#tumor immunity

[ralfmaximus]

The discovery represents a potential new way to recruit the immune system to fight treatment-resistant cancers using an iteration of mRNA technology and lipid nanoparticles, similar to COVID-19 vaccines, but with two key differences: use of a patient’s own tumor cells to create a personalized vaccine, and a newly engineered complex delivery mechanism within the vaccine.

Within 48 hours, the four human study participants showed remarkable results: their immune systems went into turbo cancer-destroying mode. And without surgery, radiation, or dangerous chemotherapy.

Folks, we may have a cure for cancer within your lifetime.

[internationalbiotherapy]

Unveiling the Power of Oncolytic Viruses in Cancer Therapy: A Promising Frontier

Oncolytic viruses represent a promising frontier in cancer therapy, leveraging the innate ability of viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This innovative approach harnesses the dual power of direct cytotoxicity and immune system activation, offering new hope in the fight against various forms of cancer.

Historical Perspective and Evolution

The concept of using viruses to combat cancer dates back to the 1960s, when initial experiments explored the potential of viruses like poliovirus and adenovirus to induce tumor regression. These early efforts, though promising, faced significant challenges due to the potential for uncontrollable systemic infections. This led to a temporary halt in research until advances in DNA and RNA mapping technology enabled scientists to engineer safer, more targeted oncolytic viruses.

Among the most promising oncolytic viruses is the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). NDV specifically targets and kills cancer cells, inducing immune responses that further aid in eliminating tumors. Its unique properties make it an invaluable tool in developing personalized cancer therapies, enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. Alongside NDV, other oncolytic viruses such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), reovirus, and vaccinia virus are being extensively studied and show significant potential in the realm of cancer treatment. Each of these viruses offers unique mechanisms of action and therapeutic benefits, broadening the scope and effectiveness of oncolytic virotherapy.

How Oncolytic Viruses Operate

Oncolytic viruses are adept at identifying and attaching themselves to cancer cells, exploiting specific receptors that distinguish them from healthy cells. Once inside the cancer cell, these viruses replicate, triggering a process known as apoptosis—programmed cell death. As infected cancer cells break down, they release new viral particles, which then proceed to infect neighboring cancer cells. This cycle continues, effectively amplifying the treatment's impact within the tumor.

Moreover, oncolytic viruses initiate an immune response against cancer cells by exposing viral antigens. This dual mechanism—direct cell destruction and immune activation—enhances the body's natural defenses against cancer, potentially eliminating residual cancer cells that conventional therapies might miss.

Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy

To optimize the efficiency of oncolytic viruses, researchers are exploring various strategies. One approach involves combining oncolytic virotherapy with existing treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy. These therapies not only complement each other but also help mitigate immune responses that could prematurely neutralize the virus. By weakening the immune system's vigilance around the tumor site, these treatments create a more conducive environment for the oncolytic viruses to exert their effects.

Furthermore, scientists are investigating ways to augment the immune response triggered by oncolytic viruses. This includes integrating viral antigens into personalized cancer vaccines, which educate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells displaying these antigens. Such approaches transform "cold" tumors—those previously resistant to immune attacks—into "hot" targets for immune-mediated destruction.

Administration and Future Directions

Currently, oncolytic viruses are primarily administered intravenously or directly into localized tumors that are accessible. Intravenous administration allows for widespread dissemination of the virus throughout the body, targeting metastatic cancer cells that may have spread beyond the primary tumor site. Alternatively, direct injection into tumors converts them into sites of ongoing viral replication, essentially turning the tumor itself into an internal factory for generating anti-cancer agents.

Looking Ahead

The future of oncolytic virotherapy holds promise for further advancements. Ongoing research aims to refine virus engineering techniques to enhance tumor specificity and reduce potential side effects. Additionally, regulatory approvals for systemic administration are pending, suggesting broader accessibility and adoption of this cutting-edge treatment modality.

In conclusion, oncolytic viruses represent a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, merging virology with immunotherapy to combat malignancies in novel ways. As research continues to unravel the complexities of viral interactions with cancer cells and the immune system, the potential for personalized and potent cancer therapies continues to grow. With each breakthrough, the prospect of turning viruses once considered harmful into potent allies in the fight against cancer becomes increasingly tangible.

[jcmarchi]

Scientists Build a Molecular ‘GPS’ to Guide Cell Therapies - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/scientists-build-a-molecular-gps-to-guide-cell-therapies-technology-org/

Scientists Build a Molecular ‘GPS’ to Guide Cell Therapies - Technology Org

The ideal therapy for a disease works exclusively at the site of the disease.

But this ideal is very hard to achieve in the brain, which is wrapped in a protective barrier and contains thousands of different cell types.

The “tissue GPS” system enables engineered T-cells to deliver disease therapies to specific regions in the brain. In an early experiment, these engineered T-cells (cyan) successfully found and treated a glioblastoma (yellow) in laboratory mice. Dying tumor cells are shown in magenta, bottom.

Now, scientists at UC San Francisco have been awarded more than $30 million by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to lead the Cell Therapies for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration (CT-NEURO) project, which will develop a new technology dubbed “tissue GPS.”  The system uses engineered T cells to guide therapies directly to their targets in the brain to treat neurological diseases, like the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.

These immune cells navigate by detecting molecular markers called antigens that appear on the surface of target cells like street addresses, replete with nine-digit zip codes. They only transfer their payload of anti-inflammatories or cancer-killing molecules once they have arrived at the right location.

The tissue GPS system may give immune cells the ability to pass through molecular gates in the blood brain barrier; find and stick to target cells; and safely deliver a tailored therapy. With such an exacting approach, the hope is that patients will be spared many of the uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects associated with other therapies.

“The field has many molecular tools that could potentially address conditions like neuroinflammation or Alzheimers, but it is challenging to know how to use these tools in a way that would precisely target the brain,” said Wendell Lim, PhD, project lead, UCSF Byers Distinguished Professor of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, and director of the UCSF Cell Design Institute. “Tissue GPS will ensure that therapies have a maximal effect in the right parts of the brain, making it much easier to treat complex disease.”

Disbursed over five years, the funds will support Lim and UCSF colleagues Scott Zamvil, MD, PhD; Hideho Okada, MD, PhD; Dean Sheppard, MD; and Anna Molofsky, MD, PhD, in developing the system.

The UCSF researchers will test the system’s delivery of therapies for brain tumors; neuroinflammation; demyelination (the loss of insulation on neural wires, like in multiple sclerosis); and neurodegeneration. They also will test its ability to reach other specific organs, like the lungs.

The team has mapped out antigens that are present throughout the brain, as well as the molecular sensors required for the tissue GPS to navigate to various brain regions. In an early experiment, their approach enabled engineered T-cells to treat brain tumors in mice.

“Immune cells are incredibly adept at traversing the body to reach a target,” Lim said. “These living cells could provide a powerful way to get therapies to where they need to be.”

Source: UCSF

You can offer your link to a page which is relevant to the topic of this post.

[dogcancerfoundation]

Frankincense Oil for Dog Tumors: A Natural Approach to Cancer Treatment

When it comes to our beloved canine companions, the mere mention of cancer can be heart-wrenching. As pet owners, we want to do everything in our power to provide effective and compassionate care for our dogs diagnosed with cancer. In recent years, alternative and complementary therapies have gained popularity in veterinary medicine, and one such treatment that has garnered attention is the use…

[truth4ourfreedom]

THE BENEFITS OF IVERMECTIN. IF YOU HAVE CANCER, FREQUENT COLD OR INFECTIONS, MUSCLE SHRINKAGE, CARDIAC ISSUES, CROHNS, HERPES, ETC.

The study was published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science.  LET'S TALK ABOUT IVERMECTIN 1 – Ivermectin prevents the damage caused to RNA Vaccines.  2 – Ivermectin blocks the entry of Spike Protein into cells.  So, if the person was vaccinated with COVID, they have hope, they have a way to treat themselves through Ivermectin.  3 – Ivermectin is a treatment after Covid and after vaccination, it is an effective medicine in all phases of Covid 19, even before entering the cell, Ivermectin already destroys the virus in the blood.  It only has beneficial effects and no harmful effects in the treatment of the coronavirus.  4 – Ivermectin has a very powerful anti-inflammatory action against Coronavirus.  5 – Ivermectin has a powerful action for traumatic and orthopedic injuries, it strengthens muscles and has no side effects like corticosteroids.  6 – Ivermectin treats autoimmune ailments such as: rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, allergic rhinitis.  7 – Ivermectin reduces the frequency of flu and colds.  8 – Ivermectin improves the immunity of cancer patients.  9 – Ivermectin treats Herpes Simplex and Herpes Zoster.  10 – Ivermectin reduces the frequency of sinusitis and diverticulitis.  11 – Ivermectin protects the heart in cardiac overload, in an embolism for example, it prevents cardiac hypoxia because it stimulates the production of basic energy so that the tissue is not destroyed and thus improves cardiac function.  12 – Ivermectin is antiparasitic.  13 – Ivermectin is anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer), it suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, only killing cancer cells and preserving healthy cells, improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment, as it kills cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy, defeating the resistance to multiple chemotherapeutics that tumors develop, and combined with chemotherapy and/or anti-cancer agents, it provides an increase in the effectiveness of these treatments.  14 – Ivermectin is antimicrobial (bacteria and viruses), and increases immunity.  15 – Ivermectin reaches the Central Nervous System and regenerates the nerves.  16 – Ivermectin regulates glucose and insulin metabolism.  17 – Ivermectin regulates cholesterol metabolism.  18 – Ivermectin reduces liver fat in steatose.  19 – Ivermectin protects the liver exposed to insecticides.  20 – Ivermectin attacks the virus wherever it is, regardless of mutations.  21 – Ivermectin serves for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus, surprisingly.  Unproven efficacy is not of Ivermectin, but of vaccines.  22 – Ivermectin, used as a prophylactic agent, was associated with a significant reduction in infection, hospitalization and mortality rates due to COVID-19.  23 - Ivermectin does not attack the liver, since it is not metabolized in it, and if in the intestine, on the contrary, it protects the liver. 

BIG PHARMA DOES NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS.THEY WANT TO SELL YOU THE EXPENSIVE MEDS THEY MAKE BILLIONS ON.

Please read, save and re-blog before Tumblr takes this down.

[ourpetwarehouse]

Buy Dorwest Garlic & Fenugreek Tablets For Dogs (100 Tablets)

Dorwest Garlic & Fenugreek tablets are diateries supplements containing garlic and fenugreek with white sugar coating for Dogs. Your dog will easily take it. It helps support strong immunity, healthy skin, and general health. These tablets are safe to use for dogs as young as 8 weeks old.

[reasonsforhope]

I'm worried about the rising rate of young adults getting cancer.

For what it's worth, we've actually made a shocking amount of progress against cancer - especially the most common cancers like breast cancer, and especially in the past 30 years.

Cancer rates have been falling, often dramatically (x, x, x, x, x, x). One of the best examples it that breast cancer deaths in the United States dropped 58% between 1975 and 2019 (x).

Right now, we're at the beginning of an absolute revolution in cancer care that promises to increase survival rates even further. This revolution has been going on to a lesser degree since the first human genome was successfully sequenced in the early 2000s (and in fact, the first gapless sequencing of a human genome was finally finished just two years ago, in 2022), and to a greater extent since CRISPR DNA-editing technology was first successfully tested in 2013, and since medical digitzation/digital communication and vaccination were massively spurred ahead in 2020, by the COVID pandemic (x, x).

Right now, the results of this revolution are only beginning to trickle out into actual treatments. But I guarantee you, in the next one to three decades, the way we fight cancer will be massively transformed.

We're talking personalized genome sequencing for each person with cancer - not just for early and better detection, but even to figure out what types of treatments will work best. (x, x, x, x)

We're talking using CRISPR-based DNA editing to literally cut cancer-causing mutations out of your DNA, to edit the genes of immune cells to better detect and kill cancer cells, and to kill cancer-causing viruses. (x, x, x, x)

We're talking using CRISPR-based screening to figure out how chemotherapy resistance works, so that we can overcome it - and even weaponize it. (x, x)

We're talking using CRISPR to edit immune cells so that they recognize and target the mutations of a single individual's specific tumor. (x)

We're talking new types of testing that can predict if cancer will return years before it shows up on scans. (x)

We're talking using (non-generative) AI to massively increase the accuracy and earliness of cancer detection - which by the way is already starting to happen, there are several AI-based systems that detect cancer earlier and more accurately than doctors do. (x, x, x, x, x, x)

Also, the more we transition to a green, sustainable, and ethical future, the fewer cancer-causing substances will be in the environment (fossil fuels, oil drilling, and mining are massive sources of carcinogens at every point in the process).

Cancer is awful. That is a massive understatement. But the fight against cancer is one where there are so many reasons for hope.

[dsudis]

Histotripsy works by using targeted ultrasound waves to form microbubbles within the tumor. The forces created as those bubbles form and collapse cause the mass to break apart, killing tumor cells and leaving the debris to be cleaned up by the immune system.

What that could mean for patients is treatment without the physical toll of radiation or chemotherapy, fewer concerns with drug compatibility, far shorter recovery times than with surgery and less treatment discomfort.

And histotripsy’s potential benefits go beyond tumor destruction. In the last year, a pair of pre-clinical studies in rodents suggest that in the clean-up process, the immune system learns how to identify cancer cells as threats. This can enable the body to continue fighting the initial tumor and help activate a natural immune response to the cancer.

In the first study, even after destroying only 50% to 75% of the liver tumor volume by histotripsy, the rats’ immune systems were able to clear away the rest, with no evidence of recurrence or metastases in more than 80% of animals.

[mindblowingscience]

A personalized vaccine for glioblastoma – the most aggressive and fatal type of brain cancer – has extended the survival of four humans in the first clinical trial of its kind. The newly fashioned medicine works by supplying the immune system with a way to 'recognize' the tumor and an 'instruction manual' for its entire transcriptome. This reveals where each and every gene in the tumor can be turned on or off. Equipped with such vital information, the immune system can reprogram the cancer's defenses and launch a more successful attack.

Continue Reading.

[multifandomimagines999]

May I get mark sloan x reader please? Like reader has been on call for like three days straight and is super exhausted. And while charting, reader falls asleep standing up and Mark props them up and takes them to an on call room and makes sure they get some rest ? Thank you so much !

Exhaustion, Mark Sloan x reader

Summary: An exhausted reader collapsed and her boyfriend comes to her rescue...then it all makes sense

Warnings: Fluff, Exhaustion, overworking, throwing up

Note: I tweaked it a bit @theichabbieclub but I hope you still like it! I'm just getting back into this.

"You look like crap," commented Alex as we walked down the hallway.

"Oh thanks. I feel like it too," you admitted, "I've been working a double because we're short staffed on the peds floor as you know. So I've been bouncing around non-stop. I'm exhausted."

"And crabby. Clearly you haven't been able to screw your secret boyfriend too."

"Shut it Karev!" you growled, slapping him in the arm, "I am never going to tell you who it is if you keep making comments like that."

"Fine," he grumbled, "I've gotta get to the Nic-U. What have they got you covering today?"

"I've got a marathon surgery with Robbins, Shepherd, and Sloan on a 6 year old girl with a facial tumor."

"Damn that's rad. Good luck."

"Thanks."

You went into the surgery with a clear head, ready to save this little girl's life. We began and about two hours into it, Mark showed up to help work on the facial reconstruction and repair. His portion of the surgery took about three to four hours. 

"Alright...I'm done here. She's all yours to finish up with."

"Take my tool," you whispered to Avery, suddenly not feeling well.

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

He took it and then immediately everything went black.

3rd POV

"Dr. (Y/L/N)!" yelled Robbins as her resident's body hit the floor.

"That's why she handed me her tool," Jackson realized.

"Can someone please check on them please?" asked Arizona as she continued working.

"I got it!" Mark announced before rushing over to her side. 

Their relationship was still a secret, so he tried his best to hide his romantic concern in the moment. He scooped her up as carried her out of the OR to an empty gurney. He took her to a private room and began examining her. 

--------

You woke up to a flashlight shining in your eyes and a hand on your forehead. As the darkness disappeared, you saw that the flashlight belonged to Mark. You groaned as your head pulsed with pain.

"What happened?" you asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"You might want to tell me... You passed out in the OR. I hooked you up to an IV because from the looks of it you're severely dehydrated."

"Mark I-" you were interrupted by a horrible feeling in your gut.

You jerked up, reaching for the bucket before puking. When you were done emptying you stomach, you collapsed back on the bed. You suddenly felt sweaty with hair plastered against your forehead. 

"Dr. Sloan, I may know what's wrong?" Karev jogged in, out of breath, "I heard the news about (Y/F/N). Three of the peds kids just came down with the flu. All three kids were your patients that you've been dealing with during this double shift. And with you being so overworked, your immune system was weaker, so combined with the dehydration, you got sick."

"Well shit."

"Looks like I have my diagnoses," Mark replied, and you just glared at him.

"I hate you right now."

"I know."

"Wait a minute?" Karev questioned, stepping in the room and shutting the door, "Sloan's your secret boyfriend?!"

"You tell anybody, I will kill you. You understand me Alex? I will make sure every girl in this hospital knows what a man whore you are and you will never get laid again. Got it?"

"Yeah yeah, calm your panties. I'll let Bailey know you're so sick with the flu that you can't drive and that I asked Dr. Sloan to take care of you since he's already been exposed. Okay?"

"Thank you Alex."

"Yeah whatever."

***

You laid on the couch with Mark, all cuddled up in sweats and his shirt. While you were hot to the touch, you yourself were feeling cold. Your body ached and your head was still throbbing. You rested your head in his lap while he played with your hair soothingly.

"How are you feeling babe?" he asked, looking down at you.

"Like shit," you admitted, making him chuckle.

"Well you still look cute if that makes you feel any better."

"A little."

"Mark please. You shouldn't see me like this. We've only been together for three months."

"(Y/F/N), we slept together before we started dating and on the first date we talked about our deep dark issues. I think it's okay if I see you with the flu. Now let me please be there for you."

"Fair point."

Anytime you felt you were going to be sick, he was there, holding your hair back and assuring you soothingly. Anything he could do to help you, he wanted to.

Mark held your hair back as another round came up. God this was hell. Physical and emotional hell. When he walked out to go grab something, you laid down on the cool tile. He came back in with a water bottle and some crackers along with a smile.

"What? The tile is nice and cold."

He helped pull you up so you were sitting up against the cabinets, "You know you need to drink to re-hydrate. And these crackers might help."

Your hair was a mess as he brushed it out and sat beside you. He rubbed your back lovingly until your eyes felt heavy and all you wanted to do was sleep.

"Alright. Lets get you to bed," he spoke, sweeping you into his arms.

He placed you into bed and disappeared before coming back with a fresh garbage can. After placing it beside the bed, he climbed in next to you.

"Mark, you don't have to stay with me. You could get sick and-"

"I'm not leaving unless you need me to get something."

"What about work?"

"I'll call in. You're more important."

A smile crossed your face as you rolled over, resting your head on his chest. His arm snaked around you, one around your waist and the other stroked your hair. Finally, you were feeling a little bit better.

"Try to sleep. I'll still be here."

"Thank you," you mumbled sleepily, "I love you."

"I love you too."

[gurggggleburgle]

A fic idea from my brain from joy sparked from @meltedmush

really fucked up in a fun way if the whole nature of the Skinhe's was a that because the system really only cares about the protagonist and good story that actually the natural state of this world is a Binghe Kronenburg nightmare. The natural state of everything is Bingflesh. The horses, grass, buildings, other humans, soup, the water anything of real substance is Luo Binghe.

It's just you don't ever see this because the system has a filter in place that hides that part of the Lynch nightmare. But the system has started to glitch and now patches of reality are coming apart and melt in a flesh nightmare where everything is just turning into Binghe creatures including actual Luo Binghe who's a bunch of little skinhes stacked on top of each other. The only person immune to the spreading Luo Binghe virus seems to be Shen Qingqiu but even then he's got to hurry up and fix whatever the hell is going on around here before all the flesh melts into one and he just becomes another Bingcreature.

The idea of Shen Qingqiu fighting through a mass of writhing bingflesh and sinew trying to dig to the real Binghe at the heart of the tumorous screaming mass of every thought Luo Binghe has ever had coupled with a whaling narration of PIDW as his skin is bursting with little tumorous binghe faces. Saving the day by diving into the body horror and telling Luo Binghe he can say anything to him. That he doesn't need to hold shit in. This is like another case where men would rather turn into a flesh nightmare then go to therapy and Shen Qingqiu just ain't having it yall

[wheelie-sick]

What is immunocompromisation?

Being immunocompromised means you have a weaker immune system than most people. There are two main ways people become immunocompromised

1. Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions cause your immune system to be weaker. Some examples include:

Immunodeficiencies- A category of conditions causing a lower number of or lower efficacy of immune cells. This category is divided into two subcategories: primary immunodeficiency and secondary immunodeficiency. Primary immunodeficiency is a subcategory consisting of hundreds of different conditions all causing a lower number of immune cells. Secondary immunodeficiency is a smaller category consisting of conditions where a person lacks immune cells due to other causes such as malnutrition.

HIV/AIDS

Some cancers

2. Medications

There are two main types of medications that result in being immunocompromised: Immunosuppressants and chemotherapy

Immunosuppressive medications- Immunosuppressive medications are medications designed to suppress your immune response. These can work in many different ways with some targeting a broad range of immune cells and others being highly specific. These medications are often used for organ transplant recipients and people with moderate-severe autoimmune diseases. Some medications in this category include: organ transplant medications, biologics, and high dose corticosteroids

Chemotherapy- Chemotherapy often comes with the effect of preventing new fast-dividing cells from being produced. This is why hair loss is such a common side effect of chemotherapy. Immune cells are fast dividing and therefore frequently are unable to be produced while on chemotherapy

The effects of immunocompromisation

Immunocompromisation has a large range of effects depending on the reason someone is immunocompromised. The most common effects are an increased susceptibility to illness and cancers. Increased susceptibility to illness can look like:

Frequent illnesses

Illnesses that are more severe than they would be for other people

Recurrent infections

Infections that don't respond to medication

Delayed response to infection

Infections that last longer than usual

Some people are more susceptible to certain types of infections. For example anifrolumab, a biologic used for lupus, makes people more susceptible to herpes zoster and respiratory tract infections while prednisone, a corticosteroid, increases risk of infection across the board. This occurs due to different causes of immunocompromisation affecting different immune cells with different roles in preventing and responding to infection.

Grades of severity

Recently the term "moderately and severely immunocompromised" has been used in covid-19 resources. Certain factors are considered to make someone moderately or severely immunocompromised, these include:

Advanced or untreated HIV infection

Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiencies

Hematologic malignancies

Active treatment for solid tumors or hematologic malignancies

Immunosuppressant medications used for solid organ or islet transplants

CAR-T cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Treatment with alkylating agents, antimetabolites, high-dose corticosteroids, chemotherapeutic agents, TNF blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory

What immunocompromisation is not

It's worth noting that getting sick frequently or getting seriously sick from illnesses that are usually mild is a warning sign for being immunocompromised but does not inherently make you immunocompromised. Some people are just more susceptible to illness without being immunocompromised.

Having minimal response to an infection that is usually more serious is a sign of a strong immune system, not a weak one.

Being immunocompromised is also not the same as being high risk for serious infection. All immunocompromised people are high risk but not all high risk people are immunocompromised. Immunocompromisation is specifically when someone is high risk because their immune system is weak. Particularly in regards to covid, there are many conditions that make you higher risk that do not involve a weak immune system.

Autoimmune diseases do not automatically make you immunocompromised. Something being a disorder of the immune system does not mean that you are immunocompromised because immunocompromised means a weaker immune system not a malfunctioning immune system.