February 15, 2023
In a paper published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, researchers have shown that transplanted young ovarian tissue improves the immune function of old recipient mice even if they are hormone-depleted [1]. Not just a reproductive matter Although women generally live longer than men, women spend almost half of their lives in poorer health due to reproductive...
December 12, 2022
A team of researchers from multiple Japanese universities has found a way to genetically enhance T cells against solid tumors, as published today in Nature Biomedical Engineering. A focus on signals This highly in-depth paper begins with a discussion of signaling in the response of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, as good signals are...
November 10, 2022
New research published in Cancer Discovery has outlined a potential new method of using senescent cells to encourage the immune system to attack cancer [1]. Senescent cancer cells and immune clearance Cellular senescence is a stress response [2], and cancer cells within tumors undergo significant stress: they lose access to oxygen and nutrients, they divide...
October 18, 2022
Scientists have found that when T cells are activated by antigen-presenting cells, the activating cells donate chunks of their telomeres to the T cells, preventing senescence [1]. Imperfect protection Telomeres are sequences of TTAGGG repeats at the ends of our chromosomes that protect their integrity. Because of the way in which our somatic cells copy...
October 13, 2022
In Aging Cell, researchers have published the surprising and counterintuitive finding that older immune cells are able to kill cancer cells more quickly than their younger counterparts. The aging of CD8+ T cells The researchers introduce their subject by discussing CD8+ T cells in the context of aging. These cells form a major part of...
January 18, 2022
In the first human trial of its kind, scientists showed that a fasting-mimicking diet can work synergistically with conventional therapies in cancer patients, altering their metabolisms and reshaping their immune systems [1]. What happens when you fast? Fasting is shaping up to be a powerful addition to clinical practice. It is not a panacea that...