Researchers at St. Jude Children’s hospital have identified the population of white blood cells that tumors use to propagate their growth AND to suppress the immune system. Continue reading
Category Archives: Immunology & Immunotherapy
Cell Medica’s Antigen-Specific T-cells for Lymphoma
Cell Medica, a London-based biotech company, raised $78MM in a Series B financing with several accomplished biotech investors on the strength of data from its clinical trials in patients with EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) associated lymphomas. Continue reading
Amgen’s Trebananib Does Not Meet Overall Survival Endpoint in Phase Study of Ovarian Cancer Patients
Angiopoietin inhibitor, trebananib, did not extend overall survival (OS) in a Phase 3 study in ovarian cancer. In the TRINOVA-1 trial of 900 women with recurrent ovarian cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy, patients receiving trebananib plus paclitaxel had a 19.3 month overall survival versus 18.3 months OS for women receiving paclitaxel, alone. The difference was not statistically significant. Continue reading
Unum’s Antibody-Directed T Cells: Differentiated from CAR T-Cell and T Cell Receptor Reprogramming
Unum Therapeutics is a new immunotherapy biotechnology company in which Fidelity Biosciences, Atlas Ventures and Sanofi invested $12 MM in a Series A (first venture round) of investment. Continue reading
Immunotherapy of Cancer: Roche & NewLink $1 Billion Deal for IDO Inhibition
Roche (Genentech) entered into a $1 billion deal with NewLink Genetics, a company with an IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) inhibitor. Continue reading
Lentiviral Vectors for Gene Transfection in CAR T-cell Therapy
Novartis entered into a $90 MM deal with Oxford Biomedica for use of its lentiviral vectors with its CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) modified T-cell product, CTL019, being developed with researchers at UPENN. Continue reading
IND for Clinical Studies of dCellVax Breast Cancer Immune Therapy Filed – Intelligent and Rational Gene Silencing Approach for Cancer
Regen Biopharma recently filed an IND (Investigational New Drug Application) with the FDA to permit the initiation of Phase 1 clinical trials of its dCellVax treatment for advanced breast cancer. Continue reading
Stealth Nanoparticles To Reach Macrophages in Lymph Nodes
Antigen Presenting Cells (APc’s – dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages) are the key to provoking a robust adaptive immune response. But are all APC’s created equally in this regard? Not exactly. Continue reading
The Texas 2 Step Approach to Cancer Cyberwarfare via Exosomes
Multi-modality (surgery, chemo, radiation) therapy and combination chemotherapy (e.g, CHOP and ABVD) have long been the mainstays of treating cancer. So, we should not be surprised to read about the discovery made by scientists at Rice University and MD Anderson regarding a two-step approach involving radiation and immunotherapy. Continue reading
Chop Protein Suppresses the Immune Response in Cancer
The Chop protein, not to be confused with the CHOP chemotherapy regimen for lymphoma (Cyclophosphamide, Hydro doxorubicin – Adriamycin, Oncovin – vincristine, and Prednisone), is a multifunctional transcription factor. This 29 kda protein that is produced following unfolded protein stress in the endoplasmic reticulum, which then triggers apoptosis. Continue reading