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Building protection against infectious diseases with nanostructured vaccines

Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed DoriVac, a DNA nanotechnology-enabled vaccine platform that induces broad immunity against infectious viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola. The platform produces potent antigen-specific immune responses and is more stable and easier to manufacture than traditional vaccine platforms.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2026

Neopred: A dual-phase CT AI tool for preoperative prediction of pathological response in NSCLC

A new dual-phase CT AI tool, NeoPred, combines pre-treatment and pre-surgery scans with clinical data to predict major pathological response in NSCLC patients. The model achieved high accuracy rates, including AUCs of 0.772-0.787, outperforming surgeons and improving diagnostic accuracy.

SourceNational Center for Respiratory Medicine·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 26, 2025

Trastuzumab emtansine improves long-term survival in HER2 breast cancer

The phase 3 KATHERINE clinical trial found trastuzumab emtansine to be an effective adjuvant treatment for high-risk HER2-positive breast cancer patients, reducing the risk of death or invasive disease by 46% and improving survival. The study showed consistent benefits across patient subgroups, supporting T-DM1 as a new standard of care.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 15, 2025

A step toward more effective vaccines

Researchers at Stanford University developed a nanoparticle platform to make vaccines more effective against various pathogens. The platform allows for the elicitation of different immune responses, enabling the identification of the most effective type of protection.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 7, 2024

RNAs may help identify stage II colon cancer patients who may benefit from chemotherapy following surgery

A new study has identified specific RNAs that may help identify stage II colon cancer patients who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy following surgery. The researchers found that certain housekeeping RNAs were up-regulated in patients with recurrence, suggesting their potential role in the metastatic process.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2024

Vitamin B6: New compound delays degradation

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered a natural substance that can inhibit vitamin B6 degradation, increasing its levels in nerve cells involved in learning and memory processes. This compound, 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone, has been linked to improved spatial learning and memory capacity in mice.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

An adjuvant made in yeast could lower vaccine cost and boost availability

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have successfully produced the QS-21 adjuvant in yeast, which is currently extracted from tree bark. The production process is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for lowering vaccine costs and increasing availability.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2024

Aspirin vs placebo as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer

A randomized clinical trial of 3,020 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic breast cancer found daily aspirin therapy had no effect on breast cancer recurrence or survival in early follow-up. Aspirin should not be recommended as an adjuvant breast cancer treatment despite its potential benefits and wide availability

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateApr 29, 2024

New data show pembrolizumab improves breast cancer outcomes regardless of age or menopausal status

New data show that adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy before and after surgery for breast cancer leads to better outcomes, with significant increases in pathological complete response rates across all age groups. The study also found similar rates of breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, as well as lower residual cancer burdens.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 19, 2024

DNA origami-based vaccines toward safe and highly-effective precision cancer immunotherapy

A new DNA origami platform, DoriVac, enables precise spacing of adjuvant molecules and a variety of antigens to enhance anti-tumor responses. The vaccine demonstrated enhanced efficacy in controlling tumor growth and prolonging survival in mice, synergizing with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine study reports a novel prognostic biomarker for lung cancer

Researchers identify a promising prognostic biomarker for lung cancer using circulating tumor DNA-based minimal residual disease detection. The study found that this method can effectively guide treatment decisions and predict recurrence risk, potentially modifying the lung cancer treatment paradigm.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 14, 2024

Korea University researchers unveil benefits of perioperative radiotherapy for treating liver cancer with high recurrence risk

Korea University researchers found that perioperative radiotherapy significantly improves survival rates among HCC patients at high risk of recurrence. The study suggests that radiotherapy can reduce recurrence and improve survival in these patients, providing a significant adjuvant treatment option.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Surgery·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 6, 2024

Duke-NUS scientists discover potential nasal COVID-19 vaccine candidate that offers better and longer protection

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered a potential intranasal vaccine candidate that provides improved, longer-lasting immunity against COVID-19. The vaccine boosts mucosal antibody response and enhances long-term immune protection through preferential induction of airway-resident T cells and central memory T cells.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2024

Mediterranean diet ‘a straightforward approach’ among many nutritional options for improving the chance of success in IVF

A Mediterranean diet has been found to be a straightforward and effective approach for improving IVF success rates, with high intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids. The diet's benefits were seen in both embryo development and pregnancy outcomes, even after just six weeks of implementation.

SourceReproductive BioMedicine Online·JournalReproductive BioMedicine Online·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 20, 2023

New genetic vulnerability to herbicide found in nearly 50 sweet and field corn lines

A new study reveals a genetic vulnerability to the herbicide tolpyralate in nearly 50 sweet and field corn lines, with sensitivity increased by adjuvants commonly co-applied with HPPD-inhibitors. The source of the sugary enhancer gene is among the most sensitive genotypes, suggesting widespread potential.

Progress toward improved vaccines

A research team has introduced a spectrum of potential adjuvants, including α-GalCer analogs with improved activity. The new compounds trigger stronger immune responses in mice, with some demonstrating better adjuvant properties than previously optimized variants.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2023

New study in JNCCN highlights rapid adoption of clinical research results into chemotherapy prescribing patterns

A new study published in JNCCN found that the adoption of clinical research results led to a significant increase in the use of shorter adjuvant chemotherapy periods, with CAPOX becoming more widely used. The study also revealed disparities in treatment patterns, with Black patients being more likely to receive shorter chemotherapy reg...

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateAug 7, 2023

Hydrogen sulfide in cancer treatment

A team of researchers found that a hydrogen sulfide donor adjuvant can disrupt mitochondrial respiration, suppressing heat shock protein production and making tumor cells more sensitive to photothermal therapy. This approach led to the eradication of tumors in laboratory mice with breast tumors within just a few days.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2023

Making immunizations more effective

Researchers have created two novel adjuvants that significantly enhance the immune response to vaccines. The new adjuvants target toll-like receptors and are designed to be tailored for every individual vaccine, potentially reducing side effects and increasing effectiveness.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

The Access to Advanced Health Institute reports encouraging results of first-in-human trial of its temperature-stable tuberculosis vaccine candidate

A Phase 1 clinical trial of AAHI's thermostable, freeze-dried single-vial ID93 + GLA-SE vaccine candidate showed higher levels of antibodies and favorable cellular immune responses compared to the two-vial presentation. The results represent significant progress in global efforts to combat TB.

SourceAccess to Advanced Health Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 6, 2023

Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab administered before surgery improves outcomes of melanoma patients

A phase 2 clinical trial shows that treating resectable stage 3 and 4 melanoma patients with pembrolizumab both before and after surgery greatly improves outcomes compared to pembrolizumab given only after surgery. This approach resulted in significantly longer event-free survival rates.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 1, 2023

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy improves outlook in high-risk melanoma

Patients with stage IIIB-IV melanoma who received neoadjuvant pembrolizumab had a significantly lower risk of cancer recurrence compared to those receiving adjuvant therapy only. The study found improved event-free survival rates in the neoadjuvant group, suggesting that starting immunotherapy before surgery generates better outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 1, 2023

The Access to Advanced Health Institute announces $3M award to develop an intranasal pan-viral countermeasure against respiratory viruses

AAHI will develop a prototype nasal spray using its novel adjuvant formulation platform, promising to shorten timelines for emergency response to and mitigate impacts from biological threats. The project aims to create a temperature-stable and broadly protective nasal spray against multiple respiratory viruses.

Transforming the way cancer vaccines are designed and made

Researchers developed a new way to increase vaccine potency by changing the structural location of antigens and adjuvants. This approach, called 'rational vaccinology,' allows for precise dosing and tailored presentation of vaccine components, leading to improved immune response and cancer cell targeting.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

Largest study of its kind reveals adjuvant chemotherapy improves overall survival for pancreatic cancer patients

A nationwide retrospective study showed that adjuvant chemotherapy after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery significantly improved overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, regardless of lymph node status or resection margins. The study included nearly 900 patients and was published in JAMA Oncology.

Experimental COVID-19 vaccine offers long-term protection against severe disease

A follow-up study found that the 2-dose vaccines still provided protection against lung disease one year after vaccination as infants. The adjuvanted protein vaccine candidate maintained higher levels of neutralizing antibodies and provided superior protection compared to the mRNA vaccine.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022