Immune System News and Research

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Research on AID enzyme could improve therapy for lymphoma, leukemia

A recent scientific discovery made by researchers at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montr-al (IRCM) led by Dr. Javier Marcelo Di Noia, Director of the Mechanisms and Genetic Diversity research unit, was published online today by The Journal of Experimental Medicine. The team identified a mechanism regulating activation-induced deaminase (AID), which could be important for the therapy of some types of lymphoma and leukemia.

2 Nov 2010

Novel technology using quantum dots increases drug uptake in lung injury

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a novel technology using quantum dots that is expected to have major implications for research and treatment of tuberculosis, as well as other inflammatory lung diseases.

2 Nov 2010

New microfluidic in vitro kinase radioassay improves efficiency to detect cancer growth

Inappropriate growth and survival signaling, which leads to the aberrant growth of cancer cells, is a driving force behind tumors. Much of current cancer research focuses on the kinase enzymes whose mutations are responsible for such disregulated signaling, and many successful molecularly targeted anti-cancer therapeutics are directed at inhibiting kinase activity.

2 Nov 2010

Arthritis drugs also prevent post-operative cognitive decline: Study

Anti-inflammatory drugs currently used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may also help prevent cognitive problems after surgery, according to a new study by researchers at Imperial College London and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

2 Nov 2010

Non-dividing cells can also start cancer

Cancer Research UK scientists have found that non-dividing cells are able to kick-start some cancers, challenging a long held belief that only dividing cells, like stem cells, cause the disease, according to research published online in PNAS today (Monday).

2 Nov 2010

H. pylori infection reduces severity of Salmonella-induced colitis: Research

Helicobacter pylori, a common stomach bacterium, reduced the severity of inflammation of the colon caused by Salmonella in mice, according to research from U-M Medical School scientists.

2 Nov 2010

National Jewish Health's chronic urticaria diagnostic assay receives US patent

National Jewish Health has received a US patent for a method of detecting autoimmune chronic urticaria, which will help assure many patients that dramatic changes in lifestyle are not needed to treat the condition.

2 Nov 2010

Sugar in excess leads to complications

In light of Diabetes Awareness Month, many people are showing increased interest in the topic of sugar and sugar alternatives. With the various forms of sugar available table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, agave, and honey understanding the differences between sugars and their effects on the body is not all sweet.

1 Nov 2010

Oncimmune to present benefits of EarlyCDT-Lung cancer test at ACCP annual meeting

Oncimmune® LLC, maker of EarlyCDT-Lung, a simple blood test that aids physicians in the risk assessment and early detection of lung cancer, today announced that two oral presentations and five poster presentations during this week's American College of Chest Physicians' (ACCP) annual meeting in Vancouver will collectively highlight the clinical and economic benefits of EarlyCDT-Lung.

1 Nov 2010

Mechanism of rogue cell killer discovered

A team of Melbourne and London researchers have shown how a protein called perforin punches holes in, and kills, rogue cells in our bodies. Their discovery of the mechanism of this assassin is published today in the science journal Nature.

1 Nov 2010

Idera presents IMO-2125 Phase 1 clinical trial data for HCV infection at AASLD Meeting

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the presentation of data from a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating IMO-2125, a novel immune modulator, in null-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

1 Nov 2010

Scientists use electron microscopes to study mechanism of perforin protein to punch holes in rogue cells

Scientists from the UK and Australia have seen the human immune system's assassin a protein called perforin in action for the first time. The UK team, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Wellcome Trust, is based at Birkbeck College where they used powerful electron microscopes to study the mechanism that perforin uses to punch holes in rogue cells.

1 Nov 2010

Proteins to punch holes in cancer cells to kill them: Study

In a medical breakthrough scientists have found a protein called perforin that kills rogue cells in the human body especially the ones causing cancer. The team comprising of experts from Melbourne and London found that perforin punches holes and kills these cells. The research appeared in the acclaimed journal Nature.

31 Oct 2010

EcoNugenics introduces new nutraceutical compound for breast health

EcoNugenics® is proud to introduce BreastDefend™, a new nutraceutical compound formulated specifically to promote and maintain breast health. Physician-formulated BreastDefend is crafted from eight exclusive, clinically tested compounds, including scientifically supported nutrients, herbs, and medicinal mushrooms.

30 Oct 2010

Taligen CEO recognized with Mass High Tech 2010 All-Star Award

Taligen Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing therapies that regulate the complement system to treat inflammatory and immune diseases, announced today that Abbie Celniker, Ph.D., CEO of Taligen Therapeutics was among the recipients of the Mass High Tech, Voice of New England Innovation, 2010 All-Star Awards. The All-Star Awards recognize 16 dynamic and influential leaders of New England's innovation economy. This is the 15th year of the awards program.

30 Oct 2010

Idera presents data on TLR 3 agonist as vaccine adjuvants at Immunological Meeting

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced a presentation describing the chemistry and immunological activity of its proprietary Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 3 agonist compounds and the use of these compounds as vaccine adjuvants in a preclinical model.

30 Oct 2010

Advaxis enters CRADA with NCI for development of live attenuated Listeria vaccines

Advaxis, Inc.,, the live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) immunotherapy company, is pleased to announce it has signed a formal research agreement with the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.

30 Oct 2010

OHSU to lead next phase of HuCNS-SC trial for NCL in children

Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital will lead the next phase of a landmark clinical trial to further assess the safety and preliminary effectiveness of purified human neural stem cells (HuCNS-SC-) as a potential treatment for infantile or late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a rare and currently fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects infants and children.

30 Oct 2010

New shuttlte program helps probe spaceflight-induced immune-system impairment

When the space shuttle Discovery lifts off on its final flight Nov. 2, its six astronauts will be joined by 16 rodent passengers on a historic mission of their own. Riding in special self-contained modules that automatically supply them with food and water, the mice will be part of a long-term NASA effort aimed at understanding why spaceflight makes humans more vulnerable to infection by viruses and bacteria.

30 Oct 2010

North American children may be 'too clean'

Rising levels of allergic asthma and eczema in North American children have Canadian scientists wondering if there is such a thing as being "too clean." "We see auto-immune diseases like asthma and eczema increasing rapidly in North American children, but we don't see the same effect in children in the developing world," says Dr. B. Brett Finlay, a Professor in the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia.

29 Oct 2010