Cord Blood News Volume 6.45 | Nov 20 2014

Phase I/II Study of Nilotinib Prophylaxis after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Advanced Chronic Myeloid Leukemia or Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Twenty-two patients with advanced chronic myeloid leukemia or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia underwent stem cell transplantation with human leukocyte antigen-matched siblings, unrelated donors, or alternative donors. [Cancer] Abstract

The Role of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Relapsed and Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma
Autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were performed in 298 and 122 patients, respectively. For autologous HSCT, overall survival at three years (3yOS) was 70%, and sex, age, disease status, and performance status (PS) at HSCT were prognostic factors. For allogeneic HSCT, 3yOS was 43%, and sex and PS at HSCT were prognostic factors. [Am J Hematol] Abstract

Biological Parameters Influencing the Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells’ Response to Retinoic Acid
Using MTT assay and EB/AO staining as well as TUNEL assay scientists show that retinoic acid (RA) in a concentration-dependent manner induces apoptosis through upregulating Caspase expression and increasing Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Moreover, different biological parameters such as initial time seeding, cell density, passage number and duration of RA treatment play a major role in human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells cytotoxic response to this agent. [Biofactors] Abstract

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for X-Linked Thrombocytopenia with Mutations in the WAS Gene
To answer the question whether hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers a viable therapeutic option in X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), researchers retrospectively investigated the outcome of HSCT in a cohort of 24 XLT patients who received HSCT at 14 transplant centers in the United States, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan. [J Clin Immunol] Abstract

Successful Treatment of Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma with Radiochemotherapy and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Researchers report a case of a 21-year-old man with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma primarily in the right hand with lymph node, lung, bone and bone marrow metastases. Complete remission was achieved after intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy of the primary and metastatic sites, followed by allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with reduced-intensity conditioning from a single HLA-DR locus-mismatched mother. [Jpn J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Fetal Heart Extract Facilitates the Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Heart Muscle Precursor Cells
Investigators aimed to improve the efficacy of differentiation of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes by combining 5-azacytidine with mouse fetal heart extract in the induction medium. [Cytotechnology] Abstract

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GlycoMimetics Announces Positive Top-Line Results from Phase I Study of GMI-1271 in Healthy Volunteers
GlycoMimetics, Inc. announced that healthy volunteers in a Phase I clinical study of GMI-1271 tolerated the drug candidate well, and that the pharmacokinetics for the drug candidate were as predicted based on preclinical data. Based on these data, GlycoMimetics is planning a Phase I/II trial of GMI-1271 as an adjunct to standard chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. [GlycoMimetics, Inc.] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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Head of Cellular and Molecular Therapies Laboratory (NHS Blood & Transplant)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology Gene Expression and Regulation (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Human Hematopoietic Specification (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – NK Cell and Leukemia Research (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)

Quality Improvement Coordinator – Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Mechanisms of Hematopoiesis and Blood Disorders (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Cord Tissue Processing Technician (Cord Blood Registry)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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