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Immunotherapy
Regulating the regulators of the immune system
Regulating the regulators of the immune system
Research led by School of Veterinary Medicine scientists reveals a new layer of complexity with which the immune system finds a balance between controlling pathogens and protecting healthy tissue.
CAR T cells suppress GI solid tumor cells without toxicity to healthy tissue
CAR T cells suppress GI solid tumor cells without toxicity to healthy tissue
New research finds that CAR T cells can eliminate solid tumors, but do not damage healthy, normal tissues that also express a tumor antigen, because the tumor antigen is sequestered and hidden between the normal cells.
Decade-long remission after CAR T cell therapy
Decade-long remission after CAR T cell therapy
Two patients represent longest-known CAR T cell response to date, providing insight into treatment effect and outcomes.
First-in-human trial with CAR macrophages shows promise targeting solid tumors
First-in-human trial with CAR macrophages shows promise targeting solid tumors
A new Penn study demonstrates that engineered macrophages, which can be targeted to tumors, may be a possible new immune-based treatment of some cancers.
New insights into T-cell exhaustion could improve cancer immunotherapies
New insights into T-cell exhaustion could improve cancer immunotherapies
A new Penn Medicine study finds that suppressing key exhaustion genes may allow CAR T cell treatments to be used much more effectively against pancreatic and other solid cancers.
A new class of CAR T cells targets previously untargetable cancer drivers
A new class of CAR T cells targets previously untargetable cancer drivers
Focusing on neuroblastoma, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have harnessed the immune system to destroy tumors.
Engineering CAR T cells to activate a bodily response to solid tumors
Engineering CAR T cells to activate a bodily response to solid tumors
A new Penn study shows that CAR T cells expressing RN7SL1, a naturally occurring RNA, can activate the body’s natural immune cells against difficult-to-treat cancers.
Clarifying T cell ‘exhaustion’
Clarifying T cell ‘exhaustion’
T cells, which are among the most powerful weapons in the immune systems of humans and other vertebrates, remain substantially programmed to stay exhausted even many weeks after exposure to a virus ended.
New cell therapy shows potential against solid tumors with KRAS mutations
New cell therapy shows potential against solid tumors with KRAS mutations
The new technology for cellular immunotherapy shows promising anti-tumor activity in the lab against hard-to-treat cancers driven the KRAS mutation.
Low on antibodies, blood cancer patients can fight off COVID-19 with T cells
Low on antibodies, blood cancer patients can fight off COVID-19 with T cells
T cells can step up to do the job when antibodies are depleted, suggests a new Penn Medicine study of blood cancer patients with COVID-19.
In the News
Chemistry World
A decade of CAR T cell therapy
In a feature on the history and future of CAR T, the work of Carl June, Michael C. Milone, Aimee Payne, Drew Weissman, and Jonathan Epstein from the Perelman School of Medicine is highlighted.
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Technology Networks
CAR T cells engineered to deliver RNA to enhance immunotherapy response
Andy J. Minn of the Perelman School of Medicine explains how Chimeric antigen receptor T cells typically are like lone soldiers without backup.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Penn immunotherapy pioneer Carl June shares prize from Israeli foundation that also honors Fauci
Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine was awarded a Dan David prize for his contributions to immunotherapy.
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The New York Times
A woman may have been cured of HIV without medical treatment
Una O’Doherty of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on a study that appeared to fully suppress HIV without using drugs. “It’s certainly encouraging but speculative,” she said. “I need to see more before I would say, ‘Oh, she’s cured.’”
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The New York Times
Decades-old Soviet studies hint at coronavirus strategy
Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine said the benefits of a repurposed vaccines are limited. “We are much better off with a vaccine that induces specific immunity,” he said.
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