Cell Therapy News 19.42 December 17, 2018 | |
| |
TOP STORYResearchers report on the one-year follow-up of an open-label Phase I-II trial of a single infusion of third-party mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) post-kidney transplantation, in addition to standard immunosuppression. Ten kidney transplant recipients from deceased donors received third-party bone marrow MSCs on day 3 ± 2 post-transplant and were compared to ten concurrent controls. [Kidney Int] Abstract | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from host rats were transduced with an adenoviral vector labelled with green fluorescent protein to overexpress hepatocyte growth factor. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Scientists investigated the therapeutic efficacy of using an infusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat sex hormone-deficient bone loss and its underlying mechanisms. In particular, they compared the impacts of MSC cytotherapy in the two genders with the aim of examining potential gender differences. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article Researchers transplanted microencapsulated hUCMS into the peritoneal cavity of non obese diabetic (NOD) mice with either severe or mild diabetes mellitus. Blood glucose levels were monitored following xenograft, in either basal or upon glucose stimulation. [Xenotransplantation] Abstract The authors explored whether mesenchymal stem cells treat acute liver failure by regulating autophagy and whether heme oxygenase 1 was involved in the same pathway. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Investigators demonstrated the ability of an allogeneic, clonal neural stem cell line to protect oncolytic viral cargo from neutralizing antibodies within patient ascites fluid, and to deliver it to tumors within preclinical peritoneal ovarian metastases models. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Using a transgenic mouse model constitutively expressing human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in a spatiotemporal manner as a self-protein and a syngeneic mouse colon cancer cell line, MC38-CEA, overexpressing CEA, researchers tested the potential of a novel genetic immunotherapy approach against CEA-expressing tumors, using recombinant adeno associated virus vector encoding CEA and appropriately timed immune adjuvant application. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Full Article CD19+IgM+ Cells Demonstrate Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Investigators describe a protective effect on autoimmune diabetes and reduced destructive insulitis in NOD.scid recipients following splenocyte injections from diabetic NOD donors and sorted CD19+ cells compared with NOD.scid recipients receiving splenocytes alone. [JCI Insight] Full Article AAV CRISPR Editing Rescues Cardiac and Muscle Function for 18 Months in Dystrophic Mice Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated CRISPR editing is a revolutionary approach for treating inherited diseases. Sustained, often life-long mutation correction is required for treating these diseases. Unfortunately, this has never been demonstrated with AAV CRISPR therapy. Scientists addressed this question in the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [JCI Insight] Full Article Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Mesenchymal Cell News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
| |
REVIEWSExploiting Oncogenic Drivers along the CCNG1 Pathway for Cancer Therapy and Gene Therapy The authors focus on a pivotal and therapeutically accessible locus of executive cell cycle checkpoint control—focusing specifically on the cyclin G1 protein (CCNG1 proto-oncogene product) and the associated oncogenic drivers arrayed along the aberrant biochemical pathways that promote and ensure uncontrolled cell proliferation, resulting in oncogenesis, increasingly aggressive metastasis, and chemotherapeutic refractoriness. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell therapy research field. | |
| |
SCIENCE NEWSBellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported safety and promising activity of BPX-601 in Part 1 of a Phase I/II dose-escalation study in patients with advanced, metastatic pancreatic cancer expressing prostate stem cell antigen. [Press release from Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2018 European Society for Medical Oncology Immuno-Oncology Congress (ESMO-IO), Geneva] Press Release | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSGene Therapy Targets Sickle-Cell Disease Gene therapy might offer a cure for sickle-cell disease, and clinical trials are already under way. “In the long run I think it will be able to cure the disease,” says Vichinsky, a hematologist and oncologist at the University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. [Nature News] Press Release Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. announced joining multiple partnerships with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research including the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative and the Parkinson’s Disease Education Consortium. [Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release Cynata Therapeutics Limited announced that the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has approved a grant to fund a Phase II clinical trial to evaluate Cynata’s Cymerus™ mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a treatment for osteoarthritis. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. announced treatment of the first patient in the Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating SB-FIX, an investigational in vivo genome editing therapy for patients with hemophilia B. [Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation reported topline interim six-month data from its Phase I/II clinical trial of rAAV2tYF-CB-hRS1, an investigational AAV-based gene therapy delivered via intravitreal injection for X-linked retinoschisis due to mutations in the RS1 gene. [Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation] Press Release FDA Accepts BrainStorm’s NurOwn® IND Application for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced that the FDA has accepted the Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase II clinical trial of NurOwn® for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release Orchard Therapeutics and SIRION Biotech GmbH announced the entry into a license agreement, pursuant to which Orchard has licensed SIRION’s LentiBOOST™ technology to enhance manufacturing efficiency for certain of Orchard’s ex vivo autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy drug candidates. [Orchard Therapeutics plc.] Press Release Orchard Therapeutics announced that it has signed a long-term lease agreement to build-out a gene therapy manufacturing facility in Fremont, California. [Orchard Therapeutics plc.] Press Release Over the next three years, $12 million in research grants from the Gilbert Family Foundation will fund several renowned multi-disciplinary research teams to identify which gene therapy techniques are most promising for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). [The Gilbert Family Foundation (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSRegulating the Gene-Therapy Revolution For rare genetic diseases that affect the young, such as a neurodegenerative condition called spinal muscular atrophy, gene therapies bring much-needed hope — a chance for the child to live a relatively normal life. But they also raise serious fears about their efficacy and the potential risks that accompany irreversible one-off treatments. [Nature News] Editorial China Introduces ‘Social’ Punishments for Scientific Misconduct Researchers in China who commit scientific misconduct could soon be prevented from getting a bank loan, running a company or applying for a public-service job. The government has announced an extensive punishment system that could have significant consequences for offenders — far beyond their academic careers. [Nature News] Editorial University of California and Elsevier Locked in Negotiations The University of California (UC) is pushing back against the publishing giant Elsevier over fees and access to research papers. The UC system’s five-year contract expires on December 31 and it has prepared for faculty and students to lose access Elsevier’s journals if they don’t reach an agreement in time. [The Scientist] Editorial South Korean University Delays Vote on whether to Suspend President Leaders at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology decided 6–3 to defer a vote on whether to suspend the university’s president Shin Sung-Chul, who has been accused of making illegal payments to a lab in California — allegations that he denies. The board will take the matter up again at its next meeting. [Nature News] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW The Tumor Cell: Plasticity, Progression and Therapy Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESFaculty Position – Cancer Bioengineering (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) Postdoctoral Position – Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Bioengineering (Igenomix Foundation) Postdoctoral Associate – Gene Therapy (University of Massachusetts) Research Scientist – Cellular Manufacturing (California Institute for Biomedical Research) Assistant Project Scientist – Hematology and Oncology (University of California, Davis) Executive Director – Cell and Gene Medicine (Stanford University) Faculty Positions – Hematology and Oncology (University of California, Davis) Lab Technologist – Cell Therapy (University of Maryland Medical Center) Open Rank Professor – Biopharmaceutical Discovery (University of Delaware) Assistant Professor – Biology (University of Delaware) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
| |
Have we missed an important article or publication in Cell Therapy News? Click here to submit! Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here. | |
|