Diverse Intracellular Pathogens Activate Type III Interferon Expression from Peroxisomes Researchers found that RIG-I like receptors induce type III interferon expression in a variety of human cell types, and identified factors that differentially regulate expression of type I and type III interferons. [Nat Immunol] Abstract A Novel Self-Lipid Antigen Targets Human T Cells Against CD1c+ Leukemias Investigators report that CD1c self-reactive T cells recognize a novel class of self-lipids, identified as methyl-lysophosphatidic acids (mLPAs), which are accumulated in leukemia cells. mLPA-specific T cells efficiently kill CD1c+ acute leukemia cells, poorly recognize nontransformed CD1c-expressing cells, and protect immunodeficient mice against CD1c+ human leukemia cells. [J Exp Med] Abstract | Press Release IL-17 and GM-CSF Expression Are Antagonistically Regulated by Human T Helper Cells Investigators analyzed the regulation of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) expression by human T helper (TH) cell subsets. The induction of GM-CSF expression by human TH cells is constrained by the interleukin-23 (IL-23)/ROR-γt/TH17 cell axis but promoted by the IL-12/T-bet/TH1 cell axis. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract Androgens Alter T-Cell Immunity by Inhibiting T-Helper 1 Differentiation Investigators demonstrate a clinically relevant mechanism by which androgens inhibit T-helper 1 differentiation of CD4 T cells and provide rationale for targeting androgens to enhance CD4-mediated immune responses in cancer or, conversely, for modulating androgens to mitigate CD4 responses in disorders of autoimmunity. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract CD40-Mediated Amplification of Local Immunity by Epithelial Cells is Impaired by HPV CD40 ligation was associated with the production of chemokines and the attraction of lymphocytes and myeloid cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CD40-mediated activation of epithelial cells resulted in a highly coordinated response of genes required for the local development and sustainment of adaptive immune responses. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract The IL-6-STAT3 Axis Mediates a Reciprocal Crosstalk between Cancer-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neutrophils to Synergistically Prompt Gastric Cancer Progression Scientists investigated the interaction between neutrophils and gastric cancer-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GC-MSCs) and explored the biological role of this interaction. They demonstrated that GC-MSCs stimulated the activation of STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways in neutrophils, which was essential for the functions of activated neutrophils. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Immunological Subtypes in Breast Cancer are Prognostic for Invasive Ductal but Not for Invasive Lobular Breast Carcinoma Researchers investigated the relevance of the tumor immune response in the major histological subtypes of breast cancer. They also assessed the relationship between immune responses and molecular subtypes and their prognostic potential. [Br J Cancer] Abstract A Safety and Feasibility Study of an Allogeneic Colon Cancer Cell Vaccine Administered with a Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor-Producing Bystander Cell Line in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer A novel colorectal cancer vaccine composed of irradiated, allogeneic human colon cancer cells and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-producing bystander cells was developed and tested in combination with a single intravenous low dose of cyclophosphamide in a Phase I study of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. [Ann Surg Oncol] Abstract Immunotherapy Converts Nonimmunogenic Pancreatic Tumors into Immunogenic Foci of Immune Regulation Investigators designed a neoadjuvant and adjuvant clinical trial comparing an irradiated, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting, allogeneic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma vaccine given as a single agent or in combination with low-dose cyclophosphamide to deplete regulatory T cells as a means to study how the tumor microenvironment is altered by immunotherapy. [Cancer Immunol Res] Abstract | Press Release |