Discovery of new source of cancer antigens may expand cancer vaccine capabilities

Scientists have found a common, new source of tumor mutations that could offer three levels of therapy with a cancer vaccine: 1) a broadly protective, or pan-cancer vaccine 2) cancer-type specific vaccines (e.g. breast vs. pancreatic), 3) personalized cancer vaccines based on mutations unique to an individual.

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Tenfold increase in number of adolescents on HIV treatment in South Africa since 2010, but many still untreated

A new study of more than 700,000 one to 19-year olds being treated for HIV infection suggests a ten-fold increase in the number of adolescents aged 15 to 19 receiving HIV treatment in South Africa.

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Cheap, quick test identifies pneumonia patients at risk of respiratory failure or sepsis

Researchers have now identified specific fragments of genetic material that play a role in the development of respiratory failure and sepsis in pneumonia patients. The findings could enable doctors to test quickly for these biological markers when a patient is admitted to hospital with pneumonia, so that they could anticipate complications and provide more intensive support and monitoring.

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Doctor offers unique perspective as father of a child with rare genetic disease

From a professional standpoint, Nathan Hoot, MD, Ph.D., understands the value of medical research that leads to new, groundbreaking drugs in the treatment of rare diseases. And as an emergency medicine physician, he's familiar with adjusting ventilators and managing patients' airways. But the magnitude of these matters also weigh on Hoot personally — as the father of a child with a rare genetic disease.

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