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New phase of the immune response uncovered

Researchers at University of Würzburg unveil novel mechanisms in the immune system's defense cell proliferation and specialization. The findings reveal a cyclical activation process driving the immune response, with potential implications for immunotherapies targeting cancer and chronic infections.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 10, 2025

New findings on T cell exhaustion: The body prepares early for mild to severe disease

A recent study by researchers at TUM has discovered that the body produces special T cells predisposed to exhaustion even in early infection phases of moderate diseases. This finding expands our understanding of immune response mechanisms and could help control the immune system in cancer patients or weaken excessive defenses.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2025

Programming cells to target brain tumors

Researchers at UNIGE and HUG have developed CAR-T cells capable of targeting malignant gliomas while sparing healthy tissue. The treatment uses a specific marker on tumour cells and appears to be effective in controlling tumour growth without signs of toxicity.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeNews article·DateSep 26, 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

White blood cell “nets” could be early warning sign of major immunotherapy complication

A study from Michigan Medicine reveals a connection between neutrophil activation and severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially life-threatening reaction to CAR T-Cell therapy. Researchers identified biomarkers of NETosis, a process in which neutrophils create webs that may contribute to CRS.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBlood Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 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.

‘Goldilocks’ binding strength determines anti-cancer T-cell efficacy and fate

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that a 'Goldilocks' binding strength between T-cell receptors and cancer proteins determines anti-cancer T-cell efficacy. The optimal middle-ground binding strength creates cancer-killing effector cells, while too little or too much stimulation leads to exhaustion.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2024

Optimal cancer-killing t cells discovered

Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a subset of T cells called CD8-fit that show high motility and serial killing capabilities in patients with clinical responses. These cells were discovered using a patented approach called TIMING, which evaluates cell behavior and movement to identify potential cancer-killing cells.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Cancer·DateMay 28, 2024

Optimizing boosters: How COVID mRNA vaccines reshape immune memory after each dose

Researchers found that T cells can reshape their memory and maintain diversity against COVID-19 variants in response to successive mRNA vaccinations. The study revealed a shift among clonotypes, with a change from early responders to main responders after the second shot, suggesting a new dominant population of effector-memory T cells.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2024

Promising results in cancer treatment with immunotherapy and Danish technology

Researchers have developed a new treatment combining immunotherapy with lab-cultivated T-cells from patients' blood, which significantly inhibits triple-negative breast cancer growth and metastasis. The treatment has shown promising outcomes in animal models, but further testing in humans is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2024

EMBARGOED UNTIL JAN. 8 @ 3 PM EST: UTHealth Houston study: EBV-specific T-cells play key role in development of multiple sclerosis

Researchers from UTHealth Houston discovered that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cells are present in high numbers in the cerebrospinal fluid of people with multiple sclerosis at its earliest stages. The study suggests that these cells may be contributing to the disease's pathogenesis.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

SMART researchers pave the way for faster and safer T-cell therapy through novel contamination-detection method

A novel contamination-detection method enables faster and safer T-cell therapy production, reducing the risk for patients and speeding up treatment. The method uses cutting-edge technology to identify harmful microorganisms within 24 hours.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Immune system ageing can be revealed by CT scan

A new study from Linköping University has found that the appearance of the thymus gland in chest CT scans is linked to immune system ageing. The researchers examined over 1,000 Swedish individuals aged 50-64 and found that fatty degeneration of the thymus was more common in men and those with abdominal obesity. Lifestyle factors such a...

SourceLinköping University·JournalImmunity & Ageing·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2023

A chance to design better vaccines?

Researchers developed a bioinformatic tool that selects parts of proteins to elicit strong immune responses. This approach, grounded in immunological theory, was four times more efficient than current methods, suggesting better vaccine protection against diseases.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBiology Methods and Protocols·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2023

Cartesian Therapeutics announces landmark study in The Lancet Neurology of first successful clinical trial of RNA cell therapy in autoimmunity

Cartesian Therapeutics has successfully treated patients with generalized myasthenia gravis using an RNA CAR-T therapy. The trial demonstrated marked and long-lasting clinical improvement, with three patients achieving complete or near-complete eradication of disease symptoms.

SourceCartesian Therapeutics·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 22, 2023

Making immunotherapy safer

Researchers developed CrossDome, a tool that uses genetic and biochemical information to predict T-cell immunotherapy's impact on healthy cells. The tool identified high-risk candidates in cases where treatments mistakenly attacked heart cells.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateJun 14, 2023

Patient-specific cells generated from thymus organoids

The study successfully generated functional patient-specific T-cells and thymic epithelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells using thymus organoids. This breakthrough provides a new experimental model system to investigate thymic insufficiency and function, potentially leading to cell-based treatments for thymic defects.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

UCLA-led study uses base editing to correct mutation that causes rare immune deficiency

Researchers at UCLA successfully used base editing to correct a mutation causing rare immune deficiency CD3 delta SCID. The treatment corrected an average of 71% of patient stem cells and allowed them to produce fully functional T cells, suggesting long-term persistence of corrected blood stem cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023

β-damascone: Aroma component of rose fragrance as a novel immunomodulator

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science discovered β-damascone, a natural aroma compound found in rose fragrance, modulates dendritic cell functions and reduces inflammatory cytokine production. The study showed β-damascone inhibits antigen-dependent activation and Th1 cell development, as well as ear inflammation in mice models.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023