Immune System News and Research

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Scientists tackle cancer with different approaches

Studies presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research show how researchers are using the new, as well as the natural, to help design and test new drugs to treat cancer.

18 Apr 2007

Cell Genesys reports data from clinical trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer

Evaluation of antibody responses in patients with advanced prostate cancer from these studies shows that the GVAX cell-based immunotherapy induces antibody responses to a broad array of prostate cancer- associated antigens, including some not previously known to be associated with prostate cancer.

18 Apr 2007

Taking a jab at cancer by stimulating the immune system

As the first FDA-approved cancer vaccine, designed to protect against human papillomavirus, has moved from scientific discussion to social debate, other vaccine studies are continuing to make progress.

18 Apr 2007

Studies highlight role of inflammation in cancer

Can reducing inflammation keep cancer at bay? Two novel studies presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research that examine use of common anti-inflammatory agents suggest this might be the case.

18 Apr 2007

Anadys Pharmaceuticals presents data showing ANA773 promotes anti-tumor activity of killer cells

Anadys Pharmaceuticals presented data from an in vitro study showing that the active metabolite of ANA773 promotes natural killer (NK) cell-mediated anti-tumor response by inducing cytokine secretion, cytolysis of tumor cells and enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), during a poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) in Los Angeles.

18 Apr 2007

Advanced age associated with poorer bladder cancer-specific survival in radical cystectomy patients

Traditional wisdom taught in urological residency has been that healthy octogenarians with bladder cancer may be offered radical cystectomy without a significantly increased incidence of postoperative complications.

18 Apr 2007

Brain tumor vaccine shows promise

A vaccine for treating a recurrent cancer of the central nervous system that occurs primarily in the brain has shown promise in preliminary data from a clinical trial at the University of California, San Francisco.

17 Apr 2007

Connection between cancer development and Darwinian evolution explored

Cancer is a natural consequence of human evolution. Our genes have not developed to give us long and happy lives.

17 Apr 2007

Most-at-risk nursing home residents to be tested for superbugs

A Johns Hopkins study of adult patients admitted to The Johns Hopkins Hospital showed that patients who resided in nursing homes or other kinds of long-term care facilities at any time within the last six months were far more likely than other adult patients to carry or be infected with a drug-resistant superbug.

17 Apr 2007

High levels of antibodies - low levels of cancer!

Active immunisation can stimulate the body to produce highly efficient IgE antibodies that attack tumours.

17 Apr 2007

Expression Genetics completes phase I trial of lead drug candidate, EGEN-001

Expression Genetics, Inc., has announced the completion of a Phase I clinical study evaluating the Company's lead drug candidate, EGEN-001.

17 Apr 2007

Peregrine's selective anti-VEGF antibodies shown to be as effective as Avastin

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals has reported that preclinical data presented at the Centennial Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) showed that its monoclonal antibody 2C3, which selectively blocks vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from binding to the second of the two VEGF receptors, demonstrates potent anti-cancer efficacy in a preclinical orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer.

17 Apr 2007

Cetuximab improves survival and slows progression of colorectal cancer

Research presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research confirmed that there is now an effective treatment option for colorectal cancer patients for whom all other treatment options have been exhausted, cetuximab.

17 Apr 2007

Scientists find strong genetic link to Crohn's disease

An international team of scientists believe they have identified a number of genes that may indicate a pre-disposal to developing Crohn's disease and say their discovery confirms the suspicion that the inflammatory bowel ailment has a strong genetic link.

17 Apr 2007

New genetic risk factors for Crohn's disease

An international research team , including investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Broad Institute of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has identified several novel genetic variations associated with the risk of Crohn's disease.

16 Apr 2007