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Immune cells lose ‘killer instinct’ in cancerous tumors – but functionality can be re-awakened

Researchers discovered that immune cells called natural killer cells rapidly lose their functionality when entering solid tumours, adopting a dormant state. However, targeting the IL-15 pathway can restore NK cell activity and improve tumor control. This breakthrough could pave the way for new cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2024

Preliminary results of a first-in-human study show manageable toxicity and preliminary antitumor activity of a potential second generation epigenetic therapy for advanced solid tumors

A first-in-human study demonstrates the efficacy of a novel PRMT5 inhibitor, JNJ-64619178, in treating advanced solid tumors. The treatment showed manageable dose-dependent toxicity and achieved preliminary antitumor activity in patients with various cancer types.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJul 26, 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.

New research: FAPI PET imaging superior for diagnosing multiple types of cancer, with potential for targeted treatment

A new study has shown that FAPI PET imaging is superior to standard FDG PET in evaluating multiple types of cancer. A newly designed FAP-targeted treatment also suppressed tumor growth in several common cancers, suggesting a powerful tool for the field of clinical nuclear medicine.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMay 2, 2023

Strata Oncology announces publication of study validating clinical utility of pan-tumor predictive biomarker for checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy benefit

The study validated the clinical utility of Strata Oncology's proprietary pan-solid tumor predictive biomarker, Immunotherapy Response Score (IRS), which predicts response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. IRS captures tumor biology and microenvironment by combining tumor mutation burden with quantitative expression of PD-L1, PD-1, ADAM...

SourceStrata Oncology·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2023

Improving CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumours through inhibition of conventional signalling pathway

Researchers have discovered that inhibiting conventional signalling pathway by disrupting LCK allows more efficient tumour cell killing, using FYN protein instead. This approach enhances T-cell function and reduces graft-versus-host disease, making CAR-T therapy more accessible to patients.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

Enhanced cancer immunotherapies through cytokine-labeled T cells

A new method utilizes an unnatural sugar to anchor cytokines to T cells, enhancing their functions without systemic side-effects. The approach has shown promise in stimulating the host immune system against tumor cells and inhibiting tumor growth in mice with melanoma.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

Integral molecular reveals mechanism underlying exquisite specificity of claudin 6 therapeutic antibody being developed for solid tumors

Researchers at Integral Molecular have developed highly specific antibodies against Claudin 6, a tumor-specific protein found in multiple solid tumors. The antibodies use a single atomic contact point to derive exquisite specificity, allowing them to target cancer cells while avoiding healthy tissues.

SourceIntegral Molecular·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2023

Preliminary data suggest that ROS1 inhibitor, NVL-520, is well-tolerated and active in non-small cell lung cancer: first results from ARROS-1 phase I clinical trial

In the ARROS-1 trial, 48% of patients achieved partial responses to NVL-520, with responses seen across all dose levels and in heavily pre-treated patients. The treatment also showed promise for brain metastases, with three out of three patients experiencing measurable response or no emergence of new metastases.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 28, 2022

Oncotarget | Glypican-3 (GPC3) is associated with MCPyV-negative status and impaired outcome in Merkel cell carcinoma

Researchers found that Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) Glypican-3 (GPC3) is expressed in nearly 70% of MCC tumors and up to 90% of MCPyV-negative cases. GPC3 expression is associated with worse prognosis, including increased risk of death from MCC. This makes GPC3 a promising target for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

Researchers developed a small molecule that makes immunotherapy available to all cancer patients

Researchers developed a small molecule that effectively controls tumor growth by inhibiting PD-1/PD-L1 binding, overcoming accessibility and cost issues of existing antibody treatments. The new molecule has advantages in terms of affordability and oral administration, making immunotherapy more accessible to all cancer patients.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateAug 8, 2022

Pre-clinical screening technology could increase cancer test numbers by 50 times

A screening tool developed at the University of Strathclyde has increased the number of tests on solid tumour samples by up to 50 times. The technology enables large-scale testing of immunotherapies like CAR-T cell therapy, which is effective against many haematological cancers but faces challenges when treating solid tumours.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 21, 2022

Promising results for chemo-immunotherapy combination against pancreatic cancer, Penn study finds

Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy increased one-year survival rates for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, with anti-PD-1/chemo regimen showing the highest response. The study identified key immune system biomarkers associated with better outcomes, offering new hope for precision oncology.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2022

Changeable net charge on nanoparticles facilitates intratumor accumulation and penetration

Researchers developed nanoparticles with a changeable net charge that facilitates intratumor accumulation and penetration, achieving 32.1% of injected dose/g of tissue. This study suggests using the changeable net charge as a promising strategy for tumor-targeted delivery based on the EPR effect.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2022

An international consortium, led by IRB Barcelona and the biotechnology company Merus, reports the discovery of MCLA-158, the first clinical candidate screened in organoids targeting cancer stem cells of solid tumors

Researchers from IRB Barcelona and Merus have discovered MCLA-158, a bi-specific antibody targeting cancer stem cells. The treatment prevents metastasis and slows primary tumor growth in experimental models of cancer.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

Small molecule targets Achilles' Heel of AML, kills cancer cells

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a protein crucial to AML cell survival and found a small molecule that blocks its function, killing cancer cells in lab dishes and mouse models. This potential breakthrough could lead to novel therapies for AML and other conditions.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

New research in JNCCN raises concerns about clinical trial bias from undisclosed censoring

A recent study published in JNCCN found that 33 out of 81 studies lacked transparency on censoring, which can introduce bias and affect trial results. The researchers emphasize the need for improved transparency and reporting in clinical trials to ensure patients and clinicians make informed decisions.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateDec 15, 2021

ImCheck publishes comprehensive overview of the development results of its first-in-class cancer immunotherapeutic targeting BTN3A to activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in Science Translational Medicine

ImCheck's ICT01 selectively activates Vγ9Vδ2 T cells through all three isoforms of BTN3A, overcoming prior limitations. The therapy demonstrates anti-tumor activity in solid and hematologic cancer models.

SourceTrophic Communications·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 20, 2021