Cell Therapy News Volume 19.09 | Mar 19 2018

TOP STORY

Cell Therapy Could Improve Brain Function for Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers uncovered the therapeutic benefits of genetically improving interneurons and transplanting them into the brain of a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. [Press release from the Gladstone Institutes discussing online prepublication in Neuron] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Prior Treatment with Anti-High Mobility Group Box-1 Antibody Boosts Human Neural Stem Cell Transplantation-Mediated Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

Using a spinal cord injury (SCI) model mouse, the authors developed a combinatorial treatment for SCI: administering anti-high mobility group box-1 antibody prior to transplantation of neural stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells yielded a dramatic improvement in locomotion recovery after SCI. [Stem Cells] Full Article

SOCS1-Targeted Therapy Ameliorates Renal and Vascular Oxidative Stress in Diabetes via STAT1 and PI3K Inhibition

Scientists investigated the beneficial effect of two different suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1-targeted therapies to combat oxidative stress injury in an experimental diabetes model of concomitant renal and macrovascular disease. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Intravenous C16 and Angiopoietin-1 Improve the Efficacy of Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for EAE

Researchers investigated the effects of intravenous administration of C16 and angiopoietin-1 on the efficacy of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in a rat model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). [Sci Rep] Full Article

Long-Term Regeneration and Remodeling of the Pig Esophagus after Circumferential Resection Using a Retrievable Synthetic Scaffold Carrying Autologous Cells

Scientists demonstrated that regeneration of esophageal tissue is feasible and reproducible in a large animal model using synthetic polyurethane electro-spun grafts seeded with autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and a disposable bioreactor. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Induction Therapy Are Safe and Feasible in Renal Allografts: Pilot Results of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

This prospective multicenter paired study aimed to assess the clinical value of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells as induction therapy to prevent both delayed graft function and acute rejection in deceased donor renal transplantation. [J Transl Med] Full Article

AAV1.NT-3 Gene Therapy Increases Muscle Fiber Diameter through Activation of mTOR Pathway and Metabolic Remodeling in a CMT Mouse Model

Researchers assessed the effects of AAV.NT-3 gene therapy on the oxidative state of the neurogenic muscle from the TremblerJ mice at 16 weeks post-gene injection and found that the muscle fiber size increase was associated with a change in the oxidative state of muscle fibers towards normalization of the fiber type ratio seen in the wild type. [Gene Ther] Abstract

HIV-Based Lentivirus-Mediated Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Gene Delivery Protects against DIO Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes

Investigators constructed an HIV-based lentiviral vector encoding human vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to test the therapeutic efficacy of VIP peptide in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Tis21-Gene Therapy Inhibits Medulloblastoma Growth in a Murine Allograft Model

The authors tested whether Tis21 can inhibit medulloblastoma (MB) allografts. Athymic nude mice were subcutaneously grafted with MB cells explanted from Patched1 heterozygous mice. MB allografts were then injected with adeno-associated viruses either carrying Tis21 or empty. [PLoS One] Full Article

Co-Transplantation of Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Allogeneic Bone-Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a First-Line Treatment in Very Severe Aplastic Anemia Patients with Refractory Infections

Six patients with de novo very severe aplastic anemia lacking HLA-identical sibling donors and those who experienced refractory infections underwent haploidentical related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a first-line therapy. [Eur J Haematol] Abstract

Therapeutic Effects of Stem Cells in Rodent Models of Huntington’s Disease: Review and Electrophysiological Findings

Investigators examine recent studies that use mesenchymal cells as well as pluripotent, cell-derived products in animal models of Huntington’s disease (HD). Additionally, they provide further electrophysiological characterization of a human neural stem cell line, ESI-017, which has already demonstrated disease-modifying properties in two mouse models of HD. [CNS Neurosci Ther] Abstract

Combining Stem Cell Therapy for Advanced Heart Failure and Ventricular Assist Devices: A Review

The authors highlight clinical trials using stem cell therapy for end-stage heart failure most relevant to an left ventricular assist device patient population and comprehensively review the preclinical and clinical studies of combined stem cell therapy and long-term mechanical circulatory support. [ASAIO J] Abstract

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

Positive 48-Week Clinical Data of AlloJoin Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell (haMPC) Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) China Phase I Trial

Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. announced 48-week clinical data from the Phase I clinical trial in China for its allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal progenitor cell off-the-shelf therapy AlloJoin™ for KOA. [Press release from Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. discussing research presented at the 2018 B. Riley FBR Inaugural China Healthcare Investing & Partnering Symposium (CHIPS) Conference, Hangzhou] Press Release

CGT Catapult to Support UK Network of Advanced Therapies Treatment Centers

The Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Catapult will support three UK sites awarded funding to form a network of advanced therapies treatment centers – joint ventures set up to include industry, academic and NHS partners, and funded by Innovate UK. [The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult] Press Release

Adaptimmune Announces Responses in Second Solid Tumor Indication with NY-ESO SPEAR T-Cells

Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc reported three partial responses, and one stable disease in the first four patients dosed with NY-ESO SPEAR T-cells in a second solid tumor, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma. [Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc] Press Release

Abeona Therapeutics Receives FDA Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for ABO-202 Gene Therapy Program in CLN1 Disease

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for the ABO-202 program, an AAV-based gene therapy for the treatment of CLN1 disease. [Abeona Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Solid Biosciences Announces Clinical Hold on SGT-001 Phase I/II Clinical Trial for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Solid Biosciences Inc. announced it has received notification from the FDA that IGNITE DMD, its Phase I/II clinical trial for SGT-001 microdystrophin gene transfer in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), has been placed on clinical hold. [Solid Biosciences Inc.] Press Release

MaSTherCell Appointed as Process Development and Manufacturing Partner for Zelluna Immunotherapy’s TCR Adoptive Cell Therapy Platform

Orgenesis Inc. announced that its manufacturing subsidiary, MaSTherCell S.A., was appointed by Zelluna Immunotherapy AS as its contract development and manufacturing partner for Zelluna’s T-cell receptor (TCR) adoptive cell therapy platform. [Orgenesis Inc.] Press Release

Caladrius Biosciences Doses First Patient with CLBS12 in Phase II Critical Limb Ischemia Trial in Japan

Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in the company’s Phase II clinical trial in Japan with its proprietary CD34 cell therapy for the treatment of no-option critical limb ischemia. [Caladrius Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

TissueGene Announces Company Name Change to Kolon TissueGene, Inc.

TissueGene, Inc. announced the completion of the change of its corporate name to “Kolon TissueGene, Inc.” [TissueGene, Inc.] Press Release

Reporter’s Notebook: House Budget Hearing Shows Science Chairman’s Impact on NSF Peer Review

Representative Lamar Smith has repeatedly criticized the peer-review process at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, since becoming chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives’s science committee in 2013. It was no surprise, then, that during a hearing on NSF’s 2019 budget request he railed against a handful of grants from NSF’s $6 billion research portfolio as a waste of taxpayer dollars. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists Beware: The Price Is High, the Payoff Uncertain at Glossy Publications Aimed at Europe’s Decision-Makers

Van der Heyden isn’t the only European researcher to get a hard sell from Pan European Networks, a six-year-old publishing company with offices in Congleton, U.K., and Brussels that promises to provide opportunities for “leading figures from across Europe” to get attention for their work or ideas. Many other scientists had similar experiences, Van der Heyden discovered when he started poking around on blogs and Twitter, including the promise of attention from decision-makers and the warning about the imminent board meeting. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

‘Right-to-Try’ Bill Rejected by House, in Major Blow to GOP Efforts

In a major blow to the effort to pass a federal “right-to-try” law, House Republicans failed to muster the votes to pass a key compromise measure. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW 4^th Cell Therapy Conference: Manufacturing and Testing of Pluripotent Stem Cells
June 5-6, 2018
Los Angeles, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Immunology, Genetics and Precision Medicine (Ludwig Boltzmann Institute)

Assistant Professor – Translation of Preclinical Regenerative Medicine into Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Hematopoiesis (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology, Immunotherapy, Gene Therapy (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Functional Genomics of Human Hematopoiesis (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (Indiana University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Associate – Cardiovascular Science (Duke University)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreas Development and Stem Cells (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Professor and Faculty Positions – Various Projects (Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University)

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