VIC lab members enjoying a goodbye event for David Verrill, VIC lab manager, as he heads off to begin a PhD program at Northeastern University.
David Verrill Goodbye Event
EpiVax and Massachusetts General Hospital Advance on T cell-Targeted Epitope Vaccine for Q Fever
Evaluation of a human T cell-targeted multi-epitope vaccine for Q fever in animal models of Coxiella burnetti immunity. This paper is the result of a collaboration with Epivax, Inc., the Oxford Vaccine Group, Colorado State University and VIC published in Frontiers in Immunology.
COVID Vaccines, Therapeutics, Variants, Long COVID, Ability To Tackle the Next Pandemic
Director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC) at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Mark Poznansky, joins Dr. Marc Siegel on Sirius XM Doctor Radio and discusses the latest information on vaccine development, current therapeutics, Long COVID, individual responsibility in preventing the spread of COVID, and the United States’ ability to tackle the next pandemic.
A new platform for immunotherapeutic RNA delivery to cancer cells
A study led by Dr. Minh Le investigates the potential in red blood cell extracellular vesicles (RBCEVs) to suppress cancer progression. The study recently demonstrated the capabilities of these nano-sized vesicles with successful delivery of immunotherapeutic RNA molecules to suppress cancer growth and metastasis in laboratory models. In addition, the study highlighted the advantages of the RBCEV platform, efficient delivery of therapeutics and potential for engineering specificity to target a variety of cancer types. The team continues its research in hopes to broaden the platform to more cancer types and benefit cancer patients.
Immune cell ‘Soldier’ identified as potential target for immunotherapy
A newly discovered immune cell “soldier” may be the next target for immunotherapy. Termed killer innate-like T cells, these cells are unlike the traditional targets of immunotherapies, that is they exhaust at a slower rate and penetrate more deeply into the tissue. Killer innate-like T cells can recognize unmutated antigens and are not dependent on antigen-presenting cells. Instead the cells are constantly primed, ready to attack cancerous cells. Researchers hope these T cells, as compared to conventional T cells, may help in eliciting immune response in patients unresponsive to immunotherapy treatment.
Dual-drug treatment offers promise for advanced melanoma patients
An immunotherapy study suggests hopeful results for advanced melanoma patients. The study indicated that relatlimab and nivolumab elicited beneficial responses in patients with late-stage melanoma. Specifically, the phase 2-3 trial indicated that combination therapy extended progression free-survival despite an individual’s prognostic indicators. Through using both antibodies to inhibit two immune checkpoint pathways, greater immune response was stimulated against cancer cells. Continued research is centered on the effects of combination therapy for patients in different stages of melanoma progression.
Novel drug combination may boost chemoimmunotherapy response in bladder cancer patients
A proof-of-concept study suggests that the combination of anti-inflammatory medication and chemotherapy drugs can boost immune response to suppress bladder tumor growth. Led by Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators, the study focused on tackling the immune-dampening effect of chemotherapy drugs. Research uncovered the underlying mechanism that results in chemotherapy treatment failure, the release of prostaglandin E2. This bioactive lipid is associated with inflammation and inhibits dendritic maturation. A preceding factor for cells to fight cancer. In addition, early investigation revealed potential in combining celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory medication, and chemotherapy drugs as improved immune response was observed in treated mice models. Researchers look to test the efficacy of the potential treatment in human trials for bladder cancer patients.
Two-pronged immunotherapy treatment tested for effectiveness against glioblastomas
Recent clinical trials at the University of Cincinnati are examining the effectiveness of a two-pronged immunotherapy procedure to treat glioblastomas, aggressive brain tumors. Current treatment involves the combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, as to ensure microscopic particles of cancerous tissue do not survive. But despite continued advancements over the past decade, patients with glioblastomas remain uncured. Current clinical trials utilize a two-pronged approach, administering a combination of two immunotherapy drugs in tandem, that target different immune checkpoint proteins to activate immune cells. Previous single immunotherapy treatment observed failure led to the two-pronged approach in current trials.
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.