Cell Therapy News Volume 16.41 | Nov 9 2015

Rapid and Robust Generation of Long-Term Self-Renewing Human Neural Stem Cells with the Ability to Generate Mature Astroglia
The authors report the development of a novel hiPSCs-based protocol enabling the generation of expandable homogenous human neural stem cells (hNSCs) that can be maintained under self-renewing conditions over high passage numbers. Using a cell transplantation approach, they showed that grafted hNSCs were not only able to survive but also to differentiate into astroglial in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Neuroprotection and Immunomodulation by Xenografted Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells following Spinal Cord Ventral Root Avulsion
Lewis rats were submitted to surgery for unilateral avulsion of the lumbar ventral roots and received adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) via the lateral funiculus. AT-MSCs prevented second phase neuronal injury as they suppressed lymphocyte, astroglia and microglia effects, which finally contributed to rat motor-neuron survival and synaptic stability of the lesioned motor-neuron. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Transplantation of Human Adipose Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells with Restricted Localization to Liver Using Acellular Amniotic Membrane
Acellular human amniotic membrane was developed as a three-dimensional scaffold and combined with hepatocyte-like cells derived from human adipose stem cells to engineer a hepatic tissue graft that would allow hepatocyte engraftment in the liver effectively. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Cognitive Impairment via Up-Regulation of Hippocampal GABAergic System in a Rat Model of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion
Scientists investigated whether transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells could improve cognitive impairment via regulating the hippocampal gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)ergic system in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. [Neuroscience] Abstract

A Comparison of Wharton’s Jelly and Cord Blood as a Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Diabetes Cell Therapy
The authors investigated the differences between mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and Wharton’s jelly as sources of diabetes mellitus cell therapy. Wharton’s jelly was more homogeneous, could better differentiate into insulin producing cells in vitro and better control hyperglycemia in diabetic rats in vivo, as compared with UCB. [Regen Med] Abstract

Ibuprofen Loaded PLA Nanofibrous Scaffolds Increase Proliferation of Human Skin Cells In Vitro and Promote Healing of Full Thickness Incision Wounds In Vivo
Scaffolds loaded with ibuprofen at the concentration that promoted human skin cell viability and proliferation were evaluated in vivo in nude mice using a full thickness skin incision model to determine the ability of these scaffolds to promote skin regeneration and/or assist with scarless healing. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Highly Efficient In Vitro and In Vivo Delivery of Functional RNAs Using New Versatile MS2-Chimeric Retrovirus-Like Particles
Scientists designed a dimerization-independent MS2-driven RNA packaging system using MS2-Coat-retrovirus chimeras. Systemic injection of high-titer particles led to gene expression in mouse liver and transferring Cre-recombinase mRNA in muscle permitted widespread editing at the ROSA26 locus. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Full Article

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma: Stem Cell Transplantation Methods that Enhance Stemness
The authors describe the potential benefits of adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and preclinical and clinical studies of this approach in various medical fields. They also discuss the mechanisms of PRP action and future cell-based therapies using co-transplantation of ASCs and PRP. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell, gene and immunotherapy research fields.

UCART19: First in Man Proof of Concept to Be Presented
Cellectis announced that Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London will present encouraging data from a first in man clinical use of UCART19. [Press release from Cellectis Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 57^th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Orlando] Press Release

Immune Design Presents Preclinical Data on G100 and ZVex™ in Combination with Check Point Inhibitors
Immune Design announced new preclinical data showing that a dendritic-cell targeting lentiviral vector from its ZVex™ immunotherapy platform administered with G100, which contains a potent synthetic TLR4 agonist, synergize with immune check point inhibitors and demonstrate potent local and systemic anti-tumor activity in cancer models. [Press release from Immune Design discussing research presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC), National Harbor] Press Release

Intensity Therapeutics Preclinical Results Show AntiCancer Synergy of INT230-6 with Anti-PD-1 Compounds
Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. presented preclinical results from a study of INT230-6 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. The results showed significantly increased antitumor response using a combination of INT230-6 with an anti-PD-1 antibody compared to combined administration of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. [Press release from Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC), National Harbor] Press Release

Biothera to Present Three Abstracts at AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics
Biothera’s Imprime PGG, a safe and systemically administered pathogen associated molecular pattern, initiates an integrated immune response with the potential to dramatically boosts the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors and other anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies for cancer cell killing and long-term disease control. [Press release from Biothera, The Immune Health Company discussing research to be presented at the 2015 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Boston] Press Release

Researchers Urge Lifting of NIH Funding Restrictions on Chimeric Research
Citing the “tremendous potential” of research on human stem cells in nonhuman embryos, scientists and a bioethicist from the Stanford University School of Medicine have co-authored a letter urging the removal of funding restrictions recently imposed on such research by the National Institutes of Health. [Stanford Medicine] Editorial

Recent Court Ruling in Japan Exemplifies Another Layer of Regulation for Regenerative Therapy
The Japanese government recently put in place a system of standards, under the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, for reviewing and approving regenerative medicine (RM) therapies. To obtain conditional approval, the protocols must fulfill a set of legal standards that varies in accordance with the risk level of the cells to be provided. [Cell Stem Cell] Editorial

End ‘Stem Cell Tourism’
The continued marketing and use of experimental stem cell-based interventions inside and outside the United States is problematic and unsustainable, according to a new paper by science policy and bioethics experts at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Wake Forest University. [Rice University] Editorial | Full Article

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Sanofi and BioNTech Announce Cancer Immunotherapy Collaboration and License Agreement
The research collaboration between Sanofi and BioNTech will leverage the scientific expertise of the two organizations to discover and develop up to five cancer immunotherapies, each consisting of a mixture of synthetic messenger RNAs. [BioNTech A.G.] Press Release

Genocea Announces Immuno-Oncology Research Collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Genocea Biosciences, Inc. announced a collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to screen the T cell responses of melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors against the complete repertoire of patient-specific putative cancer neoantigens. [Genocea Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Announce Initiation of Phase III First-Line Trial of Avelumab in Patients with Recurrent or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Merck KGaA and Pfizer announced the initiation of an international Phase III study of the investigational cancer immunotherapy avelumab in a treatment naive advanced NSCLC setting. [Merck KGaA] Press Release

First Stem Cell Transplants in Qatar Take Place at Hamad’s National Center for Cancer Care and Research
A highly specialized team of clinicians at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research – a member of Hamad Medical Corporation – has successfully performed the first stem cell transplants in Qatar on two expatriates who have an aggressive form of blood cancer called myeloma. [Hamad Medical Corporation] Press Release

BriaCell Receives FDA Authorization to Initiate Phase I/IIa Trial of Cell-Based Immunotherapy BriaVax™ in Advanced Breast Cancer Patients
BriaCell Therapeutics Corp announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given final clearance for the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase I/IIa clinical trial of BriaVax™. [BriaCell Therapeutics Corp (Marketwired L.P.)] Press Release

Transgene Announces Dosing of First Patient with TG1050 for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Transgene SA announced that the first patient has been dosed in a clinical trial with its immunotherapy product candidate TG1050 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. [Transgene SA] Press Release

UTA Leads Technology to Create SMART Bandage Tool to Help Monitor, Heal Wounds
The University of Texas at Arlington is developing a sensing and therapeutic tool that will help doctors and other healthcare workers better monitor and heal patients’ complex wounds more quickly. [University of Texas at Arlington] Press Release

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. No: 2015-27983)

Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products from Adipose Tissue: Regulatory Considerations; Draft Guidance for Industry; Reopening of the Comment Period (FR Doc. No: 2015-27706)

NEW Staff Scientist – Immunology and Clinical Research (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Scaffold Design & Drug/Gene Delivery for Neural Tissue Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Engineering Research (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Position – hPSC-Derived Cardiomyocyte Grafts in Injured Hearts (University Health Network)

Group Leader – Translational Research (Cancer Research Center of Toulouse)

Group Leader Position – Cancer Research (Oslo University Hospital)

PhD Studentships – Cancer Research (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Faculty Positions – Stem Cell Biology (University of Notre Dame)

Research Technician – TCR Gene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Technician – Stem Cell and Gene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell Biology (University of South Carolina)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury Research (Indiana University-Purdue University)

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