Recent data published indicates great hope in a newly developed COVID-19 vaccine

Developed by City of Hope researchers, an investigational COVID-19 vaccine was seen to produce both antibody and T cell response against the virus in clinical trials. The vaccine, COH04S1, differs from previous vaccines developed to target COVID-19. COH04S1 targets two different proteins of the virus, the spike and nucleocapsid proteins. This combination of antigens into one vaccine grants substantial T cell immunity. Even as new mutations arise in the virus’ spike protein, antigens of the nucleocapsid would protect individuals from COVID-19. The vaccine is currently undergoing phase 2 clinical trials, being evaluated for both efficacy for immunocompromised cancer patients and as a Phase 2 vaccine booster.

Restoring p53 function with mRNA nanoparticles and immune checkpoint blockade to enhance immunotherapy

A collaboration between researchers at Mass General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s led to fruitful findings for a transformative approach to Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The team began with hopes to address the current limitations of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). A new class of drugs that despite demonstrating the ability to enhance anti-tumor immunity, only elicit responses in a small fraction of patients. Through use of p53 targeted mRNA nanoparticles, researchers were able to restore p53 function in an immunosuppressed environment to potentiate ICB response in HCC murine models. Success was observed through effective reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment and suppression of tumor growth.

181 Nobel Laureates condemn Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine.

An open letter from Nobel laureates

The undersigned Nobel laureates voice our support for the Ukrainian people and the free and independent state of Ukraine as it faces Russian aggression.

In a move that recalls the infamous attack of Nazi Germany on Poland in 1939 (using similar tricks of feigned provocation) and on the Soviet Union in 1941, the government of the Russian Federation, led by President Putin, has launched an unprovoked military aggression — nothing else but a war — against its neighbor, Ukraine. We choose our words carefully here, for we do not believe the Russian people have a role in this aggression.

We join in condemning these military actions and President Putin’s essential denial of the legitimacy of Ukraine’s existence.

There is always a peaceful way to resolve disputes. The Russian invasion blatantly violates the United Nations Charter, which says “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” It ignores the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, which obligated Russia and others to respect the sovereignty, independence, and existing borders of Ukraine.

Russia’s security concerns can be addressed within the framework of the UN Charter, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, and the 1990 Paris Charter. To make war, as President Putin and his collaborators have done, is an unwarranted, bloody, and unproductive way to a future.

The Russian invasion will stain the international reputation of the Russian state for decades to come. It will pose barriers to its economy and inflict hardships on its population. The sanctions imposed will restrict the ease of movement of its talented and hardworking people in the world. Why raise this fence between Russia and the world now?

Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers, Russian soldiers, and Ukrainian civilians, including children, have died already. It’s so sad, so unnecessary. We gather in this appeal to call upon the Russian government to stop its invasion of Ukraine and withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

We respect the calm and the strength of the Ukrainian people. We are with you. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of all, Ukrainians and Russians, who have died and been injured already. May peace come to this piece of our beautiful world.

Exciting research reveals new potential in investigating “hybrid immunity” against Covid-19 and evolving variant

Exciting research reveals new potential in investigating “hybrid immunity” against Covid-19 and evolving variants. A year-long project from Rockefeller university led to unanticipated results indicating individuals who were previously infected with the virus and later vaccinated have “hybrid immunity”, super immunity against Covid-19 and newer variants. Primary investigation focused on anticipating more resilient variants of Covid-19, in hopes to get ahead of the pandemic. Following exposure of an engineered virus to blood samples, initial results were as expected but what soon followed was a well-welcomed surprise. The blood samples of individuals who recovered from Covid-19 and were then vaccinated showed incredibly diverse antibodies, of much greater quantity than people double vaccinated and boosted. These qualities have granted these individuals “hybrid immunity” and greater defense against new and evolving Covid-19 variants. Hope remains in continued research to mimic “hybrid immunity” through advancing vaccine regimes, as to end this pandemic and better defend against future ones.