Newswise Feature Channel: Immunology

Understanding CAR-T cell therapy for cancer: Mayo Clinic expert explains how it works

Mayo Clinic — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:05:49 EST

For many doctors and researchers, immunotherapy that uses someone's own immune system to target and attack cancer cells is the next and best frontier of cancer treatment. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, or CAR-T cell therapy, is one type of immunotherapy. Sometimes likened to a "smart drug" or "living drug," CAR-T cell therapy relies on genetically modified immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Computer model boosts detection of cell-to-cell communication

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:05:43 EST

A computer model developed by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers significantly enhances the ability of scientists to detect communication between cells, according to a new study published in Nature Methods.

Yale study reveals molecular mechanism behind multiple sclerosis

Yale School of Medicine — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 09:05:36 EST

UCLA receives $120 million from Alya and Gary Michelson for new California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:00:10 EST

UCLA has received a $120 million commitment from Dr. Gary Michelson and his wife, Alya, to kick-start the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, an innovative public-private partnership aimed at spurring breakthrough discoveries that prevent and cure diseases and catalyze economic growth and innovation in Los Angeles.

A switch for immune memory and anti-tumor immunity

Ludwig Cancer Research — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 15:05:26 EST

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has identified a metabolic switch in the immune system's T cells that is essential to the generation of memory T cells--which confer lasting immunity to previously encountered pathogens--and a T cell subtype found in tumors that drives anti-tumor responses during immunotherapy.

Immune cells have a metabolic backup plan for accessing their anti-cancer playbook

Van Andel Institute — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 10:05:45 EST

Immune cells use two different routes to produce acetyl-CoA, an essential metabolite required to fight infection and cancer, reports a study led by Van Andel Institute scientists.

LJI scientists lead new mpox research

La Jolla Institute for Immunology — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:05:32 EST

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) are investigating how the mutated clade 1 mpox virus may affect children and older patients--and how new vaccines can help the body fight back.

Researchers Aim to Pull Back the Curtain on Long COVID in Kids

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:00:00 EST

In the most comprehensive national study since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of researchers that includes a Rutgers-organized consortium of pediatric sites has concluded that long COVID symptoms in children are tangible, pervasive, wide ranging and clinically distinct within specific age groups.

Penn Medicine and Parker Institute renew alliance to continue advancing groundbreaking cancer immunotherapy research

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:05:16 EST

The University of Pennsylvania and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) have renewed their collaboration to advance cancer immunotherapy research at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center (ACC).

T helper cells may be the key to improving annual influenza vaccines

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 10:05:28 EST

The annual influenza vaccination provides updated protection against the virus but could be improved as there is large variability in its efficacy.

The American Association of Immunologists Appoints Bonnie N. Dittel as Incoming Editor-in-Chief of ImmunoHorizons

American Association of Immunologists (AAI) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:05:18 EST

The AAI Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Bonnie N. Dittel, Ph.D. (AAI '00), as the incoming editor-in-chief of ImmunoHorizons (IH).

Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health Treats 200th CAR T-Cell Therapy Patient, Pioneering Cancer Treatment in New Jersey

Rutgers Cancer Institute — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:05:05 EST

Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center together with RWJBarnabas Health, has treated its 200th patient with CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy that uses a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer.

Nanoparticles restore efficiency in exhausted immune cells killing cancer

Bar-Ilan University — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:05:05 EST

A novel study led by Prof. Mira Barda-Saad and her research team at the Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University has unveiled a novel method to rejuvenate natural killer (NK) cells in the fight against cancer. The study, published on the cover of The EMBO Journal, addresses a critical challenge in cancer immunotherapy -- NK cell exhaustion.

Rare diseases point to connections between metabolism and immunity

Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:00:00 EST

Inherited diseases of metabolism and immunity have more in common than previously recognized, according to a new study published in the journal Science Immunology. The findings point to a new set of metabolic genes that are important for the function of immune system T cells, and they offer insights that could improve care for patients with these disorders.

Nasal spray flu vaccine candidate based on UW-Madison technology shows promise when administered alongside high dose annual shot

University of Wisconsin-Madison — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 11:05:10 EST

A unique influenza vaccine candidate that's inhaled and based on technology developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers is safe and could bolster protection against seasonal and pandemic influenza for people vulnerable to severe disease when they receive it in addition to the annual flu shot.Those are the results of a randomized, controlled trial of the vaccine candidate, administered in nasal spray form in conjunction with the annual shot to a group of 65- to 85-year-olds in 2022.

Patients with Unexplainable Chronic Itch Have Unique Blood Biomarkers that Could Eventually Lead to New Targeted Treatments

University of Maryland School of Medicine — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 14:05:34 EST

Millions of patients worldwide suffer from a chronic itching condition with no identifiable cause - a condition known as chronic pruritus of unknown origin (CPUO) - that has no targeted therapies approved to treat it. Many of these patients suffer for years with little relief, but a new University of Maryland School of Medicine study may provide hope for future treatments. Patients were found to have lower than normal levels of metabolite biomarkers in the blood plasma that could point to a cause of their excruciating symptoms.

Back-to-school story ideas: Transitioning back to a routine, cell phone-free schools, importance of STEM, and more

Virginia Tech — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 13:05:17 EST

Virginia Tech has experts available to speak on back-to-school topics ranging from cell phones in school, nutrition standards, the importance of STEM education, and more. To schedule an interview, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu.

FSU researchers show potential of new treatment for pediatric brain cancer

Florida State University — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:05:30 EST

Florida State University researchers are giving oncologists another tool in their fight against pediatric brain cancer.In work published in Bioactive Materials, a research team led by Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Qing-Xiang "Amy" Sang showed the possibility of enhancing natural killer immune cells to improve their ability to attack a rare pediatric brain cancer.

Potential New Approach to Enhancing Stem-Cell Transplants

Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:00:00 EST

A discovery by a three-member Albert Einstein College of Medicine research team may boost the effectiveness of stem-cell transplants, commonly used for patients with cancer, blood disorders, or autoimmune diseases caused by defective stem cells, which produce all the body's different blood cells.

Cancer Research Institute Awards Over $22 Million in Grants to Fuel Immunotherapy Innovations

Cancer Research Institute — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:00:14 EST

CRI awarded over $22 million to leading cancer immunotherapy researchers in the 2024 fiscal year, amounting to 64 awards at 42 institutions.