CTLA-4 Archives – The Bio Connection

Harnessing Hair Loss Gene Could Improve Cancer Immunotherapy

July 31, 2018July 31, 2018 TheBioConnection Comment(0)

A gene that’s associated with an autoimmune form of hair loss could be exploited to improve cancer immunotherapy, suggests a new mouse study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) researchers. The paper was published recently in the journal Cell Systems. “While immunotherapies have shown great promise in cancer, most patients do not benefit from these […]

New ESMO tumor DNA scale helps match patients with cancer to optimal targeted medicines August 20, 2018
A new scale for tumor DNA mutations which will simplify and standardize choices for targeted cancer treatment has been agreed by leading cancer specialists in Europe and North America. The scale, called ESCAT (ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of molecular Targets), aims to optimize patient care by making it easier to identify patients with cancer […]
'Liquid biopsy' predicts lymphoma therapy success within days August 20, 2018
A blood test can predict which patients with a type of cancer called diffuse large B cell lymphoma are likely to respond positively to initial therapy and which are likely to need more aggressive treatment, according to a multicenter study.
Effect of radiation exposure on hormone deficiencies August 20, 2018
Researchers have detailed the effect of radiation exposure on the development of hormone deficiency in pediatric and young adult patients treated for brain tumors.
STAT3 can be a therapeutic target for chronic active EBV infection, a fatal disorder August 20, 2018
Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) is an inflammatory disorder with potential for tumor development. Here, unusual phosphorylation was observed on STAT3 in EBV-infected T- or NK-cells from patients with CAEBV. Researchers found that ruxolitinib, a drug that is currently used for treatment of myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, could suppress the survival of these EBV-infected […]
New study explains why genetic mutations cause disease in some people but not in others August 20, 2018
Researchers have uncovered a molecular mechanism behind one of biology's long-standing mysteries: why individuals carrying identical gene mutations for a disease end up having varying severity or symptoms of the disease. The study has exciting implications for future prediction of the severity of serious diseases such as cancer and autism spectrum disorder.
Predictor for immunotherapy response in melanoma August 20, 2018
In a new study, researchers developed a gene expression predictor that can indicate whether melanoma in a specific patient is likely to respond to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a novel type of immunotherapy.
Gene therapy vectors carrying the telomerase gene do not increase the risk of cancer August 20, 2018
Researchers have shown in a new study that the gene therapy with telomerase that they have developed, and which has proven to be effective in mice against diseases caused by excessive telomere shortening and ageing, does not cause cancer or increase the risk of developing it, even in a cancer-prone setting.
Largest oral HPV study in England shows infection rates lower than expected August 20, 2018
Infection rates of high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) oral infection in England are lower than expected, compared to previous U.S. studies.
Nanoparticles in our environment may have more harmful effects than we think August 20, 2018
Researchers warn that a combination of nanoparticles and contaminants may form a cocktail that is harmful to our cells. In their study, 72 pct. of cells died after exposure to a cocktail of nano-silver and cadmium ions.
Brain cancer potentially resists immunotherapies by trapping T cells in bone marrow August 20, 2018
Researchers have found that brain tumors in mice and humans cause immune T-cells to become trapped in bone marrow. This occurs prior to cancer treatment and explains the low circulating levels of T-cells seen in some tumor patients. The effects that brain tumors have on the cell surface S1P1 protein appear to mediate the process. […]

Lannett downgraded by Moody's after biggest one-day selloff in quarter century August 21, 2018
Lannett is constrained by modest revenues that are entirely concentrated in the US, the rating agency says
Cronos shares jump after reaching supply deals in Canada August 21, 2018
Tilray announced a similar agreement to supply the province of Ontario with its cannabis products
Legendary Investments swings to profit in full year as it proposes name change to Eight Peaks Group August 21, 2018
The AIM-listed investment firm reported a pre-tax profit of £664,000 for the year, up from a £281,000 loss in 2017, while the value of its investment grew 44% to £6.2mln
Immunoprecise Antibodies welcomes Champagne as advisory board member August 21, 2018
The board thanked Mr Champagne for all of his efforts, the company reported
Artios in strong position to accelerate cancer programmes after Arix investment August 21, 2018
Proactive Investors' Andrew Scott sits down with Arix Bioscience Plc's (LON:ARIX) investment director Jonathan Tobin and Niall Martin, chief executive of Artios Pharma. Arix has recently upped its stake in Artios following a Series B financing round that was backed by the venture capital arms of industry giants Pfizer and Novartis. Artios Pharma's developing DNA […]
IXICO full year performance expected to be 'ahead of market expectations' August 21, 2018
Giulio Cerroni, chief executive of IXICO Plc (LON:IXI), tells Proactive Investors performance for the current financial year is now expected to be “ahead of market expectations” after forecasting revenue growth of nearly 25%. Cerroni says reported revenue for the full year is expected to be at least £5.1mln, a 24% increase on the previous year. […]
Medtronic’s fiscal 1Q earnings beat Street on higher sales in its cardiac and vascular business August 21, 2018
Sales in the Dublin-based device maker’s cardiac and vascular business shot up by 6.2% to US$2.81bn
Collagen Solutions inks distribution deals with two new Chinese partners August 21, 2018
The appointment of Dakewe Biotech and Shanghai Regenic Biomedical follows the restructuring of Collagen’s operations in China and the securing of export licences earlier this year
IXICO upgrades full-year expectations as revenues forecast to grow by nearly a quarter August 21, 2018
The AIM-listed neuroscience data company said that reported revenue for the full year is expected to be at least £5.1mln, a 24% increase on the previous year
FYI Resources developing high purity alumina for growing battery metals sector August 21, 2018
The company aims to revolutionise the HPA production process, eschewing the laborious bauxite-sourced method.

STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Sanofi weighs airlifting flu vaccine post-Brexit; speedy China OK for Roche cancer drug August 20, 2018
Flu vaccine may have to be airlifted into Britain to prevent a winter crisis in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to the largest producer of the shots.
STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings August 17, 2018
Hired someone new and exciting? Promoting a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot?
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Trump wants opioid makers to cut production quotas; Purdue looks to restructure August 17, 2018
Purdue Pharma has hired the Davis Polk & Wardwell law firm for financial restructuring advice.
STAT Plus: Senators challenge Azar over his comments about PBMs and price cuts August 17, 2018
“Congress cannot appropriately fix the problem of high drug prices unless we have correct information about what is causing them and who is responsible.”
STAT Plus: China takes action against numerous officials for allowing vaccine scandal to erupt August 16, 2018
The scandal emerges while the Chinese government is trying to grow its domestic pharmaceutical industry.
STAT Plus: An 8-year-old boy puts Vertex on the defensive over the price of its drugs in the U.K. August 16, 2018
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) is facing pushback from cystic fibrosis patients and their families as it plays hardball with the U.K. government over the cost of its medicines. In a highly…
STAT Plus: Pfizer resumes full production at a troubled plant, but don’t expect shortages to suddenly end August 16, 2018
"Things are going to unfortunately be ugly on the drug-shortage front for a long time," said Erin Fox, of the University of Utah Health Care.
STAT Plus: Never mind the rebates. Maybe behind-the-scenes fees are boosting drug prices August 16, 2018
The fees constitute a complicated but little-understood piece of the opaque pricing system.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: EpiPen shortage may cause back-to-school crisis; Mylan kept mum about a half-million dollar deal August 16, 2018
Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? We are just fine, thank you, especially since a bright, shiny sun and cool breeze are enveloping the Pharmalot campus. Our short…
STAT Plus: As Gilead plans a C-suite succession, the rash of top-level departures continues August 15, 2018
“Lots of their proteges are sharpening their pencils, updating their resumes, and getting ready to leave.”

CEL-SCI Corporation Releases Letter to Shareholders
The following letter was sent by CEL-SCI Corporation to its shareholders for the upcoming annual meeting
Massive Study Reveals Secrets About the Aging Brain
Researchers from Amen Clinics in Costa Mesa, California, Google, John’s Hopkins University, University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, San Francisco studied 62,454 brain scans of more than 30,000 people to study brain aging.
China Biologic Announces Receipt of Competing Non-Binding Acquisition Proposal
China Biologic Products Holdings, Inc. has received an unsolicited, preliminary non-binding proposal letter from a consortium
AbbVie Donates $100 Million to Ronald McDonald House Charities
Illinois-based AbbVie stepped up to the plate and delivered when it came to supporting the families of children battling serious illnesses who require extended hospitalization.
Akcea Therapeutics: Ultra-Rare Disease Patients Find Support in Connectedness
Beyond developing novel therapies for serious and rare diseases including FCS, Akcea is also dedicated to supporting the broader needs of the communities they serve.
BerGenBio ASA: Results for the Second Quarter and First Half 2018
Encouraging clinical data emerging from several phase II trials with highly selective AXL inhibitor bemcentinib (BGB324)
Aevi Genomic Medicine Announces Capital Raise of $4.9M to Accelerate Part B of the ASCEND Trial
Initiation of enrollment in Part B of the ASCEND trial
ProMIS Neurosciences Oligomer Selective Antibody Therapeutic for Alzheimer's Disease, PMN310, Shows Potential for Improved Safety Profile in Direct Comparison to Other Amyloid Beta-Directed Antibodies in Clinical Development
Lack of PMN310 binding to amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's brain tissue may eliminate dose-limiting brain swelling seen with BAN2401 and aducanumab
Swedish Government and GE Healthcare Open an Innovation Center for Life Sciences
Swedish biotech BioLamina relies on Testa Center to expand.
Caprion Biosciences Expands its Biomarker and Immune Monitoring Franchise by Acquiring US-Based Primity Bio
Caprion Biosciences announced today that the company acquired Primity Bio Inc., a specialized provider of biomarker and immune monitoring services located in Fremont, California.