Cell Therapy News Volume 17.34 | Sep 19 2016

TOP STORY

Immunotherapy of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with a Defined Ratio of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ CD19-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor–Modified T Cells

The authors conducted a clinical trial in which CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells were manufactured from defined T cell subsets and administered in a 1:1 CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio of CAR-T cells to 32 adults with relapsed and/or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after cyclophosphamide-based lymphodepletion chemotherapy with or without fludarabine. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Successful Transplantation of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from MHC Homozygote iPSCs in MHC-Matched Models

Researchers established retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) homozygote donors. They observed no rejection signs in iPSC-derived RPE allografts of MHC-matched animal models without immunosuppression, whereas there were immune attacks around the graft and retinal tissue damage in MHC-mismatched models. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Tissue-Engineered Regeneration of Hemisected Spinal Cord Using Human Endometrial Stem Cells, Poly ε-Caprolactone Scaffolds, and Crocin as a Neuroprotective Agent

Electrospun poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were used for human endometrial stem cells adhesion and growth. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the attachment and survival of stem cells on the PCL scaffolds. The scaffold-stem cell construct was transplanted into the hemisected spinal cords of adult male rats. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

A Super Gene Expression System Enhances the Anti-Glioma Effects of Adenovirus-Mediated REIC/Dkk-3 Gene Therapy

Investigators investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of adenovirus reduced expression in immortalized cells vector with the super gene expression system (Ad-SGE-REIC) on malignant glioma. In U87ΔEGFR and GL261 glioma cells, western blotting confirmed that robust upregulation of REIC/Dkk-3 expression occurred in Ad-SGE-REIC-transduced cells, most notably after transduction at a multiplicity of infection of 10. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Combination Hepatoma-Targeted Therapy Based on Nanotechnology: pHRE-Egr1-HSV-TK/¹³¹I-antiAFPMcAb-GCV/MFH

In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that pHRE-Egr1-HSV-TK/¹³¹I-antiAFPMcAb-GCV/MFH can greatly suppress hepatic tumor cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis and necrosis and effectively inhibit the tumor growth, much better than any monotherapy does alone. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Real-Time MRI for Precise and Predictable Intra-Arterial Stem Cell Delivery to the Central Nervous System

Scientists showed that high-speed MRI can be used to visualize the intravascular distribution of a superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent and can thus be used to accurately predict the distribution of intra-arterial administered stem cells. [J Cereb Blood Flow Metab] Abstract | Press Release

Periodontal Regeneration in Swine after Cell Injection and Cell Sheet Transplantation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells following Good Manufacturing Practice

Investigators evaluated the effect of cell injection and cell sheet transplantation on periodontal regeneration in a swine model. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract

Periodontal Tissue Regeneration Using Syngeneic Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells in a Mouse Model

Scientists used syngeneic adipose stromal cells for periodontal regeneration in a new, relevant, bacteria-induced periodontitis model in mice. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Transplantation of Airway Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells: A Future for Cell-Based Therapy

The authors developed a cell transplantation protocol and demonstrated that transplanted mouse and human tracheobronchial epithelial tissue stem cell/progenitor cell mixtures are 20-25% of airway epithelial cells, actively contribute to epithelial repair, and persist at least 43 days. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Safety and Efficacy of Thiotepa-Based Conditioning for Allogeneic Transplantation in AML: A Survey from the ALWP of the EBMT

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of thiotepa-based regimens before allogeneic stem cell transplantation in 310 adult patients with AML. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Treatment of Relapse after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children and Adolescents with ALL: The Frankfurt Experience

A total of 101 ALL patients received their first allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in the authors’ institution. After relapse, the primary therapeutic goal was to cure the patient with high-dose chemotherapy or specific immunotherapy followed by a second SCT from a haploidentical donor. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Gene Therapy Using Plasmid DNA-Encoded Anti-HER2 Antibody for Cancers that Overexpress HER2

Scientists investigated whether a DNA-based monoclonal antibodies was appropriate for tumor gene therapy. They constructed the expression plasmids coding for the heavy or light chain of a parental murine antibody of Herceptin with the antibody genes codon- and RNA-optimized and fused to the Kozak-IgE leader sequence in pVax1. [Cancer Gene Ther] Full Article

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: How Not to Put the CART before the Horse

The authors summarize the state of the art of the development of chimeric antigen receptor T (CART) cell therapy for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and discuss the perspective of how CART cell therapy can be applied in the context of hematopoietic cell transplantation. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

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

Sutro ADCs Targeting CD74 Suppress Tumors in Multiple Malignant Cell Lines and Animal Models of Multiple Myeloma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Sutro Biopharma Inc. announced that it has presented findings from two studies of investigational antibody drug conjugates, or ADCs, that it developed to target CD74, a protein highly expressed in hematologic malignancies. [Press release from Sutro Biopharma Inc. discussing research presented at the 2016 American Society of Hematology Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies, Chicago] Press Release

Asterias Biotherapeutics Announces Positive Efficacy Data in Patients with Complete Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries Treated with AST-OPC1

Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. presented positive interim efficacy data from the 10 million cell cohort in the Company’s ongoing AST-OPC1 SCiSTAR Phase I/IIa multicenter clinical study in complete cervical spinal cord injury patients. [Press release from Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 55^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Spinal Cord Society, Vienna] Press Release

Golden Meditech and MD Anderson Team Up to Create Cellenkos, Inc.

Golden Meditech Holdings Limited and The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced the creation of Cellenkos, Inc., a start-up enterprise focused on umbilical cord blood derived T-regulatory cellular therapies. [Golden Meditech Holdings Limited] Press Release

bluebird bio Opens Phase III Study of LentiGlobin™ Drug Product in Patients with Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia

bluebird bio, Inc. announced the opening of HGB-207, a Phase III, global, multi-center study in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia with non-β⁰/β⁰ genotypes. [bluebird bio, Inc.] Press Release

bluebird bio Announces Webcast of Gene Therapy Day

bluebird bio, Inc. announced that it will hold an analyst and investor day on October 13, 2016 in New York City, where the company will share updates on its progress in research and development, with a focus on hematopoietic stem cell programs. [bluebird bio, Inc.] Press Release

BARDA Increases Contract Option with Cytori to Advance Countermeasure Clinical Trial

Cytori Therapeutics announced that the Company and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) increased the contract option originally signed in August 2014 to fund continued investigation and development of Cytori Cell Therapy™ for use in thermal burn injuries. [Cytori Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Regen BioPharma, Inc. Responds to FDA on dCellVax Gene-Silenced Breast Cancer Immunotherapy

Regen BioPharma, Inc. announced submission to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a revised Investigational New Drug application focused on using a novel method to unleash the body’s innate ability to kill cancer. [Regen BioPharma, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

BioLife Solutions’ CryoStor^® Embedded in Manufacturing Process for Promethera Biosciences HepaStem Cell-Based Treatment for Liver Disorders

BioLife Solutions, Inc. announced that its clinical grade CryoStor freeze media has been embedded into the manufacturing process for HepaStem, a cell-based treatment developed by Promethera Biosciences, targeting several metabolic liver disorders such as hemophilia and large clinical indications including acute or chronic liver failure, fibrosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. [BioLife Solutions, Inc.] Press Release

Homology Medicines Acquires License to Novel AAV Technology to Develop Treatments for Central Nervous System Disorders

Homology Medicines, Inc. announced that the company has signed a license agreement with the California Institute of Technology for worldwide rights to a novel in vivo adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology. [Homology Medicines, Inc.] Press Release

UK Regulatory Authority Approves Cynata GvHD Clinical Trial

Cynata Therapeutics Limited has received approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to proceed with its Phase I clinical trial of CYP-001 in patients with steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). CYP-001 is Cynata’s lead Cymerus™ mesenchymal stem cell product. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Gamida Cell Announces Appointment of Julian Adams, Ph.D.and Kenneth I. Moch to its Board of Directors

Gamida Cell announced the appointment of Julian Adams, Ph.D., and Kenneth I. Moch to its Board of Directors. [Gamida Cell] Press Release

NIH Aims to Beef Up Clinical Trial Design as Part of New Data Sharing Rules

Drug companies and academic researchers will have to step up their public reporting of clinical trial results under new federal policies. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also laid out a new plan for submitting clinical trial proposals that aims to beef up the rigor of the studies. [Science Insider] Editorial

Europe Proposes Copyright Reform to Help Scientists Mine Research Papers

The European Commission has announced long-awaited plans to make it easier for researchers to harvest facts and data from research papers — by freeing the computer-aided activity from the shackles of copyright law. [Nature News] Editorial

Illusory Fears Must Not Stifle Chimera Research

After more than a decade of controversy, the United States is nudging towards approving research on human–animal embryos. The National Institutes of Health closed a month-long public consultation on ‘chimera research’, and is widely expected to lift a moratorium that forbids federal funding for such work. [Nature News] Editorial

Report Urges Trump, Clinton to Make Room for Science in the White House

A new report on how the next U.S. president should manage the nation’s science portfolio comes with an invisible sticker on its cover: Open and read immediately if Donald Trump is elected. [Science Insider] Editorial

A Shady Market in Scientific Papers Mars Iran’s Rise in Science

Iran’s parliament, the Majlis, is expected to take up work on a bill that would outlaw shady practices in scientific publishing. [Science] Editorial

FDA

Recommendations for Microbial Vectors Used for Gene Therapy; Guidance for Industry; Availability (FR Doc. No:2016-22353) Notice

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee; Cancellation (FR Doc. No:2016-22051) Notice

NEW Annual Stem Cell Congress 2016
November 9-10, 2016
London, United Kingdom

NEW Danish Stem Cell Society 2016
November 10-11, 2016
Rungsted, Denmark

NEW Stem Cells in Drug Discovery
March 6-7, 2017
Cambridge, United Kingdom

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

NEW Faculty Position – Stem Cell Research (Children’s Research Institute at UTSW)

NEW Assistant Professorship – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (University of Southern California)

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Research, Hematopoiesis, Cancer, Genome Editing (Icahn School of Medicine)

NEW Faculty Position – Cancer Research (Children’s Research Institute at UTSW)

NEW Assistant Professor – Molecular and Cellular Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Novel Systems for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (Toronto General Research Institute & McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine)

Group Leader – Stem Cells and Ageing (University of Queensland)

Assistant Professor – Developmental Biology (Florida State University)

Visiting Research Specialist – Physiology and Biophysics (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Research Associate – Cellular Therapy (California Institute for Biomedical Research)

Research Scientist – Downstream Bioprocess for Vaccine, Gene Therapy and Biosimilars (Univercells)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Immunology and Head and Neck Cancer (University of Lausanne)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Immunology and T Cell Differentiation (University of Lausanne)

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

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

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

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Cell Therapy News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.