Blog | HemaCare

Published in the medical journal New England Journal of Medicine, a study found the proven drug, avelumab, may help the survival rate of those diagnosed with bladder cancer. 

According to the American Cancer Society, the 2020 United States estimates for bladder cancer cases are approximately 81,400 for new cases and 17,980 deaths. However, bladder cancer is a worldwide concern being the 13^th most common cancer. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard-of-care for advanced urothelial carcinoma. Nevertheless, progression-free and overall survival are minimal with chemotherapy.

Researchers discovered how the gut microbiome helps our immune system fight tumors that are cancerous.

The gut microbiome has beneficial effects on health, and alterations in the microbiota can increase the risk of a number of illnesses. Past studies suggest that the gut microbiota can affect anti-tumor immunity, and recently, that it can be used to simulate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Immune checkpoints are proteins that prevent immune cells from targeting and killing the body’s own cells. However, tumor cells can use these checkpoint proteins (CTLA-4, PD-1, or PD-L1) to evade the immune system’s attack.

A paper published in the journal Blood cites the use of HemaCare-sourced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to test a murine model of a new antibody-based cancer immunotherapy.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a life-threatening disease that accounts for 10-15% of all blood-based cancers. The disease occurs when a specific group of white blood cells, known as plasma cells, become malignant. T cell therapy has shown some promise in treating the disease on a temporary basis, but with very few cancer-specific targets identified, MM remains incurable.

A recent Phase I trial studying the effect of TIL therapy on lung cancer shows promising results for long-term patient remission.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are T-cells that infiltrate solid tumors to attack tumor antigens. Still, the tumor microenvironment inhibits T-cell growth leading to low numbers of the cells and insufficient immune response. Checkpoint proteins on tumor surfaces, such as PD-1, can also further inhibit T-cell response in tumors. However, in the case of melanoma, scientists have been able to achieve a complete remission with TILs that can last over a decade.

While the world waits for a coronavirus vaccine, scientists are looking to viral and cell therapy treatments for a solution.

Since China began reporting COVID-19 cases to the World Health Organization (WHO), the novel virus has since spread globally. With the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, announcements about efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine are ongoing and constant.