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Researchers identify ANKRD11 as a brake on T-cell responses to chronic hepatitis B virus and cancer

Researchers identified ANKRD11 as a key regulator that suppresses CD8+ T cell activity during chronic hepatitis B virus infection and cancer. ANKRD11 deficiency reprograms CD8+ T cell differentiation to enhance immunity in chronic infection and cancer, making it a potential therapeutic target.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2026

Does your immune system learn like AI?

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory used machine learning concepts to study the immune system's learning process, finding that the system achieves negative selection through generalization. This process allows for the correct deletion of self-reactive T cells despite encountering only a small fraction of the body's self-peptides.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 19, 2026

Improving T cell responses to vaccines

Scientists have modified mRNA vaccines to include the cytokine IL-12, enhancing T cell responses and improving protection against diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, melanoma, and listeria infection. The study's findings suggest a promising approach to enhance immune stimulation against cancer and other pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2025

Ultrasound-directed microbubbles could boost immune response against tumours, new Concordia research suggests

Concordia researchers propose a novel method using ultrasound-guided microbubbles to stimulate critical cytokine secretion in T cells, potentially re-activating them and increasing the release of proteins needed to fight cancer. The approach could complement existing treatments and improve outcomes.

SourceConcordia University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2025

T cells’ capability to fully prevent acute viral infections opens new avenues for vaccine development

Scientists discovered that T cells can prevent acute viral infections, challenging traditional views on sterilising immunity and herd immunity. The study found that T cells controlled viral loads and antibodies produced, and were effective in preventing infection to undetectable levels in some participants.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2025

Update: T cells may offer some protection in an H5N1 ‘spillover’ scenario

A new study by La Jolla Institute for Immunology researchers suggests that many people may already have immune cells on standby to combat the H5N1 virus. The study found similarities between H5N1 and seasonal influenza viruses, allowing scientists to predict cross-reactive T cell responses that could help decrease disease severity.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalmBio·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 2, 2025

T-cell receptor repertoire analysis in the context of transarterial chemoembolization synergy with systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Research suggests that T-cell receptor repertoire analysis can inform treatment responses and predict efficacy in combination therapies for HCC. Advances in sequencing technologies are refining our understanding of tumor-immune interactions and adaptive immune mechanisms.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateDec 10, 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

Combination approach shows promise for treating rare, aggressive cancers

Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have shown that combining pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, with standard chemotherapy can improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced small cell bladder cancer and small cell/neuroendocrine prostate cancer. The study found that the combination treatment resul...

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.

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

B cells drive responses of other immune cells, and can be modified to prevent Multiple Sclerosis symptoms

Researchers found that abnormally active B cell metabolism causes an inflammatory immune response in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), leading to nerve damage and symptoms. Emerging BTK inhibitors alter this abnormal B cell respiration, stopping the signaling that leads to MS flare-ups.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

Singapore study identifies immunity threshold for protection against COVID-19 in children

Researchers found that T cells and memory B cells provide durable protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, with levels attainable after two doses of mRNA vaccination. The study suggests a two-dose vaccination regimen for children against COVID-19.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 2, 2024

Antibiotics reveal a new way to fight cancer

Tetracycline antibiotics have been found to enhance the antitumor activity of T lymphocytes by targeting galactin-1, an immunosuppressive protein produced by cancer cells. This breakthrough discovery may lead to the development of new drugs that target different immune pathways and benefit patients with cancer.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2024

Circulating tumor DNA levels predict treatment outcomes for patients with gastroesophageal cancer treated with a novel immunotherapy combination

A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that circulating tumor DNA levels can accurately assess how gastroesophageal cancers respond to treatment and predict future prognosis. The study tracked minimal residual disease by analyzing ctDNA, showing a correlation between ctDNA clearance and cancer-free survival.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·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

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

New cell therapy shows promise with ARDS patients

A new type of cell therapy has shown promising results in improving survival rates and reducing pneumonia among critically ill ARDS patients recovering from severe Covid-19. The invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapy, known as agenT-797, triggered an anti-inflammatory response and activated anti-viral immunity.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2024

Smallpox vaccine efficiently induces immunity against monkeypox virus infection in people living with HIV

Researchers found that intradermal administration of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine induces an efficient immune response, protecting people living with HIV from contracting the monkeypox virus. Individuals with low CD4 T cell levels require a booster dose to compensate for their immunosuppressed status.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 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

B cell deficient patients gain protective T cell immunity following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection, study finds

Researchers found that vaccinated B cell-deficient individuals have a robust T cell response to SARS-CoV-2, despite lack of anti-spike antibodies, resulting in markedly reduced rates of hospitalization and severe COVID-19. This study provides reassuring evidence for immunocompromised patients to get vaccinated.

SourceRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 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