The strategy to treat cancer by modulating the immune response has been the subject of research for the last twenty years, including the use of vaccines or activating cytokine therapies. Recently, in the last few years, a breakthrough was achieved by the discovery of immune checkpoints, particularly the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 (CTLA-4), programed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1), or programed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1).   The blockade of the pathway for PD-L1 and PD-1 has been used therapeutically for the treatment of a variety of cancers and has achieved long-term remissions in some patients and there are a number of active clinical trials ongoing that target PD-1 and PD-L1. However, a number of cancers are resistant to checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy. The majority of the drugs used for the blockade of the PD-1 and PD-L1 pathways are humanized antibodies. The fact that there have been immune related toxicities associated with PD pathway blockade using the current technologies suggests that an alternative approach may be necessary.

UCLA researchers in the Department of Surgery have developed a gene therapy to prevent dysmyelination (and other CNS abnormalities) as a result of arginase deficiency.

UCLA scientists in the Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Human Genetics have developed a novel method for the simultaneous quantification of proteins, small molecules, lipids, and electrolytes.

UCLA researchers in the Department of Neurology have identified and synthesized small molecule analogs that activate skeletal muscle growth, mediated by calcium calmodulin kinase II signaling.

UCLA researchers in the David Geffen School of Medicine have developed a novel method to detect the susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to the antibiotic cefixime.

The Variable Friction Shoe, which ameliorates the effects of drop foot.

Researchers led by David Johnson from the Department of Urologic Oncology and the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center have developed an interactive web platform that predicts the financial outcomes for various stakeholders (physicians, hospitals, and payers) of transitioning from fee-for-service to bundled payments for robotic radical prostatectomy.

UCLA researchers in the Department of Surgery have developed a gene therapy to treat carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency.