Immune System News and Research

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New RNA switch achieves gene activation thousands of times better than nature

If scientists could precisely regulate gene expression, they could turn off the genes responsible for illness and disease and turn on those that enhance health and the immune system.

19 Oct 2017

UCSD researchers discover how mutant gene amplifies inflammation to fuel cancer

A human gene called p53, which is commonly known as the "guardian of the genome," is widely known to combat the formation and progression of tumors. Yet, mutant forms of p53 have been linked to more cases of human cancer than any other gene.

19 Oct 2017

Scientists receive critical funding to study treatments for three deadly cancers

Immunotherapy for leukemia patients has been nothing short of a miracle. Now scientists hope to use that science and other forms of gene therapy to tackle three of the deadliest forms of cancer: glioblastoma (brain cancer), sarcoma (bone cancer) and ovarian cancer.

17 Oct 2017

Study could pave way for more effective cancer therapies

Many tumors possess mechanisms to avoid destruction by the immune system. For instance, they misuse the natural "brakes" in the immune defense mechanism, which normally prevent an excessive immune response. Researchers at the University of Bonn have now been able to take off one of these brakes.

17 Oct 2017

Study reveals link between cancer relapse and body’s immune system

Results from a new study conducted at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, suggests cancer cells that remain in the body after treatment, utilize the immune system of the body to wake themselves up and boost their growth.

17 Oct 2017

Timing is crucial for corticosteroids to aid healing of tendons

A corticosteroid can improve the healing of damaged tendons, but it must be given at the right time, according to a new study from Linköping University in Sweden. In rats, the tendon became twice as strong. The results are presented in the journal Scientific Reports.

17 Oct 2017

Study uses precision medicine approach to find effective treatments for rare cancers

For the first time, researchers have been able to identify effective treatments for patients with rare cancers by analyzing genes and proteins in their blood and tumors. In a study reported in The Oncologist, half the patients receiving these targeted treatments saw their rare cancers either stabilize, shrink or go into remission.

17 Oct 2017

Cascade of costs could push new gene therapy above $1 million per patient

Outrage over the high cost of cancer care has focused on skyrocketing drug prices, including the $475,000 price tag for the country's first gene therapy, Novartis' Kymriah, a leukemia treatment approved in August.

17 Oct 2017

Discovery may lead to new approach for treating MS

Around 2.5 million people are affected by the autoimmune disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the commonest central nervous system disease among young adults.

17 Oct 2017

Scientists develop revolutionary blood screening test to diagnose breast cancer

In a potential major breakthrough in breast cancer research, scientists at the Center for Translational Cancer Research at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute of Christiana Care Health System have developed a revolutionary new blood test to diagnose breast cancer.

16 Oct 2017

TGen awarded $2.5 million SU2C grant to test new method of treating pancreatic cancer

Stand Up To Cancer has awarded a $2.5 million SU2C CatalystR grant to the Translational Genomics Research Institute to investigate a revolutionary new method of treating pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive of all cancers.

13 Oct 2017

UAB expert provides in-depth understanding of food-borne illnesses

Parties and gatherings are typically centered around food, making it important to know the do's and don'ts of handling food.

13 Oct 2017

Study pinpoints which lifestyle factors cause longer or shorter lifespan

People who are overweight cut their life expectancy by two months for every extra kilogramme of weight they carry, research suggests.

13 Oct 2017

NTNU researchers reveal how HCV converts innocent cells into virus factories

The Hepatitis C (HCV) virus is a sly enemy to have in one's body. Not only does it manage to make itself invisible to the immune system by breaking down communication between the immune cells, it also builds secret virus "factories" that quickly go into mass production.

13 Oct 2017

MD Anderson researchers chosen for national effort to expand reach of cancer immunotherapy

A major national effort to expand the reach of cancer immunotherapy to benefit more patients will draw upon the expertise of a team of researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

13 Oct 2017

Salk scientists receive $2.5 million funding to conduct pancreatic cancer clinical study

Salk Professor and HHMI Investigator Ronald Evans has been awarded $2.5 million by Stand Up 2 Cancer (SU2C) as part of a multi-institution team to conduct clinical studies to open up a new avenue for immunotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

12 Oct 2017