| TOP STORY | MRI Scanners Can Steer Tumor Busting Viruses to Specific Target Sites within the Body Researchers found magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners can non-invasively steer cells, which have been injected with tiny super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, to both primary and secondary tumor sites within the body. This targeted approach is extremely beneficial for patients as it dramatically increases the efficiency of treatment and drug doses could potentially be reduced – helping to alleviate side effects. [Press release from The University of Sheffield discussing online publication in Nature Communciations] Press Release | Abstract | |
| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) | Human Engineered Heart Muscles Engraft and Survive Long-Term in a Rodent Myocardial Infarction Model Scientists assessed the transport stability, long term survival, structural organization, functional benefits, and teratoma risk of engineered heart muscle in a chronic myocardial infarction model. [Circ Res] Abstract Porous Nanofibrous Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Scaffolds Supporting Cardiovascular Progenitor Cells for Cardiac Tissue Engineering Researchers developed the technology to induce cardiovascular progenitor cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells towards desired cardiomyocytes as well as smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Engineered Composite Fascia for Stem Cell Therapy in Tissue Repair Applications Scientists describe a composite, laser micromachined, collagen-alginate construct containing human mesenchymal stem cells for tissue repair applications. Collagen type I was fashioned into laminated collagen sheets to form a mechanically robust fascia that was subsequently laser micropatterned with pores of defined dimension and spatial distribution as a means to modulate mechanical behavior and promote tissue integration. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract In Vivo Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Two Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Researchers performed a detailed analysis of the immunomodulatory properties and proteomic profile of mesenchymal stromal cells systemically administered to two patients with severe refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome on a compassionate use basis and attempted to correlate these with in vivo anti-inflammatory actions. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract Chorion Mesenchymal Stem Cells Show Superior Differentiation and Immunosuppressive and Angiogenic Potential Comparison with Haploidentical Maternal Placental Cells Investigators analyzed the biological characteristics of haploidentical mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from fetal sources, including the umbilical cord and chorion, compared with maternal decidua MSCs. Immunosuppressive capacity was assessed by the inhibition of T-cell proliferation, and angiogenic potential was evaluated in a Matrigel transplantation assay. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract TGF-β1 Suppresses Inflammation in Cell Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Scientists explored the effects of TGF-β1 during bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-based therapy for disc degeneration. MRI analysis revealed significant recovery of signal intensity in the degenerative discs of rabbits receiving cells transplantation than receiving cells treated with a TGF-β1 inhibitor or saline. [Sci Rep] Full Article Reductively Responsive Hydrogel Nanoparticles with Uniform Size, Shape, and Tunable Composition for Systemic siRNA Delivery In Vivo Researchers report reductively responsive hydrogel nanoparticles with highly uniform size and shape for systemic siRNA delivery in vivo. “Blank” hydrogel nanoparticles with high aspect ratio were prepared using continuous particle fabrication based on particle replication in non-wetting templates. [Mol Pharm] Abstract Identification of Apoptosis-Related MicroRNAs and Their Target Genes in Myocardial Infarction Post-Transplantation with Skeletal Myoblasts The authors explored the cardioprotection by skeletal myoblasts (SkMs) in infracted rats and determined cardiac functions at four weeks. In addition, they compared the expression profiles of microRNAs and mRNAs in post-myocardial infarction rats with or without SkM cell therapy using microarray. [J Transl Med] Full Article |
| SCIENCE NEWS | Transgene Announces Oral Presentation on TG4010 Cancer Immunotherapy at World Conference on Lung Cancer Transgene S.A. announced that results, including more mature overall survival data, from the Phase IIb part of the Phase IIb/III TIME trial with its immunotherapy candidate TG4010 in non-small cell lung cancer, will be presented. [Press release from Transgene S.A. discussing research to be presented at the 16th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Denver] Press Release Advaxis and MedImmune Commence Enrollment in Phase I/II Study of Axalimogene Filolisbac (ADXS-HPV) in Combination with Durvalumab (MEDI4736) for the Treatment of HPV-Associated Cancers Advaxis, Inc. and MedImmune announced that enrollment has commenced in a Phase I/II clinical trial of ADXS-HPV, Advaxis’s investigational Lm Technology™ immunotherapy, in combination with MedImmune’s investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced, recurrent or refractory human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical cancer and HPV-associated head and neck cancer. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release |
| BUSINESS | AstraZeneca and Peregrine Pharmaceuticals to Collaborate on Immuno-Oncology Combination Clinical Trial AstraZeneca and Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have entered into a cancer immunotherapy clinical trial collaboration. The collaboration will evaluate Peregrine’s investigational phosphatidylserine-signaling pathway inhibitor, bavituximab, in combination with AstraZeneca’s investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab. [Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release Biogen, the ALS Association and Columbia University Medical Center Collaborate to Drive Understanding of Genetic Influence in ALS Biogen, the ALS Association and Columbia University Medical Center announced a new collaboration to better understand the differences and commonalities in the ALS disease process and how genes influence the clinical features of the disease. [Biogen] Press Release Avita Medical Announces New Research Partnership with the University’s Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention Avita Medical Ltd. announced that it has forged a partnership with the University of Huddersfield to explore the mechanism of Regenerative Epithelial Suspension – from Avita’s ReCell® device – to better understand its ability to effectively treat burns, hard-to-heal wounds and skin trauma. [University of Huddersfield] Press Release Janus Biotherapeutics Enters Collaboration with Roche in Autoimmune Diseases Janus Biotherapeutics announced that they have entered into a collaboration with Roche for the development of a small molecule toll-like receptor inhibitor with the potential to address several autoimmune diseases. [Janus Biotherapeutics, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release $52 Million NIH Grant Advances Clinical and Translational Research at UC San Diego The Clinical and Translational Research Institute at University of California, San Diego has received a five-year Clinical and Translational Science Award for approximately $52 million from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [UC San Diego Health] Press Release Horae Oriental Endows Gene Therapy Center at UMass Medical School with $2 Million Gift The Gene Therapy Center at UMass Medical School has received a $2 million endowment from the Horae Oriental Shenzhen Investment Company. In recognition of the gift, the Gene Therapy Center has been named the Horae Gene Therapy Center. [UMass Medical School] Press Release UH Case Medical Center Investigating Adult Stem Cells for Sports Injuries University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center’s Dr. James Voos, head team physician for the Cleveland Browns, outlined details about a pilot trial using mesenchymal stem cell therapies in patients and athletes. [University Hospitals Case Medical Center] Press Release ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Issues Letter to Shareholders, Highlighting Progress on Advancing ICT-107 to Phase III Registrational Trial ImmunoCellular Therapeutics would like to highlight the progress they are making as ICT-107 advances toward initiation of a registrational Phase III trial in newly diagnosed glioblastoma and they build the stem-to-T cell platform to create their future pipeline. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release Argos Therapeutics Awarded Patent for Its Experimental Individualized Immunotherapy for the Treatment of HIV Infection Argos Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 9,085,807 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The issued claims relate to the company’s AGS-004 product, which is currently being evaluated in an investigator initiated Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of HIV infection. [Argos Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release Pluristem Granted U.S. Patent for Production Methods and Use of Placental Cell Therapy in a Range of Indications Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued to the company patent #9,096,827 titled “Adherent Cells From Placenta Tissue and Use Thereof in Therapy.” [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release |
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