More than a dozen bacterial species among the hundreds that live in people's mouths have been linked to a collective 50% increased chance of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a new study shows. Some of these microbes had previously been shown to contribute to periodontal disease, serious gum infections that can eat away at the jawbone and the soft tissues that surround teeth.
Read more …Bacteria involved in gum disease linked to increased risk of head and neck cancer
Results from a preclinical study in mice and a collaborative clinical study in patients show that the type 2 immune response -- associated with parasitic infection and thought to play a negative role in cancer immunity -- is positively correlated with long-term cancer remission.
Read more …Unexpected immune response may hold key to long-term cancer remission
Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor, with an average survival after diagnosis of less than two years, and against which current treatments remain ineffective. In recent years, immunotherapies have given patients renewed hope, albeit with relatively modest success. A team has succeeded in identifying a specific marker on the surface of tumour cells, and in generating immune cells carrying an antibody to destroy them. Furthermore, these cells, called CAR-T cells, appear to be capable of targeting diseased cells in the tumor that do not carry this antigen, while sparing healthy cells.
Read more …Programming cells to target brain tumors
A new study reveals that extreme heat significantly affects daily activities, leading people to reduce outdoor time and alter transportation choices. Vulnerable groups, such as low-income individuals without cars, face greater risks, as they are less able to avoid dangerous conditions. The study calls for targeted policy interventions, including shaded public spaces, heat day declarations and urban design improvements, to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures, particularly on the most vulnerable populations.
Read more …Extreme heat impacts daily routines and travel patterns