Immunology
Blocking some T cells may unleash full power of immune system against cancer
Researchers have identified a way to restrict regulatory T-cell activity in tumor cells, which in turn can unleash other immune cells to attack tumors in cancer patients. The research is being published in the August 3 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read More
Cellular programming spurs next-generation cell therapies
Cellular reprogramming of ex vivo cells may offer improvements on first-generation adoptive cell therapies, which have experienced limited clinical success due to complex manufacturing, potential patient rejection, and availability of clinical cell types. Further, in vivo reprogramming may expand on this concept by eliminating the need for manufacture and the risk of immune rejection. Read More
Oncolytic viruses move closer to becoming effective cancer therapies
Scientists are identifying key factors that aid in the effectiveness of oncolytic viruses during the treatment of cancers, which could lead to better immunotherapies and inform clinicians which patients might benefit from the treatment. Findings from a June 22 Nature Communications article point to the clinical relevance and underlying mechanisms of a novel anticancer treatment. Read More
What makes immunotherapies successful in one tumor but not in others?
Researchers have developed a new framework to uncover pathophysiological and molecular features that determine the effectiveness of immunotherapies. The research, published in Nature Communications on June 29, provides an opportunity for improving patient care and gaining a deeper understanding of cancer immunotherapy mechanisms. Read More
CAR-NK cells hold promise for solid tumors
A new cancer immunotherapy that leverages the ability of natural killer (NK) cells to discriminate between cancer and normal cells has shown promise in solid tumors. The technology incorporates the cancer-targeting ability of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), according to data published in iScience on June 25. Read More
FDA issues EUA for monoclonal antibody for treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, for tocilizumab (Actemra) for the treatment of hospitalized adults and pediatric patients. Read More
Advancing from CAR T-cell therapies to modified NK cell therapies
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have quickly become promising candidates for the treatment of many cancers. However, other immune cell types, such as natural killer (NK) cells, may be effective for some cancers, such as solid tumors, that are traditionally challenging for CAR T therapies. The science behind this concept is worth examining. Read More
Personalized cell therapies offer hope for some of the toughest cancers
Complete with a long-term vision of developing a pipeline of oncology therapies that modulate the functional immune system, Sotio of the Czech Republic is breaking into the world of autologous immuno-oncology therapies. The company's goal is to eventually become a prominent European pharmaceutical firm, according to Radek Špíšek, PhD, CEO and founding scientist of Sotio, who spoke with ScienceBoard.net in a recent interview. Read More
Hope for next-gen COVID-19 vaccines may rest in an unexpected region of the virus
Researchers further elucidated how antibodies produced in people who effectively fight off SARS-CoV-2 work to neutralize the part of the virus responsible for causing infection. The study, published in Science on May 4, describes how antibodies targeting sections of the virus outside of the receptor-binding domain may be useful in the development of vaccines and therapies. Read More
How one cell transplant platform is poised to tackle complex diseases
Lineage Cell Therapeutics CEO Brian Culley discusses the company's cell therapy technology with ScienceBoard.net. The technology involves the transplantation of differentiated stem cells as part of an off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapy. Read More
Conferences
CPhI North America
August 10-12
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States
Bioprocessing Summit
August 16-19
Boston, Massachusetts United States
6th Annual CAR-TCR Summit
August 30 - September 2
Online
European Congress of Immunology (ECI) 2021
September 1-4
Belgrade Serbia
Medical Affairs Strategic Summit (MASS)
September 13-15
New Brunswick, New Jersey United States
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