Cell Therapy News 21.10 March 23, 2020 | |
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TOP STORYHuman Chimeric Antigen Receptor Macrophages for Cancer Immunotherapy In two solid tumor xenograft mouse models, a single infusion of human chimeric antigen receptor-macrophages decreased tumor burden and prolonged overall survival. [Nat Biotechnol] Abstract | Press Release | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)To allow targeting of individual neurons for structural and functional studies, scientists created light-inducible site-specific DNA recombinases based on Cre, Dre and Flp (RecVs). RecVs could induce genomic modifications by one-photon or two-photon light induction in vivo. [Nat Methods] Abstract Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (Lamp2) KO mice receiving LAMP2B gene transfer using a recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 carrying human LAMP2B (AAV9.LAMP2B) demonstrated dose-dependent restoration of human LAMP2B protein in the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle tissue. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract Investigators developed a CRISPR-SaCas9 system-based technique, and its combined application with anterograde/retrograde adeno-associated virus vectors and activity-dependent cell-labeling techniques achieved projection- and function-specific gene editing in the rat brain. [Sci Adv] Full Article AAV Capsid-Promoter Interactions Determine CNS Cell Selective Gene Expression In Vivo For adeno-associated virus (AAV)9 vectors CBA promoter driven gene expression exhibited a dominant neuronal gene expression in the rat striatum. For otherwise identical AAV9 vectors the truncated CBh promoter shifted gene expression towards striatal oligodendrocytes. In contrast AAV2 vector gene expression was restricted to striatal neurons, regardless of the constitutive promoter used. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Scientists provided preclinical data to support initiation of a first-in-human trial for sickle cell disease using an approach which relied on reversal of the developmental fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract | Full Article The authors evaluated a combination of peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO) and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based therapy in a mouse model of severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Striking benefits of this combined therapy were observed in striated muscles, with marked improvements in heart and diaphragm structure and function with unrivalled extend of survival, opening novel therapeutic perspectives for patients. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Scientists investigated the combined impact of the latency reversing agent vorinostat and AGS-004, an autologous dendritic cell immunotherapeutic, on the HIV reservoir. [Sci Rep] Full Article Targeted DNA Demethylation of the Fgf21 Promoter by CRISPR/dCas9-Mediated Epigenome Editing Researchers employed the dCas9-SunTag and single-chain variable fragment-TET1 catalytic domain system to induce targeted DNA methylation of the Fgf21 promoter both in vitro and in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Mesenchymal Cell News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSNon-Invasive Reporter Gene Imaging of Cell Therapies, Including T Cells and Stem Cells The authors explain how in vivo imaging can aid the development and clinical translation of cell-based therapeutics. They describe the underlying principles governing non-invasive in vivo long-term cell tracking in the preclinical and clinical settings including available imaging technologies, reporter genes and imaging agents as well as pitfalls related to experimental design. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell therapy research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSDragonfly Therapeutics, Inc. announced an expansion of its strategic collaboration with Merck to discover, develop and commercialize a number of Dragonfly’s candidate natural killer cell engager immunotherapies for oncology, infectious disease, and immune disorders. [Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release Abeona Therapeutics Inc. announced that investigators at Stanford University Medical Center have treated the first patient in the pivotal Phase III VIITAL™ study evaluating EB-101, the company’s gene-corrected cell therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. [Abeona Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release NantKwest, Inc. announced dosing of the first patient in a Phase II trial for second- and third-line Merkel cell carcinoma in patients who are refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors. [NantKwest, Inc.] Press Release Cellenkos, Inc. announced that the company has submitted a clinical development proposal to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to start a Phase I/II clinical trial with CK0802 for treatment of CoV-ARDS. [Cellenkos, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. announced that ImStem Biotechnology, Inc. has received notification from the FDA that it has lifted the hold and cleared the Investigational New Drug application to evaluate IMS001 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. [AgeX Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSAmid Coronavirus Shutdowns, Some Grad Students Feel Pressure to Report to Their Labs As the coronavirus outbreak roils university campuses across the world, early-career scientists are facing several dilemmas. Many are worrying about the survival of cell cultures, laboratory animals, and other projects critical to their career success. And some are reporting feeling unwelcome pressure to report to their laboratories. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Universities Urge US Leaders to Boost Science Budgets by 15%, Ease Rules to Cope with Pandemic The US research community is urgently asking the White House and Congress to take steps aimed at keeping academic research—as well as museums, botanic gardens, and zoos—afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSIn light of COVID-19, many conferences are being cancelled or postponed. As such: We are suspending new event postings in our newsletters and on Twitter. Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Professorship – Biological Therapies of the Inner Ear (Hannover Medical School) NEW Group leaders – Cancer Biology (Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology) Scientist – Cancer Immunotherapy (Lund University) Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Immunotherapy (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) Sr Associate Scientist – Autoimmunity and Tumor Immunotherapy (Amgen) Research Associate – Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Lecturer – Clinical Pharmacology (University of Bristol) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (BC Cancer) Research Assistant – Cancer Research (BC Cancer) Postdoctoral Fellow – Single Cell Genomics (BC Cancer) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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