Blog | HemaCare

Researchers have discovered that the use of antibody blocks TREM2 proteins can empower immune cells and destroy tumors, and eliminate completely in mouse models when they were combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. 

Anti-cancer immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to destroy tumor cells. Despite breakthroughs in this medical arena, a limited number of patients actually benefit from these therapies. A significant reason for the less-than-desirable responses is tumor cells’ ability to circumvent various T-cell immune mechanisms. Therefore, populations of resistant tumor cells hinder the effectiveness of current immunotherapeutic approaches in many patients.

Researchers at University College London found that the analysis of T Cells slowed the reduction in beta-cell functions, noting that some benefited more than others.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that is T-cell–mediated. CD4+ T-helper cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are thought to be involved in destroying insulin-producing β-cells. These immune cells and related subsets change in number and distribution throughout T1D pathogenesis. It is known that the level of T follicular helper cells (Tfh cells) in the peripheral blood of patients with T1D increase is higher compared to that in healthy patients.

Even as the New Year approaches, we are sure 2020 will never be forgotten!

The emergence of the COVID pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to all of us. At HemaCare we have been proud to see our cryopreserved leukopak products deliver timely aid to COVID-19 researchers by providing high-quality starting materials to a supply chain suddenly beset with disruptions. It comes as no surprise that several of the blogs in our “Top Ten” list are focused on COVID research carried out as scientists raced toward a vaccine.

Clinical trials have begun with its first round of Metastatic Prostate Cancer patients for immune cell therapy. 

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy uses the body’s own immune cells to target tumor cells. T cells are taken from a patient’s body then genetically modified to target specific protein markers on tumor cells. As research and development of the next generation of cell therapies continue, new efforts are underway to discover new targets for CAR-T cell development.

COVID-19 has been unpredictable and is still hard to understand, however, T Cells may help reduce the severity of certain cases of COVID-19.

The immune system is a collection of multiple players needed to protect an organism from pathogenic invaders. When a pathogen such as a virus enters the body, a series of events leads to the generation of antibodies that neutralize the virus. The production of an antibody response has been the primary focus of understanding how the body can combat infection with SARS-CoV-2.