Cell Therapy News Volume 17.26 | Jul 11 2016

TOP STORY

Immune-Based Therapy in Mice Shows Promise against Pancreatic Cancer

While immune therapy has proven effective in treating certain types of cancer, especially lung cancer and melanoma, tumors of the pancreas remain among the most difficult to treat and, so far, are impervious to immune-based therapies. Now, a new study in mice has shown that immunotherapy against pancreatic cancer can be effective when given in conjunction with drugs that break up the fibrous tissue in these tumors. [Press release from Washington University of St. Louis discussing online prepublication in Nature Medicine] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Safe Engineering of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Cell Therapy of Cancer Using Long-Term Episomal Gene Transfer

Researchers describe a novel episomal long-term cell engineering method using non-integrating lentiviral vector containing a scaffold/matrix attachment region element, for either expression of transgenes or silencing of target genes. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article

Injectable Alginate Hydrogel for Enhanced Spatiotemporal Control of Lentivector Delivery in Murine Skeletal Muscle

Scientists showed for the first time the use of an injectable alginate hydrogel for controlled delivery of lentivectors in the skeletal muscle of murine hindlimb. [J Control Release] Abstract

Self-Healing Conductive Injectable Hydrogels with Antibacterial Activity as Cell Delivery Carrier for Cardiac Cell Therapy

Researchers developed self-healable conductive injectable hydrogels based on chitosan-graft-aniline tetramer and dibenzaldehyde-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) as cell delivery vehicles for myocardial infarction. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

A Phase I Study of CD25/Regulatory T Cell-Depleted Donor Lymphocyte Infusion for Relapse after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Investigators undertook a Phase I study of donor lymphocyte infusion depleted of CD25⁺ T cells in hematologic malignancies relapsed after transplantation. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

Targeted Immunotherapy Using Anti-CD138-Interferon α Fusion Proteins and Bortezomib Results in Synergistic Protection against Multiple Myeloma

Scientists demonstrated that anti-CD138 molecules genetically fused to type I interferons synergize with the approved therapeutic bortezomib in arresting the proliferation of human multiple myeloma cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. [MAbs] Abstract

In Vivo Transplantation of Fetal Human Gut-Derived Enteric Neural Crest Cells

Researchers sought to determine whether enteric neural crest cells harvested from human fetal bowel are capable of engraftment and functional integration within recipient intestine following in vivo transplantation into postnatal murine colon. [Neurogastroenterol Motil] Full Article

Generation and Feasibility Assessment of a New Vehicle for Cell-Based Therapy for Treating Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction

The authors previously demonstrated the successful regeneration of corneal endothelium in animal models by injecting cultured corneal endothelial cells in combination with a Rho kinase inhibitor. They aimed to optimize the vehicle for clinical use in cell-based therapy. [PLoS One] Full Article

Inhibitory Effect of Endostatin Gene Therapy Combined with Phosphorus-32 Colloid on Tumor Growth in Wistar Rats

Scientists found that ³²P-colloid combined with endostatin exhibited higher inhibitory effect upon tumor growth compared with application of ³²P-colloid or endostatin alone, although three therapies all significantly inhibited tumor growth compared with saline control group. [Biosci Rep] Full Article

PD-1 Blockade Enhances the Vaccination-Induced Immune Response in Glioma

To evaluate the relevance to established glioma, the effects of programmed death 1 (PD-1) blockade following DC vaccination were tested in intracranial glioma tumor–bearing mice. [JCI Insight] Full Article | Press Release

Immunotherapy Targeting Pyroglutamate-3 Aβ: Prospects and Challenges

Thorough characterizations of protein aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease brain have revealed a conspicuous heterogeneity of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides enabling the study of the toxic potential of each of the major forms. One such form, amino-terminally truncated and modified pyroglutamate-3 Aβ peptide appears to play a seminal role for disease initiation, qualifying it as novel target for immunotherapy approaches. [Mol Neurodegener] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell therapy research field.

OncoSec Presents Significant Advancements in Electroporation Technology for Immunotherapy

OncoSec Medical Incorporated presented recent advancements in electroporation for immunotherapy in two poster presentations. [Press release from OncoSec Medical Incorporated discussing research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Special Conference on Engineering and Physical Sciences in Oncology, Boston] Press Release

Regulus to Present at Cantor Fitzgerald’s 2^nd Annual Healthcare Conference

Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, announced that Joseph “Jay” Hagan, Chief Operating Officer of Regulus, will present a company overview. [Press release from Regulus Therapeutics Inc. discussing research presented at Cantor Fitzgerald’s 2^nd Annual Healthcare Conference, New York] Press Release

Takeda and TiGenix Enter into Licensing Agreement for Ex-U.S. Rights to Cx601 for the Treatment of Complex Perianal Fistulas in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and TiGenix NV announced that the companies have entered into an exclusive ex-U.S. license, development and commercialization agreement for Cx601, a suspension of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells injected intra-lesionally for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease. [TiGenix] Download Press Release

Vertex and Moderna Establish Exclusive Collaboration to Discover and Develop mRNA Therapeutics™ for Cystic Fibrosis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Moderna Therapeutics announced that the two companies have entered into an exclusive research collaboration and licensing agreement aimed at the discovery and development of messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Therapeutics™ for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. [Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated] Press Release

Celyad Enters into License Agreement with ONO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to Develop Allogeneic NKR-2 T-Cell Immunotherapy

Celyad announced an exclusive license agreement with ONO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for the development and commercialization of Celyad’s allogeneic NKR-2 T-cell immunotherapy in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. [Celyad] Press Release

Alnylam Initiates Phase I/II Clinical Trial for ALN-HBV, an Investigational RNAi Therapeutic for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial with ALN-HBV, a subcutaneously administered investigational RNAi therapeutic for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Aviragen Therapeutics Licenses Georgia State Technology to Develop Antiviral Therapies

The Georgia State University Research Foundation has entered into a licensing and sponsored research agreement with Aviragen Therapeutics, Inc. to develop and commercialize respiratory syncytial virus replication inhibitors. [Georgia State University] Press Release

Protein Target May Block Deadly Arterial Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension

Dr. David Fulton and Dr. Scott Barman are principal investigators on a $2.2 million National Institutes of Health grant that will enable them to better understand how the protein galectin-3, or gal-3, helps cause chronic, unhealthy remodeling of the lungs’ blood vessels and maybe a way to stop it. [Augusta University] Press Release

XBiotech Announces Expansion of Global Phase III Registration Study in Europe Using Xilonix™ for Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

XBiotech announced it has expanded its “XCITE” cancer study into Europe. XCITE is an FDA Fast Tracked, Pivotal Phase III study of its cancer drug Xilonix™ for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. [XBiotech] Press Release

Juno Therapeutics Reports Clinical Hold on the JCAR015 Phase II ROCKET Trial

Juno Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has received notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that a clinical hold has been placed on the Phase II clinical trial of JCAR015 in adult patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, known as the “ROCKET” trial. The clinical hold was initiated after two patient deaths, which followed the recent addition of fludarabine to the pre-conditioning regimen. [Juno Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

REGENXBIO Provides Update on Lead Gene Therapy Development Programs

REGENXBIO Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development, commercialization and licensing of recombinant adeno-associated virus gene therapy based on its proprietary NAV^® Technology Platform, provided an update on its four lead gene therapy development programs. [REGENXBIO Inc.] Press Release

Grant Funding Received to Explore Midatech’s Gold Nanoparticle Technology in Immunotherapy

Midatech Pharma announced that its research collaboration with Cardiff University in autoimmune therapies has received a two-year funding grant from JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), for a project entitled “Gold nanoparticles coupled with selective PAMP ligands to deliver antigen specific immunotherapy” in diabetes, the commonest autoimmune disease worldwide. [Midatech Pharma] Press Release

CEL-SCI Granted European Patent for Multikine Cancer Immunotherapy in Combination with Radiation and/or Chemotherapy

CEL-SCI Corporation announced that it has been granted a new European patent covering its investigational Phase III cancer immunotherapy drug Multikine* (Leucocyte Interleukin). The patent, EU Patent: EP 1 773 368 B1, titled “A Method of Pre-Sensitizing Cancer Prior to Treatment with Radiation and/or Chemotherapy and a Novel Cytokine Mixture,” is not limited to any one particular type of cancer and can include multiple types of cancer. [CEL-SCI Corporation] Press Release

Policy Implications of Aging in the NIH-Funded Workforce

Because of national interest in the “graying” of the biomedical workforce, the authors examine aging and funding within the pool of NIH-funded investigators and applicants, particularly in the growing field of stem cell research. They provide evidence of a maturing and more competitive stem cell workforce and discuss policy implications. [Cell Stem Cell] Editorial

FDA Should Stand Firm on Stem-Cell Treatments

You may have heard that regulators in the United States are too strict when it comes to stem-cell treatments. The assumption in these accusations — that these treatments work — is at the heart of the problem. The FDA is right to insist that only proper clinical trials can make that case. [Nature News] Editorial

House Panel Would Give NIH a 4% Raise to $33 Billion

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is slated to receive a $1.25 billion increase, to $33.3 billion, in a proposed spending measure released by a House of Representatives spending panel. That 4% boost is good news for an agency that has been flat funded for a decade, although it falls short of a 6% raise approved by a Senate panel. [Nature News] Editorial | Press Release

Canada’s Health Funder Agrees to Meet with Researchers Outraged by Peer-Review Changes

Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) President Alain Beaudet said the agency will heed Jane Philpott’s request to “convene a working meeting in the very near future with key representatives of the research community, including those who have raised this issue publicly, to find common ground and move forward with solutions that address the issues raised with regard to the quality and integrity of CIHR’s peer review system.” [ScienceInsider] Editorial

U.K. Research Charity Will Self-Publish Results from Its Grantees

Starting sometime this fall, the Wellcome Trust will launch its own open-access online journal. Publication will be limited to the thousands of scientists worldwide working on research funded by a Wellcome grant, and it will be free not only for readers, but authors—the charity is covering the costs charged by the company that will provide the journal’s software and online platform. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Beat It, Impact Factor! Publishing Elite Turns against Controversial Metric

A paper posted to the preprint server bioRxiv, authored by senior employees at several leading science publishers (including Nature’s owner, SpringerNature), calls on journals to downplay the figure in favor of a metric that captures the range of citations that a journal’s articles attract. [Nature News] Editorial | Article

Brexit Watch: Scientists Grapple with the Fallout

Two weeks after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, the future remains opaque. Concerns within the research community are particularly intense for those who rely on the EU for funding, or who have the right to work in the United Kingdom only because they are citizens of other EU countries. [Nature News] Editorial

The Past, Present and Future of the PhD Thesis

According to one of those often-quoted statistics that should be true but probably isn’t, the average number of people who read a PhD thesis all the way through is 1.6. And that includes the author. More interesting might be the average number of PhD theses that the typical scientist — and reader of Nature — has read from start to finish. [Nature News] Editorial

Major Funders Launch International Repository of Cutting-Edge Cancer Models

U.S. and European funding agencies are launching the Human Cancer Models Initiative, which aims to give the research community tumor cells that behave more like actual human tumors. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NIH Awards $55 Million to Build Million-Person Precision Medicine Study

The National Institutes of Health announced $55 million in awards in fiscal year 2016 to build the foundational partnerships and infrastructure needed to launch the Cohort Program of President Obama’s Precision Medicine Initiative. [National Institutes of Health] Press Release

FDA

Use of Standards in the Food and Drug Administration’s Regulatory Oversight of Next Generation Sequencing-Based In Vitro Diagnostics Used for Diagnosing Germline Diseases; Draft Guidance for Stakeholders and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Availability (FR Doc. No:2016-16201) Notice

NIH

Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing (FR Doc. No:2016-15898) Notice

NEW European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2016
October 7-11, 2016
Copenhagen, Denmark

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cell therapy community.

NEW Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Cancer Immunotherapy (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute)

Scientist – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Resource Technologist B – Cellular Manufacturing Activities for Cell and Gene Therapy (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology (University of California Davis)

Staff Scientist – Cell Therapy Process Development (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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

Faculty Position – Cancer Immunology (University of New Mexico)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pathogenic Mechanisms of Rare Bone Disorders (University of Connecticut Health)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Oxidative Lung Injury (Temple University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lentivirus-Mediated FOXP3 Gene Transfer (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Deciphering the Link between Adhesion and Pluripotency (The Danish Stem Cell Center at Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen)

Scientist – Target Validation (Innate Pharma)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Data Analysis and Stem Cell Research (Nestle Institute of Health Sciences)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research and Neurosensory Regeneration (Universitatsklinikum Tubingen)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells to Study Disease (Hamad bin Khalifa University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Protein and Antibody Engineering (Hamad bin Khalifa University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (Hamad bin Khalifa University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematology/Oncology (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cell Cycle Control and Tumorigenesis (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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