Articles tagged with Immunotherapy
Cornelis Melief is recognized for his life's work in studying the interactions of the immune system with cancer, leading to the development of new therapeutic cancer vaccine strategies. His research has shown clinical effectiveness in treating patients with pre-malignant lesions caused by HPV type 16.
Navin Varadarajan is modifying T cells to recognize and kill glypican-3, a molecule found in liver cancer cells. The goal is to develop an effective treatment for high-risk pediatric liver cancer with poor survival rates.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified blood-based biomarkers that may help identify patients at greatest risk of developing autoimmune side effects from immunotherapy. The study found that levels of certain cytokines were particularly low before treatment in patients who developed immune-related adverse events.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have successfully induced desensitization in the majority of children with wheat allergies through oral immunotherapy. After 52 weeks, 52% of children consumed a cumulative dose of 4,443mg of wheat protein without adverse reactions.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have found a way to inhibit T-cell activation by targeting nitration of an amino acid in cancer cells. This approach could enhance cancer immunotherapy by identifying activity-based markers and designing approaches that shut down specific mechanisms inhibiting T-cell activation.
Researchers developed a nanofluidic seed that can deliver sustained-release doses of immunotherapy directly to tumors, reducing the need for multiple IV treatments and eliminating side effects. The device has shown promising results in mice models, with equal effectiveness compared to systemic immunotherapy while minimizing toxicities.
A phase III clinical trial found immunotherapy pembrolizumab to be more effective than aggressive chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced head and neck cancer. Patients with high PD-L1 levels saw significant improvements in survival and response rates.
A study suggests that immunotherapy is safe and feasible for HIV-positive cancer patients. The treatment appears to be well-tolerated as long as antiretroviral therapy is continued in parallel, the key finding of the study.
A team of researchers at TUM and Helmholtz Zentrum München investigated the processes taking place in the body during a three-year allergen-specific immunotherapy. They found that regulatory B-cells play a more important role than previously thought, and that certain ratios of cell types can predict treatment success.
Researchers at CytoReason used machine learning to analyze melanoma biopsies, identifying adipocytes as potential regulators of the tumor microenvironment. The study suggests that these cells may play a previously unreported role in differentiating nivolumab responders from non-responders in ipilimumab-resistant patients.
Researchers found that immunotherapy is effective in treating metastatic melanoma in individuals with CDKN2A mutations, with nearly two-thirds of patients responding to treatment. The study suggests that tumours with CDKN2A mutations have a larger number of mutations, making them easier to recognise by the immune system.
A new DNA vaccine targeting the human MAGE-A family of proteins has shown promise in a pre-clinical model of melanoma, inducing a robust immune response and antitumor activity. The vaccine simultaneously targets multiple tumor antigens, overcoming a difficult issue in cancer immunotherapy.
A subpopulation of PD-1-expressing NK cells within tumors responds to checkpoint blockade, activating anti-cancer effects. These cells contribute significantly to the efficacy of checkpoint-targeting immunotherapies, suggesting new strategies for improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers develop radiomic signature to predict efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with solid tumors. The algorithm analyzes CT scan images to extract biological information, providing a predictive score for treatment effectiveness.
A clinical trial found that combination immunotherapy reduced melanoma brain metastases by 26% in 94 patients. The treatment, combining checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab, also showed durable responses with 59.5% of patients remaining progression-free at nine months.
A simple blood test identifying patients unlikely to benefit from immunotherapy for bladder cancer could save months of unnecessary treatment. The test measures pro-inflammatory molecule Interleukin-2 release from immune cells before therapy and correctly predicted therapy outcome in almost 80% of cases.
Johns Hopkins researchers developed a new method to analyze bioinformatics data and determine how a patient's immune system responds to immunotherapy. The FEST analysis technique can be used to create a database associating immunotherapy-related responses with clinical benefits.
Researchers found a gene that recruits immune cells in alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease causing hair loss. They discovered this gene is turned off in various cancers, protecting them from the immune system. By turning it back on, tumors can be made vulnerable to immunotherapy.
Checkpoint inhibitors improve median and four-year overall survival rates for melanoma brain metastasis patients by 1.4- and 1.5-fold, respectively, according to a national cohort study published in Cancer Immunology Research.
Researchers discover DNA methylation marker that influences PD-L1 expression on cancer cells, shedding light on why new therapies don't work for some patients. The findings suggest epigenetic therapies could be used in combination with immunotherapy to treat melanoma patients.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study shows that combining radiosurgery with immunotherapy, especially PD-1 inhibitors, can significantly improve cancer control and overall survival in melanoma patients. The study found that patients treated with anti-PD-1 therapies had a median brain metastasis-free survival of not reached, whe...
A study investigating combination checkpoint immunotherapy in lethal advanced prostate cancer revealed that genetic subsets of patients with AR-V7+ prostate cancer may benefit from treatment. One-quarter of patients achieved an objective response, and at least two remain alive for over 18 months.
UCSF researchers identified a critical immune cell pathway that primes the immune system for effective response to checkpoint inhibitors. The presence of specific immune cells, such as dendritic cells and natural killer cells, in tumors predicts improved response to immunotherapy and overall survival. These findings enable clinicians t...
Researchers have demonstrated that combining targeted radionuclide therapy with immunotherapy can enhance treatment response and lead to a high cure rate in melanoma patients. This novel approach uses yttrium-86 (Y-86) NM600, which selectively targets tumors and delivers precise radiation doses.
A new study found that a pattern of genetic changes in prostate tumours can predict which men are likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The research identified a distinct group of men with advanced prostate cancer whose tumours have biological features that make them responsive to immunotherapy drugs.
A new method for predicting treatment success in cancer patients using immunotherapy has been discovered. This method relies on a protein called PD-1, which is found on the surface of human immune cells and allows them to detect tumors more effectively.
A novel immunotherapy treatment combining a molecule expressed by cancer cells with Listeria monocytogenes has shown promising results in clinical trials for dogs with osteosarcoma. The vaccine supplements standard treatment and has been shown to improve survival times, with median survival of 956 days compared to 423 days.
Researchers found that using nanoparticles to bind molecules can trigger immune cells more effectively against cancer in laboratory studies. The combination of two therapeutics on a single nanoparticle showed higher rates of T-cell stimulation and tumor attack than separate deliveries.
A Melbourne research team discovered that a protein called NF-kB1, which was previously thought to drive cancer development, actually plays a critical role in preventing stomach cancers. The study also found that immunotherapy may be a significant tool for treating stomach cancers driven by chronic inflammation.
The US FDA approved the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab for metastatic kidney cancer patients. The treatment led to a 37% improvement in survival compared to sunitinib and durable responses in 42% of patients.
Researchers found that combining anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 immunotherapies enhances response rates and generates more memory T cells, leading to better tumor control. This combination may help prevent relapse in patients with therapies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 checkpoints.
The POPLAR trial found that atezolizumab significantly improved overall survival compared to docetaxel in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Long-term overall survival benefits were observed across histology and PD-L1 expression levels.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that macrophages suppress the activity of CD8 T cells, a type of immune cell that recognizes and kills melanoma cells. By disrupting macrophages, researchers found improved efficacy for immunotherapy in experimental models of melanoma.
Researchers found that simultaneous chemotherapy and immunotherapy is safe and patients with certain genetic mutations may respond particularly well. The combination approach was shown to boost immune cells in the blood, allaying previous concerns about chemotherapy's impact on immunotherapy.
A new pre-clinical study suggests that combining PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies with CD27 antibodies may lead to improved immune responses against cancer cells. The combination treatment showed up to 60% protection from cancer, compared to 10% with single treatments.
Researchers developed a new method to identify highly reactive killer T cells in ovarian tumors, showing they can be selectively grown for personalized cell-based immunotherapies. The approach overcomes limitations of existing methods, enabling the use of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for treating low-mutational load tumors.
A researcher uses mass cytometry technology to visualize a person's immune system, creating an 'Instagram' of millions of blood cells. This technique predicts cancer treatment responses and identifies potential biomarkers for patients who will respond positively to immunotherapy.
Jean-Charles Soria, a leading cancer researcher, has been awarded the TAT 2018 Honorary Award for his groundbreaking contributions to cancer drug development. His work has led to increased response rates and successful drug approvals, including osimertinib for lung cancer.
Researchers have made significant progress in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with the development of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies. These treatments aim to attack tumor cells with mutated genes, but resistance is a common challenge.
Researchers identified biomarkers in blood samples that predict response to immunotherapy, allowing for personalized treatment decisions. High-dimensional cell analysis and computer-aided pattern recognition enabled the detection of subtle immune responses and molecular patterns associated with therapy success.
Researchers at Penn State found that melanoma patients who received immunotherapy with beta blockers lived significantly longer than those without, with five years survival rates of 70% vs. 25%. The study suggests reducing physiological stress with beta blockers can improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a genetic mechanism that influences whether cancer cells resist or respond to immunotherapy drugs. The discovery reveals potential new drug targets and may aid efforts to extend the benefits of immunotherapy treatment to more patients.
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that specific strains of commensal bacteria can improve response rates to immunotherapy for patients with advanced melanoma. The presence of these beneficial bacteria enhances T-cell infiltration and killing of cancer cells, leading to a vigorous and durable response.
Researchers explore the use of nanoparticles, microneedle patches, and polymer particles to enhance vaccine effectiveness and delivery. These innovative biomaterials may improve responses in HIV, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, reducing medical waste and expanding vaccine accessibility.
Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that cancer patients with more versions of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes respond better to checkpoint inhibitors. The study also showed that certain HLA patterns affect survival and may be relevant for understanding side effects observed with immunotherapy.
A new clinical trial found that combining oral immunotherapy with omalizumab increased the speed and safety of treating multiple food allergies in children. The study showed significant efficacy and safety improvements, allowing patients to tolerate more foods without severe reactions.
A new clinical trial shows that combining omalizumab with oral immunotherapy increases the ability of children with multiple food allergies to safely consume allergenic foods. The treatment resulted in over 80% of children being able to eat at least two grams of two or more foods without adverse reactions.
Researchers found non-progression during treatment correlates with gains in health-related quality of life in metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma patients. The study demonstrated that reduction in tumor size improves patients' health status, as measured by HRQoL instruments.
The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC. The study showed that the addition of atezolizumab to bevacizumab and chemotherapy leads to a median PFS of 8.3 months, compared to 6.8 months with bevacizumab and chemotherapy alone.
Researchers found that patients with more mutations in their tumors had better survival rates after adoptive T cell therapy. The treatment, which sharpens T cells to fight cancer, showed promising results but also many side effects.
New research from the University of Queensland shows that chronic stress can lead to a weakened immune response in cancer patients. The study found that lymphoma progression was accelerated in mouse models when stress pathways were induced, resulting in reduced effectiveness of immunotherapies.
Scientists at Mount Sinai developed a mathematical model that accurately predicts how tumors will respond to immunotherapies. The model also identifies key neoantigens that can stimulate an immune response, offering new insights for developing personalized cancer treatments.
Ludwig scientists present updates on checkpoint blockade immunotherapies for advanced melanoma and phase 1 clinical trials combining PI3K-gamma inhibitors with PD-1 blockade. Researchers also discuss novel approaches to boosting radiotherapy efficacy and understanding tumor immune suppression mechanisms.
Two studies reveal that gut bacteria play a crucial role in cancer treatment response, with certain beneficial microbes linked to improved survival and efficacy of immunotherapy. Patients with healthier gut flora tend to have more immune cells that can target tumors.
Prof Laurence Zitvogel has been awarded the first ESMO Award for Immuno-Oncology for her pioneering work in advancing cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Her research focuses on understanding the gut microbiome's role in cancer immunosurveillance, with implications for predicting response to immunomodulators.
Researchers found a strong association between certain beneficial gut bacteria and improved response to immunotherapies in patients with metastatic melanoma. The beneficial bacteria, including three specific species, were found to prime the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively.
A study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers reveals that a simple blood test can predict which patients will respond to checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapies, with 45% of patients showing significant response. The findings suggest that patients with high numbers of genomic alterations in their tumo...
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed a drug combination that doubles down on immunotherapy's effectiveness in treating head and neck cancer. The combination of toll-like receptors agonists and other immunotherapies injected directly into tumors suppresses tumor growth throughout the body.
Lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in both cancer metastasis and immune therapy. Researchers have discovered that VEGF-C levels in the blood before immunotherapy can predict its effectiveness in melanoma patients, with patients showing strong responses to treatment when VEGF-C levels are high.
A genetic study suggests that existing immunotherapy drugs could help some breast cancer patients with specific genetic changes in their tumors. The research identified a particular group of breast cancer patients who have genetic mutations that occur due to an abnormal DNA repair mechanism.