Articles tagged with Tumor Microenvironments
Research at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified biomarkers to identify patients with resectable NSCLC who benefit most from perioperative immunotherapy. The center also found that the composition of donor cord blood may influence CAR NK cell therapy outcomes.
Researchers develop new CAR-T engineering strategies to address the barriers of solid tumors, including tumor access, targeting specificity, cellular resilience, and patient physiological context. The approaches aim to build cellular fitness and overcome immunosuppressive signals, with promising results in clinical trials.
Cancer cells' ability to evade the immune system is linked to changes in their surrounding environment, including nearby nutrients and conditions. Researchers discovered that altering these factors can thin the cancer cell's protective sugar coating, allowing the immune system to recognize and eliminate them.
Researchers discovered a signaling pathway activated by acidic tumor environments that drives resistance to PARP inhibitors. Blocking the pathway resensitizes tumors, suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy for overcoming acquired resistance.
Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that complement C3 protein acts inside tumors to prevent immunosuppressive cells, improving cancer immunotherapy effectiveness. Higher levels of C3 in tumor tissue were associated with better treatment outcomes and survival rates in patients.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant progress in treating rare brain infections with a virus-specific T cell therapy, achieving an overall response rate of 56.8% in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The center also introduced a novel CAR T cell therapy for hard-to-treat kidney ...
Researchers created a comprehensive single-cell map of the tumor immune microenvironment in multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions. The study identified five distinct subtypes, or 'ecotypes,' that capture meaningful insights into signaling pathways and genetic programs not fully explained by disease stage alone.
The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has appointed three Clinical Scholars, Bernhard Gentner, Caroline Arber, and Christian Hinrichs, to advance cancer research and clinical interventions. The new scholars will focus on translating scientific discoveries into clinical trials and partnerships with leading clinical facilities.
A recent review highlights the pivotal role of lactate and lactylation in PDAC progression, including their function as alternative metabolic fuel, signaling molecule, and epigenetic regulator. Therapeutic strategies targeting lactate metabolism offer promise, but clinical translation faces significant hurdles.
Researchers have identified immune markers that can help doctors determine which breast cancer patients are unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy. The new AI-based method analyzes the body's own immune cells found near a tumor, providing additional insight to identify patients who can safely have chemotherapy withheld.
A spatial map of muscle-invasive bladder cancer reveals organized tumor cell states, immune environments, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Luminal-like cells are found in tumor cores with relevant therapeutic markers, while basal-like cells near margins show signs of aggressiveness. This study guides treatment strategies by accounting ...
Researchers found that radiation therapy not only targets tumor cells but also activates immune pathways to make tumors more receptive to immunotherapy. The study suggests that radiation-immunotherapy combination strategies could improve patient outcomes by reshaping the surrounding immune landscape and recruiting T cells.
A recent study reveals that cancer cells within tumors are genetically diverse, yet all carry the same core genetic changes. The research found that these changes occur in sudden bursts, creating distinct subpopulations that influence tumor aggressiveness and treatment response.
Johanna Joyce, a leading tumor immunologist, has begun her two-year term as President of the European Association for Cancer Research. She will focus on strategic oversight, promoting broad scientific collaboration, dialogue, and training, while addressing issues such as gender disparities in science.
Research reveals B7x facilitates immune evasion by creating a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, leading to accelerated tumor growth rates and worsened survival outcomes. Combinatorial immunotherapy targeting B7x and PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 improves antitumor responses.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advances in understanding cancer biology, developing AI-powered atlas of tertiary lymphoid structures as prognostic biomarkers, and uncovering drivers of resistance to KRAS inhibitors. Additionally, they have discovered a molecular pathway that drives stressed cells to b...
Researchers identified microRNA-25 as a key player in creating an immune-suppressive tumor environment that resists cancer immunotherapy. Removing miR-25 reshaped the environment and activated anti-tumor immune responses, suggesting a potential target for converting 'cold' tumors into responsive 'hot' tumors.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light create a 'map' of glycocalyx by mapping individual sugar structures using super-high-resolution microscopy technology. The results show that the spatial arrangement of sugar structures relates to cell physiological state, providing a structured display to the outside world.
Researchers developed a 13-gene panel and machine learning model to predict TNBC patient responses to chemotherapy, identifying macrophage subtypes associated with treatment outcomes. The study provides novel insights into the gene-expression programs and tumor microenvironment of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.
A new study found that a fluid surrounding many ovarian tumors, known as ascites, helps cancer cells survive and spread. Researchers discovered that a decades-old cholesterol drug, bezafibrate, can disrupt this protection by altering fat storage and iron control, making cancer cells more vulnerable to existing treatments.
Researchers at UIC developed an anti-cancer therapy using a bacterial protein called aurB, which prevents energy production in tumor cells' mitochondria. The treatment was tested in combination with radiation and showed highly effective results in animal models of prostate cancer, effectively shutting down tumor growth.
Researchers found that disruption of communication between cancer-causing cells and surrounding healthy tissue can prevent tumor growth. The study suggests that early intervention may be possible, as the transformed environment is reversible if caught early enough.
Chemokines regulate immune cell infiltration and local immunity in tumors, and targeting their receptor axis has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy. Chemokine-modulating strategies combining with other immunotherapies have demonstrated considerable synergistic potential.
A recent study published in Cell reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the transformation of benign pancreatic cells into malignant tumors. Researchers identified a subset of precancerous cells that closely resemble tumor cells, characterized by high oncogenic drive and strongly activated tumor-suppressors. This discovery offers ...
The tumor microbiota is now considered a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment, influencing cancer development and modulating immunotherapy effectiveness. Researchers have identified ways microbes can remodel tumors' microenvironments, directly interacting with tumor tissue and immune cells.
Researchers reveal that high levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-2 (HIF-2) in pancreatic tumor microenvironment protects cells from ferroptosis, a promising target for therapy. The study identifies key biochemical pathways activated by HIF-2 to limit ferroptotic cell death.
Ludwig Lausanne's Ping-Chih Ho has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his distinguished contributions to immune metabolism. His research focuses on elucidating the role of metabolism in anti-tumor immunity and advancing cancer therapy.
New research reveals that tumor cells in supratentorial ependymomas cluster into distinct neighborhoods, each with a specific role, such as proliferating or invading. Understanding these cell subtypes could help predict treatment response and inform targeted therapies for this aggressive childhood brain cancer.
Researchers developed an integrative analysis of single-cell sequencing and spatial mapping to reveal novel mechanisms driving breast cancer metastasis. The study identifies key drivers of metastasis, including early disseminated cancer cells with enhanced invasive capabilities.
The foundation awarded $400,000 over two years to five early-career researchers and continuation support to three current Innovators with significant progress on their proposed research. The recipients focus on developing targeted therapeutics, decoding dendritic cell function, defining NKT cell interactions with tumors, engineering T ...
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a strategy using ultrasound-activated nanobubbles to break down tumor barriers, making tumors softer and more penetrable to treatment-bearing molecules and immune cells. This breakthrough could fast-track therapy to clinical trials for solid tumors like prostate cancer.
This review examines cancer-inflammation interplay, translational advances, and clinical strategies. Emerging technologies promise to refine precision therapy, while integrating inflammation-targeting approaches with immunotherapy offers a path to personalized cancer care.
Researchers identified blood-based biomarkers that can help distinguish patients with glioblastoma who are most likely to live longer from novel treatment with an engineered oncolytic virus. The study found that adding an immune booster increased survival times and improved immunological fitness.
Ovarian cancer cells recruit protective mesothelial cells in abdominal fluid to form hybrid cell clusters that resist chemotherapy. These clusters use spike-like structures called invadopodia to invade surrounding tissue. The discovery opens new treatment possibilities and could help doctors monitor disease progression.
A multidisciplinary team developed a dual-scale Capillary-Cell microscope to visualize tumor metabolism and vasculature dynamics. The platform revealed complex relationships between tumor vascular network and metabolic behavior, highlighting distinct adaptations based on local conditions.
A study led by Aaron Hobbs and Rachel Burge reveals the distinct cell signaling and tumor microenvironment behind a slower-growing pancreatic tumor mutation. G12R KRAS mutations lead to better patient outcomes, including earlier diagnoses and longer survival times.
Active aldehydes promote toxic lipid peroxidation, impairing FAO and activating glycolysis in killer T cells, accelerating exhaustion. This vicious cycle exacerbates T cell differentiation and dysfunction.
The study reveals that low levels of CTDNEP1 drive early and deadly pancreatic tumors, highlighting its role as a tumor suppressor. Tumors with low CTDNEP1 expression showed stronger metabolic activity and immune evasion.
Tumor-specific MHC-II expression is a critical driver of antitumor responses, modulating CD4⁺ T-cell priming, differentiation, and memory formation. This review highlights MHC-II as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for next-generation cancer treatments.
Researchers have identified a protein complex that drives T cell exhaustion in tumors and show that disrupting it can revive exhausted anti-tumor CTLs. The study's findings offer new hope for improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers identified distinct T-cell infiltration patterns in colorectal cancer precursor lesions and cancer tissues. The findings suggest that understanding these patterns could help detect CRC earlier by predicting risk and develop therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that aging accelerates pancreatic cancer progression, leading to faster tumor growth and metastasis. By understanding the impact of age on the tumor microenvironment, they developed a new approach to treating this disease in frail patients.
A study published in Chinese Medical Journal identified tumor-promoting keratinocytes linked to HPV infection and poor prognosis. These cells were found to interact with immune cells, promoting tumor proliferation and differentiation.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center identified distinct cellular microenvironments in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumors, providing a framework to develop therapies that engage the patient's immune system. Additionally, a study found widespread misbeliefs about the cancer risks of alcohol among Americans, highlighting the need f...
The review highlights how T cells specifically recognize and eliminate malignant cells through antigen recognition mechanisms. It also explores how tumors evade immune surveillance through various mechanisms and discusses potential therapeutic strategies, including combination therapies to improve response rates for cancer patients.
A new study by Texas A&M University Health Science Center reveals how TFE3 oncofusions hijack RNA to build liquid-like hubs that promote cancer growth. The researchers also created a molecular switch to dissolve these hubs, cutting off tumor growth at its source.
Recent studies suggest that cell cycle proteins, including cyclins and CDKs, play a regulatory role in the tumor microenvironment. Inhibiting these proteins has shown promise in converting immunologically 'cold' tumors into 'hot' tumors and suppressing tumor progression.
Organoids are transforming biomedical research with their ability to model complex diseases like cancer, Zika virus infection, and cystic fibrosis. They enable high-throughput drug testing, personalized treatment prediction, and safety assessment.
ACTM-838, a novel bacterial immunotherapy, enriches in solid tumors and delivers IL-15/IL-15Rα and STING payloads to engage innate and adaptive immunity. The therapy shows durable anti-tumor efficacy and synergizes with anti-PD1 drugs, improving outcomes in treatment-resistant tumor models.
Researchers developed a new strategy to boost immunotherapy in solid tumors by targeting senescent immune cells, which contribute to treatment resistance. The approach showed improved efficacy and lower toxicity compared to existing treatments.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Springer Nature will host a free conference on the tumor ecosystem, featuring presentations on cancer immunology, microbiome, disease evolution, and metastasis. Researchers can register for the event and submit abstracts to share their findings.
Researchers have identified a potential new strategy for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive type of adult brain cancer. Disabling a protein called ADAR1 can stall GBM cell proliferation while reprogramming the tumor microenvironment to an anti-tumoral state.
This study reveals that GPNMB modifies the tumor microenvironment by repurposing macrophages into immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages. The interaction between GPNMB and Siglec-9 enables this reprogramming, leading to increased cancer cell motility and invasiveness.
Researchers discovered that breast cancer cells co-opt iron-recycling immune cells in bone marrow to acquire essential minerals, disrupting red blood cell production. This adaptation enables cancer cells to survive in low-oxygen environments and proliferate, ultimately leading to anemia and poor patient outcomes.
The study reveals how tumors manipulate amino acid metabolism to gain a competitive edge, starving immune cells and reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment. Amino acids, once seen as passive nutrients, are now known to steer cell fate, immune suppression, and resistance to immunotherapy.
A study of ovarian tumor immune landscapes reveals four distinct immunologic subtypes, with those with T cells surviving longer and having better outcomes. The researchers also found that myeloid cells play a key role in reestablishing the immune landscape upon recurrence.
A decade-long study reveals that the source of dietary fat, not adiposity itself, is the primary factor influencing tumor growth in obese mice. High-fat diets derived from animal fats compromise anti-tumor immunity and accelerate tumor growth, while plant-based fats have a neutral effect.
Senescent T cells exhibit genomic instability, protein imbalance, and mitochondrial dysfunction, impairing immune function and recognizing tumor antigens. The presence of senescent T cells is associated with poor prognosis and reduced immunotherapy efficacy.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys found that blocking macropinocytosis reshapes the tumor microenvironment, allowing more access to immune cells. This change made immunotherapy and chemotherapy more effective in treating PDAC tumors in mice.
The study reveals diverse microbial profiles within different tumor types, with notable diversity in species composition and spatial localization. Functional effects of intratumoral microbiota on the tumor microenvironment range from immunostimulatory to protumor.