The Immune System

It's assumed that as we get older our health will deteriorate. Our bodies age, wrinkles form, metabolism slows, and our immune system weakens. But how much of what we consider to simply be natural aging is actually due to preventable environmental factors?

According to modeling from the CDC, a pair of Omicron subvariants (BQ.1 & BQ.1.1) now account for half of all SARS.CoV.2 infections in the US. New research also indicates current monoclonal antibody treatments may be ineffective against BQ variants.

In a new study described as "seminal" and "pioneering", researchers in the US have successfully used CRISPR gene-editing technology to create personalized cancer-targeting immune cells, paving the way for future customized cancer treatments.

Stanford researchers have created a functional cure for diabetes in mice, by giving them a hybrid immune system. Treated animals were able to manage their blood glucose levels for the duration of the trial, without needing immune suppressants.

A new paper in the journal JAMA Oncology has reported the results of a decade-long Phase 1 human trial testing an experimental breast cancer vaccine. The treatment was found to be "very safe" and a large Phase 2 trial is now underway testing efficacy.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so they say. Scientists have now demonstrated a new potential cancer vaccine that involves injections of dormant tumor cells to stimulate the immune system and help prevent the onset of cancer.

Researchers have discovered a unique fat molecule in the brain may have anti-inflammatory effects. Animal studies found levels of the molecule decline with age and their absence could contribute to inflammation associated with neurodegeneration.

Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite in humans, but exactly how it’s so good at spreading has been murky. Now scientists at Stockholm University have uncovered a sneaky Trojan horse technique that allows it to avoid the immune system.

Our immune system can unfortunately go rogue and attack healthy tissues. Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have now engineered a protein that may help prevent these autoimmune diseases by boosting the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs).

A new study has provided more evidence gut bacteria plays a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. The research suggests an abnormal immune response to a common species of gut bacteria could influence the development of the disease.

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique to fight cancer by attaching immunotherapy drugs to a molecule that seeks out the acidic environment of cancer cells. In tests in mice, a single dose was enough to eradicate even advanced tumors.

New modeling from the CDC estimates Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 now account for over 10% of all infections in the US. Scientists predict these rapidly spreading variants will drive a new wave of infections in the country over the coming months.