Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Moffitt Cancer Center study finds link between common gene mutations and tumor immune surveillance

Learning if a lung cancer patient has genetic mutations can help oncologists determine the best approach to treatment. There are four gene mutations (KRAS, TP53, STK11, and EGFR) that most commonly occur in lung cancer; however, there are limited effective therapies to target these mutations. With this in mind, Moffitt Cancer Center performed an extensive genetic analysis of lung cancer specimens to unravel how mutations in the two of those genes (TP53 and STK11) contribute to the biology of lung cancer and patient outcomes.

12 Nov 2015

Certain antibiotic treatment for MRSA may potentially make patients sicker

A new study sheds light on how treatment of the "superbug" known as MRSA with certain antibiotics can potentially make patients sicker. The findings by Cedars-Sinai scientists, published today in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, could have implications for managing the bug, a virulent form of the common staph infection that can be difficult to control.

12 Nov 2015

LEO Pharma enters into Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire Astellas’ global dermatology business

LEO Pharma A/S, a global healthcare company dedicated to helping people achieve healthy skin, and Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma Inc. today announced that they have entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement under which Astellas will transfer its global dermatology business to LEO Pharma for € 675 million.

11 Nov 2015

Astellas enters into definitive agreement to acquire Ocata

Astellas Pharma Inc. and Ocata Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of new therapies in the field of regenerative medicine, primarily cell therapy addressing unmet medical needs in ophthalmology patients, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement.

10 Nov 2015

First comprehensive genomic and biologic study of top skin disease-causing microbes

An international team of scientists, led by researchers from A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), and Bioinformatics Institute (BII), and P&G, have completed the first comprehensive genomic and biologic study of all species of Malassezia, one of the top skin disease-causing microbes.

9 Nov 2015

Seven new nCounter PanCancer profiles launched to deeply probe cancer biology

NanoString Technologies, Inc.a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, today announced the expansion of its 3D Biology™ portfolio with the commercial launch of the nCounter® PanCancer Profiles, seven new gene expression panels each designed to interrogate a focused area of cancer biology including immuno-oncology.

9 Nov 2015

Key part of MRSA vaccine puzzle unearthed

Immunologists from Trinity College Dublin have unearthed a key piece of the MRSA vaccine puzzle by identifying specific ‘helper’ cells whose role in the immune response is critical in affecting infection outcomes.

9 Nov 2015

Allergic response can be unexpected clue in medical mystery

Most people think of allergists as the doctors who help solve sneezing, wheezing and itchy eyes. They might not realize allergists are the medical mystery detectives with the expertise to discover what is causing all sorts of unusual allergic responses.

6 Nov 2015

Scientists discover small molecule that can block growth of BRCA-deficient cancer cells

Cancer cells with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which serve a vital role in preserving the integrity of the genetic code, are key targets for cancer therapeutics. Yet, few agents can selectively eliminate cells deficient in BRCA, and none can do so without the risk of inducing drug resistance.

6 Nov 2015

Loyola presents Scientist of the Year awards

Susan Baker, PhD, a leading researcher of a class of viruses that includes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), has been named Senior Scientist of the Year at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Wei Qiu, PhD, who is researching the molecular mechanisms of liver cancer, has been named Junior Scientist of the Year.

6 Nov 2015

Majority of people not allergic to intravenous penicillins, say ACAAI allergists

Most people who think they're allergic to penicillin have been told so by a doctor after they've had a reaction to the drug. And the majority, even though they've never been allergy tested, never take penicillin again.

6 Nov 2015

Researchers discover potential solution for side effects of immunotherapy treatment for Alzheimer's

It is estimated that 46.8 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with Alzheimer's disease the most common form.

5 Nov 2015

New research shows siblings of children with food allergies have sensitivity, but not true allergy

If one child in a family has a food allergy, the reasoning sometimes goes, chances are good that siblings might also have food allergies. Not necessarily, according to new research which shows that 53 percent of siblings of children with food allergies had a food sensitivity, but only 13 percent had actual food allergy.

5 Nov 2015

New book by Virginia Tech researchers explains a set of techniques to model the immune system

The complexity of the human immune response has been difficult to characterize on a 'big picture' level, but researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech have written the book on how it can be done.

5 Nov 2015

New therapy attacks the source of asthma, treats the disease at cellular level

Imagine you suffer from severe asthma, and you've tried every treatment available, but nothing has worked. You still can't breathe. Then a new therapy comes along that attacks the source of the asthma, as opposed to the symptoms, and treats the disease at a cellular level. That's the promise of biologics, and the topic of four presentations at the 2015 ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, November 5-9.

5 Nov 2015

Breastfeeding may not protect against allergies

Pregnant women and new mothers receive many messages regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for babies in the first year of life. Breastfeeding is thought to reduce the risk of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, food allergies and eczema in children.

5 Nov 2015

Many seasonal allergy sufferers take OTC products rather prescription medications

Anyone suffering with seasonal allergies knows the local pharmacy carries shelves full of over-the-counter medications to help manage symptoms. Unfortunately, most seasonal allergy sufferers take over-the counter (OTC) products rather than the treatments they actually prefer - prescription medications.

5 Nov 2015

New vaccine candidate shows great promise at fighting respiratory syncytial virus

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers say a new candidate vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) made with a weakened version of the virus shows great promise at fighting the disease, the leading cause of hospitalization for children under the age of one in the U.S.

5 Nov 2015

JEDI T-cells provide unique technology to study, visualize immune responses and immunotherapies

When it comes to fending off disease and helping prevent people from falling ill, the body's immune system -- armed with T-cells that help eliminate cancer cells, virus-infected cells and more -- is second to none. But exactly how the immune system works remains, in many ways, a mystery, as there are numerous cell types whose functions and interactions with our immune systems have not been well understood.

5 Nov 2015

Johnson & Johnson signs definitive agreement to purchase Novira Therapeutics

Johnson & Johnson today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Novira Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for curative treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

4 Nov 2015

Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Moffitt Cancer Center study finds link between common gene mutations and tumor immune surveillance

Certain antibiotic treatment for MRSA may potentially make patients sicker

LEO Pharma enters into Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire Astellas’ global dermatology business

Astellas enters into definitive agreement to acquire Ocata

First comprehensive genomic and biologic study of top skin disease-causing microbes

Seven new nCounter PanCancer profiles launched to deeply probe cancer biology

Key part of MRSA vaccine puzzle unearthed

Allergic response can be unexpected clue in medical mystery

Scientists discover small molecule that can block growth of BRCA-deficient cancer cells

Loyola presents Scientist of the Year awards

Majority of people not allergic to intravenous penicillins, say ACAAI allergists

Researchers discover potential solution for side effects of immunotherapy treatment for Alzheimer's

New research shows siblings of children with food allergies have sensitivity, but not true allergy

New book by Virginia Tech researchers explains a set of techniques to model the immune system

New therapy attacks the source of asthma, treats the disease at cellular level

Breastfeeding may not protect against allergies

Many seasonal allergy sufferers take OTC products rather prescription medications

New vaccine candidate shows great promise at fighting respiratory syncytial virus

JEDI T-cells provide unique technology to study, visualize immune responses and immunotherapies

Johnson & Johnson signs definitive agreement to purchase Novira Therapeutics

Immunology eBook

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

Exploring the G:Box and for high-quality imaging