Hematopoiesis News Volume 6.21 | Jun 2 2015

Epigenetic Therapy Restores Normal Hematopoiesis in a Zebrafish Model of NUP98-HOXA9-Induced Myeloid Disease
The authors generated a transgenic zebrafish expressing human NUP98-HOXA9 (NHA9), a fusion oncogene found in high-risk acute myeloid leukemia. They leveraged this model to show that NHA9 increases the number of hematopoietic stem cells, and that oncogenic function of NHA9 depends on downstream activation of meis1, the PTGS/COX pathway, and genome hypermethylation through the DNA methyltransferase, dnmt1. [Leukemia] Abstract

Interleukin-6 Enhances the Activity of In Vivo Long-Term Reconstituting Hematopoietic Stem Cells in “Hypoxic-Like” Expansion Cultures Ex Vivo
Since interleukin-6 synergizes with the physiologically relevant O₂ concentration in the maintenance of primitive hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) subpopulations, researchers hypothesized that its addition to their hypoxic response mimicking cultures, composed of an antioxidant-supplied serum-free xeno-free medium supplemented with the cytokines stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and balancing HSC self-renewal and commitment, will result in a similar effect even if they are exposed to 20% O₂. [Transfusion] Abstract

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Leukemic Stem/Progenitor Cells upon Loss of RAC2
Investigators observed that in BCR-ABL-transduced human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells depletion of RAC2 but not RAC1 induced a marked and immediate decrease in proliferation, progenitor frequency, cobblestone formation and replating capacity, indicative for reduced self-renewal. [PLoS One] Full Article

Transplantation of Ex Vivo Incubated Bone Marrow with rIL-7 for the Enhancement of Immuno-Hematopoietic Reconstitution
Scientists investigated the efficacy of ex vivo incubated bone marrow cells treated with recombinant human interleukin-7 (rIL-7) on subsequent in vivo murine models of syngeneic bone marrow transplantation. [Leuk Lymphoma] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Minimal Residual Disease Analysis by Eight-Color Flow Cytometry in Relapsed Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Investigators addressed evaluation of minimal residual disease by flow cytometry in the clinical trial for childhood relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia using an eight-color flow cytometry. [Haematologica]
Abstract | Full Article

Control of Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Clofarabine in Preparation for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Since elimination of the leukemic load is thought to be prerequisite for treatment success, researchers investigated toxicity and anti-leukemic activity of a clofarabine-AraC salvage protocol preceding transplantation. [Leuk Lymphoma] Abstract

Early and Progressive Insulin Resistance in Young, Non-Obese Cancer Survivors Treated with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
In a single-center, prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study, the authors studied 45 survivors of hematological malignancies treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation before the age of 18 years and 90 matched healthy controls. They collected clinical, imaging, and laboratory data including oral glucose tolerance test. [Pediatr Blood Cancer] Abstract

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

TG Therapeutics Announces the Triple Combination of TG-1101, TGR-1202 and Ibrutinib Is Safe and Highly Active in Patients with Advanced B-Cell Malignancies
TG Therapeutics, Inc. announced clinical results from its ongoing study with TG-1101 (ublituximab), the company’s novel glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in combination with the company’s oral, once-daily, PI3K delta inhibitor, TGR-1202 and ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor. [Press release from TG Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2015 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Amgen to Advance Understanding of the Treatment of Blood Cancers
Amgen announced that it will present data from multiple Kyprolis^® (carfilzomib) for injection, BLINCYTO^® (blinatumomab), oprozomib and Nplate^® (romiplostim)‎ studies. The data reinforce Amgen’s commitment to advancing the care of patients with hematologic malignancies through the development of novel treatment approaches and continued evaluation of marketed products. [Press release from Amgen Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 20^th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA), Vienna] Press Release

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Pluristem Granted Key Cell Patents in Asia, Russia, Mexico, and Israel
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced it has been granted patents covering cell manufacturing, pharmaceutical compositions and disease treatment in China, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, and Israel. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

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 hematopoiesis community.

Principal Scientist – Hematopoietic Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Head of Stem Cells Immunotherapies Service Lab (NHS Blood and Transplant)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune Reconstitution in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (Stanford University)

Head of Cellular Therapies Laboratory (NHS Blood and Transplant)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune Tolerance (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Hematopoiesis and Leukemia (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Hematopoiesis (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Physiology and Pathophysiology (International Research Center for Medical Sciences)

Postdoctoral Associate – Epigenetic Regulation of Normal and Leukemic Stem Cells (Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Leukemia, Stem Cells and Development (Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute)

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