Cord Blood News Volume 2.34 | Sep 9 2010

Successful Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Post-Transplant Lymphoma After Cord Blood Transplant Using Third-Party EBV-Specific Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes
Researchers used partially HLA-matched third-party in vitro expanded EBV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to treat two cord blood transplant recipients with life-threatening, donor-derived monoclonal EBV+ diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with extra-nodal involvement developing in the context of graft versus host disease. [Blood]

Complimentary Webinar Presented by STEMCELL Technologies: EPO and Erythropoiesis, Detecting Lineage Commitment

Evidence that Growth Factor Independence 1b (Gfi1b) Regulates Dormancy and Peripheral Blood Mobilization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Researchers report that adult mice conditionally deficient for the transcription factor Gfi1b, show a significant expansion of functional hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and blood. [Blood]

Early Lymphocyte Recovery and Outcomes After Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation (UCBT) for Hematologic Malignancies
Researchers evaluated lymphocyte recovery in 360 consecutive patients with hematologic malignancy that underwent UCBT between 2001 and 2007. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Platelet and Red Blood Cell Utilization and Transfusion Independence in Umbilical Cord Blood and Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Cell Transplants
Despite prompt neutrophil engraftment, umbilical cord blood recipients had delayed platelet recovery as well as more prolonged and costly blood product requirements. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Superior Graft-Versus-Leukemia Effect Associated with Transplantation of Haplo-Identical Compared with HLA-Identical Sibling Donor Grafts for High Risk Acute Leukemia: A Historical Comparison
The comparisons suggest that HLA-mismatched/haploidentical donor transplants can achieve a stronger graft-versus-leukemia effect than HLA-identical sibling donors for high-risk acute leukemia patients. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Cost and Clinical Analysis of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization with G-CSF and Plerixafor compared to G-CSF and Cyclophosphamide
Plerixafor/G-CSF and cyclophosphamide/G-CSF for upfront mobilization of CD34+ cells resulted in similar numbers of cells collected, costs of mobilization, and clinical outcomes. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

A Pilot Study of Reduced Toxicity Conditioning with BU, Fludarabine and Alemtuzumab Before the Allogeneic Hematopoietic SCT in Children and Adolescents
Reduced toxicity conditioning followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT), based on BU-fludarabine-alemtuzumab conditioning, is feasible and tolerable in children and adolescents, and results in prompt achievement of durable mixed donor chimerism and excellent overall survival. [Bone Marrow Transplant]

Reversal of Experimental Diabetes in Mice by Transplantation of Neo-Islets Generated from Human Amnion-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Using Immuno-Isolatory Macrocapsules
Results demonstrate that amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cells can undergo islet neogenesis, indicating amnion as an alternative source of islets for cell replacement therapy in diabetes. [Cytotherapy]

STEMSOFT® Software Inc. Licenses StemLab® Software to Arizona’s Celebration Stem Cell Centre
STEMSOFT Software Inc., the leading provider of software solutions for the cell therapy and transplant community, is pleased to announce the licensing of StemLab, the leading cell therapy and cord blood banking laboratory software, to the Celebration Stem Cell Centre in Gilbert, Arizona. [STEMSOFT Software Inc. Press Release]

Kansas State Receives Patent for Noncontroversial Source of Stem Cells
Kansas State University has been issued a patent for a plentiful and noncontroversial source of stem cells from a substance in the umbilical cord. [Kansas State University Press Release]

iPierian Announces Second Close of $28 million Series B Financing
Pierian, Inc. announced the second closing of its Series B equity financing, bringing the total amount raised in this round to $28 million. [iPierian Press Release]

Forbion Capital Partners Raises EUR190 Million for New Investments
Forbion Capital Partners, a leading investment firm dedicated to the life science sector, announced the final closings of both FCF I Co-Invest Fund and of FCF II, raising a total of more than EUR190 million ($240 million). [Forbion Capital Partners Press Release]

Cellerant Therapeutics Awarded $153 Million Contract by Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to Develop Treatment for Acute Radiation Syndrome
Cellerant Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has signed a contract valued at up to $153 million over five years with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop CLT-008, a cellular therapy for the treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome. [Cellerant Therapeutics Inc. Press Release]

Jefferson Researchers Receive $3 Million NIH Grant to Study Molecular and Genetic Mechanisms in Platelets
Scientists at Jefferson Medical College have received a four-year, $3 million National Institutes of Health grant funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to study variations of platelet function, specifically, the genetics of platelet gene expression. [Jefferson University Hospitals Press Release]

Cell Therapy Foundation Calls for Additional Research, Extensive Clinical Trials
Some of the most promising medical research conducted to treat diseases of the brain, heart, and circulatory system is moving too slowly to help millions of patients, according to the Cell Therapy Foundation, which advocates the use of adult stem cells to dramatically impact and improve the condition of patients who suffer from a variety of conditions. [PR Newswire]

Judge Upholds Stem Cell Funding Ban
A Washington, D.C., judge said that his ruling, halting all federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, will stand while the case moves forward. Chief Judge Royce Lamberth, responding to a request from the Department of Justice that he stay his preliminary injunction, released a 3-page order denying the request. [United States District Court for the District of Columbia]

FDA Launches New Organizational Performance Management System
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an innovative performance management system designed to advance the President’s commitment to transparency, public participation, and collaboration in the work of government. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

Medical School Leaders Express Support for Stem Cell Research in New AAMC Ad [Association of American Medical Colleges, United States]

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research eSubmitter Pilot Evaluation Program for Blood Establishments That Collect Whole Blood and Blood Components [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0436] [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-22314) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Center for Research Resources; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-22529) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-22128) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-22093) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Status of Applications and Awards Involving Human Embryonic Stem Cells, and Submissions of Stem Cell Lines for Eligibility Consideration (NOT-OD-10-126) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Human Genome Research Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010–21819) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Select Biosciences 5th Annual Stem Cells World Congress
January 24-25, 2011
San Diego, United States

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