Wistar Institute

Wistar Scientists Discover New Immunosuppressive Mechanism in Brain Cancer

Retrieved on: 
Venerdì, Maggio 3, 2024
Cell, National Cancer Institute, Macrophage, Sapienza University of Rome, Genome, Glucose, Wistar Institute, Gene, Brain, Tumor microenvironment, Wistar, Metabolomics, Neuroscience, Immunity, Ben, Medical research, Microglia, Research, Proteomics, Immunology, Histone, Malignancy, Gene expression, Neoplasm, Aurelia, Cancer, Collaborative writing, DSM-IV codes, Prognosis, Immunosuppression, Immunotherapy, Duke School, Disease, GLUT1, Patient, Metabolism, Immune system, Angelica, Vaccine

The lab’s discovery was published in the paper, “ Glucose-driven histone lactylation promotes the immunosuppressive activity of monocyte-derived macrophages in glioblastoma ,” in the journal Immunity.

Key Points: 
  • The lab’s discovery was published in the paper, “ Glucose-driven histone lactylation promotes the immunosuppressive activity of monocyte-derived macrophages in glioblastoma ,” in the journal Immunity.
  • Indeed, monocyte-derived macrophages, but not microglia, blocked the activity of T cells (immune cells that destroy tumor cells), in preclinical models and patients.
  • Glioblastoma is inherently dangerous due to its location in the brain and its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which renders glioblastoma resistant to promising immunotherapies.
  • Note: The work detailed in this publication was initiated at The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center during Dr. Veglia’s time there and continued at Wistar.

IMUNON Reports 2023 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

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Giovedì, Marzo 28, 2024
Transfer, Ovarian cancer, Immunotherapy, Patient, Lung, Vaccine, Good manufacturing practice, Sale, CMC, IND, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, IPR, Investment, Clinical trial, Neoplasm, Research, Primate, DNA, NOL, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Trial of the century, ITT, Safety, MRD, Interim, Silicon Valley Bank, Vaccination, Food, CMOS, Elsevier, CD8, Drug discovery, SVB, CRS, University, Death, SARS-CoV-2, Earnings call, Lassa mammarenavirus, PFS, Immunoglobulin G, FDA, OS, CD4, Temperature, Progression-free survival, COVID-19, Mouse, Messenger, Human, Wistar Institute, Hospital

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage drug-development company focused on developing DNA-mediated immuno-oncology therapies and next-generation vaccines, today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company also provided an update on its clinical development programs with IMNN-001, a DNA-based interleukin-12 (IL-12) immunotherapy in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of first-line, locally advanced-stage ovarian cancer, and on its PlaCCine modality, a proprietary mono- or multi-cistronic DNA plasmid and a synthetic DNA delivery technology for the expression of pathogen antigens in preclinical studies for the development of next-generation vaccines.

Key Points: 
  • “We remain on track to report topline results mid-year from the OVATION 2 Study with IMNN-001 in advanced ovarian cancer.
  • In September 2023, the Company announced interim PFS and OS data with IMNN-001 in its OVATION 2 Study.
  • The Company is hosting a conference call to provide a business update, discuss 2023 financial results and answer questions at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time today.
  • To participate in the call, please dial 866-777-2509 (Toll-Free/North America) or 412-317-5413 (International/Toll) and ask for the IMUNON 2023 Earnings Call.

PCOM, The Wistar Institute Announce Cancer Biology Graduate Program

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Mercoledì, Marzo 20, 2024
Wistar Institute, Drug discovery, Patient, PCOM, Research, News, Cancer, Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty, Student, Drug development, Biomedical sciences, School

Program aimed at advancing research and cultivating the next generation of leaders in the fight against cancer.

Key Points: 
  • Program aimed at advancing research and cultivating the next generation of leaders in the fight against cancer.
  • , Wistar President and CEO, director of its Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center and the Robert and Penny Fox Distinguished Professor.
  • The Cancer Biology Graduate Program—jointly administered by Wistar and PCOM—will train individuals for a successful academic or industrial career in cancer biology and drug development.
  • At the conclusion of their studies, successful candidates will be granted a Ph.D. in cancer biology from PCOM.

Independent Lab Confirms Immunogenicity and Protection with IMUNON’s IMNN-101 in a Live Virus Challenge Against SARS-CoV-2 Variant XBB.1.5

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Giovedì, Febbraio 29, 2024
Wistar Institute, SARS-CoV-2, Messenger, FDA, Food, Vaccine, Vaccination, Immunoglobulin G, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Primate, DNA, Mouse

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage drug-development company focused on developing non-viral DNA-mediated immunotherapy and next-generation vaccines, announces positive results from a live virus challenge study conducted for IMUNON by the Wistar Institute with IMNN-101 against the SARS-CoV-2 variant XBB.1.5. This study was conducted using the clinical vector that IMUNON intends to bring into its Phase 1 study during the second quarter and showed IMNN-101 immunogenicity and protective activity in a live viral mouse challenge.

Key Points: 
  • The SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 variant was declared as the variant of concern for the 2023-2024 vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.
  • IMUNON has reported that intramuscular administration of a single dose of IMNN-101 in mice produced IgG neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses.
  • Challenging the mice with live virus 21 days after the second vaccination showed complete protection.
  • Protection in non-human primates was greater than 95%, which is comparable to mRNA.

Wistar Scientists Discover Link Between Leaky Gut and Accelerated Biological Aging

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Venerdì, Febbraio 23, 2024
Methylation, Dysbiosis, Culture, Penn Center, Health, Bacteria, University, Subtypes of HIV, Life Length, Wistar Institute, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Ileum, Infection, NIH, AIDS, Glass, Metabolomics, Nucleotide, DSM-IV codes, Biomedical Research, HIV/AIDS research, Wistar, University of Pittsburgh, DNA, Immune system, National Institutes of Health, Leiden University Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Hannum, Research, Inflammation, Blood, Ageing, Cancer, Cell biology, Microbiome, Rush University, HIV, DNA methylation, Vaccine

Dr. Abdel-Mohsen investigates what drives this rapid aging and how to create ways to slow down biological aging and improve health.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Abdel-Mohsen investigates what drives this rapid aging and how to create ways to slow down biological aging and improve health.
  • A prime suspect in this aging puzzle is the gut microbiome and its potential leakage into the bloodstream.
  • The Abdel-Mohsen lab investigates how gut leakage can impact the immune system and lead to chronic inflammation, which may accelerate aging.
  • Their analysis revealed a significant connection between disrupted gut microbiomes, increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and faster biological aging.

Award-Winning Biotech Training Program to Begin Recruitment with New Employer Partner in Life Sciences

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Mercoledì, Gennaio 17, 2024
Senior, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Chamber, Navy, BTT, Literacy, PIDC, Commerce, Partnership, Biomedical Research, Biotechnology, Curriculum, Molecular biology, Interview, GED, Shipyard, Navy Yard, Management

This workforce development training will support the talent needs of the rapidly growing cell and gene therapy manufacturing organization.

Key Points: 
  • This workforce development training will support the talent needs of the rapidly growing cell and gene therapy manufacturing organization.
  • "Our partnership with VintaBio marks an exciting era of Life Science development in Philadelphia.
  • “Where other companies at a similar stage may focus on degreed talent, VintaBio is widening its talent pool to include candidates who complete our training program.
  • Hiring local talent is advantageous at every stage of a company life cycle and we applaud VintaBio for recognizing this and taking action."

Immunitas Therapeutics Appoints Annalisa D'Andrea, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer

Retrieved on: 
Giovedì, Gennaio 18, 2024
Patient, SRI International, Therapy, Research, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, CSO, Biotechnology, Science, Discovery, University, History, Cancer, Drug discovery, Immunology, Inflammation, Toll-like receptor 9, Wistar Institute, Roche, Pharmaceutical industry

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunitas Therapeutics ("Immunitas"), a clinical stage precision immunotherapy company committed to discovering and developing novel, differentiated therapeutics for patients with cancer, today announced the appointment of Annalisa D'Andrea, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. D'Andrea has more than 25 years of basic and translational research and development expertise in both large and small pharmaceutical and biotech settings.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. D'Andrea brings more than 25 years of research and development experience to the company, expanding executive leadership team to advance pipeline
    WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunitas Therapeutics ("Immunitas"), a clinical stage precision immunotherapy company committed to discovering and developing novel, differentiated therapeutics for patients with cancer, today announced the appointment of Annalisa D'Andrea, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).
  • Dr. D'Andrea brings to Immunitas a strong history of success in immunology therapeutic development, having led products from target selection through clinical evaluation.
  • "Annalisa's leadership and deep drug development expertise has proven invaluable as we advanced our growing pipeline of novel precision immuno-oncology therapeutics over the past several months," said Amanda Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Immunitas.
  • "We are excited to welcome her as our full-time Chief Scientific Officer.

Wistar Scientists Identify Esophageal Cancer Biomarkers

Retrieved on: 
Mercoledì, Dicembre 6, 2023
RNA, Wistar Institute, Ferroptosis, Collaborative writing, RNA-Seq, National Cancer Institute, Biomedical Research, Culture, Mechanics, Tumor microenvironment, Ellen, Virus, ESCA, Messenger, Prognosis, Health, Ageing, Incidence, Neoplasm, Cancer, International Society, University, University of Pennsylvania, Ecology, Gene expression, Gene, Biomarker, Machine learning, Cell, Patient, Qi, Iron, NCI, Bacteriophage, Esophageal cancer, Carnegie Mellon University

Philadelphia, PA, Dec. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wistar scientists have developed a new tool that can help identify cancer-associated microbes by using machine learning technology.

Key Points: 
  • Philadelphia, PA, Dec. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wistar scientists have developed a new tool that can help identify cancer-associated microbes by using machine learning technology.
  • Under the leadership of Dr. Noam Auslander — assistant professor in the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center’s Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program — the group has analyzed short read RNA-sequencing data to detect biomarkers for esophageal carcinoma, or ESCA.
  • Since 1972, the Institute has held National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center status.
  • Wistar scientists are dedicated to solving some of the world’s most challenging problems in the field of cancer and immunology, advancing human health through early-stage discovery and training the next generation of biomedical researchers.

Wistar Scientists Engineer New NK cell Engaging Immunotherapy Approaches to Target and potentially Treat recalcitrant Ovarian Cancer

Retrieved on: 
Mercoledì, Novembre 1, 2023
Ovarian cancer, Neoplasm, Survival, VIC, Wistar Institute, Biomedical Research, Hook effect, Siglec, Sial, Infection, Cell biology, BRCA1, FSHR, PD-1, Nature, BRCA, Research, Follicle-stimulating hormone, University of Pennsylvania, Observation, CPI, BRCA2, CDC, Vaccine, Immune system, NK, Risk, Antibody, Cancer, Cancer research, Wistar, Natural killer T cell, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, University, OC, NIH, Culture, Woman, Patient, Toxicity, PARP, Pharmaceutical industry, Fine chemical, Monoclonal antibody, Science Advances

Ovarian cancer demonstrates a low response rate to standard-of-care treatments like chemotherapies, PARP inhibitors and the widely used checkpoint inhibitor, PD-1.

Key Points: 
  • Ovarian cancer demonstrates a low response rate to standard-of-care treatments like chemotherapies, PARP inhibitors and the widely used checkpoint inhibitor, PD-1.
  • In the small proportion of ovarian cancer patients that do respond to these treatments, resistance becomes problematic over time — resulting in tumor escape and cancer progression.
  • NK cells have been recently described to express Siglec-7, so the team tested two new strategies to engage and activate NK cells against ovarian cancer through Siglec-7.
  • Wistar scientists are focused on solving some of the world’s most challenging and important problems in the field of cancer, infectious disease, and immunology.

IMUNON’s Chief Science Officer to Present at the 3rd International Vaccines Congress

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Lunedì, Ottobre 23, 2023
FDA, Food, SARS-CoV-2, Human, Omicron, Vaccine, Science, Immune system, COVID-19, Lassa mammarenavirus, Messenger, Kinetics, Infection, Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Safety, Wistar Institute, Cancer, International Vaccine Institute, Drug discovery, DNA, Pharmaceutical industry

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Oct. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on harnessing the power of the immune system against cancer and infectious diseases, announces that Khursheed Anwer, Ph.D., IMUNON’s executive vice president and chief science officer, will highlight the Company’s vaccine development work at the 3rd International Vaccines Congress being held in Boston October 23-26.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Anwer will present “A DNA-based Vaccine Technology Independent of Virus or Device,” at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on October 23rd.
  • His presentation describes the multiple advantages of the Company’s PlaCCine modality over current commercial vaccine platforms, including more durable antigen expression and T-cell responses versus protein and mRNA vaccines.
  • Compared with viral or other DNA vaccines or protein vaccines, PlaCCine vaccines have advantages in T-cell responses, safety, compliance and manufacturing flexibility.
  • “We are delighted to share our ongoing work at this important conference,” said Dr. Corinne Le Goff, president and chief executive officer of IMUNON.