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Rare side effect of cancer immunotherapy

A rare case of T cell lymphoma developed in a patient with multiple myeloma nine months after CAR-T cell therapy. Genetic alterations in the patient's haematopoietic cells played a role in tumour development, highlighting the importance of genetic predispositions for potential side effects.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 21, 2025

IR Sant Pau study reveals immune system’s crucial role in ALS at cellular level

A recent study from IR Sant Pau investigates the peripheral immune system's role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the single-cell level. The research found altered NK cell subpopulations associated with ALS progression, suggesting a potential target for new therapies.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalJournal of Neuroinflammation·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

From Spanish flu to today: how immune cells keep up with a changing virus

Researchers discovered immune cells that can recognise influenza (flu) viruses even as they mutate, providing a potential solution to the annual updates of flu vaccines. The study found that certain T cells, which play a critical role in fighting infections, can detect multiple flu strains, even those that have evolved over a century.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

A battle of rafts: How molecular dynamics in CAR T cells explain their cancer-killing behavior

Researchers investigated how two CAR T cells kill cancer with distinct signaling domains. CD28.ζ-CAR molecules work quickly and efficiently, while 4-1BB.ζ-CAR molecules linger in lipid rafts for sustained collaborative killing of tumor cells. This study aims to design CAR molecules maximizing antitumor activity beyond B cell malignancies.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 10, 2025

USC Stem Cell mouse study sheds light on the secret to maintaining a youthful immune system

A USC Stem Cell mouse study identifies a small subset of blood stem cells as the primary driver of immune aging. The researchers found that this subset overproduces innate immune cells, leading to an age-associated imbalance and increased disease risk. By targeting this subset, the study suggests a potential therapy to delay immune agi...

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2024

The curious immune cells caught between worlds

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that innate-like T cells mature differently in humans than in mice, with age playing a critical role in their development. This finding has significant implications for the development of immunotherapeutics, highlighting the need to consider human-specific differences when te...

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 24, 2024

Improved chemokine homing enhances CAR T–cell therapy for osteosarcoma

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified two chemokines, CXCL8 and CXCL16, expressed by osteosarcoma that improved CAR T-cell homing. Modified cells expressing these chemokine receptors showed enhanced infiltration into tumors, leading to prolonged survival in a model of metastatic disease.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2024

Uncovering “Blockbuster T cells” in the gut wins NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize

Researchers have identified a novel type of T cell that can recognize and respond to multiple bacterial strains in the gut. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for treating diseases such as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The discovery was made by Kazuki Nagashima, winner of the NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize.

Ascorbic acid supplementation and immune response in healthy women during high-intensity exercise

A recent study published in The Open Sports Sciences Journal found that Ascorbic acid supplementation reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy women. The supplement also increased plasma ascorbic acid levels and reduced post-exercise MDA levels, suggesting a potential protective effect against muscle injury.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Sports Sciences Journal·DateJun 10, 2024

ASCO: New ‘Armored’ CAR produces significant responses in patients whose cancers don't respond to current CAR T cell therapies

A new 'armored' form of CAR T cell therapy, developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers, has shown significant responses in patients whose cancers don't respond to current CAR T cell therapies. The three-day manufacturing process also shortens treatment time for aggressive, fast-growing cancers.

Hope for a cure for visceral leishmaniasis, an often fatal infectious disease

A study led by INRS research team may lead to a new therapeutic approach for the most serious form of leishmaniasis. Researchers discovered a unique CD4 T cell population that increases in number during the chronic phase and has properties similar to progenitor cells, allowing it to regenerate or differentiate into effector cells.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2024

A Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Review looks at the mechanisms of ‘long COVID’

Researchers document various reasons for long-term clinical symptoms in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Key findings include immune system alterations, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and mitochondrial issues contributing to post-COVID syndrome.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 12, 2024

How T cells combat tuberculosis

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified 137 unique T cell epitopes targeted by the immune system in patients with active TB. These findings may lead to the development of new diagnostics and therapies for the disease, which affects over 1.3 million people worldwide.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

Evolutionary conservation of CD4 and LAG-3 and their cytoplasmic tail motifs with opposing immune functions: do we finally understand LAG-3?

Researchers have discovered that CD4 and LAG-3 are conserved throughout jawed vertebrate species, including sharks. The study reveals that the cytoplasmic tail motifs of these proteins have opposing immune functions, with CxC/H promoting activation and ITIM-like motif inhibiting cell activity.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

CD4+ T cell patterns linked to autoimmune disorders

A study published in Cell Genomics reveals that specific changes in CD4+ T cell categories and gene programs are associated with autoimmune diseases, including distinct patterns related to aging and sex. The findings provide a comprehensive catalog of CD4+ T cell changes linked to 20 different autoimmune diseases.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCell Genomics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 11, 2024

First-in-human clinical trial of CAR T cell therapy with new binding mechanism shows promising early responses

A Phase I clinical trial of AT101, a new CAR T cell therapy targeting CD19 through a distinct binding mechanism, has shown a 100% complete response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The treatment was found to be safe with manageable side effects and is expected to build upon the effectiveness o...

How immune cells recognize their enemies

Researchers discovered how Vγ9Vδ2 T cells recognize pathogens and cancer cells by their altered cell metabolism. The study found that phosphoantigens bind to special molecules inside the cell, triggering a signal to kill. This finding can improve the clinical use of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in tumor treatment.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2023

T cells tackle new 'Pirola' SARS-CoV-2 variant

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that most T cells can still target epitopes on the new Pirola variant, suggesting people may be able to mount a response against it. The study's findings provide positive news in the fight against SARS-CoV-2, emphasizing the importance of vaccination with updated vaccines.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 8, 2023

A closer look at rebel T cells

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have uncovered a group of T cells known as mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. These cells can recognize the same markers whether they come from humans or mice, opening up new possibilities for treating infectious diseases and improving cancer immunotherapies. The study also ...

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

Cancer's sweet Achilles heel

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has found that a deficiency in the enzyme B4GALT3 inhibits tumor growth in mice. The study shows that reduced glycosylation on T cell surfaces correlates with increased CD8+ immune cells infiltrating tumors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023