Hematopoiesis News Volume 2.15 | Apr 19 2011

LABORATORY RESEARCH

The SKP2 E3 Ligase Regulates Basal Homeostasis and Stress-Induced Regeneration of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Investigators showed that SKP2 expression is increased in hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors in response to hematopoietic stress from myelosuppression or following transplantation. [Blood]

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Transcriptional Target of RUNX1/AML1 at the Onset of Hematopoietic Development
Using microarrays, scientists identified the uncharacterized gene AI467606 as a gene whose expression level is dramatically reduced in the absence of RUNX1. [Blood]

Three Chemokine Receptors Cooperatively Regulate Homing of Hematopoietic Progenitors to the Embryonic Mouse Thymus
Researchers showed that chemotaxis is the key mechanism regulating thymus homing in the mouse embryo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

Rapid Mobilization of Hematopoietic Progenitors by AMD3100 and Catecholamines Is Mediated by CXCR4-Dependent SDF-1 Release from Bone Marrow Stromal Cells
Investigators reported that AMD3100 increased the homeostatic release of the chemokine stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) to the circulation in mice and non-human primates. [Leukemia]

Hematopoietic Differentiation of Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Very Small Embryonic/Epiblast-Like Stem Cells
Data suggest that umbilical cord blood (UCB)-very small embryonic/epiblast-like stem cells correspond to the most primitive population of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in UCB. [Leukemia]

Impact of TET2 Mutations on Response Rate to Azacitidine in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Low Blast Count Acute Myeloid Leukemias
Scientists sequenced the TET2 gene in 86 MDS and acute myeloid leukemia with 20–30% blasts treated by azacitidine. [Leukemia]

IRF8 Regulates Acid Ceramidase Expression to Mediate Apoptosis and Suppresses Myelogeneous Leukemia
Researchers identified acid ceramidase as a general transcription target of IFN regulatory factor 8 (IRF8). [Cancer Res]

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Mutational Status of the TP53 Gene as a Predictor of Response and Survival in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Results from the LRF CLL4 Trial
Researchers aimed to address the frequency and prognostic value of TP53 abnormalities in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the context of a prospective randomized trial. [J Clin Oncol]

Chemoimmunotherapy with Ofatumumab, Fludarabine, and Cyclophosphamide in Previously Untreated Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Investigators conducted an international Phase II trial to evaluate two dose levels of ofatumumab, a human CD20 monoclonal antibody, combined with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide as frontline therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. [Blood]

Long-Term Risk for Subsequent Leukemia After Treatment for Childhood Cancer: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
This is the first description of a statistically significant increased risk of secondary leukemia more than 15 years from primary diagnosis of childhood cancer. [Blood]

Allogeneic Cellular Gene Therapy in Hemoglobinopathies—Evaluation of Hematopoietic SCT in Sickle Cell Anemia
Data confirmed SCT from a suitable HLA-matched, related donor should become the primary option for curing children with sickle cell anemia. [Bone Marrow Transplant]

Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Announces Approval for New Manufacturing Process for ONCASPAR® (Pegaspargase) Primary Ingredient
Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc.announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to manufacture L-asparaginase, the primary ingredient in the oncology medicine ONCASPAR® (pegaspargase). [PR Newswire]

NCI Awards $1.7 Million to Cancer Specialist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Fatih Uckun, MD, PhD, has been awarded $1.7 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to support development of a new strategy to overcome the resistance of cancer cells to radiation therapy. [Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Press Release]

Rockwell Medical Appoints Dr. Alvin L. Crumbliss to Scientific Advisory Board
Rockwell Medical reported that it has added Alvin L. Crumbliss, Ph.D to its Scientific Advisory Board. [Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc. Press Release]

Revlimid (Lenalidomide): Ongoing Safety Review-Increased Risk of Developing New Malignancies
The Food and Drug Administration is informing the public that they are aware of results from clinical trials conducted inside and outside the United States that found that patients treated with Revlimid (lenalidomide) may be at an increased risk of developing new types of cancer compared to patients who did not take the drug. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

Hospira, Fresenius Intensify Effort with FDA to Restock Leukemia Medicine
Hospira Inc., Fresenius SE and Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH are racing to restore U.S. supplies of a leukemia drug while regulators look to imports to meet patient demand. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

National Institutes of Health (United States)

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)

NEW Days of Molecular Medicine 2011-Re-Engineering Regenerative Medicine
November 10-12, 2011
Hong Kong

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

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