The quantification of mature T cell subsets is an important prognostic marker for understanding disease. Killer T cells and Helper T cells, characterized by the expression of cell surface marker proteins CD8 or CD4, respectively, effect different aspects of the adaptive immune system, and the ratio of these two populations can reveal important information about the state of the immune system.
Three abstracts from the ITN’s RAVE study (Rituximab for the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis and Microscopic Polyangiitis) led by John Stone, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital) and Ulrich Specks, MD (Mayo Clinic) were presented this week by the RAVE team at the 16th International Vasculitis & ANCA Workshop in Paris, France. These abstracts include:
Bio-IT World announced the winners of its Best Practices Awards competition yesterday at its annual meeting in Boston, MA. Out of the 34 projects evaluated this year, including those from industry giants GlaxoSmithKline, Amgen and Genentech, the Immune Tolerance Network’s (ITN) Clinical Trials Research Portal, TrialShare, received one of only two honorable mentions (see summary of the awards
A March 6, 2013 Wall Street Journal article, “Food Allergy Advice for Kids: Don’t Delay Peanuts, Eggs”, discusses the changing landscape surrounding food allergy prevention, citing the Immune Tolerance Network’s (ITN’s) LEAP study as a pivotal effort in determining whether the early introduction of allergenic foods may actually help prevent the development of allergies.
Single-drug approaches to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) have so far yielded only modest results: just a handful of biologics have been able to transiently delay pancreatic beta cell destruction. As such, creating long-term, sustained improvements in T1D may require multiple agents combined in strategic ways.
The Immune Tolerance Network (ITN) and Imperial College London are collaborating on a new pilot study examining immunological responses to cat allergen. Allergy to cat dander is one of the most common forms of allergic disease in the US and Europe, and can reduce the quality of life for allergy sufferers. The only form of disease-modifying therapy that does not just treat symptoms is immunotherapy, in which cat allergens are administered over a period of time to desensitize a patient.
The ITN is pleased to announce the public launch of ITN TrialShare, its new clinical trials research portal. This system represents a significant leap forward in data sharing and transparency, collaborative hypothesis generation and specimen sharing between the ITN and the broader scientific community.
Two-year follow-up data from the ITN’s HALT-MS study (High-Dose Immunosuppression and Autologous Transplantation for Multiple Sclerosis) led by Richard Nash, MD (Colorado Blood Cancer Institute) will be presented in an oral abstract at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting on December 11th, 2012 in Atlanta, GA.
Oral Immunotherapy is known to be an effective means of desensitizing some patients to food allergens, but could the early introduction of foods in high-risk patients prevent allergies altogether?
With deep regret and sadness we note the passing of George Eisenbarth, MD, a member of the ITN family, steering committee, and executive committee since the founding of the network. George was a pioneer in the field of type 1 diabetes research, a great mentor to many, and a wonderful colleague, whose passion for preventing autoimmune diabetes energized us all.