A small trial found that daclizumab add-on therapy reduced the severity and number of brain lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The treatment, which blocks the interleukin-2 receptor on immune cells, showed unexpected clinical benefits in a small group of patients.
Researchers at Imperial College London have established a 'proof of principle' that prion diseases might be prevented using monoclonal antibody therapy. The treatment, which involves administering antibodies to mice infected with scrapie prions, appears to delay the onset of clinical disease indefinitely.
Researchers have developed a new radioimmunotherapy cancer treatment that has shown significant promise in treating mantle cell lymphoma. The study found that high-dose therapy resulted in complete remission for seven of eight patients, compared to only one of four with low-dose therapy.
Durable responses were reported with Bexxar in a clinical trial of 582 patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade NHL. A total of 57% of patients achieved an overall response, while 28% showed a complete response. The average follow-up was 1.3 years, and half of the patients remained in remission for over 14 months.
New York University researchers found an antibody that destroys platelets, which are essential for the blood to clot. The discovery may lead to new treatments for thrombocytopenia, a condition associated with HIV infection and other vascular diseases.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have shown promising results with a new antibody treatment, Nuvion, in patients with severe graft versus host disease. The study found that Nuvion was well-tolerated and achieved complete responses in six of nine patients who received a single dose.
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a new antibody test to help diagnose autonomic disorders caused by the immune system. The test detects antibodies that bind to an important protein on autonomic nerve cells, helping physicians evaluate patients with autonomic failure.
Researchers deciphered the structure of a key protein complex in the human immune system, consisting of an antibody and its receptor. This discovery opens new avenues for therapies in allergies, autoimmune diseases, and transplantation medicine, enabling a better understanding of how pathogens are recognized and removed by immune cells.
Scientists at Northwestern University have identified the structure of the interaction complex between two molecules central to the allergic response in humans. The discovery could lead to a new class of drugs that target allergies at their source, preventing symptoms like itching and congestion.
A study published in the journal Stroke found that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is associated with a higher risk of first ischemic stroke, particularly due to inflammation caused by the infection. The researchers also discovered that shorter-lived IgA antibodies were strongly linked to the risk of having a first stroke.
A study by Jefferson researchers found that blocking the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protein can prevent diabetic kidney disease in mice. The antibody treatment prevented kidney scarring and renal failure, offering hope for a new treatment option for humans with type 2 diabetes.
BLYS, a protein that stimulates antibody production, is being tested in patients with CVID. The trial aims to determine the efficacy of BLyS in producing antibodies and warding off infections.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center developed a tumor-specific antibody, Y10, that targets mutated protein found only in cancer cells. This antibody can eradicate brain tumors in mice and has shown promise as a potential treatment for human patients.
Researchers identified two natural human antibodies that restored myelin sheath and promoted nervous system repair in mice with demyelinating diseases. The discovery holds promise for developing new treatments for conditions like multiple sclerosis.
The Prosorba® Column is a device that removes harmful antibodies and immune complexes from the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patient trials are expected to evaluate its effectiveness and safety in treating this chronic inflammatory condition affecting over 250,000 Canadians.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have discovered a novel agent that can prevent transplant reactions and promote immunological tolerance. The treatment, using an anti-CD28 antibody, could lead to safer and more effective transplants, reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered an immune-cell mechanism that boosts the potency of therapeutic antibodies. The finding could lead to more effective cancer treatments by manipulating the interaction between antibodies and Fc receptors on immune cells.
Researchers have developed an oral vaccine that protects rats' brains from stroke and prevents seizures, with significant protection for at least five months after a single dose. The vaccine targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, blocking it to prevent brain cell death and damage.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory create a range of metallic tags to label proteins and molecules, enabling the study of molecular structures and behavior. These tags also facilitate the tracking of antibodies and drugs within cells, potentially leading to breakthroughs in disease diagnosis and treatment.
MIT researchers have developed XenoMouse technology, which enables the amplification of atoms for genomics-based antibody drug development. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of fully human monoclonal antibody drugs with high affinity and reduced side effects.
Abgenix is initiating a Phase III clinical trial comparing its antibody, ABX-CBL, to standard therapy for patients with steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease (srGVHD). The trial aims to assess the survival rate of patients receiving higher doses of ABX-CBL.
Abgenix's Phase I/II clinical trial with ABX-IL8 showed dose-dependent improvement in multiple measures of disease, including PASI and BSA. The study achieved a >25% improvement in PASI score for 58% of patients, compared to placebo.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified a protein molecule involved in dioxin-induced cell killing, known as CD-95 ligand. The team aims to develop antibodies to neutralize this molecule, potentially leading to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dioxin's toxic effects.
A study found that over 80% of wild rats in the US have HEV antibodies, suggesting they are a natural reservoir for the virus. This raises concerns about the possibility of infected rats transmitting the virus to humans, although experts emphasize there is no evidence of human risk.
The discovery of BLyS, a natural component of the immune system, holds promise for treating immune deficiency disorders, enhancing vaccine effectiveness, and targeting certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. The substance stimulates B cell growth and antibody production, addressing a long-standing puzzle about monocytes' role in the im...
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that blocking C5a, a protein that normally activates the immune system, provides significant protection against sepsis in animal studies. In sepsis-induced rats, blocking C5a resulted in more than half surviving compared to just 5% in a control group.
Abgenix's Phase II trial shows 56% of patients survived at least 100 days with high-dose ABX-CBL, outperforming low-dose cohort. The company plans a pivotal Phase III clinical trial for ABX-CBL after FDA approval.
ABX-EGF targets the receptor for human epidermal growth factor (EGFr), which is overexpressed on many major human tumor types. The antibody eradicates established tumors with low doses and has minimal immunogenicity.
Weizmann Institute scientists develop a heat-shock protein-based vaccine that triggers high-performance antibodies against bacterial infections, providing nearly complete protection against lethal doses. The new approach may lead to improved vaccines for various diseases and potentially cancer therapy.
Researchers discovered that auto-antibodies play a direct role in the development of multiple sclerosis by destroying myelin sheaths. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that antibodies produced by B cells are responsible for breaking down myelin, a key component of nerve fibers.
Scientists from the University of Montana and HHMI successfully produced broadly effective antibodies against HIV by capturing the virus's infective machinery in the moment it fuses with a target cell. The new approach outperforms previous efforts, which only neutralized laboratory-grown strains.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new arsenal of medicines using monoclonal antibodies to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, gastrointestinal viruses, and the common cold. The antibodies can be produced in common field crops like corn and soy, making them potentially cheaper and more accessible.
A new urine test developed by Irish scientists can detect the 'date rape drug' Rohypnol up to a week after its use. The test uses antibodies and enzymes to identify the metabolite of Rohypnol, improving detection beyond existing antibody tests.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have successfully evaluated soybean-produced antibodies that can prevent the spread of genital herpes virus. The findings suggest that these monoclonal antibodies could work well as a cheap and efficient topical lubricant for large-scale human populations.
A significant proportion of individuals within the low risk population test positive for HIV-1 antibodies in their urine and negative in their blood. The presence of antibody against HIV-1 in the urine indicates prior exposure to the virus, suggesting a need for both blood and urine screening.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that brain antibodies may trigger Tourette's syndrome in part by attacking brain nerve cells after a bacterial infection. The study found higher levels of antibodies against proteins in the putamen area of the brain, suggesting a link between infections and Tourette's symptoms.
Duke University researchers have developed a new treatment that significantly extends the survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme, the most malignant brain cancer. The treatment involves injecting antibodies carrying radioactive Iodine-131 directly into the tumor cells, achieving a median survival time of about 56 weeks.
A new hybrid antibody developed at National Jewish Medical and Research Center can selectively turn off only the CD4 T cells attacking transplanted organs, allowing the immune system to fight other illnesses without suppression. Clinical trials are estimated to take approximately two years.
Researchers are exploring unmodified monoclonal antibodies, or 'naked mAbs', as a potential therapy for cancer. These antibodies can trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells, restoring control mechanisms that have gone awry in the disease.
A combination of urine and blood-based tests has been found to be more sensitive in detecting HIV-1 antibodies, potentially identifying individuals with compartmentalized infections or immune responses. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a safe and effective AIDS vaccine.
A Weizmann Institute study suggests that master-key antibodies interact with proline on proteins and protein fragments to escort them out of the body. This research provides scientific basis for theory that these antibodies may remove broad range of unneeded proteins without affecting beneficial ones.
Eukarion's antibody lipidation technology successfully blocks HIV-1 viral replication in human lymphocytic cells by targeting the Tat protein. The modified anti-Tat antibody is effective against laboratory and patient-strain viruses, offering new potential for cell-specific AIDS immunotherapies.
A new technology has been developed to address the need for Rh immune globulin, a treatment for pregnant women with Rh-Factor Incompatibility. The approach uses phage display to isolate anti-Rh antibodies from whole cells, offering a promising solution to this long-standing problem.
Researchers developed a conjugate vaccine that stimulates strong immune responses and neutralizes bacteria, providing protection to newborns. The study found that antibodies isolated from immunized women can cross the placenta and protect infants from infection.
NeXstar Pharmaceuticals has created an aptamer-based diagnostic assay for its VEGF inhibitor, enhancing cancer treatment possibilities. The ELONA system uses an aptamer to detect small amounts of clinically important substances, overcoming limitations of traditional antibodies in diagnostic assays.