Hematopoiesis News Volume 2.24 | Jun 21 2011

Towards a More Efficient Therapy for a Specific Form of Leukemia
Researchers at the VIB Vesalius Research Centre investigated the role of placental growth factor in mice with chronic myeloid leukemia. Blocking this growth factor increases the life expectancy of these mice, even in those resistant to imatinib. [Press release from VIB discussing online prepublication in Cancer Cell]

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Loss or Inhibition of Stromal-Derived PlGF Prolongs Survival of Mice with Imatinib-Resistant Bcr-Abl1+ Leukemia
Scientists reported that PlGF levels are elevated in chronic myeloid leukemia and that PlGF produced by bone marrow stromal cells aggravates disease severity. [Cancer Cell]

Angiopoietin-1 Promotes Endothelial Differentiation from Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Using COMP-angiopoietin-1,researchers explored the effect of angiopoietin-1 on endothelial and hematopoietic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells in OP9 co-culture system. [Blood]

Plasmodium Falciparum Uses a Key Functional Site in Complement Receptor Type-1 for Invasion of Human Erythrocytes
Using recombinant complement receptor-type 1 (CR1) constructs investigators mapped the recognition site for PfRh4 to complement control protein modules 1 to 3 at the membrane-distal amino terminus of CR1. [Blood]

Regulation of the Activation of the Fanconi Anemia Pathway by the p21 Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor
In this study, scientists have examined the roles of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, as well as its downstream target, the p21^Cip1/Waf1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, in the regulation of the activation of the fanconi anemia-BRCA pathway. [Oncogene]

LPS Hypersensitivity of gp130 Mutant Mice Is Independent of Elevated Hemopoietic TLR4 Signaling
Researchers reported here that in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages from gp130^F/F mice, gp130 hyperactivation upregulated the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators downstream of Janus kinase/STAT, nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, interferon regulatory factor and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. [Immunol Cell Biol]

c-MYC Oncoprotein Dictates Transcriptional Profiles of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter Genes in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells
Investigators presented data showing that the oncoprotein c-MYC is a direct transcriptional regulator of a large set of ATP-binding cassette transporters in chronic myeloid leukemia. [Mol Cancer Res]

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Combination of Pegylated Interferon-α2b with Imatinib Increases Molecular Response Rates in Patients with Low or Intermediate Risk Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Scientists randomized newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients with a low or intermediate Sokal risk score and in imatinib induced complete hematological remission either to receive a combination of pegylated IFN-α2b 50 µg weekly and imatinib 400 mg daily (n=56) or to receive imatinib 400mg daily monotherapy (n=56). [Blood]

Trends in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: A Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Analysis
Researchers analyzed outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for multiple myeloma in 1207 recipients in 3 cohorts based on the year of transplantation: 1989-94 (n=343), 1995-2000 (n=376), and 2001-05 (n=488). [Blood]

Pomalidomide Plus Low-Dose Dexamethasone in Myeloma Refractory to Both Bortezomib and Lenalidomide: Comparison of Two Dosing Strategies in Dual-Refractory Disease
Investigators opened two sequential phase II trials using the Pom/dex regimen at differing doses to study the efficacy of this regimen in patients who have failed both lenalidomide and bortezomib. [Blood]

Comparison of High-Dose Cytarabine and Timed-Sequential Chemotherapy As Consolidation for Younger Adults with AML in First Remission: The ALFA-9802 Study
To assess the value of administering timed-sequential chemotherapy (two therapeutic sequences separated by a four-day interval-free chemotherapy) or high-dose cytarabine cycles in consolidation therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 459 patients aged 15 to 50 years were enrolled in the prospective randomized Acute Leukemia French Association (ALFA)-9802 trial. [Blood]

QIAGEN Makes Proposal to Fully Acquire Ipsogen, Further Expanding Leadership in Oncology Molecular Diagnostics
QIAGEN N.V. has made an offer and entered into exclusive negotiations to purchase a 47% initial stake in Ipsogen S.A. and subsequently make a public offer to fully acquire a global leader in molecular profiling and personalized healthcare diagnostics for a broad range of hematological cancers. [Qiagen N.V. Press Release]

Two Hutchinson Center Researchers Receive Prestigious Awards from Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
Two Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center researchers have received prestigious awards from the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Press Release]

Leaders in Fight Against Cancer Join Historic Initiative Addressing Clinical Investigator Shortage
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation announced the formation of Accelerating Cancer Cures, a historic collaboration of the biopharmaceutical industry and academia with a strong commitment to achieving key breakthroughs in cancer treatments. [Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Press Release]

NICE Final Draft Guidance Recommends Thalidomide and Bortezomib for Multiple Myeloma
In the final draft guidance published, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends two treatments for multiple myeloma. [National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, United Kingdom]

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 World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress Asia 2011
October 11-13, 2011
Singapore, Singapore

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