Paclitaxel Tumor Priming Promotes Delivery and Transfection of Intravenous Lipid-siRNA in Pancreatic Tumors Investigators evaluated whether tumor priming is functional for systemically delivered small interfering RNA (siRNA) via intravenous injection, which would subject siRNA to several additional delivery barriers and elimination processes. [J Control Release] Abstract Long-Term Engraftment of Myogenic Progenitors from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Muscle Regeneration in Dystrophic Mice Scientists examined the in vivo myogenic potential of progenitors differentiated from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) using forskolin, basic fibroblast growth factor, the glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibitor 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime as well as the supernatant of ADSC cultures. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract Antibacterial and Conductive Injectable Hydrogels Based on Quaternized Chitosan-graft-Polyaniline/Oxidized Dextran for Tissue Engineering Researchers developed a new series of in situ forming antibacterial conductive degradable hydrogels using quaternized chitosan grafted polyaniline with oxidized dextran as crosslinker. [Acta Biomater] Abstract UPRT, a Suicide-Gene Therapy Candidate in Higher Eukaryotes, Is Required for Drosophila Larval Growth and Normal Adult Lifespan Scientists found that the Drosophila uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) homolog, krishah, codes for an enzyme that is required for larval growth, pre-pupal/pupal viability and long-term adult lifespan. Their findings suggest that UPRT from all higher eukaryotes is likely enzymatically active in vivo and challenges the previous notion that the enzyme is non-essential in higher eukaryotes and cautions against targeting the enzyme for therapeutic purposes. [Sci Rep] Full Article Engineered Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes with AFP-Specific TCR Gene for Adoptive Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Autologous dendritic cells pulsed with AFP158-166 peptides were used to stimulate alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). T cell receptor (TCR) α/β chain genes of AFP-specific CTLs were cloned and linked by 2A peptide to form full-length TCR coding sequence synthesized into a lentiviral vector. [Tumor Biol] Abstract Management of Myelodysplastic Syndromes Relapsing after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation: A Study by the SFGM-TC To find out prognostic factors and to investigate different therapeutic approaches, investigators report on 147 consecutive patients who relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Effects of Human Amnion-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Transplantation in Rats with Radiation Proctitis Therapeutic irradiation for intra-pelvic cancer often causes radiation proctitis; however, there is currently no effective treatment. Researchers investigated the effect of transplantation of human amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in rats with radiation proctitis. [Cytotherapy] Abstract Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Are Genetically Stable under a Hostile In Vivo-Like Scenario as Revealed by In Vitro Micronucleus Test Scientists exposed umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and placenta-derived MSCs to diverse conditions simulating an in vivo scenario and studied their genetic stability by use of an in vitro micronucleus test. [Cytotherapy] Abstract Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Enhance Cartilage Repair in In Vivo Osteochondral Defect Model Investigators characterized peripheral blood mononuclear cells in terms of their potential in cartilage repair and investigated their ability to improve the healing in a pre-clinical large animal model. [PLoS One] Full Article Development of Novel AAV Serotype 6 Based Vectors with Selective Tropism for Human Cancer Cells Scientists developed chimeric AAV vectors with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide incorporated into the viral capsid to enable specific targeting of integrin-overexpressing malignant cells. These AAV6-RGD vectors improved transduction efficiency approximately three-fold compared with wild-type AAV6 vectors by enhancing the viral entry into the cells. [Gene Ther] Abstract High Rate of Hematological Responses to Sorafenib in FLT3-ITD Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapsed after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Researchers retrospectively collected data on the off-label use of the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor sorafenib, either alone or in association with hypomethylating agents and adoptive immunotherapy, in 13 patients with post-transplantation Flt3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia relapses. [Eur J Haematol] Abstract |