An Osaka Metropolitan University-led research team conducted an exploratory study to assess the mRNA expression of transporters that are downregulated in canine HCC.

A new Landmark Perspective in Science marks the 50th anniversary of Robert C. Gallo, MD, and colleagues’ discovery of a human T-cell growth factor later named interleukin-2 (IL-2), a breakthrough that helped transform virology, immunology and cancer medicine.

The discovery made it possible to grow and maintain human T cells in culture, enabling research that led to the discovery of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, the first human retroviruses, and contributing to the discovery and characterization of HIV and the development of the HIV blood test. IL-2 also became foundational to advances in cancer immunotherapy, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy and CAR-T cell therapy.

Written by Rafi Ahmed, PhD, and Steven A. Rosenberg, MD, PhD, the Science Landmark Perspective traces the far-reaching impact of the 1976 discovery and underscores the importance of sustained investment in fundamental research whose ultimate applications may not be apparent when the work begins.

The Global Virus Network, which Dr. Gallo co-founded, reflects on the discovery’s continuing scientific legacy and the role of international collaboration and basic science in enabling breakthroughs across disciplines and generations.

Highlights

• Single-cell analysis defines the adverse diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumor microenvironment (DLBCL TME) as a state of classical T-cell exhaustion rather than immune quiescence.

• A robust five-gene score (immune exhaustion-Related Prognostic Score, IERPS) independently predicts poor survival across multiple cohorts.

• IERPS exhibits clinical significance in individualized medicine for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy.

• IERPS dynamically tracks clinical response to the T-cell engager glofitamab.

Highlights

•Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are the common mechanisms of cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CTIC).

•Ten key biomarkers have been identified for CTIC.

•Psychological stress (PS) exacerbates CTIC through multiple pathways.

•Natural products, nano-targeted drugs, and combination therapies have mainly been used to treat CTIC.

This issue includes articles on including pregnant women, using humans-in-the-loop with AI models and research ethics oversight, and digital deception with research participant surveys

Researchers from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD) have partnered with faculty from across the Arnold School and USC to complete a study investigating the connections between physical function, blood pressure, hearing, and cognition among older adults. Published in Scientific Reports, the team found that participants who maintained higher levels of physical function (i.e., engaging in everyday physical activities) were less likely to experience hearing loss.

A recent study led by health services policy and management assistant professor David Anderson has examined changes in Medicare Part D plans (both Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage and standalone prescription drug plans) to assess how insurers may have changed various aspects of the plans in response to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Published in Health Affairs, the researchers findings showed that insurers reacted primarily by lowering premiums and increasing deductibles.

With little historical data on the prevalence of the West Nile virus in the state of South Carolina, members of the Delores Marie Thomas Research Lab have assessed its presence in the Palmetto State. Led by epidemiology associate professor Melissa Nolan, the team published their findings in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.