsburgh found that opioids can suppress the immune system and reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy for head and neck cancer. However, peripherally restricted OPRM1 antagonists (PAMORAs) may block opioid-induced immunosuppression and improve response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateDec 5, 2024

Eradivir’s EV25 therapeutic proven to reduce advanced-stage influenza viral loads faster, more thoroughly in preclinical studies than current therapies

EV25, a bispecific small molecule developed by Eradivir, acts faster than the current standard of care, eliminating detectable virus within 24 hours. It also recruits naturally occurring antibodies to fight the virus, reducing viral loads and protecting against lung damage.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 19, 2024

Wyss Institute’s iNodes team receives ARPA-H Sprint for Women’s Health award to advance the first implantable immune organs to treat ovarian cancer

The Wyss Institute's iNodes team has been awarded an ARPA-H Sprint for Women's Health to develop implantable immune organs for treating ovarian cancer. The iNodes concept is based on the formation of lymphoid organs in tumors, which can be reprogrammed to attack cancer cells and retain a long-term immune memory.

CNIO researchers propose a new treatment for brain metastasis based on immunotherapy

Researchers at CNIO propose a new treatment for brain metastasis by targeting pro-tumour astrocytes with immunotherapy. They identified TIMP1 as a biomarker to predict when immunotherapy is effective, and a clinical trial is underway to test the therapeutic efficacy of silibinin inhibition.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2024

Immunotherapy for gum disease? Study in mice shows promise

A new study published in PNAS suggests that delivering microparticles containing CCL2 directly to the gums can inhibit bone loss and speed up bone repair in a mouse model of periodontal disease. The therapy modulates the immune response, shifting macrophages from inflammatory M1 type to anti-inflammatory M2 type.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2024

AI unlocks new path to personalized cancer treatments

Researchers at Auburn University have developed a novel approach integrating artificial intelligence with molecular dynamics simulations and network analysis to enhance the prediction of binding sites on the PD-L1 protein. Their findings could improve immunotherapies like pembrolizumab, revolutionizing cancer treatment.

SourceAuburn University Department of Physics·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2024

New England Journal of Medicine publishes outcomes from practice-changing E1910 trial for patients with BCR::ABL1-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The E1910 trial demonstrated a significant survival advantage with blinatumomab immunotherapy, improving overall and relapse-free survival in patients with BCR::ABL1-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This finding contributed to the recent FDA approval of blinatumomab for these patients.

SourceECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 24, 2024

Research spotlight: Patterns and prognostications in immune-related adverse events from immunotherapy treatment

A study comprehensively evaluated occurrence patterns of immune-related adverse events, including those affecting single organs and multiple organs. Researchers found that most events tend to co-occur and identified seven patient clusters with different development patterns, which were associated with improved or worsened survival outc...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 16, 2024

Breaking down barriers: ROCK2 inhibition facilitates drug delivery in fibrotic pancreatic cancer

Researchers developed a human pancreatic cancer fibrotic barrier model to assess treatment strategies and test efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Inhibition of ROCK2 pathway resulted in reduced ECM remodeling and improved tissue permeability for drugs, highlighting its potential for enhancing drug delivery in PDAC.

SourceOkayama University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2024

Body’s ‘message in a bottle’ delivers targeted cancer treatment

A new study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering shows that targeted cancer treatment using antibody-displaying extracellular vesicles reduces tumour growth and improves survival in mice. The treatment has the potential to be used against other diseases and cancer types, offering a more effective and fewer side effects compared t...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2024

Expanding a lymph node, boosting a vaccine

Researchers from Wyss Institute and Harvard University developed a biomaterial vaccine that enhances and sustains lymph node expansion, leading to more effective anti-tumor responses. The vaccine formulation, based on microscale mesoporous silica rods, reprograms antigen-presenting cells to orchestrate complex immune responses.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

McMaster researchers create first-ever guidelines to help kids build tolerance to food allergens

The McMaster University research team created the first-ever guidelines for preparing families to build their child's tolerance to common food allergens through oral immunotherapy. The guidelines, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, standardize the preparation process and provide a consent form template.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateApr 8, 2024

An immunotherapy to overcome resistant leukemia

Researchers have discovered a new immunotherapy approach to overcome resistant leukemia by targeting the mutated TP53 gene. Combining pharmacological therapies with genetically engineered CAR T-cells increases effectiveness against cancer cells, offering promising strategies for patients with resistant disease.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2024

Empty “backpacks” activate the immune system against cancer

Researchers have demonstrated that attaching 'empty' backpacks to neutrophils activates them against cancer. The treated neutrophils infused into mice with cancer activated other immune cells and reduced tumor size. This technique is attractive as a 'drug-free' cell therapy for cancer.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2024

Progress in developing specific immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes

Researchers have developed a novel immunotheraphy targeting macrophages to induce tolerance in type 1 diabetes, demonstrating its potential as a curative treatment. The therapy also shows promise for other autoimmune diseases, with results suggesting no impact on the immune system's ability to capture and process liposomes.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalJournal of Autoimmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2024

A safer treatment path for high-risk children to overcome food allergies

A new study from the University of British Columbia has found that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is safe and effective for older children with multiple food allergies, who cannot risk consuming allergens orally. The treatment involves placing smaller amounts of food allergens under the tongue, allowing patients to build up their resi...

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

New clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for immunotherapy for inhalant allergy

The American Academy of Otolaryngology has released a new clinical practice guideline supporting clinicians with evidence-based recommendations on immunotherapy for inhalant allergies. The guideline provides 12 key action statements to guide treatment, aiming to optimize patient care and reduce unnecessary variation in management.

Chronic stress spreads cancer … here’s how

A recent study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers reveals that chronic stress can increase cancer's ability to spread. By mimicking chronic stress in mice with cancer, the team discovered that stress causes neutrophils to form sticky web-like structures called NETs, making body tissues more susceptible to metastasis.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCancer Cell·DateFeb 22, 2024