by Quinn Eastman, Emory University Scientists have identified a pair of molecules critical for T cells, part of the immune system, to travel to and populate the lungs. A potential application could be strengthening vaccines against respiratory pathogens such as influenza. The findings were published online Thursday, September 26 in Journal of Experimental Medicine. Much...
Tag: <span>Immunology</span>
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Immunotherapy and Prevention of Pancreatic Cancer
Alexander H. Morrison | Katelyn T. Byrne | Robert H. Vonderheide HighlightsPancreatic cancer remains a lethal tumor that is difficult to treat and, unfortunately, immune therapies that have garnered FDA approval in other tumors have shown little efficacy to date in this tumor. These therapies include checkpoint antibodies and engineered T cell infusions. A formidable...
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New peanut allergy treatment shows effectiveness and safety
by Mark Derewicz, University of North Carolina Health Care People allergic to peanuts may have a new way to protect themselves from severe allergic reactions to accidental peanut exposure. It’s called sublingual immunotherapy—or SLIT—and it involves putting a miniscule amount of liquefied peanut protein under the tongue, where it is absorbed immediately into the blood...
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Sea snail compound reduces cancer risk
Potential for new drug to prevent colorectal cancer tumors FLINDERS UNIVERSITY The remarkable ability of a small Australian sea snail to produce a colourful purple compound to protect its eggs is proving even more remarkable for its potential in a new anti-cancer pharmaceutical. Researchers at Flinders University, Southern Cross University and Monash University in Australia have isolated one compound in the gland secretions from the...
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Shingles vaccine safely prevents outbreaks among stem cell transplant patients
The study could offer hope to others with severely compromised immune systems DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER DURHAM, N.C. – A newer form of shingles vaccine reduced outbreaks of the painful rash among patients who were transplanted with their own stem cells, according to a study led by a Duke Health researcher and published today in...
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Medicines made of solid gold to help the immune system
By studying the effects of gold nanoparticles on the immune cells related to antibody production, researchers at UNIGE, at Swansea University and at the NCCR ‘Bio-inspired Materials’ are paving the way for more effective vaccines and therapies UNIVERSITÉ DE GENÈVE Over the past twenty years, the use of nanoparticles in medicine has steadily increased. However, their safety and effect...
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Compound puts pancreatic cancer in Immunotherapy’s sights
Nick Lavars Immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that seeks to supercharge the body’s natural immune defenses, and it’s become a viable therapy for certain types of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is one that has so far been able to evade its advances, but scientists are now reporting a discovery that might help the immune system regain the upper...
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Can Rick Simpson oil help treat cancer?
By Jon Johnson Reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH Rick Simpson oil is a cannabis extract that takes its name from the medical marijuana activist who created it. Simpson claims that applying the oil to cancer spots on his skin cleared the spots within days. Rick Simpson oil (RSO) is unique in that it contains higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)...
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How bacteria kill host cells from the inside
by Public Library of Science Phagocytosed P. aeruginosa PAO1 first resides in a vacuole, before escaping the phagosome and promoting macrophage lysis. Live imaging of macrophages infected with fluorescent P. aeruginosa allows to follow the lysis of a specific macrophage (white arrow on the picture). MgtC and OprF act positively on the expression of T3SS, which is involved in cell...
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Researchers identify enzyme that suppresses immune system in breast cancer
by Duke University Medical Center Immunotherapies have transformed cancer care, but their successes have been limited for reasons that are both complex and perplexing. In breast cancer especially, only a small number of patients are even eligible to undergo treatment with immunotherapies, and most see little benefit. But in a pre-clinical study led by the Duke Cancer Institute, researchers outlined...