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Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio identifies possible markers for early metastatic lung cancer

A team of researchers at Mays Cancer Center has identified protein markers that could signal the early development of metastatic lung cancer. These markers have led to a $1.6 million grant and will pave the way for a clinical trial in patients with advanced lung cancer.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2023

Avatars to help tailor glioblastoma therapies

Researchers have developed a novel zebrafish xenograft platform to screen for novel treatments for glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. The platform uses zebrafish avatars to model glioblastoma cells from individual patients, allowing researchers to identify patient-specific targets and potential treatments.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2023

"Radar" detects active cellular destroyers

A team of scientists has developed a method to detect active Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs), which are responsible for destroying unwanted proteins in cells. The new technology, called a molecular radar, reveals which CRLs are deployed to address cellular stresses and perform the actions of some anti-cancer drugs.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2023

Tiny bubbles could reveal immune cell secrets and improve treatments

Penn State researchers develop a bubble-based technique to visualize macrophages in mammal tissue, offering insights into immune system regulation and potential therapies. The approach enables real-time monitoring of immune cells, which could lead to more effective cell-based treatments for conditions like cancer and autoimmune disorders.

SourcePenn State·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2023

Personalized combination treatment turns on an immunometabolic switch to effectively control an aggressive form of prostate cancer

Researchers developed a personalized combination treatment that turned on an immunometabolic switch to effectively control aggressive prostate cancer. The treatment showed complete tumor control and long-lasting survival without side effects in a mouse model of advanced prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateSep 18, 2023

Timing is key

Researchers have deciphered a biochemical mechanism explaining how cortisone preparations mediate inflammation-resolving effects in human immune cells. Cortisone influences enzymes involved in the formation of inflammation-resolving messenger substances, inducing resolvins early but impairing function later.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2023

Promising anti-inflammatory properties of black soldier fly larvae oil – implications on conditions such as ulcerative colitis

The study found that black soldier fly larvae oil exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and improving colon health. BSFL oil's unique compound profile may offer a new approach to managing inflammatory diseases.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Cause of sleep disturbance in cardiac disease identified: Ganglia play previously unrecognized role

A study published in Science reveals that ganglia in the neck region are responsible for disrupting melatonin production and causing sleep disturbances in people with heart conditions. Researchers found that macrophages accumulate in the ganglion, leading to inflammation and scarring, which can be treated with drugs.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Engineered white blood cells eliminate cancer

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new therapy that uses engineered macrophages to eliminate solid tumors. The treatment works by silencing a molecular pathway that prevents white blood cells from attacking cancer cells, allowing them to recognize and destroy tumoroids.

Two new studies identify promising pathways to treat chronic COVID-19

Two studies investigate long-term consequences of COVID-19, identifying potential drug targets for treating chronic disease. Researchers found novel pathways in the lungs and immune system that may lead to effective treatment options, including therapies targeting immune dysfunction and mucous cell differentiation.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2023

Leishmania parasite manipulates organism’s defense system to continue replicating, study shows

Researchers at USP in Brazil discovered that Leishmania parasites manipulate the protein gasdermin-D to prevent the immune system from killing them. This allows the parasite to continue replicating and causing disease. The findings offer hope for developing novel treatments for leishmaniasis, a disease affecting 30,000 people annually.

Alternative route used by specialized immune cells to colonize the embryonic brain suggests new approach to fighting fetal brain dysfunction

Researchers at Nagoya University found an alternative route for microglia colonization in the embryonic brain, suggesting a novel approach to combat diseases like fetal brain dysfunction. Macrophages can convert into microglia later in development, providing new insights into microglial plasticity and behavior.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 11, 2023

Trinity and University of Manchester researchers tackle parasitic worms that infect millions worldwide

A recent study published in the journal Immunity has shed light on the immune response to parasitic worm infection, revealing a critical role for T cells and macrophages. The research team identified specific signaling molecules that control the development of tissue-resident macrophages, which are essential for eliminating the infection.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

Scientists make a breakthrough in the cellular recognition of microplastics

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University have made a breakthrough in understanding how macrophages recognize microplastics, discovering an interaction between aromatic rings that drives this process. The study suggests that while microplastics may not induce acute inflammation, chronic exposure could lead to autoimmune diseases.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Getting around muscle aging

A new study found a protein that regulates macrophage function, clearing residues from regenerating muscle and recovering regenerative capacity in aged mice. The discovery holds promise for regenerative medicine and aging, potentially improving the success of current stem-cell based therapies.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Fats help tag medical implants as friend or foe

Researchers discovered that lipid deposition on medical implant surfaces can signal to the immune system whether to attack or ignore the implant. This knowledge could help develop biomaterials that deflect host immune aggression, reducing malfunction rates for devices like pacemakers and surgical mesh.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2023

In search of inflammatory Achilles heel

Researchers at Kyoto University found that neutrophils instruct macrophages to form a bacteria-permissive microenvironment, which could have implications for cancer treatment. The study suggests that A9, an enzyme expressed in neutrophils, may play a key role in this process.

SourceKyoto University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2023

Newly identified personalized immunotherapy combination treats an aggressive form of advanced prostate cancer

Researchers discovered a new personalized immunotherapy combination that treats aggressive forms of advanced prostate cancer. By blocking PD-1-expressing macrophages and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, the therapy significantly improves response rates in PTEN-deficient cancers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 2, 2023