Immunotherapy Weekly articles from March 1999

Immunotherapy Weekly archives from March 1999

Superagonist Elicits Anti-Melanoma CD8(+) T Cells.
March 1, 1999... A superagonist variant of the peptide MART1/Melan A[27-35] elicited anti-melanoma CD8(+) T cells with enhanced functional characteristics. There is a lack of evidence that tumor-specific T calls can significantly impact tumor growth in...

Immunotherapy Does Not Decrease T-Helper 2 Cytokine Levels.
March 1, 1999... Although allergen-specific immunotherapy improves some physiological responses, it does not change the level of cytokines released by the host in response to allergen challenge. M.M. Elnaggar and colleagues from the Mie University School of...

MAbs May be Used for Immunotherapy.
March 1, 1999... Human monoclonal antibodies with potent neutralizing activity against human parvovirus B19 might be used for immunotherapy of B19 virus infected individuals, findings suggest. Andreas Gigler of Germany's Universitat Regensburg and...

Cytokine Therapy More Effective Subcutaneously.
March 1, 1999... Recombinant human interleukin-10 (rHuIL-10) shows more favorable immunomodulating characteristics when administered subcutaneously (SC) than when administered intravenously (IV). E. Radwanski and colleagues from the State University of New...

MAbs Help Radiologists Locate Tumor Cells.
March 1, 1999... Tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies can be used for radioimmunolocalization of primary and metastatic breast cancer. R.P. Baum and colleagues from the Zent Klinic, Germany, radiolableled monoclonal antibodies, selected against a particular...

Body's Anticancer Weaponry Backfires in Old Age.
March 1, 1999... A protein that helps the body fend off cancer appears to cause the immune system to degenerate in old age. Researchers in California said that as the body ages, protective cells of the immune system become hypersensitive to the protein, and...

Collaborations Signed To Develop Solid Tumor Treatments.
March 1, 1999... Idec Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California, announced the signing of three research collaborations that expand the company's product development efforts in the field of cancer. The collaborations focus on the use of both immunotherapeutic...

Adeno-Associated Virus Transduction of the Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) Gene Can Replace Exogenous Addition of GM-CSF in the Generation of Cells of Dendritic Morphology.
March 1, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy "Adeno-Associated Virus Transduction of the Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) Gene Can Replace Exogenous Addition of GM-CSF in the Generation of Cells of Dendritic Morphology." P.L. Hermonat, A....

Gene Gun-Mediated Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)/Interleukin-12 (IL-12) cDNA Tumor Cell Vaccine is Effective Against Multi-Drug Resistant Murine Myeloma.(Abstract)
March 1, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy "Gene Gun-Mediated Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)/Interleukin-12 (IL-12) cDNA Tumor Cell Vaccine is Effective Against Multi-Drug Resistant Murine Myeloma." J.G. Turner, A. Stihl, W.S. Dalton...

Effect of G-CSF In HIV Infected Patients: Increase In Numbers of Naive CD4(+) Cells and CD34(+) Cells.
March 1, 1999... HIV Gene Therapy "Effect of G-CSF In HIV Infected Patients: Increase In Numbers of Naive CD4(+) Cells and CD34(+) Cells." S.D. Nielsen, P. Afzelius, S. Dam-Larsen, C. Nielsen, J.O. Nielsen, L. Mathiesen and J.E.S. Hansen. Laboratory for...

Neonatal Testosterone and Sexual Development.
March 1, 1999... Hormones (Sexual Development) "Neonatal Testosterone and Sexual Development." D.R. Mann. Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 5ROIHD26423-09. GRANT EXPIRES: March 31, 1999. PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR: David R....

Cytokines and Cutaneous Melanoma.
March 1, 1999... Pathogenesis (Melanoma) "Cytokines and Cutaneous Melanoma." Cheryl A. Armstrong. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 5KO8AR01933-06. GRANT EXPIRES: March 31, 1999. PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR: Cheryl A. Armstrong....

Primary and Secondary Rh Alloimmunization Induced by Bone Allografts.
March 1, 1999... Rh Alloimmunization "Primary and Secondary Rh Alloimmunization Induced by Bone Allografts." P.A. Shi, R.S. Shirey, K.E. King and P.M. Ness. The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. According to an abstract submitted by the...

Effects of Development of Host Immunity on the Biodistribution of Xenogeneic MHC Non-restricted Cytotoxic T Cells: Implications for Adoptive Cell Therapy of Cancer.(Abstract)
March 1, 1999... Animal Models Cesano, A.; Wortman, J.A.; Pourdehnad, M.; Visonneau, S.; Mozley, D.; Bhatnagar, A.; Alavi, A.; Santoli, D. "Effects of Development of Host Immunity on the Biodistribution of Xenogeneic MHC Non-restricted Cytotoxic T Cells:...

Immune Events Associated With the Cure of Established Tumors and Spontaneous Metastases by Local and Systemic Interleukin-12.
March 1, 1999... Animal Models (Immunology) Cavallo, F.; Dicarlo, E.; Butera, M.; Verrua, R.; Colombo, M.P.; Musiani, P.; Forni, G. "Immune Events Associated With the Cure of Established Tumors and Spontaneous Metastases by Local and Systemic...

EGF-Related Peptides Are Involved in the Proliferation and Survival of MDA-MB-468 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells.
March 1, 1999... Breast Cancer Deluca, A.; Casamassimi, A.; Selvam, M.P.; Losito, S.; Ciardiello, F.; Agrawal, S.; Salomon, D.S.; Normanno, N. "EGF-Related Peptides Are Involved in the Proliferation and Survival of MDA-MB-468 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells."...

Mechanisms of Electrochemotherapy.
March 1, 1999... Electrochemotherapy Mir, L.M.; Orlowski, S. "Mechanisms of Electrochemotherapy." Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, January 4, 1999;35(1):107-118. According to the authors' abstract of an article published in Advanced Drug Delivery...

A Superagonist Variant of Peptide MART1/melan A(27-35) Elicits Anti-Melanoma CD8(+) T Cells With Enhanced Functional Characteristics: Implication for More Effective Immunotherapy.
March 1, 1999... Melanoma Immunotherapy Rivoltini, L.; Squarcina, P.; Loftus, D.J.; Castelli, C.; Tarsini, P.; Mazzocchi, A.; Rini, F.; Viggiano, V.; Belli, F.; Parmiani, G. "A Superagonist Variant of Peptide MART1/melan A(27-35) Elicits Anti-Melanoma...

Submicron Cationic Emulsions as a New Delivery System for Oligonucleotides.
March 1, 1999... Oligonucleotide Delivery Teixeira, H.; Dubernet, C.; Puisieux, F.; Benita, S.; Couvreur, P. "Submicron Cationic Emulsions as a New Delivery System for Oligonucleotides." Pharmaceutical Research, January 1999;16(1):30-36. According to...

A Novel Technique, Using Radioluminography, for the Measurement of Uniformity of Radiolabelled Antibody Distribution in a Colorectal Cancer Xenograft Model.
March 1, 1999... Radioimmunotherapy Flynn, A.A.; Green, A.J.; Boxer, G.M.; Casey, J.L.; Pedley, R.B.; Begent, R.H.J. "A Novel Technique, Using Radioluminography, for the Measurement of Uniformity of Radiolabelled Antibody Distribution in a Colorectal...

Bispecific Antibody and Bivalent Hapten Radioimmunotherapy in CEA-Producing Medullary Thyroid Cancer Xenograft.
March 1, 1999... Radioimmunotherapy Kraeberbodere, F.; Faivrechauvet, A.; Saimaurel, C.; Gautherot, E.; Fiche, M.; Campion, L.; Leboterff, J.; Barbet, J.; Chatal, J.F.; Thedrez, P. "Bispecific Antibody and Bivalent Hapten Radioimmunotherapy in...

Retrovirus-Mediated Delivery of IL-4 Eradicates Gliomas.
March 8, 1999... Retrovirus-mediated delivery of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene eradicates rat malignant gliomas in vivo. Malignant gliomas take advantage of the immunosuppressive environment of the brain. Indeed, glioma patients often have system-wide...

Alpha-Emitting Antibodies are Safe In Vivo.
March 8, 1999... Alpha-particle-emitting radionuclides are highly cytotoxic, yet specific and safe in vivo for radioimmunotherapy use. T.K. Nikula and colleagues from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, described the pharmacokinetic,...

Interleukin-2 Boosts Vaccine Effectiveness in Mice.
March 8, 1999... In a study published in the March 2, 1999, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, University of Michigan researchers presented the results of experiments testing the effectiveness of the vaccine/Interleukin-2 (IL-2)...

Antiviral Inhibits CCR5 Cell Receptor for HIV.
March 8, 1999... Advanced Viral Research Corp., Yonkers, New York, announced that its scientists have discovered that Reticulose inhibited the production of a key cellular receptor for HIV. Using CD4 positive T-lymphocytes, the scientists found that...

HIV Neutralizing Antibodies Restricted To V2 Loop?
March 8, 1999... Studies with DNA vectors may have located HIV epitopes that elicit neutralizing antibodies. Researchers L. Stamatatos and C. Cheng-Mayer at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center (ADARC) have built DNA constructs that express two soluble...

CDC Says Vaccinate Hemodialysis Patients.
March 8, 1999... Efforts to vaccinate hemodialysis patients against hepatitis B are inadequate, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a well-recognized risk in chronic hemodialysis patients. Although...

Anti-ED-B Antibodies Selectively Target Tumors in vivo.
March 8, 1999... Anti-ED-B can selectively target tumors in vivo, researchers report. Molecules that can selectively target markers of angiogenesis may provide opportunities for the in vivo imaging of aggressive tumors and for the delivery of toxic agents...

T Cell Immunity to Polyomavirus-Induced Tumors.
March 8, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy "T Cell Immunity to Polyomavirus-Induced Tumors." Aron E. Lukacher. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 3R29CA71971-03S1. GRANT EXPIRES: June 31, 2001. PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR: Aron E. Lukacher....

Tolerance Evasion By Self MHC Specific T Cells.
March 8, 1999... Autoimmunity "Tolerance Evasion By Self MHC Specific T Cells." Andrew L. Mellor. Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia. NIH GRANT NUMBER: IROIA142247-OIAI. GRANT EXPIRES: May 31, 2001. PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR: Andrew L. Mellor....

Treatment of Diabetes With Encapsulated Xenogeneic Islet.
March 8, 1999... Bioengineering (Xenografts) "Treatment of Diabetes With Encapsulated Xenogeneic Islet." Collin J. Weber. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 5ROIDK53057-02. GRANT EXPIRES: August 31, 2002. PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR:...

An Animal Model for Human Adoptive Immunotherapy: In Vivo Elimination of Human Leukemia by Cytotoxic Effector Cells in NOD/SCID Mice.
March 8, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy "An Animal Model for Human Adoptive Immunotherapy: In Vivo Elimination of Human Leukemia by Cytotoxic Effector Cells in NOD/SCID Mice." B.A. Nijmeijer, R. Willemze and J.H.F. Falkenburg. Leiden University Medical...

Interferon Plus Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C in HIV(+) Patients.
March 8, 1999... Disease Associations "Interferon Plus Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C in HIV(+) Patients." V. Soriano, J. Gonzilez, M. Perez-Olmeda and J. Garcia-Samaniego. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, and Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain. ...

Basic Principles of Transfection Initiated Immunizations.
March 8, 1999... DNA Vaccines "Basic Principles of Transfection Initiated Immunizations." Harriet L. Robinson. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 5ROIA134946-06. GRANT EXPIRES: June 30, 2002. PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR: Harriet L....

Hepatic Enzyme Abnormalities in Children on Triple Therapy for Tuberculosis.
March 8, 1999... Adverse Effects (TB Therapy) Corrigan, D.; Paton, J. "Hepatic Enzyme Abnormalities in Children on Triple Therapy for Tuberculosis." Pediatric Pulmonology, January 1999;27(1):37-42. According to the authors' abstract of an article...

Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of a Steady Dosage Schedule of Local Nasal Immunotherapy. Results of Preseasonal Treatment in Grass Pollen Rhinitis.
March 8, 1999... Allergy Bertoni, M.; Cosmi, F.; Bianchi, I.; Diberardino, L. "Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of a Steady Dosage Schedule of Local Nasal Immunotherapy. Results of Preseasonal Treatment in Grass Pollen Rhinitis." Annals of Allergy Asthma...

IL-6 Induces Long-Term Protective Immunity Against a Lethal Challenge of Influenza Virus.
March 8, 1999... Influenza DNA Vaccines Lee, S.W.; Youn, J.W.; Seong, B.L.; Sung, Y.C. "IL-6 Induces Long-Term Protective Immunity Against a Lethal Challenge of Influenza Virus." Vaccine, February 5, 1999;17(5):490-496. According to the authors'...

Level of Anti-Mouse-Antibody Response Induced by Bi-specific Monoclonal Antibody OC/TR in Ovarian Carcinoma Patients Is Associated With Longer Survival.
March 8, 1999... Ovarian Cancer Miotti, S.; Negri, D.R.M.; Valota, O.; Calabrese, M.; Bolhuis, R.L.H.; Gratama, J.W.; Colnaghi, M.I.; Canevari, S. "Level of Anti-Mouse-Antibody Response Induced by Bi-specific Monoclonal Antibody OC/TR in Ovarian Carcinoma...

Therapy With a Combination of Low Doses of Interleukin 12 and Chloroquine Completely Cures Blood-Stage Malaria, Prevents Severe Anemia, and Induces Immunity to Reinfection.
March 8, 1999... Treatment (Malaria) Mohan, K.; Sam, H.; Stevenson, M.M. "Therapy With a Combination of Low Doses of Interleukin 12 and Chloroquine Completely Cures Blood-Stage Malaria, Prevents Severe Anemia, and Induces Immunity to Reinfection."...

CEA Immunization Induces Protective Host Immunity.
March 15, 1999... Immunization with a recombinant vaccinia virus hosting the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) induces a protective antitumor immune response. CEA is an oncofetal antigen that is expressed in normal epithelial tissues as well as in a high...

Short-Term Immunotherapy Is More Effective Than Drug Therapy.
March 15, 1999... Short-term immunotherapy is more effective than drug treatment for reducing tryptase and ECP in the nasal secretions of patients with allergic rhinitis. L. Klimek and colleagues from the University of Mainz, Germany, evaluated specific...

T Cells Mediated Cytokine Gene Therapy.
March 15, 1999... T cells mediated antitumor effects of cytokine gene therapy. Y.L. Matory and colleagues from Harvard University, Massachusetts, examined a cytokine gene therapy approach to tumor killing ("T Cells Mediate Treatment of Six-Day-Old...

Class II Transactivator Transfection May Facilitate Immunotherapy Approach.
March 15, 1999... Class II transactivator (CIITA) transfection may make it possible to establish anti-cancer immunotherapy against small cell lung cancer (SCLC). T. Yazawa and colleagues from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, investigated immunological...

Ex-Vivo-Expanded CTL Home In On Lymph-Node HIV.
March 15, 1999... It's one step back, two steps forward for a promising AIDS immunotherapy. The idea seems simple: since HIV specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) appear to be important in fighting the virus, why not expand a patient's CTL ex vivo and...

Routine Vaccination is Needed in U.S.
March 15, 1999... Routine universal childhood vaccination against hepatitis A is the only way to eradicate related illness in the United States, according to a noted researcher. In a recent editorial, Raymond S. Koff of Massachusetts' MetroWest Medical...

Pretreatment Establishes Powerful Immune Regulation.
March 15, 1999... The pretreatment of transplant recipients can establish powerful immune regulation, and the role of interleukin-4 may be limited, recent findings indicate. Most experimental models of allograft tolerance rely on the manipulation of immune...

Combined HAV/HBV Vaccine Shown Effective.
March 15, 1999... A combined hepatitis A and B vaccine designed for children and adolescents was shown to be highly effective in a Canadian cohort. Pediatric monocomponent formulations of vaccines against hepatitis A and B have proven to be safe and...

Patent Issued for Transplantation Systems.
March 15, 1999... BioTransplant Incorporated, Charlestown, Massachusetts, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Patent No. 5,876,708 relating to the company's AlloMune and XenoMune Systems, which are being developed to facilitate the...

Patent Issued for Use of PSA in Prostate Cancer Vaccine.
March 15, 1999... Jenner Biotherapies, San Ramon, California, announced the allowance of claims in the United States covering the use of recombinant prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the immunotherapy of patients with prostate cancer. The allowed claims...

Prostaglandin E-2 Stimulates APP Expression.
March 15, 1999... Immunosuppressants may be useful in preventing amyloid precursor protein (APP) overexpression caused by inflammation or brain injury and might forestall the pathophysiological processes underlying AD. R.K.K. Lee, Massachusetts Institute of...

Mutation in EBV Produces Immunoblastic Lymphoma Unresponsive to CTL Immunotherapy.
March 15, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy "Mutation in EBV Produces Immunoblastic Lymphoma Unresponsive to CTL Immunotherapy." S. Gottschalk, C.Y.C. Ng, M. Perez, M.K. Brenner, H.E. Heslop and C.M. Rooney. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; St. Jude...

Radiation and IL3 Gene Therapy of Prostate Cancer.
March 15, 1999... Cancer Gene Therapy "Radiation and IL3 Gene Therapy of Prostate Cancer." Robert E. Sobol. Urogen Corporation, 3099 Science Park Road, Ste. A, San Diego, California 92121. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 1R43CA76854-01. GRANT EXPIRES: May 31, 1999....

Adoptive Immunotherapy for Leukemia: Donor Lymphocytes Transduced with the Herpes Simplex Thymidine Kinase (HStk) Gene Persist Despite Chemotherapy.
March 15, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy "Adoptive Immunotherapy for Leukemia: Donor Lymphocytes Transduced with the Herpes Simplex Thymidine Kinase (HStk) Gene Persist Despite Chemotherapy." C.J. Link, W.R. Drobyski, A.E. Traynor, C. Taylor, T. Seregina, J....

Vaccine Therapy of Pediatric Malignancies.
March 15, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy "Vaccine Therapy of Pediatric Malignancies." James D. Geiger. University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Michigan 48109. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 1R29CA77471-01. GRANT EXPIRES: March 31, 2003. PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR:...

Clinical Trial of Anti-ID Vaccine for Neuroblastoma.
March 15, 1999... Cancer Vaccines "Clinical Trial of Anti-ID Vaccine for Neuroblastoma." A.L. Yu. University of California at San Diego, Gilman and La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, California 92093. NIH GRANT NUMBER: 1R21CA78806-01. GRANT EXPIRES:...

Fas-Ligand-Mediated Lysis of erbB-2-Expressing Tumour Cells by Redirected Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes.
March 15, 1999... Breast Cancer (Immunotherapy) Haynes, N.M.; Smyth, M.J.; Kershaw, M.H.; Trapani, J.A.; Darcy, P.K. "Fas-Ligand-Mediated Lysis of erbB-2-Expressing Tumour Cells by Redirected Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes." Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy,...

Isolation of MUC1-Primed B Lymphocytes from Tumour-Draining Lymph Nodes by Immunomagnetic Beads.
March 15, 1999... Cancer Immunotherapy Petrarca, C.; Casalino, B.; Vonmensdorffpouilly, S.; Rughetti, A.; Rahimi, H.; Scambia, G.; Hilgers, J.; Frati, L.; Nuti, M. "Isolation of MUC1-Primed B Lymphocytes from Tumour-Draining Lymph Nodes by Immunomagnetic...

Moxifloxacin (BAY12-8039), A New 8-Methoxyquinolone, Is Active in a Mouse Model of Tuberculosis.
March 15, 1999... Chemotherapy (Animal Studies) Miyazaki, E.; Miyazaki, M.; Chen, J.M.; Chaisson, R.E.; Bishai, W.R. "Moxifloxacin (BAY12-8039), A New 8-Methoxyquinolone, Is Active in a Mouse Model of Tuberculosis." Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy,...

Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Variable Regions of an Anti-CD4 Monoclonal Antibody Bind to CD4 and Inhibit HIV-1 Promoter Activation in Virus-Infected Cells.
March 15, 1999... HIV Immunotherapy Monnet, C.; Laune, D.; Larochetraineau, J.; Biardpiechaczyk, M.; Briant, L.; Bes, C.; Pugniere, M.; Mani, J.C.; Pau, B.; Cerutti, R.; Devauchelle, G.; Devaux, C.; Granier, C.; Chardes, T. "Synthetic Peptides Derived from...

The Immunomodulatory Effect of Topical Cyclosporin A in Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis.
March 15, 1999... Keratoconjunctivitis (Treatment) Hingorani, M.; Calder, V.L.; Buckley, R.J.; Lightman, S. "The Immunomodulatory Effect of Topical Cyclosporin A in Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis." Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, February...

Exposure to Antibiotics Induces Expression of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigF Gene: Implications for Chemotherapy Against Mycobacterial Persistors.
March 15, 1999... Mycobacterial Infection (Chemotherapy) Michele, T.M.; Ko, C.; Bishai, W.R. "Exposure to Antibiotics Induces Expression of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigF Gene: Implications for Chemotherapy Against Mycobacterial Persistors."...

Successful Short-Term Suppression of Clarithromycin-Resistant Mycobacterium avium Complex Bacteremia in AIDS.
March 15, 1999... Therapy (HIV/MAC Coinfection) Dube, M.P.; Torriani, F.J.; See, D.; Havlir, D.V.; Kemper, C.A.; Leedom, J.M.; Tilles, J.G.; Mccutchan, J.A.; Sattler, F.R. "Successful Short-Term Suppression of Clarithromycin-Resistant Mycobacterium avium...

Adoptively Transferred T Cells Die a Rapid Death.
March 22, 1999... The failure of adoptive transfer of T cells in AIDS patients is caused by rapid apoptosis of the infused cells. Rusung Tan and colleagues from several institutions in Oxford, United Kingdom, investigated the fate of expanded HIV specific...

Adoptive Transfer Therapy Uses B7.1-Transduced CTLs.
March 22, 1999... Adoptive transfer of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) transduced with the B7.1 gene induces an antitumor effect. S.J. Kim and colleagues from the Korea Cancer Center Hospital, South Korea, showed that tumor-specific primary CTL induced in...

Clinical Trial Examines Cu-67 Radioimmunotherapy.
March 22, 1999... Cancer-specific monoclonal antibodies target radioimmunotherapy for more concentrated tumor killing. S.J. Denardo and colleagues from the Molecular Cancer Institute, California, conducted a clinical study of the pharmacokinetics and...

ln-111 and Y-90 Monoclonal Antibodies are Interchangeable.
March 22, 1999... In monoclonal antibody-mediated radioimmunotherapy, ln-111 can be used as a surrogate marker for Y-90. J.A. Carrasquillo and colleagues from the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Maryland, evaluated the differences in biodistribution between...

Chemimmunotherapy Useful in Treating Melanoma.
March 22, 1999... Chemotherapy combined with interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon alfa (IFN(alpha)) is ready for a randomized trial in melanoma patients. J.M. Richards and colleagues from the Lutheran General Hospital, Illinois, assessed the feasibility of...

Selective Immunotherapy May Target T-Cell Epitopes.
March 22, 1999... A recurring T-cell epitope in the adult-specific acetylcholine receptor epsilon subunit may be a target for future immunotherapy of myasthenia gravis. M. Hill and colleagues from the John Radcliffe Hospital, England, selected and...

Leukoreduction of MHC Cells Enhances Platelet Immunity.
March 22, 1999... A residual amount of major histocompatibility complex cells in allogeneic platelets are needed for the optimal reduction of alloimmunization, study findings suggest. In a murine model of platelet alloimmunization, University of Toronto...

Trimera Mouse Accesses Human Hepatitis B.
March 22, 1999... There may finally be an adequate small animal model for hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis B virus Trimera mouse model is a novel experimental tool for simulating hepatitis infection and evaluating therapies, according to researchers from...

ABO Incompatibility a Prognostic Risk Factor.
March 22, 1999... ABO blood group incompatibility may be a significant prognostic risk factor following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in some patients, researchers report. Harvard Medical School researcher Richard J. Benjamin and colleagues...

Synergy between Antiangiogenic and Tumor-Specific Immunotherapy.
March 22, 1999... The synergy of an antiangiogenic integrin (alpha)[v] antagonist and an antibody-cytokine fusion protein may offer a novel, effective way to help fight cancer. Combinations of specific antiangiogenic therapies and immunotherapies synergize...

Ex Vivo Expansion Compromises Engraftment.
March 22, 1999... Clonogenic cells with differential homing properties contribute variably to hematopoiesis in vivo, researchers report. Hematopoietic reconstitution of ablated recipients requires that transplanted stem and progenitor cells "home" to organs...

HLA Genotypes Can Determine Time To AIDS.
March 22, 1999... U.S. National Cancer Institute researchers and collaborators from several other institutions have proposed a possible explanation for why some people with HIV develop AIDS quickly while others resist the disease for years. Diversity of...

SCF Combined with TPO Increases Cell Production.
March 22, 1999... A granulocyte colony-stimulating factor/granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-independent system of neutrophilic cell production may exist, researchers report. Nobukuni Sawai of Japan's Shinshu University School of Medicine and...

IGIV Shortage: FDA Discourages Off-Label Use.
March 22, 1999... The ongoing shortage of immune globulin (IGIV) is seriously affecting immunodeficient patients, according to a survey reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to industry reports, U.S. supplies of...

Best IFN Regimen is Still Not Known, Mayo Report Finds.
March 22, 1999... Researchers are still a long way from establishing the optimal dosage and duration of interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis, according to a report from Minnesota's Mayo Clinic. Since their discovery in 1957, interferons...

Amino-Acid Repeats Promote Persistence of Proteins in Blood.
March 22, 1999... The exploitation of naturally occurring sequences may provide an alternative for improving protein half-life in blood, researchers report. Proteins that contain amino acid repeats are especially widespread among protozoan parasites, such...

Start of HIV Study with Anticort Announced.
March 22, 1999... AIDS Research Alliance and Steroidogenesis Inhibitors International jointly announced the start of an HIV treatment study with Anticort, a drug developed by STGI. Anticort, an anticortisol, immunomodulator drug, will be evaluated in HIV...

Researchers Find Fas Ligand Important in Blinding Disease.
March 22, 1999... Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, have found that a mechanism key to immune-privilege in the eye also plays a role in age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people...

Preliminary Study Shows Centuries of Herbalists Right about Echinacea.
March 22, 1999... Echinacea, an herbal cold remedy used for centuries, does, in fact, stimulate the immune system, a University of Florida researcher has found. In the first clinical study of the popular herb's effects on healthy men, UF nutritional...

Trial of Drug Candidate Targeting Inflammatory and Neurological Diseases Begins.
March 22, 1999... Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial with VX-745, a novel, orally administered investigational drug targeting p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, a human...

Clinical Trial Will Test New Approach to Chronic Heart Failure.
March 22, 1999... Immunex Corporation and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories announced that they are beginning a Phase II/III clinical trial with ENBREL (etanercept) in chronic heart failure patients, one of the first large-scale studies undertaken to evaluate cytokine...

Researchers Find T Cells with Long Memories.
March 22, 1999... In a finding that may lead to better vaccines, University of Chicago researchers have uncovered the origin of so-called "memory T cells" that linger for years and help the body avoid re-infection by pathogens it has already defeated. ...