Vaccines for Cancer: A Translational Science Review

 

ML, Chun BMN, Dhillon KK et al. JAMA. Published online September 21, 2026. doi:10.1001/jama.2026.15540

Abstract

Importance  Advances in tumor immunology and vaccine technology are reshaping cancer vaccine development after decades of limited clinical success. More than 2000 immunogenic tumor proteins or antigens have been identified, the types of immune responses required for tumor eradication have been defined, and safe and effective vaccine delivery technologies have been developed. This progress has renewed clinical investigation of cancer vaccines for multiple types of cancer.

Observations  Vaccines, such as those against human papillomavirus and hepatitis B, are composed of (1) an antigen target, (2) an adjuvant to activate the immune system, and (3) a vaccine delivery vehicle. Antigens can be derived from tumor mutations termed neoantigens, or cancer-associated nonmutated proteins, which are normal human proteins that are abnormally expressed in cancer. The tumor can also act as an antigen source, such as when immunization occurs with whole tumor cells or by directly injecting an immunogenic substance into the tumor to elicit an adaptive immune response. T and B lymphocytes, cells of the adaptive immune system, are stimulated by cancer vaccines and can provide a highly specific and durable immune response directed against cancer.

Nasal Epithelial Immune Signatures Are Associated With Age-Dependent Asthma Trajectories in Early Life

Jakwerth CA, Illi S, Charles H et al.  Allergy. 2026 Sep 6. doi: 10.1111/all.70477. 

ABSTRACT

Background

Preschool wheeze is heterogeneous and only a subset of children progresses to persistent asthma. We hypothesized that early-life wheeze reflects divergent airway epithelial maturation trajectories associated with distinct mucosal immune programs.

Methods

Nasal epithelial transcriptomes from 265 children and young adults (79 healthy, 81 wheezers, 105 asthmatics; median age 10.4 [1.1–20.3] years) from the All Age Asthma Cohort (ALLIANCE) cohort were analyzed using a hypothesis-driven candidate approach based on predefined cytokine axes. Transcriptional signatures were mapped to epithelial cells by scRNA-sequencing. Asthma-outcome associations were assessed in age- and sensitization-adjusted multivariate models.

Results

Graphical Abstract

The candidate approach identified three antagonistic epithelial immune programs: an interferon-associated (E1; IDO1, CSF3, CCL20), a type-2-associated (E2; POSTN, CCL26, CST1), and a type-17-associated program (E3; IL36G, KLK7, KRTDAP). These programs were detected across basal, ciliated, and secretory epithelial cells. In early childhood (1–3 years), wheezers predominantly exhibited E1/E3-dominant epithelial profiles (n = 36).

Sublingual allergen immunotherapy: evidence from randomized trials, real-world studies and meta-analyses

Paoletti G, Valli N, Di Bona D et al. (2026) Front. Allergy 7:1940709. doi: 10.3389/falgy.2026.1940709

Abstract

Background:

Allergen immunotherapy is the only potentially disease-modifying treatment for IgE-mediated respiratory allergy. Among the available routes, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has gained prominence because of its favorable safety profile and greater patient acceptability. 

Objectives:

This narrative review critically appraises the clinical efficacy, real-world effectiveness, and long-term disease-modifying potential of SLIT for seasonal and perennial respiratory allergies by integrating evidence from randomized controlled trials, large observational cohorts, and meta-analyses, with attention to allergen- and product-specific outcomes and age-related differences. 

Schematic overview of the effects of SLIT on allergic disease.
Evidence from randomized controlled trials and real-world studies
indicates reduced symptoms and medication use in allergic rhinitis,
 improved quality of life, and increased IgG4, secretory IgA (sIgA)/
IgE-blocking activity.
In asthma, SLIT is associated with fewer exacerbations and reduced
use of asthma medications. Sustained clinical benefits after treatment
 discontinuation have been demonstrated in both adults and children,
with evidence reported for pollen and house dust mite allergens.
Created with BioRender.com.

Results:

Robust RCT evidence supports clinically meaningful reductions in symptoms and medication use with grass and HDM SLIT tablets, with sustained benefits observed up to 1–2 years after a 3-year treatment course in key trials.

Planetary Health in Health Guidelines: Expert Workshop Report 2024

Saadat P, Herrmann A, Sousa-Pinto B et al.  Clin Public Health Guidel. 2026 Apr 15;3(2):e70072. doi: 10.1002/gin2.70072.

ABSTRACT

Health systems contribute to environmental degradation while simultaneously being affected by its consequences. Yet, planetary health considerations are largely absent from health guidelines. On November 6–7, 2024, the Planetary Health Expert Workshop convened over 50 experts from the GRADE Planetary Health Project Group at Humanitas University, Italy, to explore methods for embedding planetary health into health guideline development. Through presentations, case studies, and group discussions, participants identified key methodological gaps and proposed processes and tools to advance the integration of planetary health in health guidelines.

Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis From Over-Ear Headphones: Chemical Analysis Reveals Octylisothiazolinone and Other Potential Skin Sensitizers

G. Fenech, E. Langlois, E. Pelletier et al.  Contact Dermatitis (2026): 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.70246.

ABSTRACT

Background

Over-ear headphones are a growing source of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Identifying well-known and new culprit sensitizers in such products is challenging because of a lack of labelling and limited cooperation from manufacturers.

Objectives

To report potential skin sensitizers in occupationally-used headphones from patients attending an occupational allergy clinic.

Patients and Methods

The over-ear headphones from two octylisothiazolinone (OIT)-allergic patients with ear ACD were chemically analysed using ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS).

Results

Different parts of the culprit over-ear headphones of Patient 1,
chemically analysed using UPLC–MS/MS.

UPLC–MS/MS confirmed the presence of OIT, but also other biocides (1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, cetylpyridinium chloride), rubber accelerators (zinc dibenzyldithiocarbamate, 1,3 diphenyl guanidine, 1,3 di-O-tolyguanidine, tetramethylthiuram disulfide,

As-Needed Versus Regular Medication Use in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis in the Pollen Season: A MASK-air Study

B. Sousa-Pinto, R. J. Vieira, A. Bognanni, et al.,  Allergy (2026): 1–18, https://doi.org/10.1111/all.70508.

ABSTRACT

Background

Patients with allergic rhinitis often use as-needed medication instead of regular treatment. Using data from the MASK-air mHealth app, we compared weeks with use of as-needed versus regular medication on treatment satisfaction and symptom control.

Methods

We assessed data from the MASK-air app. We compared weeks in the pollen season in which patients reported the use of one same medication during all the days in the week (“regular treatment”) versus those in which patients reported the use of the same single medication (and no other treatments) in at most 4 days per week (“as-needed treatment”). We built mixed-effects linear regression models, evaluating the differences between regular and as-needed treatments on visual analogue scales for symptom control and treatment satisfaction. We performed sensitivity analyses (i) considering a different definition of as-needed treatment (use of medication ≤ 2 days per week), and (ii) evaluating treatment days preceded by non-treatment days.

Beyond red meat: fish roe-associated reactions in patients with alpha-gal syndrome—a case series from Sri Lanka

Badanasinghe, C.N., Suriapperuma, T., de Silva, S.R. et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-026-01059-5

Abstract

Background

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an IgE-mediated allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), classically presenting with delayed allergic reactions after ingestion of mammalian-derived foods. Fish roe has recently emerged as a potential but under-recognized trigger in α-Gal-sensitized individuals. We describe the first South Asian case series of three patients with AGS who developed anaphylaxis following fish roe ingestion, highlighting this atypical trigger as a possible emerging cause of anaphylaxis associated with AGS in the region.

Case presentation

We retrospectively reviewed patients evaluated at a tertiary allergy clinic in Sri Lanka between January 2025 and May 2026 who developed allergic reactions following fish roe ingestion and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for AGS based on a compatible clinical history, positive skin prick testing, elevated serum α-Gal-specific IgE, and symptom resolution following dietary avoidance.

Exhalation Delivery System with Fluticasone in Chronic Rhinosinusitis by Eosinophil, Asthma, and Allergy Status

 Peters AT, Adappa ND, Chandra RK et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2026 Sep 3:S1081-1206(26)00423-0. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2026.08.024. 

Abstract

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Comorbid asthma, environmental allergies, and eosinophilia are associated with CRS. Exhalation delivery system with fluticasone (EDS-FLU) is approved for CRS; however, the influence of these features on treatment response remains unclear.

Objective

To evaluate whether baseline blood eosinophil (EOS) count, asthma, or allergies affect response to EDS-FLU in patients with CRS.

Methods

ReOpen1 and ReOpen2 were randomized, EDS-placebo–controlled studies. Patients with CRS were assigned (1:1:1) to EDS-FLU 186 μg, EDS-FLU 372 μg, or EDS-placebo, administered twice daily for 24 weeks.