Inserm Newsroom - Press room of the French national institute of health and medical research

The composition of gut microbiota can predict the efficacy and tolerance of immunotherapy in people with cancer

Teams from AP-HP, INRA, Gustave Roussy and Inserm can demonstrate the role of microbiota in the response of immunotherapy for cancer. They show that in man, the composition of gut microbiota can help to identify the patients who will respond favourably or not to treatment for melanoma, with Ipilimumab. This clinical study, carried out in 26 patients, suggests that a modification of the composition of gut microbiota could improve the efficacy of treatment.

These results are published in the journal Annals of Oncology and constitute a new step towards personalised treatment of cancers.

From 24 to 30 April: World Vaccination Week

On the initiative of WHO, World Vaccination Week is the opportunity to raise public awareness of the vital importance of vaccination throughout life.

The number of children in the world who are not vaccinated or are inadequately vaccinated is 19.4 million, according to WHO.

In France, the latest data from the Institute of Health Monitoring (InVS) indicate that in children, there is vaccination coverage of 91% against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and whooping cough. With regard to vaccination coverage of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), it is only 72% in children of 24 months.

From 24 to 30 April: World Vaccination Week

On the initiative of WHO, World Vaccination Week is the opportunity to raise public awareness of the vital importance of vaccination throughout life. The number of children in the world who are not vaccinated or are inadequately vaccinated is 19.4 million, according to WHO. In France, the latest data from the Institute of Health Monitoring […]

In utero exposure to endocrine disruptors : learning from diethylstilbestrol

A research team from Université Paris Descartes, Inserm and Centre Hospitalier Sainte‐Anne, led by Prof. Marie‐Odile Krebs, has shown that patients suffering from psychotic disorders, and exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol, presented specific epigenetic changes. These changes correspond to genomic regions notably comprising gene ZFP57, known to play a role in neurodevelopment. Owing to this new project, the researchers examine the broader issue regarding the impact of in utero exposure to endocrine disruptors (including diethylstilbestrol) on neurodevelopment and the emergence of psychiatric disorders.

Chocolate, a rich source of antioxydants

For children as well as adults, Easter is synonymous with chocolate. Known for its antioxydant qualities, among other things dark chocolate reduces the risk of diabetes and cell ageing. A good reason to make the most of it!

Chocolate, a rich source of antioxydants

For children as well as adults, Easter is synonymous with chocolate. Known for its antioxydant qualities, among other things dark chocolate reduces the risk of diabetes and cell ageing. A good reason to make the most of it ! Chocolate is a food which is classed as one of the best sources of antioxydants which […]

2016 classification of the European Patents Office: double winner for Inserm

The European Patents Office (EPO) has just published its annual rankings: For the first time, Inserm has taken the top ranking for applicants in the pharmaceutical sector ahead of the big industrial companies and can confirm at the same time its top place as a European academic applicant in biomedical research.

Depression, cardiovascular risk… and the class struggle

Depression is not just one of the world’s most incapacitating illnesses – it also comes with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly that of the coronary arteries (angina and heart attack). According to a study by Inserm conducted in 10,000 people followed up for more than 20 years, this risk is doubled in non-executive or blue-collar […]

Ebola: New trial launched in West Africa to evaluate three vaccination strategies

The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with health authorities in Guinea and Liberia, are launching a large clinical trial of candidate Ebola vaccines under the aegis of the PREVAC international consortium (Partnership for Research on Ebola VACcination).

New step towards the treatment of myotubular myopathy: gene therapy restores strength and prolongs lives in affected dogs

A team of researchers in France, led by Dr. Ana Buj-Bello (Genethon/Inserm) and teams at the University of Washington and Harvard Medical School in the United States, achieved a new step towards the treatment of myotubular myopathy by gene therapy. The researchers demonstrated the efficacy of administration of a therapeutic vector by a single intravenous injection and identified the dose that restores long-term muscular strength in a large animal model of the disease.