New research suggests there may someday be a role for ibuprofen in providing older adults with lasting immunity against RSV, a virus commonly associated with infants and young kids that also rivals the flu as a dangerous wintertime infection for the el…
Bone marrow backup needed to tackle respiratory infections
Scientists have found how the immune system triggers an ’emergency’ dendritic cell response during infection, with dendritic cells at the site of infection being reinforced by new cells which travel from the bone marrow.
Researchers investigate role of gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease in brain’s immune cells
When immune cells move throughout the brain, they act as the first line of defense against viruses, toxic materials and damaged neurons, rushing over to clear out them. Researchers have been investigating how these immune cells in the brain — microgli…
When macrophages let off steam
New data shows how inflammatory reactions can be resolved by changes to the metabolism of macrophages. Danger signals released by damaged cells during inflammation play a role during this process. ‘Rewiring’ the mitochondria in the macrophages protects…
Experimental drug boosts immunotherapy effectiveness in pancreatic cancer in mice
An experimental drug enhanced the benefit of an immunotherapy to fight pancreatic cancer in mice by increasing the number of immune cells in the immediate vicinity of the tumor, leading to a reduction in tumor growth, and in some mice, eliminating thei…
Machine learning model uses clinical and genomic data to predict immunotherapy effectiveness
A new machine learning model accurately predicts whether immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), a growing class of immunotherapy drugs, will be effective in patients diagnosed with a wide variety of cancers. The forecasting tool assesses multiple patient-sp…
Researchers identify molecule that blocks immune cells from entering and killing breast tumors
Researchers have identified a key molecule in certain kinds of breast cancers that prevent immune cells from entering tumors and killing the cancer cells inside. This research could pave the way toward a new treatment for certain kinds of aggressive br…
Novel drug liberates tumor vessels to aid cancer drug delivery
A therapeutic antibody has been shown to unblock and normalize blood vessels inside cancerous tumors, enabling the more effective delivery of targeted cancer treatments.
Inflammatory cytokine levels may predict outcomes in orthopedic trauma patients
Inflammatory cytokines are molecules that are secreted by immune cells to promote inflammation. A study found that measuring inflammatory cytokines may help predict patient outcomes after traumatic injury, which is the leading cause of mortality in ind…
A commonly found parasite could treat certain types of cancer, say scientists
Scientists have discovered that a deadly parasite, known to cause ill health in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients, could potentially be used to treat various types of tumors.