Cancer Immunology
Articles tagged with Cancer Immunology
UMass Chan scientist Marcus Ruscetti receives 2026 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize
Personalized vaccine shows promise against aggressive brain cancer
A personalized vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in treating glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer. The vaccine elicited robust and broad immune responses that appeared to increase recurrence-free survival in patients after surgery.
Trial now enrolling seeks to answer key question: Does adding chemotherapy to hormone therapy improve survival for metastatic prostate cancer?
The ASPIRE trial aims to enroll 1,200 participants with advanced prostate cancer and assess the impact of chemotherapy on overall survival and disease progression. Genetic profiling is included to identify patients who benefit most from intensified treatment.
Why cell therapy cancer treatment sometimes fails
Researchers found that patients with high senescence burdens in their CD8+ T cells were more likely to fail treatment, while those with youthful profiles responded better. The study identified three transcription factors controlling the senescence program, which can be targeted to improve treatment outcomes.
Age, sex, and cancer type influence risk of subsequent cancers among survivors
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that age at initial diagnosis, sex, and type of first cancer significantly affect the risk of developing a subsequent primary cancer. Older age and male sex were associated with a higher risk, while survivors of lung, bladder, and skin melanoma were also at increased risk.
Discovery of a novel vulnerability in aggressive lymphoma could change future therapy
A research team at the University of Cologne discovered that the protein cFLIP can be used to override the defences of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) against programmed cell death. Targeting cFLIP could re-activate cell death in lymphoma cells and provide a new therapy option.
Extra sets of chromosomes may help aggressive tumor cells spread, study finds
A new study from Tulane University found that extra sets of chromosomes in tumor cells make them more mobile and likely to engulf neighboring cells. This stress response triggers an abundance of proteins, reprogramming the cells for motility and phagocytosis.
Targeting the yin and yang of macrophages to strengthen cancer vaccines and anti-tumor immunity
A study by Geisel School of Medicine researchers identifies specific macrophage populations that help coordinate anti-tumor immunity, while others support tumor growth. By selectively targeting these immune programs, cancer treatments may be improved without eliminating entire immune cell populations.
Cellular neighborhoods inside tumors may predict which patients with melanoma benefit from combination immunotherapy
Researchers found that tumor genetics alone did not explain which patients responded to combination therapy, but rather the tumor's immune environment. Patients with active networks of cancer-killing T cells were more likely to benefit from treatment, while those with dense clusters of plasma cells were less likely.
Scientists identify a “protective switch” in the most common blood cancer, opening new doors for diagnosis and treatment
Researchers discovered that HDAC7 plays a dual role in immune system development and cancer progression. Restoring HDAC7 in cancer cells can slow or stop tumor growth, offering new hope for diagnosis and treatment.
A molecular movie captures cancer’s great escape from targeted therapy
A new study reveals that cancer cells may begin escaping therapy much earlier, triggered by a stress response that drives them into a temporary drug-tolerant state. Researchers identified an early molecular trigger: NF-κB, which acts as a regulator of cellular stress and survival.
AACR: UT MD Anderson shares latest breakthroughs in cancer research
Researchers from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center present studies on single-cell technologies, integrative computational approaches, and experimental therapeutics, highlighting innovations in mRNA vaccines and spatial multi-omics techniques. The studies aim to improve immunotherapy responses and detect treatment-resistant glioma cells.
A lung cancer that changes its identity may be hiding in plain sight
A new study maps how rare mixed tumors evolve into hybrid cell states and immune-protected neighborhoods, pointing to new ways to detect and treat combined small-cell lung cancer. The findings reveal that these tumors do not arise from two separate cancers but rather from a single ancestral cell that evolves over time.
AACR: Targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19’s impact on breast cancer outcomes, AI in cancer diagnosis and more
UCLA investigators present new research on targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19's impact on breast cancer outcomes, and AI in cancer diagnosis. These studies offer insights into overcoming drug resistance, enhancing immune responses, and improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
UT MD Anderson shares latest research breakthroughs
Researchers at UT MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer care, including a blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome and a new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. The studies also identified a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer.
New sequencing method exposes hidden gaps in immune signaling
Researchers have developed a new single-cell technology called CIPHER-seq that captures the timing of cytokine activity with greater accuracy. This allows for a clearer view of immune cell behavior and strengthens the foundation for understanding cancer, inflammation, and treatment resistance.
Researchers develop AI tool to predict Barrett’s esophagus recurrence after therapy
Researchers developed an AI model to predict Barrett's esophagus recurrence after endoscopic eradication therapy. The tool shows high accuracy in identifying patients at risk and detecting when recurrence is likely to occur.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Gates Institute achieves first-in-U.S. FDA clearance for campus-built CAR T-cell therapy
The University of Colorado Anschutz Gates Institute has achieved first-in-U.S. FDA clearance for a novel CAR T-cell therapy targeting aggressive leukemia cells, representing a potential new treatment approach for patients with hard-to-treat disease. The therapy will be evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial starting this summer.
Two UT MD Anderson researchers elected AAAS Fellows
UT MD Anderson faculty members Theresa Guise and Stephanie Watowich have been elected as AAAS Fellows, honored for their outstanding contributions to science and society. Their research focuses on endocrinology and immunology, with breakthroughs in cancer treatment and patient care.
Universal, ready-to-use immunotherapy detects and destroys endometrial cancer
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel immunotherapy that uses CAR-NKT cell therapy to fight endometrial cancer. The therapy achieved complete tumor elimination and prolonged survival in mouse models, outperforming conventional CAR-T cell therapies.
Chemotherapy candidate can marshall attention from the body’s natural defenses
Researchers discover a potential chemotherapy agent that causes cancer cells to release signals similar to those released by infected cells, triggering an immune response. This finding could lead to a new approach in cancer treatment, using lower doses of chemotherapy drugs to recruit the immune system as an ally.
Wistar scientists develop two-vaccine strategy to fight t cell lymphoma
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have designed a two-vaccine approach targeting T cell receptors and cancer-specific mutations, significantly improving tumor control and survival in preclinical models. The combination therapy, developed in collaboration with Geneos Therapeutics, offers a promising new tool for treating T cell lymphom...
Overcoming ovarian cancer’s resistance to immunotherapy
A new study demonstrates that blocking a signaling protein called FAK helps mobilize an anti-tumor immune response, allowing tumor-fighting cells to approach tumors and shift the behavior of other immune cells to work against them. This approach achieved the best effects on immune cell recruitment, tumor size reduction, and survival ti...
UCLA researchers engineer CAR-T cells to target hard-to-treat solid tumors
The novel approach outperforms standard CAR-T cell therapy in preclinical studies using mouse models of glioblastoma and ovarian cancer. Armored CAR-T cells eliminate tumors, reshape the tumor environment, and boost immune-cell activity.
Solving cancer immunotherapy’s fuel shortage
Researchers at UCLA have found a way to supercharge immune cells with a fuel source that tumors can't steal, dramatically improving their ability to survive and attack solid tumors. The approach enables T cells to import cellobiose and convert it into usable glucose inside the cell.
Scientists report landmark “evolutionary double-bind” strategy to overcome treatment resistance in prostate cancer
Researchers found that radiation-resistant cancer cells are vulnerable to NK cell-mediated killing due to increased expression of specific cellular membrane proteins, creating an 'evolutionary double-bind'. The combination of radiation therapy and NK cell-based immunotherapy was more effective in suppressing both sensitive and resistan...
Tiny bubbles, big breakthrough: Cracking cancer’s “fortress”
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.
UH researcher joins $3.2 million effort to develop promising new breast cancer treatment
Researchers are developing a new compound that can break down MDM2, a cancer-driving protein often found in triple-negative breast cancer, showing promise in shrinking tumors. The goal is to create an entirely new class of therapies for this aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of the disease.
Aggressive oral cancer can be identified at an early stage by changes in lymphatic vessels
Researchers at the University of Turku discovered that surface cells of lymphatic vessels in oral cancer contain proteins indicating cell division, strongly predicting disease progression and mortality. Early-stage oral cancers can be identified by changes in these vessels, which may lead to death even with small tumors.
Existing drug unlocks immunotherapy potential against rare liver cancer
A Cornell University study reveals that an existing FDA-approved drug, AMD3100, can prevent the sequestration of immune T cells from tumors, allowing them to attack cancer cells. The treatment shows promise for fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare and fatal liver cancer with no cure.
New biomarker predicts chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer
Researchers developed a new computational approach to predict chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer, outperforming current methods. The TmS biomarker accurately sorts patients into those with favorable or poor prognosis, highlighting its potential as an effective starting point for patient stratification.
Multiple myeloma: Established cancer drug reactivates immunotherapy
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which an existing cancer drug can block the loss of BCMA molecules on cancer cells, allowing CAR T cell therapy to become effective again in some patients. The study shows that carfilzomib can prevent the degradation of BCMA and restore its presence on the surface of malignant plasma cells.
The Frontiers of Knowledge Award goes to Carl June and Michel Sadelain for revolutionizing cancer treatment using immunotherapy based on the patient’s own genetically modified cells
Researchers have developed a breakthrough technique to transform a patient's own T cells into soldiers trained to recognize and kill cancer cells, benefiting tens of thousands of individuals with blood cancers. The approach is now being explored for solid tumors and other diseases.
Could a treatment redirect the body’s anti-viral immune response to target cancer cells?
Researchers developed a PD-L1-binding antigen presenter that redirects antiviral antibodies to target cancer cells, transforming virus-specific immune memory into precision anti-cancer weapons. This strategy has significant potential for treating hard-to-treat cancers and represents a lower-cost, safer avenue for tumor immunotherapy.
Biomarkers predict patients with glioblastoma who will survive longer after treatment with cancer-targeting virus
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.
Researchers discover ABCA1 protein’s role in releasing molecular brakes on solid tumor immunotherapy
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that the ABCA1 protein plays a crucial role in directing how myeloid immune cells, particularly macrophages, behave. When ABCA1 is expressed, these cells become better at fighting cancer and supporting T cell function.
Could these two genes make T cells unstoppable?
Researchers at Salk Institute uncover two transcription factors, ZSCAN20 and JDP2, that determine T cell fate. Turning off these genes reverses T cell exhaustion and restores their ability to kill tumors without losing immune memory. The study challenges the long-standing belief of inevitable immune exhaustion.
Yeast cells can be used for rapid testing of cancer immunotherapy
Engineered yeast cells can mimic real cancer cells and be used to test new cancer immunotherapies much faster and cheaper than before. This new technology enables researchers to assess which CAR T variants are most promising much more quickly, leading to safer and more targeted cancer treatments.
Five mutational “fingerprints” could help predict how visible tumours are to the immune system
Researchers discovered five dominant patterns of protein-altering mutations that determine tumor visibility to the immune system. These 'fingerprints' help predict immunotherapy response and suggest a more personalized approach to cancer treatment.
New AI tool helps doctors treat cancer patients after heart attack
Researchers developed an AI tool called ONCO-ACS to predict the risk of secondary heart attacks in cancer patients after a heart attack. The tool combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide reliable information for doctors to balance treatment benefits and harms.
Immunotherapy before surgery helps shrink tumors in patients with desmoplastic melanoma
A new clinical trial shows that treating desmoplastic melanoma with immunotherapy before surgery dramatically shrinks or eliminates tumors, improving quality of life for patients. The study found that 71% of patients had no detectable cancer remaining at the time of surgery.
Lab-grown organoids reveal how glioblastoma outsmarts treatment
Researchers developed miniature 3D tumor organoid models that closely mimic the human brain, revealing how glioblastoma interacts with surrounding brain cells and immune system. The models identified PTPRZ1 as a key regulator of tumor behavior, which helps determine its aggressiveness.
Chinese Medical Journal article review: cGAS‑STING pathway emerges as cornerstone for next‑generation immunotherapies
The cGAS-STING pathway plays a crucial role in detecting cellular DNA, triggering type I interferons and cytokines, and modulating immune responses. Its therapeutic potential is being explored in cancer and various diseases, with promising preclinical evidence suggesting its potential as a target for next-generation immunotherapies.
A research redefines the role of neutrophils and opens new avenues for cancer and inflammation therapies
Researchers propose a new conceptual framework for neutrophils, highlighting their dynamic and adaptable nature. The study reveals neutrophils' functional diversification and immunological memory capabilities, opening avenues for innovative therapeutic strategies.
MD Anderson shares latest research breakthroughs
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has made significant advancements in cancer care through its collaborative efforts between clinicians and scientists. These breakthroughs include an immune-targeting vaccine that shows promise in intercepting cancer in patients with Lynch Syndrome, a novel immunotherapy that demonstrate...
Rye pollen’s cancer-fighting structure revealed for first time
Scientists at Northwestern University have determined the three-dimensional structures of rye pollen's cancer-fighting molecules, secalosides A and B. This breakthrough opens the door to exploring how these molecules interact with the immune system and could inspire new approaches to cancer therapy.
Potential tumor-suppressing gene identified in pancreatic cancer
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.
Alliance trial reveals gene variant may affect prostate cancer drug efficacy
A major U.S. clinical trial has uncovered a genetic factor that may inform how to optimize the dosing of abiraterone, a widely used hormone treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Researchers found that men who carry a specific version of the gene SULT2A1 clear abiraterone from their bodies more slowly, which could affect how well it w...
Inflammatory immune cells predict survival, relapse in multiple myeloma
Researchers created an 'atlas' of immune cells in bone marrow cancer that provides insights into how the immune system interacts with cancerous plasma cells. The knowledge can improve survival predictions and guide treatment decisions for patients with multiple myeloma.
Researchers find promising new way to boost the immune response to cancer
Researchers have developed a new way to boost the immune system's response to cancer by using specially engineered antibodies. The antibodies work by clustering multiple immune cell receptors, amplifying the signal that tells T cells to attack cancer cells.
For the first time, a mechanism enabling breast cancer to metastasize to the brain has been deciphered
A large-scale international study has deciphered a mechanism enabling breast cancer to metastasize to the brain. Researchers identified a specific chromosomal alteration predicting high likelihood of brain metastases and found that the absence of functional p53 gene impairs brain environment adaptation.
Researchers discover a mechanism that allows melanoma cancer cells to paralyze immune cells
Researchers discovered a mechanism allowing melanoma cancer cells to paralyze immune cells by secreting extracellular vesicles, which can disrupt immune cell activity and even kill them. This breakthrough has promising therapeutic implications, enabling strengthening of immune cells and blocking molecules that enable vesicle adhesion.
Review highlights novel targets in immunotherapy for multiple myeloma
Recent advances in immunotherapy have transformed multiple myeloma treatment, offering durable survival benefits. Emerging targets such as regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and tumor-associated macrophages are being explored to enhance treatment efficacy.
Promising target improves antitumor response in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have found that inhibiting GFER, a mitochondrial enzyme, in combination with immune checkpoint blockade improves antitumor response in preclinical models. This two-pronged approach holds promise for patients with pancreatic cancer.
University of Houston researchers identify new target to counteract muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered a potential therapeutic strategy for counteracting muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer by blocking a specific cell pathway. Muscle wasting, also known as cachexia, is a debilitating syndrome affecting 60-85% of patients with pancreatic cancer.
Scientists to ‘spy’ on cancer- immune cell interactions using quantum technology breakthrough
Dr Aldona Mzyk's project uses quantum sensors to track how immune cells interact with tumours, enabling the development of improved patient-tailored cancer therapies and earlier diagnosis tools. The research aims to overcome current cancer immunotherapies' failure in solid tumours by controlling metabolic changes.
Cleveland Clinic presents final results of phase 1 clinical trial of preventive breast cancer vaccine study
The study found that the investigational vaccine produced an immune response in 74% of participants and was safe and well-tolerated. A Phase 2 study is planned to evaluate the vaccine's efficacy, offering new hope for triple-negative breast cancer treatment.
Delayed toxicities after CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma are connected and potentially preventable
Researchers found that CAR T cell therapy side effects, such as neurotoxicity and intestinal inflammation, are linked to high rates of death unrelated to cancer relapse. CirAEs were more common in patients who received cilta-cel and had higher non-relapse mortality rates.
Could altering the daily timing of immunotherapy improve survival in people with cancer?
Researchers found that patients who received immunochemotherapy before 3:00 pm experienced significantly longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those treated later. Earlier administration of immunotherapy was also associated with lower risks of cancer progression and death.