Cord Blood News Volume 2.07 | Feb 25 2010

May 12, 2022

Cord Blood News 2.07, February 25, 2010.

In this issue: Science News | Current Publications | Industry News | Policy News | Events

GD2 Expression is Closely Associated with Neuronal Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Data demonstrates that GD2 ganglioside expression is associated with regulation of basic helix-loop-helix factors and identify neurogenic-capable umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), providing new insights into the potential clinical applications of MSC-based therapy. [Cell Mol Life Sci]

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SCIENCE NEWS

Personalized Blood Tests for Cancer Using Whole Genome Sequence
Scientists have used data from the whole genome sequencing of cancer patients to develop individualized blood tests they believe can help physicians tailor patients’ treatments. [Press release from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center discussing the online prepublication in Science Translational Medicine]

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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Constitutively Active AKT Depletes Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Induces Leukemia in Mice
This study demonstrates that enhanced AKT activation is an important mechanism of transformation in acute myeloid leukemia and that hematopoietic stem cells are highly sensitive to excess AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. [Blood]

Both IL-3 and IL-6 are Necessary for Better Ex Vivo Expansion of CD133⁺ Cells From Umbilical Cord Blood
Umbilical cord blood-isolated CD133⁺ cells were better ex vivo expanded in the presence of SCF, Flt3-L, TPO, IL-3+IL-6. IL-3 probably promotes higher CD133⁺ cell expansion and IL-6 maintains immature phenotype. [Stem Cells Dev]

Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated by a Novel Explantation Technique can Differentiate into Functional Endothelial Cells and Promote Revascularization
Researchers report on the development of a simple and effective protocol to isolate umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells, and confirm their endothelial potential both in vitro and in vivo. [Stem Cells Dev]

Use of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Progenitor Cells for Tissue-Engineered Heart Valves
Researchers describe the use of cryopreserved umbilical cord blood-derived CD133⁺ cells as a single cell source for the tissue engineering of heart valves. [Ann Thorac Surg]

In Vitro Non-Viral Lipofectamine Delivery of the Gene for Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor to Human Umbilical Cord Blood CD34⁺ Cells
Using a lipofection technique, researchers explored a non-viral delivery of plasmid DNA encoding a rat pGDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) to CD34⁺ cells derived from human umbilical cord blood cells in order to obtain cells stably expressing the GDNF gene. [Brain Res]

High Log-Scale Expansion of Functional Human Natural Killer Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood CD34-Positive Cells for Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapy
Investigators established an extremely efficient cytokine-based culture system for ex vivo expansion of natural killer cells from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood. [PLoS One]

INDUSTRY NEWS

New Study Demonstrates Effectiveness of Prochymal as a Rescue Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Severe Graft vs. Host Disease
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. reported that a new study shows Prochymal achieved an overall response rate of 63% when used as a rescue therapy in children suffering from severe treatment resistant graft vs. host disease. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

Investigators Present Phase III Data for Prochymal in Steroid-Refractory Graft vs. Host Disease
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that results from the Phase III trial evaluating Prochymal for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft vs. host disease will be presented by Paul Martin, M.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Paul Szabolcs, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center at the 2010 Blood and Marrow Transplant Tandem Meeting. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

Histostem Participates in Clinical Trials Demonstrating the Effective Use of Its Proprietary Stem Cells in the Treatment of Cirrhosis of the Liver
AmStem Corporation announced that Histostem Ltd. of South Korea has participated in a successful preclinical study of the use of its proprietary human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver. [CNN Money]

China Cord Blood Corporation Acquires Stake in Shandong Cord Blood Bank
China Cord Blood Corporation announced that as part of its nationwide expansion strategy, it has entered into an agreement to acquire an effective 19.92% equity interest in Shandong Cord Blood Bank for US$20.5 million (equivalent to HK$159.36 million) in an all-cash transaction. [China Cord Blood Corporation Press Release]

Millipore Corporation Confirms It is Evaluating Strategic Alternatives
Millipore Corporation confirmed that its Board of Directors is evaluating strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, including by pursuing a process with potential bidders to explore a possible merger or sale of the Company. [Millipore Corporation Press Release]

Cancer Research United Kingdom Launches Groundbreaking Research Centre at Barts
A new cancer centre, launched recently, puts London at the forefront of cancer research. The Barts Cancer Research United Kingdom Centre is the latest link in a unique chain of centres being launched around the country. [Cancer Research United Kingdom Press Release]

United States Scientists Warn of Fraud of Stem Cell ‘Banks’
Clinics that offer to “bank” stem cells from the umbilical cords of newborns for use later in life when illness strikes are fraudsters, a top U.S. scientist said. [Agence France-Presse]

QualTex to Establish Blood-Testing Lab in Georgia
QualTex Laboratories will invest $12 million over the next five years to open a new blood-testing facility in the Atlanta suburb of Norcross, Georgia. [San Antonio Business Journal]

POLICY NEWS

Indian Council of Medical Research to Set Up Apex Committee to Regulate Stem Cell Research
Indian Council of Medical Research said recently it would soon set up a body to regulate the scientific community on the crucial health research of stem cell therapy. [Indian Council of Medical Research, India]

Study Finds Stem Cell Research in the State of Maryland Supports More than 500 Local Jobs and Facilitates $71.3 Million in Business Sales Annually
A recent third party economic development impact study conducted by Sage Policy Group, Inc., entitled “Economic Benefits of Maryland’s Stem Cell Program already Apparent,” found that Maryland’s Stem Cell Research Fund supports 514 local jobs, with an average salary of $64,000, and facilitates $71.3 million in business sales in the state. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, United States]

National Institutes of Health Stem Cell Guidelines Should Be Modified, University of California, San Francisco Team Reports
A University of California, San Francisco team, led by bioethicist Bernard Lo, MD, recommends that the National Institutes of Health ethics guidelines for embryonic stem cell research be modified to better protect the rights of individuals donating egg or sperm to patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Centers for Disease Control Launch Surveillance and Research Program for Inherited Blood Diseases
Medical researchers are developing a new surveillance system to determine the number of patients diagnosed with a family of inherited blood disorders known as hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease, thalassemias, and hemoglobin E disease. [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, United States]

United States “Tweaks” Stem Cell Policy
The U.S. government broadened the definition of a human embryonic stem cell, helping qualify several corporate and academic experiments for federal funding. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Food and Drug Administration Public Health Notification: Newborn Blood Banking, Inc. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

Order to Cease Manufacturing of HCT/Ps: Newborn Blood Banking, Inc. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

2010 Meeting Materials, Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee – Draft Agenda, Member Roster [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

Review Considerations for Applications and Awards under the New National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research (NOT-OD-10-056) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

UPDATE TO RFA-OD-10-009: OS Recovery Act Limited Competition: Methodology Development in Comparative Effectiveness Research (RC4) Announcement of Non-Applicability of Requirement to Attend Meetings (NOT-OD-10-062) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Delays in Grant Application Submission to AHRQ due to Recent Winter Storm (NOT-HS-10-013) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Notice of Intent to Establish a New National Institutes of Health Common Fund Program: Library of Integrated Network-Based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) (NOT-RM-10-002) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral MD/PhD and Other Dual Doctoral Degree Fellows (Parent F30) (PA-10-107) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows (Parent F31) (PA-10-108) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31 – Diversity) (PA-10-109) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (Parent F32) (PA-10-110) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (Parent F33) (PA-10-111) [National Institutes of Health, United States]