Researchers at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University are the first to analyze biopsies to discover how cancer cells prevent being destroyed by the immune system. As each patient is different, the results will help scientists develop personalized strategies for destroying tumors. https://www.biu.ac.il/en/article/580703 … Continue reading →

A team led by Weizmann scientists has discovered that the protein PSME4 is produced by cancer cells to stop the immune system from attacking the tumor. Reducing PSME4 levels should potentially render tumors more vulnerable to immunotherapy. https://www.jns.org/israeli-researchers-unmask-how-cancer-camouflages-itself/ https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/dumpster-diving-cancer-tissue-uncovers-immune-evasion-mechanism https://www.nature.com/articles/s43018-023-00557-4

Scientists at Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital and Bar-Ilan University have developed HBI0101- a CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma and amyloidosis, benefiting over 90% of patients in trials. Los Angeles-based Immix BioPharma will commercialize HBI0101. https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-demonstrating-57-remission-rate-israeli-immunotherapy-licensed-by-us-firm/ https://haematologica.org/article/view/haematol.2022.281628

Scientists at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University and Hadassah-University Medical Center, have developed a treatment for multiple myeloma. The patient’s T-cells are combined with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) molecule. In Phase 1 human trials at Hadassah. https://www.jpost.com/health-science/groundbreaking-made-in-israel-treatment-may-offer-cure-for-blood-cancer-664422

I have reported nearly 20 articles (see here) about Israeli scientists using immunotherapy to tackle cancer. Now Israel’s Cancer Research Fund and US Cancer Research Institute are partnering to decide which, of 160 Israeli research projects, could make the next … Continue reading →

Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have developed a protein “switch” that activates the immune system to attack cancer cells. They were able to distinguish cancer cells from healthy tissue by their DNA sequences. http://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Joint-Israeli-US-research-distinguishes-cancerous-cells-from-healthy-ones-508738 https://www.youtube.com/embed/vbWDuAev7Oo?rel=0

I reported in May that Israeli biotech Compugen discovered 4 new protein variants that stimulate the immune system into targeting cancer cells. Now tests have shown that CGEN-15001T will fight carcinomas, sarcomas, melanoma and haematological cancers. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000721404&fid=1725

Following last week’s Israeli cancer breakthrough (see here), now Weizmann Institute researchers have found an antibody (against CD84) that prevents tumors building molecular bridges from suppressing the immune system. Lab tests were successful at treating triple-negative breast cancer. https://www.jns.org/israeli-antibody-treatment-targets-most-aggressive-breast-cancer/#: https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/burning-cancer%E2%80%99s-bridges … Continue reading →

Tel Aviv University researchers were checking protein levels after exposure to UV light. They saw that Ly6a levels rose significantly and speculated it might suppress the immune system in cancer patients. Lab tests showed that antibodies against Ly6a reduced tumor … Continue reading →

Researchers at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University have discovered why natural killer (NK) cells in the immune system lose their ability to fight cancer. They introduced nanoparticles that silenced the enzyme DGK alpha and the transcription factor Egr2, returning the NK cells … Continue reading →