English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
Esperanto
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
UrduThe new approach blocks the interaction between cancer cells and immune receptors, showing promise in mice.
Tag: Immunotherapy
Cancer Immunotherapy Approach Targets Common Genetic Alteration
Researchers developed a prototype for a new cancer immunotherapy that uses engineered T cells to target a genetic alteration common among all cancers. The approach, which stimulates an immune response against cells that are missing one gene copy, called loss of heterozygosity (LOH), was developed by researchers at the Ludwig Center, Lustgarten Laboratory and the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
Study finds high tumor mutation burden predicts immunotherapy response in some, but not all, cancers
A high rate of genetic mutations within a tumor, known as high tumor mutation burden, was only useful for predicting immunotherapy responses in a subset of cancer types, suggesting that this may not reliably be used as a universal biomarker.
Roswell Park Researchers Identify New Biomarker of Response to Checkpoint Inhibitors
A team of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers has identified a new biomarker that could predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) shortly after patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) initiate therapy. This discovery, published today in the journal Nature Communications, is not only an important step forward in lung cancer treatment, but also has implications for other malignancies, according to lead author Fumito Ito, MD, PhD, FACS.
Moffitt Researchers Show Sequential Treatment with Immunotherapy and Checkpoint Inhibitors Prolongs Anti-Tumor Activity
In a new article published in Cancer Immunology Research, the Moffitt team shows that sequential administration of immunotherapy followed by targeted therapy prolongs anti-tumor responses in preclinical models and may be a potential treatment option for patients with advanced melanoma.
Turbocharging the killing power of immune cells against cancer
Creating “super soldiers” of specific white blood cells to boost an anti-tumour response has been shown in a series of elegant experiments by Princess Margaret researchers.
Neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy improves outcomes for early stage non-small cell lung cancer
The first randomized Phase II clinical trial to report on single and combined neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found combination therapy produced a significant clinical benefit, as assessed by major pathologic response (MPR) rate, as well as enhanced tumor immune cell infiltration and immunological memory.
Five Years Later: Penn-developed CAR T Therapy Shows Long-lasting Remissions in Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas
A significant number of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients in a Penn Medicine-initiated clinical trial continue to be in remission five years after receiving the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy Kymriah™, researchers in Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center reported today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Penn Medicine Cancer Cell Therapy Pioneer Carl June, MD, Named 2021 Dan David Prize Laureate
International cancer cell therapy pioneer Carl June, MD, the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center, has been named a 2021 Dan David Prize Laureate.
Insight About Tumor Microenvironment Could Boost Cancer Immunotherapy
A paper published today in Nature shows how chemicals in the areas surrounding tumors – known as the tumor microenvironment – subvert the immune system and enable cancer to evade attack. These findings suggest that an existing drug could boost cancer immunotherapy.
Aggressive brain tumor mapped in genetic, molecular detail
A new study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has revealed a detailed map of the genes, proteins, infiltrating cells and signaling pathways that play key roles in driving glioblastoma. The study, of 99 tumors from patients, is the largest and most detailed schematic of this deadly brain tumor.
STINGing Tumors With Nanoparticles
DALLAS – Feb. 8, 2021 – A new nanoparticle-based drug can boost the body’s innate immune system and make it more effective at fighting off tumors, researchers at UT Southwestern have shown. Their study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, is the first to successfully target the immune molecule STING with nanoparticles about one millionth the size of a soccer ball that can switch on/off immune activity in response to their physiological environment.
Fred Hutch statement regarding the FDA approval of CD19 immunotherapy, lisocabtagene maraleucel
SEATTLE — Feb. 5, 2021 — Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the chimeric antigen receptor immunotherapy, Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel or liso-cel), for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma after at least two prior therapies.The approval was granted to Bristol Myers Squibb, and development of the therapy was supported by physician-scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Fecal Transplant Turns Cancer Immunotherapy Non-Responders into Responders
A phase II clinical trial shows that changing the gut microbiome through fecal transplant can transform cancer patients who never responded to immunotherapy into patients who do.
New Biomarker May Predict Which Pancreatic Cancer Patients Respond to CD40 Immunotherapy
Inflammation in the blood could serve as a new biomarker to help identify patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who won’t respond to the immune-stimulating drugs known as CD40 agonists, suggests a new study from researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania published in JCI Insight.
How a little-known glycoprotein blocks a cancer cell’s immune response
Researchers uncovered how stanniocalcin-1, or STC1, works inside a tumor cell to block a cellular “eat-me” signal that typically triggers the immune system to produce T cells to fight the tumor. The findings provide a potential target to improve immune responses to cancer.
New immunotherapy combination shows great promise for lung cancer, McMaster researchers find
Researchers at Canada’s McMaster University have established in lab settings that a novel combination of two forms of immunotherapy can be highly effective for treating lung cancer, which causes more deaths than any other form of cancer.
MD Anderson and UroGen Pharma announce strategic research collaboration to advance investigational treatment for high-grade bladder cancer
MD Anderson and UroGen today announced a strategic three-year collaboration agreement to advance combination immunotherapy, delivered directly into the bladder, for the treatment of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The collaboration will work through MD Anderson’s immunotherapy platform to design pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Study explains why patients with cancer spread to the liver have worse outcomes
A new study finds that tumors in the liver siphon off critical immune cells, rendering immunotherapy ineffective. But coupling immunotherapy with radiotherapy to the liver in mice restored the immune cell function and led to better outcomes.
Combined approach could boost breast cancer immunotherapy, study suggests
Activating an immune signaling pathway best known for fighting viral and bacterial infections can boost the ability of genetically engineered T cells to eradicate breast cancer in mice, according to a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina. The study, to be published December 31 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), suggests that CAR T cells, which are already used to treat certain blood cancers in humans, may also be successful against solid tumors if combined with other immunotherapeutic approaches.
New Treatment Approach for a Common Glioma Subtype Shows Promise in Animal Models
A combination approach to treating a common subtype of glioma — which includes metabolic reprogramming and immunotherapy — led to complete tumor regression in 60% of study mice.
Errant DNA Boosts Immunotherapy Effectiveness
DALLAS – Dec. 17, 2020 – DNA that ends up where it doesn’t belong in cancer cells can unleash an immune response that makes tumors more susceptible to immunotherapy, the results of two UT Southwestern studies indicate. The findings, published online today in Cancer Cell, suggest that delivering radiation – which triggers DNA release from cells – before immunotherapy could be an effective way to fight cancers that are challenging to treat.
New combination therapy could help fight difficult-to-treat cancers with common mutations
UCLA scientists describe a new combination therapy that suppresses the MAPK pathway by holding cancer-driving proteins in a death grip. This combination of two small molecules has the potential to treat not only BRAF mutated melanoma but also additional aggressive subtypes of cancers, including melanoma, lung, pancreatic and colon cancers that harbor common mutations in cancer genes called RAS or NF1.
Obesity impairs immune cell function, accelerates tumor growth in mice
New study in mice finds that a high-fat diet allows cancer cells to outcompete immune cells for fuel, impairing immune function and accelerating tumor growth. Findings suggest new strategies to target cancer metabolism, improve immunotherapies.
CAR T cell therapy effective as first-line treatment for high-risk large B-cell lymphoma
A study led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that axi-cel, an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, is a safe and effective first-line therapy for patients with high-risk large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), a group with an urgent need for new and effective treatments.
Off-the-Shelf Immune Drug Shows Promise in Aggressive Multiple Myeloma
A subcutaneous injection of the immune-boosting drug teclistamab was found to be safe and elicit responses in a majority of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
MD Anderson and Obsidian Therapeutics announce strategic collaboration to accelerate advancement of novel engineered tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (cytoTIL™) for solid tumors
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc. today announced a multi-year strategic collaboration designed to expedite the research and development of novel engineered tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for the treatment of solid tumors. The agreement pairs Obsidian and its novel cytoDRiVE™ technology platform with MD Anderson’s extensive experience and state-of-the-art capabilities in TIL cell therapy, led by the Biologics Development platform, within the Therapeutics Discovery division.
Artificial Intelligence Program Can Pick Best Candidates for Skin Cancer Treatment
Experts trained a computer to tell which skin cancer patients may benefit from drugs that keep tumors from shutting down the immune system’s attack on them, a new study finds.
Study identifies patients with lung cancer most likely to respond to immunotherapy
Researchers at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found patients with a particular type of human leukocyte antigen (HLA), a protein scaffold involved in presenting pieces of proteins described as peptides to the immune system, were particularly likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
Cancer Research Institute CEO and Director of Scientific Affairs Dr. Jill O’Donnell-Tormey Receives Inaugural Tara Withington Public Service Award from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
Award honors individuals and organizations that foster and enhance the field of cancer immunotherapy through increasing public understanding, awareness, research efforts, and/or funding
MD Anderson researchers present immunotherapy advances at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting
Promising clinical results with combination treatments for patients with melanoma and lung cancer highlight immunotherapy advances being presented by researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2020) .
New lung cancer treatments lead to vastly improved survival rates
UCLA Health has helped drive monumental advances in the treatment of lung cancer – increasing survival rates in the nation’s leading cause of cancer deaths.
Immunotherapy Side Effect Could Be A Positive Sign For Kidney Cancer Patients
DALLAS – Nov. 2, 2020 – An autoimmune side effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) drugs could signal improved control of kidney cancer, according to a new study by researchers in UT Southwestern’s Kidney Cancer Program (KCP).
Roswell Park Sees Suggestion of Benefit in First Clinical Trial to Combine Beta-Blocker and Checkpoint Inhibitor
The same biochemical triggers that spur a “fight or flight” response when we encounter threats may help tumor cells to thrive. A team of researchers from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is looking at ways to disrupt that dynamic so that cancer treatments can be more effective. Their latest work, published today in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, suggests that a drug widely prescribed to control blood pressure may improve patients’ response to cancer immunotherapy.
Four MSK Researchers Receive 2020 Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Cancer Institute
Four MSK researchers out of 15 winners nationwide were named recipients of the prestigious award. They will each receive a grant of up to $600,000 per year for seven years to support their research in cancer.
Accelerating Access to Breakthrough Cancer Therapies Leads Morristown Medical Center to Expand Infusion Center
Atlantic Health System has announced the opening of Morristown Medical Center’s new state-of-the-art, patient-centered Infusion Center located in the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. The first of three phases of expansion of New Jersey’s pre-eminent cancer center, the new unit was funded in large part by donations made by community members in support of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center’s Growing Forward Campaign.
Scientists Engineer New Cancer Immunotherapy to Train Immune System in Cancer Fight
A groundbreaking new type of cancer immunotherapy developed at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai trains the innate immune system to help it eliminate tumor cells through the use of nanobiologics, tiny materials bioengineered from natural molecules that are paired with a therapeutic component, according to a study published in Cell in October.
New approach to fighting cancer could reduce costs and side effects
CAR-T biotherapeutics company Carina Biotech and researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a novel approach based on microfluidic technology to “purify” the immune cells of patients in the fight against cancer.
UCLA physician-scientist elected to National Academy of Medicine
Dr. Antoni Ribas, a world-renowned physician–scientist and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has been named to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Awards and Appointments
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) announces its most recent awards and appointments for the institution’s physicians, scientists, nurses, and staff.
Fred Hutch completes move-in of Lake Union Steam Plant
After more than two years of reconstruction efforts, scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have moved into their new labs at the newly renovated Lake Union Steam Plant.
Immunotherapy Combo Halts Rare, Stage 4 Sarcoma in Teen
The patient, whose tumor responded within two weeks after receiving the combination, resumed normal activity and was in a complete remission at the time of the report.
Virus-mimicking drug helps immune system target cunning cancer cells
UCLA researchers have found that a drug that activates the body’s natural defenses by behaving like a virus may also make certain stealthy melanoma tumors visible to the immune system, allowing them to be better targeted by immunotherapy.
Dual checkpoint blockade promising as pre-surgical approach for certain patients with localized bladder cancer
Phase I trial finds neoadjuvant combination checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 plus anti-PD-1) was well tolerated and showed early signs of activity in certain patients with bladder cancer. These patients cannot be treated with chemotherapy and have no standard treatment options available.
Initiative Led by Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and Cancer Research Institute Discovers Keys That Could Unlock Better Personalized Treatments to Destroy Cancer
Scientists from an initiative launched by the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) and the Cancer Research Institute called the Tumor Neoantigen Selection Alliance (TESLA) have discovered parameters to better predict which neoantigens can stimulate a cancer-killing effect.
Tip Sheet: Cancer health disparities, app to stop smoking, diversity in COVID-19 vaccine trials — and more
SEATTLE – Oct. 1, 2020 – Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch research findings and other news with links for additional background and media contacts.And if you’re looking for sources for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please see our breast cancer page for a list of projects, experts and the latest breast cancer news.
Yale Trial Validates Immunotherapy Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The immunotherapy drug atezolizumab improves survival over standard chemotherapy for many patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer, according to a new study led by Yale Cancer Center researchers.
Hackensack Meridian CDI Scientists Find One-Two Punch Working against Stubborn Pancreatic Cancer in Preclinical Models
Changing gene expression, then deploying immune checkpoint inhibitors, shows promise in battling one of the most treatment-resistant types of cancer in preclinical models
The Tisch Cancer Institute Earns Second Consecutive Designation from National Cancer Institute
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai (TCI) has been awarded $13 million as part of the renewal of its National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Designation, a prestigious distinction that is based on scientific excellence, robust clinical research, and beneficial community impact. The National Cancer Institute rated TCI’s application as “outstanding.”
Immunotherapy Combination Improves Outcomes in Advanced Kidney Cancer
An immunotherapy agent combined with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug significantly improved progression-free survival and reduced the risk of death compared to a single agent treatment in advanced kidney cancer patients, according to first results of a phase 3 clinical trial. The pivotal study could lead to a new treatment option for patients with metastatic kidney cancer.