Immune System News and Research

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Researchers use new strategy to develop cancer vaccines

Researchers at National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado School of Medicine have used a new strategy to develop cancer vaccines that are remarkably effective in mice. In the February 16 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Kimberly Jordan, PhD, Jill Slansky, PhD, and John Kappler, PhD, report that 100 percent of the mice vaccinated with a peptide they developed remained alive and tumor-free for at least 60 days after inoculation with colon cancer cells.

17 Feb 2010

Study: Researchers use genomics to decode blueprint of Plasmodium falciparum

Scientists battling malaria have earned a major victory. According to a Nature Genetics study, an international group of researchers has used genomics to decode the blueprint of Plasmodium falciparum - a strain of malaria most resistant to drugs that causes the most deaths around the world.

17 Feb 2010

CalciMedica granted U.S. composition patent concerning key component of CRAC channel

CalciMedica today announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued to CalciMedica US Patent No. 7,645,588, a composition patent involving STIM1, a key component of the calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel. The patent, entitled "Composition comprising a cell comprising a STIM1 protein and an agent that modulates intracellular calcium and methods of use," has a priority date of March 4, 2003 and was issued on January 12, 2010.

17 Feb 2010

ITS secures £8.65M Series-A equity funding round extension to fund synthetic flu vaccine study

Immune Targeting Systems (ITS) Limited (“ITS”), one of the leading developers of synthetic vaccines for mutating viruses, today announced it had secured a Series-A equity funding round extension for £8.65m which brings the total Series A financing to £13.15m. The company’s key investors HealthCap (Sweden), London Technology Fund (UK), Novartis Venture Fund (US & Basel) and Truffle Capital (France) are all participating. The round will be kept open until mid-2010 for new potential investors to invest.

17 Feb 2010

Adding daclizumab to standard treatment reduces enlarged brain lesions in patients with relapsing MS

An international team of researchers has found that adding a humanized monoclonal antibody called daclizumab to standard treatment reduces the number of new or enlarged brain lesions in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. This new study was published online Feb. 16, 2010, and in the March edition of the Lancet Neurology.

17 Feb 2010

Combination of daclizumab and interferon beta significantly reduces MS lesion formation

Biogen Idec and Facet Biotech Corporation today announced the publication of Phase 2 data showing that the addition of daclizumab to interferon beta (IFNβ) led to a significant reduction in the number of new or enlarged multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions when compared to IFNβ alone in patients with active relapsing forms of MS.

17 Feb 2010

NanoViricides signs research and development agreement with Dr. Eva Harris’s laboratory at UC Berkeley

NanoViricides, Inc. (the "Company"), reports that it has signed a research and development agreement with Dr. Eva Harris’s laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).

17 Feb 2010

AP examines male circumcision efforts in Africa, including adult circumcision devices

The Associated Press examines efforts to prevent the spread of HIV by circumcising "about 50 million men across Africa - where 70 percent of the world's HIV-infected population lives."

17 Feb 2010

Special issue reviews current state of science in fetal therapy

Repairing birth defects in the womb. Inserting a tiny laser into the mother's uterus to seal off an abnormal blood flow and save fetal twins. Advancing the science that may allow doctors to deliver cells or DNA to treat sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases before birth.

17 Feb 2010

Cancer Research UK, immatics Biotechnologies sign collaboration agreement to trial IMA950 vaccine for GMB

CANCER RESEARCH UK and Cancer Research Technology - the charity's development and commercialisation arm - have reached a collaboration agreement with immatics Biotechnologies to trial their new treatment vaccine, IMA950, for glioblastoma multiforme (GMB), one of the most common forms of brain cancer.

16 Feb 2010

Narcolepsy is indeed an autoimmune disorder, finds University of Lausanne study

Individuals with the sleep disorder narcolepsy suffer with excessive daytime sleepiness and attacks of muscle paralysis triggered by strong emotions (a condition known as cataplexy).

16 Feb 2010

12 minutes of activity a day is all you need to reclaim maximum health

You're hitting the gym four to five times a week. You're dutifully doing the elliptical trainer or treadmill for an hour at a time. But all those long, boring workouts do nothing to strengthen your heart or slim your waistline. Do enough cardio and aerobics and you'll get old before your time.

16 Feb 2010

TB's mechanism to evade body's immune system identified

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have identified a mechanism used by the tuberculosis bacterium to evade the body's immune system and have identified a compound that blocks the bacterium's ability to survive in the host, which could lead to new drugs to treat tuberculosis.

16 Feb 2010

Octapharma initiates Phase III studies for new, high purity IVIG in treatment of primary immune deficiency

Octapharma AG today announced the start of the first of a series of Phase III studies for its new 10% high purity intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The study will investigate the efficacy and safety of this novel immunoglobulin in the treatment of primary immune deficiency and, together with results from additional upcoming studies, will support its regulatory filing in Europe and the US.

16 Feb 2010

Scientists discover molecular pathway to regenerate damaged kidney tissues

Scientists have discovered a molecular pathway that works through the immune system to regenerate damaged kidney tissues and may lead to new therapies for repairing injury in a number of organs.

16 Feb 2010

AstraZeneca, Rigel Pharmaceuticals announce exclusive worldwide license agreement for R788

AstraZeneca and Rigel Pharmaceuticals today announced an exclusive worldwide license agreement for the global development and commercialization of fostamatinib disodium (R788), Rigel's late-stage investigational product for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and additional indications.

16 Feb 2010

CNRS-Institut researchers identify 'virulence factor' that inhibits host immune response

Oncogenic retroviruses are a particular family of viruses that can cause some types of cancer. Thierry Heidmann and his colleagues in the CNRS-Institut Gustave Roussy-Université Paris Sud 11 "Rétrovirus endogènes et éléments rétroïdes des eucaryotes supérieurs" Laboratory have studied these viruses. They have identified a "virulence factor" that inhibits the host immune response and allows the virus to spread throughout the body.

16 Feb 2010

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia awarded two grants to research into cellular therapies for blood disorders

The new decade may herald an era of cell therapy -- treating human diseases by delivering highly specific beneficial cells. In the wake of an NIH decision late last year permitting federally funded researchers to use new lines of human embryonic stem cells, the door has opened more widely to stem cell research.

16 Feb 2010

Medivir, Meda announce agreement to commercialize Medivir’s cold sore product, Xerese

Medivir and Meda today announced an agreement for the commercialization of Medivir’s cold sore product which will be marketed in North America under the trade name Xerese™.

15 Feb 2010

Proteins found in intestines can recognize and kill bacteria that have human blood type molecules

A set of proteins found in our intestines can recognize and kill bacteria that have human blood type molecules on their surfaces, scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered.

15 Feb 2010

Immune System News and Research

Researchers use new strategy to develop cancer vaccines

Study: Researchers use genomics to decode blueprint of Plasmodium falciparum

CalciMedica granted U.S. composition patent concerning key component of CRAC channel

ITS secures £8.65M Series-A equity funding round extension to fund synthetic flu vaccine study

Adding daclizumab to standard treatment reduces enlarged brain lesions in patients with relapsing MS

Combination of daclizumab and interferon beta significantly reduces MS lesion formation

NanoViricides signs research and development agreement with Dr. Eva Harris’s laboratory at UC Berkeley

AP examines male circumcision efforts in Africa, including adult circumcision devices

Special issue reviews current state of science in fetal therapy

Cancer Research UK, immatics Biotechnologies sign collaboration agreement to trial IMA950 vaccine for GMB

Narcolepsy is indeed an autoimmune disorder, finds University of Lausanne study

12 minutes of activity a day is all you need to reclaim maximum health

TB's mechanism to evade body's immune system identified

Octapharma initiates Phase III studies for new, high purity IVIG in treatment of primary immune deficiency

Scientists discover molecular pathway to regenerate damaged kidney tissues

AstraZeneca, Rigel Pharmaceuticals announce exclusive worldwide license agreement for R788

CNRS-Institut researchers identify 'virulence factor' that inhibits host immune response

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia awarded two grants to research into cellular therapies for blood disorders

Medivir, Meda announce agreement to commercialize Medivir’s cold sore product, Xerese

Proteins found in intestines can recognize and kill bacteria that have human blood type molecules

Immunology eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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