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Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers develop promising new cancer therapy

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine describe findings that could bolster the effectiveness of immune-checkpoint therapy by using natural killer (NK) cells. The research team developed a monoclonal antibody targeting KIR2DL5, which allowed NK cells to vigorously attack and shrink human tumors.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Sugar molecules as a target in cancer therapy

Researchers report a promising new approach that involves altering sugar molecules on the surface of cancer cells in mice, leading to a significant increase in anti-tumor immune response. The study focuses on sialic acid sugars, which are also present on healthy cells and play a role in cell-to-cell communication.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 7, 2022

Cancer patients treated with immunotherapy can safely receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, according to JNCCN study

Researchers analyzed 408 patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and found no increased risk of side effects from receiving both immunotherapy and the vaccine. The study supports NCCN's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in people with cancer, citing strong protection against severe COVID-19 for all variants.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateOct 17, 2022

Stowers scientists use zebrafish to understand the connection between the immune system and regeneration

Stowers scientists investigate macrophage activation states in zebrafish sensory organ, discovering three distinct anti-inflammatory pathways that may inform human regenerative immunotherapies. The study provides valuable insights into the timing and genetic programs of macrophages, a type of white blood cell, in repair and regeneration.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

Immunotherapy reduces lung and liver fibrosis in mice

Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a new immunotherapy strategy to eliminate fibroblasts in targeted manner, reducing lung and liver fibrosis in mice. The treatment triggers an immune response via cytotoxic T-cells, eliminating activated connective tissue cells while leaving resting cells undamaged.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2022

Tumor-infiltrating B cells and plasma cells influence early-stage lung cancer biology, immunotherapy responses

A new study provides valuable insights into the roles of B cells and plasma cells in early-stage lung cancer biology, highlighting their influence on tumor development and treatment outcomes. The research also reveals environmental factors and molecular features that contribute to the landscape of infiltrating immune cells.

Immunotherapy before surgery induces complete response in more than half of patients with common skin cancer in international study

In an international clinical trial, 63.3% of patients with stage II-IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma saw their tumors nearly or completely disappear when treated with immunotherapy before surgery. The anti-PD1 therapy cemiplimab was well-tolerated and met its primary endpoint with a pathologic complete response rate of 50.6%.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 12, 2022

University of Cincinnati study: Immunotherapy drug did not increase surgery complications

Researchers conducted a study on administering immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery for oral cavity cancer and found no increased rates of complications during and after surgery. The findings are encouraging for patients who have not previously received treatment for their oral cavity cancer, suggesting that complication rat...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022

Researchers discover potential new melanoma treatment giving hope to patients

A phase II study found that treating late-stage, treatment-resistant melanoma patients with a combination of Azacitidine and Carboplatin significantly increases their survival times. The treatment re-sensitized cancer cells to immunotherapy, allowing the body's immune system to fight the cancer.

SourceHunter Medical Research Institute·JournalCancer Research Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 5, 2022

‘Drug factory’ implants eliminate mesothelioma tumors in mice

Rice University researchers have developed a treatment combining drug factory implants producing interleukin-2 with checkpoint inhibitors to eradicate advanced-stage mesothelioma tumors in mice. The treatment resulted in complete tumor destruction in all seven treated mice, offering a promising approach to this aggressive lung cancer.

SourceRice University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Researchers developed a small molecule that makes immunotherapy available to all cancer patients

Researchers developed a small molecule that effectively controls tumor growth by inhibiting PD-1/PD-L1 binding, overcoming accessibility and cost issues of existing antibody treatments. The new molecule has advantages in terms of affordability and oral administration, making immunotherapy more accessible to all cancer patients.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateAug 8, 2022

Reinvigorating ‘lost cause’ exhausted T cells could improve cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that even terminally exhausted T cells retain some capacity to function again. They identified approaches to overcome exhaustion by targeting co-stimulation pathways and reprogramming T cells to be resistant to hypoxia, a common tumor microenvironmental signal.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2022

Oncotarget | Predicting cancer immunotherapy response from gut microbiomes using machine learning models

A new study uses machine learning models to predict cancer patients' responses to immunotherapy based on their gut microbiome features. The research identifies common gut bacterial taxa associated with responders versus non-responders, providing a potential tool for distinguishing and predicting immunotherapy responders.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 19, 2022

Anti-rejection medication and immunotherapy kicks cancer and protects kidney transplants

Researchers at the University of South Australia have discovered that combining anti-rejection medication with immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly reduce the risk of organ rejection and eliminate cancer cells in a quarter of patients. The study involved 22 patients with renal transplants and incurable locally advanced or met...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Genetic discovery to improve lung cancer treatment

Researchers at Edith Cowan University have found a genetic link between human leukocyte antigens and immunotherapy side effects in non-small cell lung cancer patients. The discovery enables doctors to tailor treatment to individual patients, reducing the risk of toxicities and improving overall outcomes.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 13, 2022

Cleveland Clinic research suggests tumors with specific genetic mutations are sensitive to immunotherapy

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic discovered that pathogenic POLE/POLD1 genetic mutations in tumors lead to a high level of immune cell infiltration and improved response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. The study's findings contribute to the growing list of discoveries that prove certain classes of drugs are more effective based o...

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 12, 2022

TCF-1 protein plays essential role in breaking down barriers as T cells form

Researchers discovered that the TCF-1 protein enables plasticity in cells across neighborhoods during T cell development, weakening insulation and increasing interactions between adjacent neighborhoods. This finding sheds new light on immunotherapy approaches and could lead to more efficient cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2022

Peanut allergy treatment safest when started for infants under 12 months

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that infants under 12 months who undergo oral immunotherapy have a better safety profile compared to older preschoolers. The treatment, which involves gradually increasing exposure to peanut flour, is highly effective and safe for this age group.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2022

Studies reveal new insights into gut microbiome impact on immunotherapy response in multiple cancers, including glioblastoma

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found distinct gut microbiome signatures associated with immunotherapy response in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The study identified a link between gut microbiome signatures and immune checkpoint blockade response in melanoma, NSCLC, and sarcoma.

NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Xiamen University researchers use nanotechnology to destroy and prevent relapse of solid tumour cancers

Researchers at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Xiamen University have developed a novel nanovaccine that achieves complete clearance of solid tumors and induces long-lasting immune memory. The vaccine stimulates anti-tumor immunity by presenting antigens in a way that traditional vaccines cannot.

Sanoff offers perspective on a promising rectal cancer study in the New England Journal of Medicine

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that dostarlimab was effective in treating a subtype of rectal cancer, showing remarkable responses and resolving difficult symptoms. The treatment offers a more effective and less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy and radiation.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 5, 2022

Biomarker in liquid biopsy for lung cancer appears more accurate in predicting immunotherapy response than tumor biopsy

Researchers validated a liquid biopsy test as a better predictor of immunotherapy response in lung cancer patients compared to traditional tumor biopsies. The test measures the PD-L1 biomarker in blood, showing improved accuracy in predicting treatment outcomes and survival.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research·DateJun 2, 2022

Killing cancers with Z-DNA: A new approach to treating therapy resistant tumors that targets a very-specific cell-death pathway

Scientists have discovered a small molecule that bypasses ADAR1 suppression and directly activates tumor cell death by ZBP1, inducing highly immunogenic cell death and destroying fibroblasts supporting tumor growth. This approach has the potential to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating therapy-resistant tumors.

SourceInsideOutBio·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2022