The traps that neutrophils develop against microorganisms also hold T cells and prevent the success of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. To free the immune system from itself, scientists at the Istituto Oncologico Veneto in Italy made a key that unlocked this sticky dungeon from an antibody against arginase-1 (ARG1), an enzyme also present in the trap.
Volitionrx Ltd. won the CE mark for its Nu.Q NETs test for the detection, evaluation and management of NETosis, a type of cell death characterized by the release of neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs. The test – the first biomarker approved for the measurement of NETs for patient management – will soon be available for clinical use across the E.U.’s 27 member states.