All articles tagged with #checkpoint inhibitors
Research suggests that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may extend survival in certain cancer patients by boosting the immune response, especially when administered within 100 days of starting cancer therapy, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of treatments like checkpoint inhibitors.
Immunotherapy is emerging as the "fourth pillar" of cancer treatments, alongside chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. This relatively new approach harnesses the power of the patient's immune system to fight the disease. Immunotherapy works by awakening the immune system to target cancer cells, either by blocking proteins that inhibit the immune response or by targeting abnormal proteins on the tumor's surface. Clinical trials have shown promising results, with some patients experiencing complete remission without the need for standard treatments. While immunotherapy is primarily used for blood cancers, it is also being explored for solid tumors. The future of immunotherapy looks promising, with ongoing advancements and the potential for AI to play a role in its development.
A mouse model was developed to study the role of PD-1 in maintaining peripheral tolerance towards skin-specific antigens. PD-1 prevented tissue-infiltrating antigen-specific effector CD8 T cells from acquiring a pathogenic differentiation state, secreting effector molecules, and gaining access to epidermal antigen-expressing cells. In the absence of PD-1, epidermal antigen-expressing cells were eliminated by antigen-specific CD8 T cells, resulting in local pathology. The study supports a model of peripheral T cell tolerance in which PD-1 allows antigen-specific effector CD8 T cells to co-exist with antigen-expressing cells in tissues without immunopathology.