Checkpoint inhibitors, alone, are effective in 25% of patients when administered as a single agent. The goal of the collaboration between Celgene and Jounce is to address the other 75% of patients. The lead program is focused on ICOS, the Inducible T cell CO-Stimulator, a protein on the surface of T cells that can spur an immune response against a patient’s cancer. Continue reading
Tag Archives: immunotherapy
Early Cancer Detection Company, Grail, Led by Former Google VP – Ashley P. Angelo, Contributor
Healthcare firm Grail, which has been formed by the gene sequencing company Illumina, named Jeff Huber, former Google X Senior Vice President, as its CEO in February. With Huber’s experience in developing large-scale data, Grail hopes to improve gene sequencing technology used in blood tests for early detection of cancer in asymptomatic patients so that immunotherapeutic strategies, as opposed to toxic chemotherapy, can be employed with the goal of curing cancer. Continue reading
Cell-based Immunotherapies in the News
Baxalta, the biopharmaceutical spinoff of Baxter, entered into a $1.7 B deal with Precision BioSceinces for 6 CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) projects, and Saronic Biotechnology announced positive data in preclinical studies of its autologous dendritic cell vaccine for hepatocellular carcinoma. 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