Tag: 2017

Designer Viruses Stimulate the Immune System to Fight Cancer

Replicating viral vector platform exploits alarmin signals for potent CD8+ T cell-mediated tumour immunotherapy

Swiss scientists have created artificial viruses that can be used to target cancer. These designer viruses alert the immune system and cause it to send killer cells to help fight the tumor. The results provide a basis for innovative cancer treatments.

2017 Study Abstract

Viral infections lead to alarmin release and elicit potent cytotoxic effector T lymphocyte (CTLeff) responses. Conversely, the induction of protective tumour-specific CTLeff and their recruitment into the tumour remain challenging tasks. Here we show that lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can be engineered to serve as a replication competent, stably-attenuated immunotherapy vector (artLCMV). artLCMV delivers tumour-associated antigens to dendritic cells for efficient CTL priming. Unlike replication-deficient vectors, artLCMV targets also lymphoid tissue stroma cells expressing the alarmin interleukin-33. By triggering interleukin-33 signals, artLCMV elicits CTLeff responses of higher magnitude and functionality than those induced by replication-deficient vectors. Superior anti-tumour efficacy of artLCMV immunotherapy depends on interleukin-33 signalling, and a massive CTLeff influx triggers an inflammatory conversion of the tumour microenvironment. Our observations suggest that replicating viral delivery systems can release alarmins for improved anti-tumour efficacy. These mechanistic insights may outweigh safety concerns around replicating viral vectors in cancer immunotherapy.

Sources
  • Designer Viruses Stimulate the Immune System to Fight Cancer, University of Basel, 26 May 2017.
  • Replicating viral vector platform exploits alarmin signals for potent CD8+ T cell-mediated tumour immunotherapy, Nature Communications, doi:10.1038/ncomms15327, 26 May 2017.
  • Image : Stable transgene expression and attenuation of artLCMV in vivo, nature, Figure 2, 26 May 2017.

Environmental exposures start in the womb

Protecting Children from the Environment

Children, including adolescents, are exposed to a variety of hazards from the environments in which they live, learn and play.

Environmental exposures start in the womb, and can have effects throughout life.

Early exposure to environmental risks contributes to childhood cancers.

SOURCES

Environmental Risks and Children

Protecting Children from the Environment

A safe, healthy and protective environment is key to ensuring all children grow and develop normally and healthily. In 2015, reducing environmental risks could have prevented more than a quarter of the 5.9 million deaths of children under 5 years.

Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, hazardous chemicals, climate change, and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene.

SOURCES

Protecting Children from the Environment

Protecting Children from the Environment

Children, including adolescents, are exposed to a variety of hazards from the environments in which they live, learn and play.

More than 1 in 4 child deaths could be prevented by cleaning up the environment. Each year 1.7 million deaths of children under 5 years old are linked to the environment.

Early exposure to environmental risks contributes to childhood cancers.

SOURCES

Air Pollution and Children

Protecting Children from the Environment

Air pollution is the greatest environmental risk to children’s health.

Every year air pollution kills 570,000 children. With all the challenges children face, the air they breathe shouldn’t be one of them.

Exposure to air pollution may also increase children’s lifelong risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

SOURCES

Pesticide Action Week 2017 Poster

Call for a pesticide-free Spring! Join us!

The Pesticide Action Week is an annual and international event, open to everyone, with the aim to promote alternatives to pesticides. The campaign takes place during the first ten days of every spring (20th-30th of march) when usually the spreading of pesticides resumes.

Call for a pesticide-free Spring!
Pesticide Action Week,
20th-30th of march.

The public is invited to get better informed about the sanitary and environmental challenges caused by pesticides and learn more about possible alternatives to pesticides by taking part in one of the hundreds of organised activities: conferences, panel discussions, film showings, workshops, open days at organic farms, information stands, exhibitions, shows…

The goals of this event are:

  • Raising awareness on the health and environment risks of synthetic pesticides
  • Highlighting and promoting alternative solutions
  • Building a global grassroots movement for a pesticide-free world

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Depakine : un silence coupable

Envoyé Spécial 16 mars 2017 : Enquête sur le Scandale de la Dépakine

Cet anti-épileptique est accusé d’avoir provoqué de graves malformations sur les enfants exposés in utero. Retour sur un scandale sanitaire et sur l’inertie des autorités de santé.

En savoir plus
  • Envoyé Spécial, émission du 16/03/2017 – Dépakine, le silence des médecins – Enquête sur le scandale de la Dépakine, un anti-épileptique pointé du doigt pour ses effets secondaires : chez la femme enceinte, il peut entraîner des malformations et des troubles neurologiques chez le nouveau-né.
  • Regardez cette liste de vidéos sur les médias et médicaments sur notre chaine YouTube.

RDD2017 : With Research, Possibilities are Limitless!

Rare Disease Day Official Video 2017

Feb 28 is Rare Disease Day !

The main objective of Rare Disease Day (RDD) is to raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.

OrphaNet, portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs, includes the Diethylstilbestrol DES syndrome as rare disease ORPHA:1916.

MORE INFORMATION

How much do you know about DES?

Rare Disease Day Information Pack

Join the international campaign and get involved in raising awareness !

The main objective of Rare Disease Day (RDD) is to raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.

OrphaNet, portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs, includes the Diethylstilbestrol DES syndrome as rare disease ORPHA:1916.

RDD Pack Overview

JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR RARE DISEASES.
  • What is Rare Disease Day?
  • 10 Years of Rare Disease Day.
  • The Role of EURORDIS.
  • The Role of National Alliances.
  • How to Raise Awareness.
  • Rare Disease Day Guidelines.
  • Download Materials.
  • Register Your Event and Become a Friend.
  • Tell Your Story and Raise and Join Hands.
  • Download the Info Pack here and the full Web Pack (10 MB) here.

More information

How much do you know about DES?

Rare Disease Day 2017 Poster

Rare Disease Day is open to everyone ; so get involved!

The main objective of Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.

OrphaNet, portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs, includes the Diethylstilbestrol DES syndrome as rare disease ORPHA:1916.

More information

How much do you know about DES?