The immune system is very effective against invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, as well as cancer cells that arise through genetic mutation. The activity of the immune system must be kept in check, however, to maintain homeostasis and avoid the development of autoimmune conditions. The immunosuppressive mechanisms that accomplish this can be co-opted
The year 2019 has offered up many advances in immunotherapy. These advances shed light on such important aspects as biomarkers, better targeted therapies, chemotherapy outcomes, and resistance. Summarized herein are several high-profile conference presentations that highlight key advances in the field. The year has not quite come to an end yet, but as predicted by
Researchers Seek New Therapies to Stop Immune Diseases In a finding that could help lead to new therapies for immune diseases like multiple sclerosis and IBD, scientists report in the Journal of Experimental Medicine identifying a gene and family of proteins critical to the formation of mature and fully functioning T cells in the immune system. T
The results, published in the current issue of Scientific Reports, showcase dramatic improvements in light-activated fluorescent dyes for disease diagnosis, image-guided surgery and site-specific tumor treatment. Scientific breakthroughs don’t always happen in labs. For Sophia and Richard Lunt, Michigan State University researchers, many of their breakthroughs happen during neighborhood walks. The married couple’s step-by-step approach
UNC Lineberger’s Timothy Gerson, MD, PhD, and colleagues have identified a potential approach to stop the growth of the most common type of brain tumor in children. Their research was published in the journal Development. UNC Lineberger’s Timothy Gerson, MD, PhD and colleagues reported in the journal Development that by blocking a signal called GSK-3, they could control tumor
Researchers from Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, MO have identified proteins that are involved in tumor growth and metastasis in many cancers such as breast cancer. The research was published in Science Advances on October 23. Breast cancer is one of the many types of cancer that can be caused by gene alterations of
Helper T cells appear vital to more robust anti-tumor response Cancer immunotherapy drugs trigger the body’s immune system to attack tumors and have revolutionized the treatment of certain cancers, such as lymphoma, lung cancer and melanoma. Yet, while some patients respond well to the drugs, others don’t respond at all. Cancer immunologists want to change
Cancer: important reason for poor response to checkpoint inhibitors identified. The aim of immunotherapies is to enable the immune system once again to fight cancer on its own. Drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors are already in clinical use for this purpose. However, they are only effective in about one third of patients. Based on analysis
Source NIH Director’s Blog Exercise can work wonders for your health, including strengthening muscles and bones, and boosting metabolism, mood, and memory skills. Now comes word that staying active may also help to lower your odds of developing cancer. After reviewing the scientific evidence, a panel of experts recently concluded that physical activity is associated with reduced
Cancer cells are masters at avoiding detection, but a new system developed by Yale scientists can make them stand out from the crowd and help the immune system spot and eliminate tumors that other forms of immunotherapies might miss, the researchers report Oct. 14 in the journal Nature Immunology. The new system reduced or eliminated
