Hematopoiesis News Volume 3.43 | Oct 30 2012

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Meis1 Preserves Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Mice by Limiting Oxidative Stress
Using inducible knock-out mice, scientists found that Meis1 is required for the maintenance of hematopoiesis under stress and over long term while steady-state hematopoiesis was sustained in the absence of Meis1. [Blood] Abstract

Cell Autonomous and Non-Autonomous Mechanisms Drive Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Loss in the Absence of DNA Repair
Researchers demonstrated that mice expressing reduced levels of ERCC1-XPF DNA repair endonuclease spontaneously display a progressive decline in the number and function of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Gene Therapy for the Multisystemic Lysosomal Storage Disorder Cystinosis
Using the Ctns^-/- murine model for cystinosis, investigators tested the use of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells genetically modified to express a functional CTNS transgene using a self-inactivating-lentiviral vector. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Broad Cross-Presentation of the Hematopoietically Derived PR1 Antigen on Solid Tumors Leads to Susceptibility to PR1-Targeted Immunotherapy
The authors recently showed that proteinase 3 (P3) and neutrophil elastase (NE) are taken up and cross-presented by normal and leukemia-derived APCs, and that NE is taken up by breast cancer cells. In this report, they extend their findings to show that P3 and NE are taken up and cross-presented by human solid tumors. [J Immunol] Abstract

N-Cadherin⁺ HSCs in Fetal Liver Exhibit Higher Long-Term Bone Marrow Reconstitution Activity than N-Cadherin^– HSCs
Scientists investigated the role of N-cadherin in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during fetal liver hematopoiesis. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Pleiotrophin Regulates the Retention and Self-Renewal of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in the Bone Marrow Vascular Niche
Investigators examined the role of the heparin-binding growth factor pleiotrophin (PTN) in regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function in the niche. PTN^−/− mice displayed significantly decreased bone marrow HSC content and impaired hematopoietic regeneration following myelosuppression. [Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Biallelic ATM Inactivation Significantly Reduces Survival in Patients Treated on the United Kingdom Leukemia Research Fund Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 4 Trial
Researchers analyzed the ATM gene in 224 patients treated on the Leukemia Research Fund Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 4 trial with chlorambucil or fludarabine with and without cyclophosphamide. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Treatment of Relapsed Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: The Nagasaki Transplant Group Experience
Researchers retrospectively analyzed 35 patients who experienced progression of or relapsed persistent adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma after a first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at three institutions in Nagasaki prefecture between 1997 and 2010. [Blood] Abstract

Long-Term Follow-Up of Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation without In Vitro T Cell Depletion for the Treatment of Leukemia: Nine Years of Experience at a Single Center
Over the past 9 years, 756 patients underwent haploidentical transplantation using a protocol developed by the authors, which combines granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-primed bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells without in vitro T cell depletion. [Cancer] Abstract

Outcomes of Second Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Researchers retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 31 patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia after a prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), who received a second SCT at their center. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

bluebird bio Awarded $9.3 Million From the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to Further Gene Therapy Clinical Development
bluebird bio announced that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has approved an award to the company for $9.3 million for the first round of its new Strategic Partnership Awards initiative. The award is to support a phase I/II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LentiGlobin^®, the company’s development-stage program for the treatment of beta-thalassemia, which will be initiated in the United States in 2013. [bluebird bio] Press Release

Sanofi Oncology and BMT InfoNet Join Forces to Raise Awareness of Stem Cell Transplants for Blood Cancers
Sanofi Oncology and BMT InfoNet are joining forces to inform patients and the public about the importance of stem cell transplants in the treatment of blood cancers. [Sanofi-Aventis US LLC] Press Release

Terry Fox Foundation Supports UBC Research into Aggressive Leukemia
A team led by R. Keith Humphries, a Professor in the Division of Hematology, will receive $5.9 million over five years from the Terry Fox Foundation to find new ways to treat aggressive forms of leukemia by rapidly creating and using laboratory-built models that mimic human acute leukemias. [University of British Columbia] Press Release

ARIAD Announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration Acceptance of NDA Filing for Ponatinib
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing the New Drug Application (NDA) for accelerated review of ARIAD’s investigational BCR-ABL inhibitor, ponatinib, in patients with resistant or intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia or Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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)

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

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

Scientist, Postdoctoral and Research Associate Positions (University of Miami – Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Impact of Inflammation on Hematopoiesis and Cancer (University of Murcia)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Postdoctoral Position – Impact of Inflammation on Hematopoiesis and Cancer (Universidad de Murcia)

Senior Lecturer – Cancer Stem Cells (The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute)

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