Hematopoiesis News Volume 4.03 | Jan 29 2013

LABORATORY RESEARCH

AML Cells Are Differentially Sensitive to Chemotherapy Treatment in a Human Xenograft Model
Investigators characterized the immunodeficient mouse response to combined Ara-C and doxorubicin treatment. They observed significant toxicity associated with doxorubicin that required optimization of the route of injection as well as the maximum tolerable dose for immunodeficient strains. [Blood] Abstract

GABP Transcription Factor Is Required for Development of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia via Its Control of PRKD2
A bioinformatic screen identified the serine-threonine kinase protein kinase D2 (PRKD2) as a potential effector of GA binding protein (GABP) in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Prkd2 expression was markedly reduced in Gabpα-null HSCs and progenitor cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

C/EBPα and MYB Regulate FLT3 Expression in AML
The authors used a murine cellular model for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and primary leukemic cells from AML patients to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of flt3 gene expression and identify its key cis- and trans-regulators. [Leukemia] Abstract

Identification of an ABCB1 (P-Glycoprotein)-Positive Carfilzomib-Resistant Myeloma Subpopulation by the Pluripotent Stem Cell Fluorescent Dye CDy1
Researchers report that efflux of the pluripotent stem cell dye CDy1 identifies a subpopulation in multiple myeloma cell lines characterized by increased expression of P-glycoprotein, a member of the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) superfamily of transporters encoded by ABCB1. [Am J Hematol] Abstract | Press Release

Population Dynamics of Normal and Leukemia Stem Cells in the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche Show Distinct Regimes where Leukemia Will Be Controlled
Hematopoietic stem cells must be located in their ecological niche to function correctly, that is, to regenerate themselves and their progeny; the latter eventually exit the bone marrow and enter circulation. Scientists proposed that cells with oncogenic potential-cancer/leukemia stem cells (LSCs)-and their progeny will also occupy this niche. Mathematical models, which describe the dynamics of hematopoietic stem cells, LSCs and their progeny allow investigation into the conditions necessary for defeating a malignant invasion of the niche. [J R Soc Interface] Full Article | Press Release

Co-Culture of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells with Human Osteoblasts Favors Mono/Macrophage Differentiation at the Expense of the Erythroid Lineage
Though several components of the stem cell niche have been identified, the regulatory mechanisms through which such components regulate the stem cell fate are still unknown. Here, the authors investigated how osteoblasts can affect the molecular and functional phenotype of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and vice versa. [PLoS One] Full Article

Inhibition of MerTK Increases Chemosensitivity and Decreases Oncogenic Potential in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Researchers showed that mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MerTK) was abnormally expressed in approximately one half of pediatric T-cell leukemia patient samples and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. [Blood Cancer J] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Inclusion of Chemotherapy in Addition to Anthracycline in the Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Does Not Improve Outcomes: Results of the MRC AML15 Trial
Two hundred eighty-five patients, median age 42, with PML-RARα-positive acute promyelocytic leukemia were randomized to Ara-C-containing ‘Medical Research Council (MRC) Chemotherapy’+ATRA (All-trans-retinoic acid) or anthracycline+ATRA therapy. [Leukemia] Abstract

Validation of the New Comprehensive Cytogenetic Scoring System (NCCSS) on 630 Consecutive De Novo MDS Patients from a Single Institution
Researchers evaluated whether the NCCSS truly improves the prognostic stratification of 630 consecutive de novo myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients and established which cytogenetic grouping (NCCSS or International Prognostic Scoring System), when combined with the WHO classification, best predicted the clinical outcome of MDS. [Am J Hematol] Abstract

Kiadis Pharma Granted U.S. Patent for Its Blood Cancer Treatment ATIR™
Kiadis Pharma B.V. announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance for its United States (U.S.) Patent Application No. 10/969,011 regarding the Company’s lead product ATIR™. ATIR™ is a cell-based product that enables stem cell transplantations from mismatched donors. [Kiadis Pharma B.V.] Press Release

NeoStem Announces Further Expansion of Intellectual Property Coverage
NeoStem, Inc. announced the expansion of intellectual property protection around its lead product candidate, AMR-001, with the grant of U.S. patent number 8,343,485 entitled “Compositions and methods of Vascular Injury Repair.” This is the third U.S. granted patent for AMR-001, protecting further expansion of its CD34+ chemotactic stem cell product composition claim as well as method of sourcing and administration of cells claims. [NeoStem, 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)

NEW The 3^rd International Congress on Controversies in Cryopreservation of Stem Cells, Reproductive Cells, Tissue and Organs (CRYO)
March 21-23, 2013
Berlin, Germany

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Cancer (Tsinghua University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell and Leukemia (City of Hope Beckman Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Metabolism and Programmed Cell Death in Leukemia and Solid Tumor Environments (University of Cincinnati)

Associate Research Scientist – Cancer Biology of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (Columbia University Medical Center)

PhD Studentship – Functional Genomic Analysis on Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Fritz Lipmann Institute)

PhD Studentship – Initiation and Progression of a Pre-Leukemic Mouse Model of AML (University of Ulm)

Postdoctoral Position – Gene Regulation in the Hematopoietic and Immune Systems (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Biology (Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (ERIBA: European Institute for the Biology of Aging)

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