Cord Blood News Volume 9.10 | Mar 16 2017

TOP STORY

Successful Transfer of Umbilical Cord Blood CD34⁺ Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor-Derived NK Cells in Older Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Researchers report the first-in-human study exploiting a unique scalable natural killer (NK) cell product generated ex vivo from CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from partially HLA-matched umbilical cord blood units. HSPC-NK cells were well tolerated and no graft-versus-host disease nor toxicity was observed. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Immunologic Regulatory Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Murine Ovalbumin Asthma Model

Scientists investigated the immunomodulatory properties of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (huMSCs) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. Administration of huMSCs significantly reduced methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil counts in BAL cells. There was a significant decrease in serum OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 levels along with Th2 cytokine production in the lung and spleen tissues, whereas increased percentage of regulatory T cells was observed after treatment with huMSCs. [Clin Exp Allergy] Abstract

Phase I Study of Cord Blood-Derived Natural Killer Cells Combined with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma

The authors conducted a first-in-human study of umbilical cord blood-derived natural killer cells for multiple myeloma patients undergoing high dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Ten patients achieved at least a very good partial response as their best response, including eight with near complete response or better. [Br J Haematol] Abstract

Rat Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Attenuate Hypoxic–Ischemic Brain Injury in Neonatal Rats

The efficacy of using human umbilical cord blood cells (hUCBC) to treat hypoxic–ischemic brain injury has been variable and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Scientists investigated its effectiveness using stereological analysis in an allogeneic system to examine whether intraperitoneal injection of cells derived from UCBCs of green fluorescent protein-transgenic rats could ameliorate brain injury in neonatal rats. Three weeks after the hypoxic–ischemic event, the estimated residual brain volume was larger and motor function improved more in the cell-injected rats than in the control rats. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve the Reserve Function of Perimenopausal Ovary via a Paracrine Mechanism

The authors investigated whether the transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) could improve the ovarian reserve function of perimenopausal rats and delay ovarian senescence. At time points of 14, 21, and 28 days after hUCMSCs transplantation, estradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone increased while follicle-stimulating hormone decreased; ovarian structure improved and follicle number increased; ovarian expression of HGF, VEGF, and IGF-1 protein elevated significantly. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Combined Wharton’s Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Nerve Guidance Conduit: A Potential Promising Therapy for Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Researchers evaluated the impact of combination of cell therapy and nerve guidance conduits on the nerve regeneration and on the expression of the factors aiding the regeneration in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. The results showed that the combination therapy nerve conduit (NC) and Wharton’s jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells caused much better beneficial effects than NC alone evidenced by increasing sciatic nerve index and pin-prick score. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Transplantation Improves Endometrial Regeneration in Rodent Models of Intrauterine Adhesions

The authors investigated whether human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs), a valuable resource for transplantation therapy, could improve endometrial regeneration in rodent intrauterine adhesion models. Thicker endometria, increased gland numbers and fewer fibrotic areas were found in the hAMSC transplantation group compared with the mechanical injury group. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Fast Transdifferentiation of Human Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Neurospheres and Nerve-Like Cells

Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton’s jelly tissue (hWJ-MSCs) were incubated with Fast-N-Spheres medium for 24 and 72 hours. hWJ-MSCs cultured with Fast-N-Spheres medium trans-differentiated into NSs in just 24 hours compared to 72 hours for hWJ-MSCs cultured with classic growth factor medium. [J Neurosci Methods] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Fibrin Scaffold Enhances Function of Insulin Producing Cells Differentiated from Human Umbilical Cord Matrix-Derived Stem Cells

Scientists differentiated hUCMs into insulin producing cells in a fibrin scaffold and compared the results to conventional culture conditions. Real time PCR’s results showed an increasing expression in NKX2.2, PDX1 and INS genes in the fibrin scaffold. [Tissue Cell] Abstract

Optimal Practices in Unrelated Donor Cord Blood Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies

The authors provide a practical “how to” guide to cord blood (CB) transplantation (CBT) for hematologic malignancies on behalf of the NMDP and the ASBMT CB Special Interest Group. They address donor search and unit selection, unit thaw and infusion, conditioning regimens, immune suppression, management of GVHD, opportunistic infections and other factors in supportive care appropriate for CBT. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics’ Lead Product Candidate, eFT508, Receives Orphan Designation from FDA for Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

eFFECTOR Therapeutics announced that its lead product candidate, eFT508, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. [eFFECTOR Therapeutics] Press Release

Servier and Pfizer Announce FDA Clearance of IND Application for UCART19 in Adult Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Servier, together with Pfizer Inc. and Cellectis, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Servier with an Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance to proceed in the U.S. with the clinical development of UCART19, an allogeneic, gene-edited cellular therapy candidate to treat relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [Pfizer Inc.] Press Release

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to Boehringer Ingelheim’s Investigational Anti-CD33 Monoclonal Antibody BI 836858 for Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to its anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody BI 836858 for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes. Orphan drug designation is granted by the FDA to investigational compounds intended for the safe and effective treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of rare diseases or disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people. [Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Repatha^® (Evolocumab) Demonstrates Reduced Need for Apheresis in Patients with High LDL Cholesterol in Phase III Study

Amgen announced positive top-line results from a Phase III study evaluating Repatha^® in patients who were receiving apheresis to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that treatment with Repatha significantly reduced the need for LDL-C apheresis in adult patients, as measured at the end of the randomized period. [Amgen Inc.] Press Release

US Science Agencies Face Deep Cuts in Trump Budget

When it comes to science, there are few winners in US President Donald Trump’s first budget proposal. The plan outlines double-digit cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health. It also lays the foundation for a broad shift in the United States’ research priorities, including sharp decreases to environmental and climate programs. [Nature News] Editorial

‘Zombie’ Patent Fights over Mutant Mice Return

Like a zombie that keeps on kicking, legal battles over mutant mice used for Alzheimer’s research are haunting the field once again — four years after the last round of lawsuits. In the latest case, the University of South Florida in Tampa has sued the US National Institutes of Health for authorizing the distribution of a particular type of mouse used in the field. [Nature News] Editorial

U.K. Scientists Prepare for Impending Break with European Union

For months after the United Kingdom (U.K.) voted last June to leave the European Union (EU), many British scientists clung to hopes of a “soft Brexit,” which would not cut them off from EU funding and collaborators. But Prime Minister Theresa May, who is expected to trigger the two-year process of exiting the European Union, has signaled the break will be sharp. U.K. researchers are now facing up to the prospect that they won’t be able to apply for EU funding or easily recruit students and colleagues from the rest of Europe. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 6^th China-Europe Symposium on Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine
May 21-24, 2017
Porto, Portugal

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Helmholtz Association)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Leukemia Research (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell Biology (University of Oslo)

Assistant and Associate Professors – Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology (Albany Medical College)

Staff Scientist/Assistant Professor – Nonmalignant Hematology (New York Blood Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Biology (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Proteomics (University of British Columbia)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation and/or Gene Therapy (Dana Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center)

Research Associate – Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research (University of Virginia)

Research Group Leader – Leukemia Research (University Hospital Basel)

Full Member Faculty – Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Program (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Principle Scientist – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation)

Assistant Associate or Full Member Faculty Position – Myeloid Malignancies (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Assistant Member Faculty – Platinum/Immunotherapy (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 Cord Blood News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.