Cell Therapy News Volume 13.32 | Aug 20 2012

May 12, 2022

Issue 13.32 August 20, 2012

TOP STORY

T Cell Receptor Gene Transfer Exclusively to Human CD8⁺ Cells Enhances Tumor Cell Killing
Investigators described a novel vector (CD8-LV) derived from lentivirus, which delivers genes exclusively and specifically to CD8⁺ cells. T cells genetically modified with CD8-LV killed melanoma cells reproducibly more efficiently than CD8⁺ cells transduced with a conventional lentiviral vector. [Blood] Abstract

Happy Birthday mTeSR™1! 5 years of Groundbreaking Research and Counting

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Efficient Generation, Purification, and Expansion of CD34⁺ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells from Nonhuman Primate Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers developed a chemically defined, scalable and reproducible specification protocol with Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4, Prostaglandin E2, and StemRegenin1 for hematopoietic differentiation of Macaca nemestrina induced pluripotent stem cells. [Blood] Abstract

Synthetic Riboswitches for External Regulation of Genes Transferred by Replication-Deficient and Oncolytic Adenoviruses
Investigators explored the potential of artificial aptazymes, ligand-dependent self-cleaving ribozymes, as an innovative tool for regulation of therapeutic gene expression. They characterized aptazymes in therapeutic gene transfer utilizing adenovectors, adeno-associated vectors and oncolytic adenoviruses. [Nucleic Acids Res] Abstract | Full Text | Press Release

Targeted Tumor-Penetrating siRNA Nanocomplexes for Credentialing the Ovarian Cancer Oncogene ID4
Researchers developed a tumor-penetrating nanocomplex (TPN) that comprised small interfering RNA (siRNA) complexed with a tandem tumor-penetrating and membrane-translocating peptide, which enabled the specific delivery of siRNA deep into the tumor parenchyma. They used TPN in vivo to evaluate inhibitor of DNA binding 4 (ID4) as a novel oncogene. Treatment of ovarian tumor-bearing mice with ID4-specific TPN suppressed growth of established tumors and significantly improved survival. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Instructive Nanofiber Scaffolds with VEGF Create a Microenvironment for Arteriogenesis and Cardiac Repair
Scientists investigated whether intramyocardial injection of self-assembling peptide nanofibers (NFs) combined with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could create an intramyocardial microenvironment with prolonged VEGF release to improve post-infarct neovascularization in rats. NF/VEGF injection not only allowed controlled local delivery but also transformed the injected site into a favorable microenvironment that recruited endogenous myofibroblasts and helped achieve effective revascularization. The engineered vascular niche further attracted a new population of cardiomyocyte-like cells to home to the injected sites, suggesting cardiomyocyte regeneration. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-Expressing Progenitor Cells Promote Recovery from Acute Ischemic Injury
The authors used fluorescence activated cell sorting to purify a rare population of umbilical cord blood cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH^hi). After induction of acute unilateral hindlimb ischemia by femoral artery ligation, transplantation of ALDH^hi cells significantly enhanced the recovery of perfusion in ischemic limbs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Phase I Trial of a Multi-Epitope-Pulsed Dendritic Cell Vaccine for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Researchers evaluated the safety and immune responses to an autologous dendritic cell vaccine pulsed with class I peptides from tumor-associated antigens expressed on gliomas and overexpressed in their cancer stem cell population. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Insertion of a Nuclear Factor Kappa B DNA Nuclear-Targeting Sequence Potentiates Suicide Gene Therapy Efficacy in Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Scientists observed that insertion of a DNA nuclear-targeting sequence recognized by nuclear factor kappa B could improve plasmid nuclear delivery and enhance the therapeutic effect of a validated transcriptionally cancer-targeted suicide gene therapy system. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Intracoronary Artery Transplantation of Cardiomyoblast-Like Cells from Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Multi-Lineage Progenitor Cells Improve Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Survival in a Swine Model of Chronic Myocardial Infarction
Researchers examined the effect of intracoronary artery transplantation of human cardiomyoblast-like cells in a swine model of chronic heart failure. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

SCIENCE NEWS

Researchers Aim to Grow Salivary Glands Using Patient’s Own Cells
Researchers have begun a four-year program aimed at using cells to grow whole salivary glands that can replace those destroyed by cancer radiation therapy. [Rice University] Press Release

ReNeuron Receives DSMB Clearance to Progress to Higher Dose in Stem Cell Clinical Trial in Disabled Stroke Patients: First Patient Treated in this Higher Dose Cohort
ReNeuron provided an update on progress with the PISCES clinical trial of its ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. The Company reported that the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the clinical trial has recommended that the trial advances to the evaluation of a higher dose of ReN001 in the third of four dose cohorts to be treated in the study. The Company also reported that the first patient in this third dose cohort of three patients has now been successfully treated with ReN001 and discharged from hospital with no acute safety issues arising. [ReNeuron Group plc] Press Release

POLICY

Italy’s Science Minister Is Betting on Europe
The Italian government angered many scientists by announcing a series of deep cuts in the budgets of state institutes as part of a broader austerity package. Francesco Profumo, as minister of education, universities, and research in Italy’s ‘technocratic’ government, will have to implement those cuts. [Italian Science Minister, Italy] Press Release

Mexico Chalks Up Success in Health-Care Reforms
A revamp of Mexico’s beleaguered health-care system is proving to be a runaway success and offers a model for other nations seeking to reform their own systems. The key to the scheme’s success is the way in which it has modified its reforms in response to scientific assessments of their effectiveness. [Mexican Government, Mexico] Press Release

BUSINESS

CRI Awards $10 Million to Advance Immune-Based Cancer Treatments
Cancer Research Institute, Inc. (CRI) announced that it has committed more than $10 million in new funds to accelerate cancer immunology research and cancer immunotherapy clinical development at research centers worldwide. [Cancer Research Institute] Press Release

Temple Researchers Receive $11.6 Million to Study Ways to Reduce Heart Attack Damage
Researchers have been awarded a five-year, $11.6 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health to develop new approaches to prevent, slow, or reverse damage to the heart after a heart attack. [Temple University School of Medicine] Press Release

NeoStem Reports Data Safety Monitoring Board Recommends Continuation of PreSERVE AMI Phase II Trial
Amorcyte, a company of NeoStem, Inc., announced that it received approval to continue its PreSERVE AMI Phase II clinical trial following its first interim data and safety review by the Data Safety Monitoring Board. The trial’s product candidate, AMR-001, is designed to prevent major adverse cardiac events following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

New Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Applies Revolutionary Immunotherapy Approach That Genetically Modifies T Cells
The Lustgarten Foundation and the Cancer Research Institute are co-sponsoring a new approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. A new clinical trial led by Dr. Carl June and Dr. Gregory Beatty at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania will focus on altering and training a patient’s immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. [Cancer Research Institute] Press Release

ACT Announces Scotland’s NHS Lothian as Additional Site for EU Clinical Trial Using hESC-Derived RPE Cells for Macular Degeneration
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that Scotland’s NHS Lothian has been confirmed as a site for its Phase I/II human clinical trial for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Pluristem Receives Approval from Indian Ministry of Health for Use of PLX Cells in Phase II Trial for Treatment of Buerger’s Disease
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has received permission from the Indian Ministry of Health to proceed with a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger’s disease). This Phase II trial will be potentially followed by a larger multi-national Phase III study in the U.S., Europe and India. [Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Oxford BioMedica Announces Positive DSMB Review of Ongoing RetinoStat® and StarGen™ Clinical Studies
Oxford BioMedica plc and its partner Sanofi announced a positive interim review of the RetinoStat® Phase I study in neovascular “wet” age-related macular degeneration and the StarGen™ Phase I/IIa study in Stargardt disease by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). RetinoStat® and StarGen™ were designed and developed by Oxford BioMedica using the Company’s proprietary LentiVector® gene delivery technology. [Oxford BioMedica plc] Press Release

Northwest Bio Expands Worldwide Production Capacity for DCVax®-L
Northwest Biotherapeutics announced that it is entering into amended agreements to double the production capacity in the U.S. for the manufacture of the Company’s DCVax®-L immune therapy for Glioblastoma multiforme patients. [Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

NIH

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Contract Solicitation (PHS 2013-1) Now Available (NOT-OD-12-137)

SBIR Phase IIB Bridge Awards to Accelerate the Development of Cancer Therapeutics, Imaging Technologies, Interventional Devices, Diagnostics, and Prognostics Toward Commercialization (R44) (RFA-CA-12-023)

Notice of Clarification: RFA-TR-12-006 Institutional Clinical and Translational Award (U54) (NOT-TR-12-009)

Clarification and Update Notice for AHRQ Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Cantered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid-Career and Senior Investigators (K18) PAR-12-115 (NOT-HS-12-012)

Deadline Has Been Extended and the Eligibility Has Been Revised for the USAID-NIH Initiative: Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Health (NOT-TW-12-021)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-19919)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-19996)

Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing (FR Doc No: 2012-20059)