Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Messenger substance plays significant role in viral diseases and reactions to infections

The connection with the blood circulatory system is a significant step in the development of cancer. Within the tissue where it is growing, the tumour develops an independent existence. With signal substances it entices white blood cells from the bone marrow into the tumour tissue.

6 Apr 2010

PS-targeting antibodies can block HIV virus from entering into certain blood cells

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the publication of data showing phosphatidylserine -targeting antibodies can block one of the key ways the AIDS virus gains entry into certain blood cells. The data were generated by scientists at Duke University as part of their ongoing AIDS vaccine research.

6 Apr 2010

Barrow Neurological Institute scientist receives grant to study myasthenia gravis

A scientist at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix has been awarded a major grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association to continue his groundbreaking work in the disease of myasthenia gravis.

6 Apr 2010

Peregrine's PS-targeting antibodies block HIV from entry into blood cells

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the publication of data showing phosphatidylserine (PS)-targeting antibodies can block one of the key ways the AIDS virus gains entry into certain blood cells. The data were generated by scientists at Duke University as part of their ongoing AIDS vaccine research. The article titled "Anti-Phospholipid Human Monoclonal Antibodies Inhibit CCR5-Tropic HIV-1 and Induces β-Chemokines" is available online today and will be published in the April 12, 2010 edition of the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

5 Apr 2010

Economic burden associated with HAE treatment: First-ever comprehensive examination

Dyax Corp. announced the publication of a first-ever comprehensive examination of the economic burden associated with the treatment of acute attacks and chronic management of hereditary angioedema (HAE). The results, published today in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, bring to light the substantial direct and indirect medical costs of the disease on patients, payers and society. The economic study is one component of a larger survey-based Burden of Illness (BOI) study which assessed both the economic and humanistic burden of HAE.

5 Apr 2010

Selecta Biosciences raises $15M in new Series C financing round

Selecta Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing synthetic nanoparticle vaccines, today announced that it has raised $15 million in a Series C financing round. OrbiMed Advisors LLC led the round, with participation from existing investors Polaris Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, NanoDimension and Leukon Investments. The Series C financing brings the total capital raised by Selecta over the past 15 months to more than $30 million.

5 Apr 2010

Donate Life America survey reveals pervasive donation myths

According to a new survey by Donate Life America, 43 percent of people are undecided, reluctant or do not wish to have their organs and tissue donated after their deaths. While an improvement over findings from a similar survey last year in which 50 percent reported the same, the statistic illustrates a critical need to continue to increase the level of support for organ donation to save the lives of the more than 105,000 adults and children on the transplant waiting list in the U.S., an average 18 of whom die each day waiting.

5 Apr 2010

New report questions the kinetics of T cell receptors

T cell receptors are among the most important molecules in the immune system because of their role in recognizing the antigens that signal such threats as viruses and cancer. The receptors must also distinguish these threats from the body's own cells to avoid triggering an unwanted immune system response.

5 Apr 2010

Kinetics of T cell receptors: New findings could lead to reevaluation of earlier conclusions

3 Apr 2010

Major breakthrough may help develop low toxicity drugs for sleeping sickness

Scientists from the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee - working together with partners at the University of York and the Structural Genomics Consortium in Toronto - have made a major breakthrough in identifying new treatments for a fatal disease which infects tens of thousands of Africans each year.

1 Apr 2010

MDA awards 42 medical researchers and labs over $21M for critical neuromuscular research

Forty-two medical researchers and their labs have been awarded over $21 million by the Muscular Dystrophy Association to continue critical neuromuscular research. Many of the grants are multi-year awards to be dispersed over the next three years.

1 Apr 2010

Positive results from Ardea Biosciences' Phase 2b study of RDEA594 for hyperuricemia and gout

Ardea Biosciences, Inc. announced positive, preliminary, top-line results from its Phase 2b monotherapy study of RDEA594, its lead product candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. In this 28-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study, 123 gout patients with hyperuricemia (serum urate levels greater than or equal to 8 mg/dL) received 200 mg once-daily (qd) RDEA594, 400 mg qd RDEA594, 600 mg qd RDEA594 or matching placebo.

1 Apr 2010

Dr. Ingmar Bruns selected as seventh recipient of EHA-ASH Research Exchange Award

The European Hematology Association and the American Society of Hematology have selected Ingmar Bruns, MD, as the seventh recipient of the EHA-ASH Research Exchange Award, which serves to strengthen ties between North American and European scientific communities.

31 Mar 2010

Astellas Pharma extends all-cash tender offer of OSI Pharmaceuticals

Astellas Pharma Inc. announced today that it has extended its all-cash tender offer for $52 per share for all of the currently outstanding shares of common stock (including the associated stock purchase rights) of OSI Pharmaceuticals to 11:59 p.m. New York City time on Friday, April 23, 2010, unless further extended.

31 Mar 2010

YM BioSciences receives approval to expand enrolment in Phase I/II clinical trial of CYT387

YM BioSciences Inc., announced that it has received ethics board approval to expand enrolment in its Phase I/II clinical trial of CYT387 at Mayo Clinic in patients with myelofibrosis, a chronic debilitating condition, where patient's bone marrow is replaced by scar tissue.

31 Mar 2010

Mutations in gene protecting body leads to development of cancer

An important gene that normally protects the body against cancer can itself cause a variety of cancers depending on the specific mutation that damages it, according to a new study by investigators at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James).

30 Mar 2010

Rite Aid, AAAAI team up to offer guides to allergy sufferers

Rite Aid and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology are again teaming up this spring to help allergy sufferers with free allergy guides available now in nearly 4,800 Rite Aid stores nationwide and online at www.riteaid.com.

30 Mar 2010

Astellas Pharma, OSIP enter into confidentiality agreement

Astellas Pharma Inc. confirmed today that it has entered into a confidentiality agreement with OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Under the agreement, OSI will provide Astellas with access to certain non-public information. This follows Astellas' approach to OSI after OSI's announcement that its board of directors had instructed its management and financial advisors to contact interested third parties regarding a potential transaction.

30 Mar 2010

UAB researchers discover first bio-marker for MS

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found the first bio-marker for multiple sclerosis that might predict which patients will respond to a standard therapy and which will not.

29 Mar 2010

Study provides new clues to obesity epidemic

In a newly published study, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have shown for the first time that the same molecular mechanisms that drive people into drug addiction are behind the compulsion to overeat, pushing people into obesity.

29 Mar 2010

Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Messenger substance plays significant role in viral diseases and reactions to infections

PS-targeting antibodies can block HIV virus from entering into certain blood cells

Barrow Neurological Institute scientist receives grant to study myasthenia gravis

Peregrine's PS-targeting antibodies block HIV from entry into blood cells

Economic burden associated with HAE treatment: First-ever comprehensive examination

Selecta Biosciences raises $15M in new Series C financing round

Donate Life America survey reveals pervasive donation myths

New report questions the kinetics of T cell receptors

Kinetics of T cell receptors: New findings could lead to reevaluation of earlier conclusions

Major breakthrough may help develop low toxicity drugs for sleeping sickness

MDA awards 42 medical researchers and labs over $21M for critical neuromuscular research

Positive results from Ardea Biosciences' Phase 2b study of RDEA594 for hyperuricemia and gout

Dr. Ingmar Bruns selected as seventh recipient of EHA-ASH Research Exchange Award

Astellas Pharma extends all-cash tender offer of OSI Pharmaceuticals

YM BioSciences receives approval to expand enrolment in Phase I/II clinical trial of CYT387

Mutations in gene protecting body leads to development of cancer

Rite Aid, AAAAI team up to offer guides to allergy sufferers

Astellas Pharma, OSIP enter into confidentiality agreement

UAB researchers discover first bio-marker for MS

Study provides new clues to obesity epidemic

Immunology eBook

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech