The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine generates nearly identical antibodies as those following a natural infection, helping explain why the vaccine confers such strong protection against the earliest life stage of malaria parasites, according to research published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common liver cancer, includes aggressive subtypes resistant to treatment. Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, identified a key mechanism behind one such subtype and developed a mouse model replicating its characteristics. Their study found that combining angiogenesis inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockers effectively disrupted the tumor’s defenses, enabling immune cells to attack. These findings offer a promising strategy for improving treatments and outcomes for patients with aggressive HCC.