AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
A support group for people with myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare condition where the immune system attacks muscles and causes weakness, is meeting in the Pacific Northwest region covering Oregon and Washington. Support groups bring together patients and caregivers to share experiences, learn from each other, and find emotional support from others dealing with the same condition.
WHY IT MATTERSThis support group provides a local community resource for MG patients in Oregon and Washington to connect with others managing this rare autoimmune disease and access peer support.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
A support group for people with myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare condition where the immune system weakens muscles, is meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida. Support groups bring together patients and caregivers to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other about managing their condition.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you or a loved one has myasthenia gravis in the St. Petersburg area, this support group offers a chance to connect with others facing the same challenges and access local resources.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
A support group for people with myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare condition where the immune system attacks muscles and causes weakness, is meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida. Support groups bring together patients and caregivers to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other about managing their condition.
WHY IT MATTERSThis local support group provides St. Petersburg-area MG patients with a chance to connect with others living with the same rare disease and access peer support that can improve emotional well-being and disease management.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
A support group for people with myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare condition where the immune system weakens muscles, is meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida. Support groups bring together patients and caregivers to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other about managing their condition.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you or a loved one has myasthenia gravis in the St. Petersburg area, this support group offers a chance to connect with others facing the same challenges and access local resources.
Clinical trialCLINICALTRIALS5 days ago
Researchers are looking for adults and children with certain immune system disorders to join a study. The immune system normally helps your body fight infections, but in some people it doesn't work properly, causing frequent infections and other health problems. This study wants to understand why some immune systems fail and how to help people with these conditions. Relatives of affected people may also be able to join.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial is actively recruiting 500 participants with four specific genetic immune disorders (PI3KCD, CTLA4, STAT3GOF, and MAGT1 deficiency) — if you or a family member has one of these diagnoses, you may be eligible to enroll now and contribute to understanding these rare conditions.
Clinical trialUNITERAREApr 15
Researchers are testing a new cancer treatment that combines two approaches: a chemotherapy drug called temozolomide and a vaccine called SurVaxM that trains the immune system to fight cancer cells. This trial is for patients with neuroendocrine carcinomas (rare cancers in hormone-producing cells) that are spreading and getting worse despite other treatments. The study is now accepting patients and will run through 2026.
WHY IT MATTERSThis is one of the first trials testing an immunotherapy vaccine specifically for metastatic neuroendocrine carcinomas, offering a potential new option for patients whose cancer has progressed on standard treatments.
ResearchPUBMEDApr 14
Scientists have discovered that certain rare genetic diseases are caused by mutations in genes that help cells copy their DNA. These genes normally produce proteins that untangle special twisted DNA structures called G-quadruplexes that get in the way during copying. When these proteins don't work properly, cells can't copy their DNA correctly, leading to problems like weak immune systems, slow growth, birth defects, and increased cancer risk.
WHY IT MATTERSUnderstanding which genes cause these G-quadruplex problems could help doctors diagnose patients with unexplained immunodeficiency, growth delays, or birth defects, and may eventually lead to targeted treatments for these currently untreatable conditions.
Clinical trialUNITERAREApr 5
Researchers are looking for people with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) to join a study about how their immune system works differently and ages over time. Some participants will have had their thymus gland removed, while others won't have, so scientists can compare how this affects immune health. The study will help doctors understand why people with Down syndrome often get more infections and have other immune-related health problems.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial is now recruiting people with Down syndrome to help researchers understand immune system problems that affect this population — findings could lead to better treatments for infections and other immune conditions common in Trisomy 21.
Clinical trialUNITERAREApr 5
Researchers are testing a new drug called CYT107 to help people with HIV who have Kaposi Sarcoma (a type of cancer) and whose immune systems aren't responding well to treatment. CYT107 is designed to boost the immune system to help fight the cancer. This is a Phase 2 trial, meaning it's testing whether the drug works and is safe in a larger group of people. The trial is now accepting patients and will start in April 2026.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial offers a potential new treatment option for people with HIV-related Kaposi Sarcoma who haven't responded to standard immune-boosting treatments, addressing a significant gap in care for this vulnerable population.
Clinical trialUNITERAREApr 5
Researchers are testing a drug called baricitinib to see if it is safe and works well for patients with Job syndrome who also have lupus-like disease and/or atopic dermatitis (severe itchy skin). Job syndrome is a rare immune system disorder that makes it hard for the body to fight infections and causes skin problems. This is an early-stage study that will check for side effects and how well the drug works.
WHY IT MATTERSThis Phase 1 trial is now actively recruiting patients with Job syndrome complicated by lupus-like disease and/or atopic dermatitis — a rare combination that has limited treatment options and is being studied by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
NewsUNITERAREApr 3
The PAN Foundation's financial assistance program for people with primary immunodeficiency is currently closed and not accepting new applications. Primary immunodeficiency is a group of disorders where the immune system doesn't work properly, making it harder to fight infections. When this fund was open, it could help eligible patients pay up to $12,000 per year toward treatment costs.
WHY IT MATTERSPatients with primary immunodeficiency who were relying on this $12,000 annual assistance need to immediately identify alternative funding sources, as this program is no longer accepting applications as of April 2, 2026.
🔴 BreakingDrug approvalRSSApr 3
The FDA has approved a new treatment called Kresladi for a rare immune system disorder called Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type I (LAD-I). This treatment works by using gene therapy, which means it fixes the faulty gene that causes the disease. This is the first gene therapy approved for this specific condition, giving patients with LAD-I a new treatment option.
WHY IT MATTERSPatients with severe LAD-I now have access to the first FDA-approved gene therapy for their condition, which could potentially offer a cure rather than just managing symptoms.
ResearchPUBMEDApr 1
Researchers studied whether the amount of cancer in a patient's body before treatment affects how well two immunotherapy drugs work together. They looked at 722 patients with rare cancers who received nivolumab and ipilimumab (two drugs that help the immune system fight cancer). The study wanted to understand if patients with smaller tumors do better than those with larger tumors when treated with these combination drugs.
WHY IT MATTERSIf baseline tumor size predicts treatment response in rare cancers, doctors could better counsel patients on expected outcomes and identify which patients might benefit most from this dual immunotherapy approach before starting treatment.
ResearchPUBMEDMar 26
This study looked at how long it takes to diagnose APDS, a very rare immune system disorder that affects only 1-2 people per million. Researchers interviewed patients and doctors in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland and found that people typically wait several years before getting a correct diagnosis because the disease is so uncommon and looks different in different people.
WHY IT MATTERSPatients with APDS face years of diagnostic delay due to the disease's rarity and variable symptoms — understanding these barriers could help doctors recognize APDS faster and reduce the time families spend seeking answers.
ResearchCLINICALTRIALSMar 26
Researchers at a hospital in France are collecting biological samples (like blood) from 1,000 patients with rare nervous system diseases that may be caused by the immune system attacking the body. These samples will help scientists find new ways to diagnose and treat these diseases by identifying special markers in the blood that show disease activity.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have a rare autoimmune neurological disease, participating in this sample collection could help researchers discover new biomarkers and treatments specifically for conditions like yours.
Clinical trialCLINICALTRIALSMar 26
Researchers are testing whether two cancer-fighting drugs called atezolizumab and bevacizumab work better together for treating rare cancers. These drugs help the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. The study includes 133 patients with various uncommon solid tumors and is currently enrolling participants.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial offers patients with rare cancers like Merkel cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal cancer, and mesothelioma access to a combination immunotherapy treatment that may not be available outside of clinical research.
Clinical trialCLINICALTRIALSMar 26
Researchers are testing two cancer-fighting drugs called nivolumab and ipilimumab together to treat patients with rare types of cancer. These drugs help the body's immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. The trial is currently active but not accepting new patients at this time.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial tests a combination immunotherapy approach across 50+ rare tumor types, offering potential treatment options for patients with uncommon cancers that have limited standard therapies available.
Clinical trialCLINICALTRIALSMar 26
Researchers are testing a combination of two cancer-fighting treatments called talimogene laherparepvec and nivolumab in patients with rare lymphomas (blood cancers) and skin cancers that didn't respond to previous treatments. Talimogene laherparepvec is a modified virus that helps the immune system fight cancer cells, while nivolumab is an immunotherapy drug that removes the brakes on the immune system. This study involves 68 patients and is currently enrolling participants.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial offers a potential new treatment option for patients with refractory (treatment-resistant) rare lymphomas like mycosis fungoides and Merkel cell carcinoma, which have very limited options after standard therapies fail.
ResearchCLINICALTRIALSMar 26
Researchers completed a study following 137 patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), a rare immune system disorder. The study compared patients who received a bone marrow transplant (a procedure to replace damaged blood-forming cells) to patients who received standard medical care instead. This research helps doctors understand which treatment approach works best for CGD patients.
WHY IT MATTERSThis completed analysis provides real-world evidence comparing bone marrow transplant outcomes to standard care for CGD patients, which can help your doctor recommend the most effective treatment strategy for your specific situation.