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Genetically engineering NK cells can target and kill glioblastoma stem cells

Preclinical research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center finds that although glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) can be targeted by natural killer (NK) cells, they are able to evade immune attack by releasing the TFG-β signaling protein, which blocks NK cell activity.

18 Jun 2021

Novel platform may lead to more improved gene therapies

Researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have developed polypeptide-based materials that serve as effective vectors in delivering gene therapies.

11 Jun 2021

Commonly used antidepressant drugs can also help the immune system to attack cancer

A class of drug called monoamine oxidase inhibitors is commonly prescribed to treat depression; the medications work by boosting levels of serotonin, the brain's "happiness hormone."

10 Jun 2021

Gene therapy may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia

A preclinical study led by scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys has established that AAV8-TNAP-D10--a gene therapy that replaces a key enzyme found in bone--may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia (HPP).

8 Jun 2021

Study discovers novel function for metabolic enzyme medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase

Scientists have come up with an innovative function for the metabolic enzyme medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) in glioblastoma (GBM).

1 Jun 2021

More informed choices of contraceptives can prevent breast cancer

Hormonal contraceptives, e.g. the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring, contain synthetic hormones that prevent pregnancy by either stopping ovulation, changing the cervical mucus to stop sperm from passing through the cervix and finding an egg, or changing the womb's lining to prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted in it.

31 May 2021

Latest articles provide novel insights into the mechanisms driving pridopidine neuroprotective effects

Prilenia Therapeutics B.V., a clinical stage biotech company focused on developing novel treatments for neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, today announces the publication of three peer-reviewed journal articles, highlighting key aspects of the mechanism of action of its lead asset, pridopidine, and the importance of S1R activation as a mechanism to attenuate biological features of neurodegenerative diseases.

25 May 2021

Gene expression signatures underlying microglia linked with amyloid plaque phagocytosis

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia distinguished by the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain.

24 May 2021

High-fat, high-sugar diet reduces intestinal immune cell activity in mice

A team of researchers led by Thaddeus Stappenbeck discovered that a high-fat, high-sugar diet relates to reduced intestinal immune cell activity in mice.

20 May 2021

Study reveals mitochondrial enzyme plays a vital role in preventing ferroptosis

According to a study, the mitochondrial enzyme DHODH plays a significant and previously unknown function in preventing a form of cell death called ferroptosis.

13 May 2021

New, altered form of prolactin receptor found to drive breast cancer

Prolactin is a hormone that has long been thought to play an important role in breast development and growth, as well as milk production during pregnancy.

27 Apr 2021

Chaperone protein imbalance initiates toxic accumulation of tau in the aging brain

Chaperone protein imbalance can play a significant role in initiating toxic accumulation of tau in the aging brain - an early step in the development of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies, a new preclinical study by University of South Florida Health (USF Health) neuroscientists suggests.

21 Apr 2021

New breakthrough in understanding the role of high-risk immune genes in rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers within the Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University have made a breakthrough in understanding the role played by high-risk immune genes associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

19 Apr 2021

Modified immune cells can ruthlessly kill cancerous tumors

Modified immune cells that ruthlessly kill cancerous tumors may prove a game-changer for people living with late-stage cancer.

16 Apr 2021

Researchers identify and test drug combination that exploits a weakness in small cell lung cancer

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have identified and tested a drug combination that exploits a weakness in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive, dangerous cancer.

13 Apr 2021

Study identifies multiple genes that are frequently mutated in uterine leiomyosarcomas

In a new study, Yale Cancer Center researchers have defined the genetic landscape of uterine leiomyosarcomas (uLMS).

6 Apr 2021

Novel vaccine uses patient's own tumor cells to train the immune system to fight cancer

Immunotherapy, which recruits the body's own immune system to attack cancer, has given many cancer patients a new avenue to treat the disease.

25 Mar 2021

Hormone drugs may help disarm coronavirus spike protein and stop disease progression

Hormone drugs that reduce androgen levels may help disarm the coronavirus spike protein used to infect cells and stop the progression of severe COVID-19 disease, suggests a new preclinical study from researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and published online in Cell Press's iScience.

23 Mar 2021

Immune cells in cerebrospinal fluid could be biomarkers to predict immunotherapy response

Results from a study led by Joan Seoane, Director of Preclinical and Translational Research co-program at VHIO and ICREA Professor, show that immune cells accessing cerebrospinal fluid faithfully recapitulate the characteristics of cells identified in brain metastasis, and could therefore constitute novel biomarkers of response to immune-based therapies.

9 Mar 2021

New substance could improve the treatment of drug-resistant cancers

A new substance could improve the treatment of persistent cancers. Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and the University of Greifswald have developed a new inhibitor that makes drug-resistant tumor cells respond again to chemotherapy.