clinical studies Archives – The Bio Connection

Scientists build a new model of CAR-T cells — Ones with Powerful “Armor” that allow them to fight Solid Tumors

August 16, 2018 TheBioConnection Comment(0)

Engineered T-cell therapy, and in particular CAR T-cells, have shown efficacy in CD-19+ blood cancer such as lymphomas and leukemias. However, to date, T-cell therapies have found little success in solid tumors – in part due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Checkpoint inhibitors, on the other hand, have been proven effective at empowering the immune […]

Immunotherapies

Peer Reviewed Paper: Novel Immunotherapy Actives CD4 Helper T Cells using HLA-Class II Molecules

April 3, 2018 TheBioConnection Comment(0)

The findings detailed in an upcoming peer-reviewed paper provide a rationale for the encouraging clinical results observed with Bria-IMT™, an immunotherapy from BriaCell Therapeutics, in current and past clinical testing. The paper will appear in Frontiers in Immunology, the 5th most cited journal in Immunology worldwide. Bria-IMT™, also known as SV-BR-1-GM, has caused remarkable reduction […]

What can salad dressing tell us about cancer? Think oil and vinegar September 23, 2018
Scientists have identified another way the process that causes oil to form droplets in water may contribute to solid tumors, such as prostate and breast cancer. Researchers found evidence that mutations in the tumor suppressor gene SPOP contribute to cancer by disrupting a process called liquid-liquid phase separation. Liquid-liquid phase separation is seen often in […]
Neutrons produce first direct 3-D maps of water during cell membrane fusion September 20, 2018
New 3-D maps of water distribution during cellular membrane fusion are accelerating scientific understanding of cell development, which could lead to new treatments for diseases associated with cell fusion.
Novel biomarker found in ovarian cancer patients can predict response to therapy September 20, 2018
Researchers have identified an independent prognostic factor, cancer/testis antigen 45, that is associated with extended disease-free survival for women with advanced ovarian cancer. Patients with high levels of CT45 in their tumors lived more than seven times as long as patients who lacked sufficient CT45.
A behavioral intervention for cancer patients that works September 20, 2018
This is a story about something rare in health psychology: a treatment that has gone from scientific discovery, through development and testing, to dissemination and successful implementation nationwide. In a new study, researchers found that a program designed at The Ohio State University to reduce harmful stress in cancer patients can be taught to therapists […]
Cancer immunotherapy might benefit from previously overlooked immune players September 20, 2018
Using a bioinformatics approach, researchers found that CD4+ T cell's binding partner, a molecule called MHC-II, may have even more influence on emerging tumors than MHC-I, the better known partner of CD8+ T cells. The finding may help researchers improve cancer immunotherapies and predict which patients will respond best.
Intestines modify their cellular structure in response to diet September 20, 2018
Body organs such as the intestine and ovaries undergo structural changes in response to dietary nutrients that can have lasting impacts on metabolism, as well as cancer susceptibility.
New way to target advanced breast cancers September 20, 2018
IL1b, a member of the interleukin 1 family of cytokines (proteins released by certain cells of the immune system) drives the inflammation often found in cancer, and appears as an 'IL1 signature' in women with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. This signature can not only serve as a diagnostic tool for HER2-negative cancers but also offer […]
Simulations of every woman's breast tissue address delay on enhanced MRI cancer detection September 20, 2018
Researchers have simulated how over 20 different breast tissue ratios respond to heat given off by MRIs at higher field strengths than available in hospitals today.
Anti-cancer drugs may hold key to overcoming antimalarial drug resistance September 20, 2018
Scientists have found a way to boost the efficacy of the antimalarial drug artemesinin with the help of chemotherapy medicines. Artemisinin works through a 'double whammy' attack on the deadly parasite. The drug damages proteins in malaria parasites and clogs the parasite's waste disposal system, known as the proteasome, which chemo can target.
Surprise finding uncovers balancing act between birth defects and cancer September 20, 2018
Researchers have made a surprise discovery about how subtle changes in the way cell survival is regulated during embryonic development can have drastic health implications.

N4 Pharma’s Nuvec delivery system gets free shot in arm September 24, 2018
Nuvec has been accepted by the European Nanomedicine Characterisation Laboratory (EUNCL) to undertake a full characterisation program
OptiBiotix planning spin-out of cholesterol and blood pressure technology as it appoints City veteran Reynolds to chair new business September 24, 2018
"The formation of ProBiotix Health and appointment of Adam Reynolds as chairman continues a successful strategy of building value in each division which is materialised by forming separate legal entities and taking them to a public listing,” said chief executive Stephen O’Hara
MaxCyte on track to start first-ever clinical trial before the end of the year September 24, 2018
The phase I clinical study will evaluate the safety of MaxCyte's MCY-M11 chimeric antigen receptor in people with relapsed or difficult-to-treat ovarian cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma
AstraZeneca drug successfully negotiates final-stage clinical trial September 24, 2018
A total of 17,000 people with type-2 took part in the study
Wattle Health to build Australia’s first dedicated organic nutritional milk spray dryer September 24, 2018
Wattle is also set to become the first vertically integrated Australian organic nutritional dairy company.
Noxopharm and its subsidiary reveal a significant drug discovery September 24, 2018
Discovered a compound that is a potent inhibitor of IRAK4 protein which causes chronic inflammation including autoimmune diseases.
CannPal Animal Therapeutics’ sponsor fee for lead animal drug candidate waived by US FDA September 24, 2018
CannPal plans to take the results from its recently commenced phase 1A and B studies to file an Investigational New Animal Drug application with the FDA.
Imugene begins manufacture of its innovative cancer vaccine for trials September 23, 2018
KEY-Vaxx has shown potential in preclinical studies, outperforming an industry-standard antibody.
Namaste Technologies gets first-of-its-kind medical cannabis licence from Health Canada September 23, 2018
The company said its Cannmart subsidiary received the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations license for 'sales only'
Namaste Technologies granted first ever "sales only" ACMPR licence by Health Canada September 21, 2018
Namaste Technologies (CVE:N OTCMKTS:NXTTF) President and CEO Sean Dollinger dropped in to the Vancouver Studios of Proactive Investors to talk about his companies new Access to Cannabis for Medical Purpose Regulations "sales only" license from Health Canada. This is the first of it's kind ever granted by the governing medical authority in Canada. Dollinger also […]

STAT Plus: Novartis and Bayer lose a U.K. court fight over a switch to a cheaper eye drug September 21, 2018
One side calls it “victory for common sense” while the other says “this is a bad day for patients, doctors, and the NHS.”
STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings September 21, 2018
Hired someone new and exciting? Promoting a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot?
STAT Plus: A European health insurer sues AstraZeneca over a patent maneuver September 21, 2018
Patient advocates object to "evergreening" a drug patent to keep making money. Now an insurer is suing a drug maker over the practice.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Novartis employees brace for layoffs; FDA signals it will levy fines if trials aren’t reported September 21, 2018
The FDA may start fining clinical trial sponsors if they fail to meet legal requirements to publicly register trials and report results.
STAT Plus: Senate bill to encourage generic drug development would yield $3.3 billion in savings September 20, 2018
"It's going to make a dent for people who are paying for expensive drugs," said David Mitchell of Patients for Affordable Drugs.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Merck to halve Keytruda price in China; FDA rejects record number of generic applications September 20, 2018
Merck will halve the price of its Keytruda cancer drug for its China launch, following a similar move by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: AbbVie accused of sweeping Humira scheme; pharma dodging taxes in the developing world September 19, 2018
AbbVie is accused of using old-fashioned kickbacks to doctors and a stealthy network of nurses to illegally boost prescriptions of its best-selling Humira.
STAT Plus: Clovis Oncology pays $20 million to settle charges of misleading investors September 18, 2018
Clovis Oncology, its chief executive, and a former chief financial officer will collectively pay more than $20 million to settle civil charges of misleading investors about a lung cancer drug…
AbbVie is accused of paying kickbacks, using a stealthy network of nurses to promote Humira September 18, 2018
In a wide-ranging scheme, AbbVie used a combination of old-fashioned kickbacks to doctors and a stealthy network of nurses to illegally boost prescriptions of its best-selling Humira treatment.
STAT Plus: Facing criticism, CVS may modify its new cost-effectiveness program for covering some drugs September 18, 2018
CVS Caremark may revisit a plan that allows its clients to exclude coverage of most new, high-priced drugs after advocacy groups complained the effort would discriminate against very sick or…

Some Cancer Cells Hide From Immunotherapy Treatments, Study Finds
Some cancer cells have a remarkable and frightening sense of self-preservation to avoid immunotherapy treatments. That is the finding from a new study conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
FDA Action Alert: Merck, Insmed and Antares Pharma
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a few target action dates scheduled for this week, including one for Sunday, September 23, which was approved in late August.
BioSpace Movers and Shakers Sept. 24
Here's a look at who's making moves in the biotech and pharma world this week.
AbbVie Class Action: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Announces That A Securities Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against AbbVie Inc. - ABBV
Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of those who purchased or acquired the securities of AbbVie Inc.
VistaGen Therapeutics Acquires Worldwide License of Phase 3-Ready CNS Drug Candidate from Pherin Pharmaceuticals for As-Needed Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
Phase 3-ready asset expands VistaGen’s CNS pipeline and complements its neuropsychiatry focus on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with AV-101
InflaRx N.V. Announces Appointment of Jens Holstein to Board of Directors
InflaRx N.V. announced today that Jens Holstein has been appointed as a new board member of InflaRx, serving as Non-Executive Director.
Cinfa Biotech receives positive CHMP opinion for Pelmeg® (pegfilgrastim), a proposed biosimilar to Neulasta®
Cinfa Biotech today announced that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion recommending marketing authorization for Pelmeg® (B12019)
Enigma Biomedical and Invicro Sign a Memorandum of Understanding to Co-Develop Synaptic Density Biomarker Imaging
Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) today announced a collaboration agreement with Invicro, a Konica Minolta Company and a leading provider of imaging services and software for research and drug development, to cooperate in the development of Synaptic Density Biomarker Imaging (“SDI”).
Agenus Closes $15 Million Partial Royalty Monetization With XOMA
Agenus Inc. cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies1, today announced the closing of its non-dilutive royalty transaction with XOMA Corporation
Regen BioPharma, Inc. Reports Activation of Immune Cells by Its NR2F6 Small Molecule Inhibitors
Regen BioPharma Inc. reports its researchers have identified a series of small molecule drugs that inhibit NR2F6 and also activate human immune cells ex-vivo.