Immunology Blog
The articles listed here are updated regularly and address cutting-edge research addressing the unique immunology found in the liver.
Immunotherapy targeting cancer fusion protein may hold key to treating rare liver cancer
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver cancer with a poor prognosis if not addressed early with surgery. The disease is caused by a single genetic mutation that creates a fusion protein. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and The University of...
Immune evasion tactics of liver cancer cells revealed
A faulty cancer gene helps tumors evade immunity by stopping tumor cells releasing message-containing cargoes called exosomes. These findings, published in eLife, provide what the editors say is fundamental insight into the underlying biology of hepatocellular...
Finding the Right Targets to Treat Biliary Tract Cancers
The most recent FDA approval related to BTC came in October 2023 with an expanded indication for pembrolizumab to be used in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar) and cisplatin for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BTC. This was based on the...
Liver Cancer: A Promising Avenue for More Effective Immunotherapies
Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with known risk factors such as chronic hepatitis B or C infection, alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction. It is the most common type of liver cancer. Despite major advances in immunotherapy, this cancer is often fatal: around...
A next-generation treatment for bile duct cancer
Tinengotinib has a unique binding mechanism away from the ATP binding pocket that enables it to target even newly resistant cancer cells. It overcomes acquired resistance by targeting FGFR2 kinase domain mutations. Essentially, by inhibiting a number of different...
Proteomic Signatures of Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells from Liver and Lung Metastases Reveal Functional Divergence and Potential Therapeutic Targets
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) promote immunosuppressive activities in the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in increased tumor burden and diminishing the anti-tumor response of immunotherapies. While primary and metastatic tumors are typically the...
The Immunological and Metabolic Landscape in Primary and Metastatic Liver Cancer
The liver is the sixth most common site of primary cancer in humans, and generally arises in a background of cirrhosis and inflammation. Moreover, the liver is frequently colonized by metastases from cancers of other organs (particularly the colon) because of its...
Liver Metastasis Restrains Immunotherapy Efficacy via Macrophage-Mediated T Cell Elimination
Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer mortality, and cancer frequently metastasizes to the liver. It is not clear whether liver immune tolerance mechanisms contribute to cancer outcomes. We report that liver metastases diminish immunotherapy efficacy systemically...
Top 10 Challenges in Cancer Immunotherapy
Cancer immunotherapy is a validated and critically important approach for treating patients with cancer. Given the vast research and clinical investigation efforts dedicated to advancing both endogenous and synthetic immunotherapy approaches, there is a need to focus...