Hematopoiesis News 8.20 May 23, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYLab-Grown Blood Stem Cells Produced at Last After 20 years of trying, scientists have transformed mature cells into primordial blood cells that regenerate themselves and the components of blood. The work offers hope to people with leukemia and other blood disorders who need bone-marrow transplants but can’t find a compatible donor. If the findings translate into the clinic, these patients could receive lab-grown versions of their own healthy cells. [Editorial from Nature News discussing online prepublications in Nature] Editorial | Abstract 1 | Press Release 1 | Abstract 2 | Press Release 2 | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Hematopoietic Origin of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and Erdheim Chester Disease in Adults It is not known if adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) or Erdheim Chester disease (ECD) arise from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) nor which potential blood born precursors lead to the formation of histiocytic lesions. BRAF V600E allele-specific PCR was used to map the neoplastic clone in 20 adults with LCH ECD and hairy cell leukemia. BRAFV600E was tracked to classical monocytes, non-classical monocytes and CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cells in the blood and mutations were observed in HSCs and myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow of four patients. [Blood] Abstract ASXL2 Is Essential for Hematopoiesis and Acts as a Haploinsufficient Tumor Suppressor in Leukemia Investigators report that ASXL2 is required for normal hematopoiesis with distinct, non-overlapping effects from ASXL1 and acts as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor. While Asxl2 was required for normal hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, Asxl2 loss promoted AML1-ETO leukemogenesis. [Nat Commun] Full Article Histone-Binding of DPF2 Mediates Its Repressive Role in Myeloid Differentiation Scientists present the crystal structure of the tandem plant homeodomain finger domain of human double plant homeodomain finger 2 (DPF2) at 1.6-Å resolution. They showed that DPF2 interacts with the acetylated tails of both histones 3 and 4 via bipartite binding pockets on the DPF2 surface. Blocking these interactions through targeted mutagenesis of DPF2 abolished its recruitment to target chromatin regions as well as its ability to prevent myeloid differentiation in vivo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Loss of the Homologous Recombination Gene rad51 Leads to Fanconi Anemia-Like Symptoms in Zebrafish Researchers describe a viable vertebrate model of RAD51 loss. Zebrafish rad51 loss-of-function mutants developed key features of Fanconi anemia, including hypocellular kidney marrow, sensitivity to cross-linking agents, and decreased size. They showed that some of these symptoms stem from both decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of embryonic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Investigators showed that image-guided intrathymic injection of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in NOD-scid IL2rγnull mice is feasible and facilitates the generation of functional T cells conferring protective immunity. Despite the small size of the thymic remnant in NOD-scid IL2rγnull mice, they were able to accomplish precise intrathymic delivery of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by ultrasound-guided injection. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article Restricted Intra-Embryonic Origin of Bona Fide Hematopoietic Stem Cells in the Chicken Scientists established a complete cartography and quantification of hematopoietic cells in the aorta during development. They demonstrated the existence of bona fide hematopoietic stem cells, originating from the chicken embryo aorta, through an in vivo transplantation assay. [Development] Abstract | Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCHOutcome of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients with refractory myeloma who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT) were retrospectively analyzed. The findings indicated that auto-HCT is an effective and safe therapy in patients with refractory multiple myeloma, including those who are refractory to immunomodulatory agents and proteasome inhibitors. [Cancer] Abstract Investigators report the long-term follow up of a Phase II, multi-center trial and exploratory analyses on the impact of comorbidity on outcome. Using a clofarabine-based salvage therapy combined with early allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, they were able to achieve good long-term results for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSIntegration of Hypoxic HIF-α Signaling in Blood Cancers The authors summarize current advances in the understanding of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling in blood cancers and its translational implications for hypoxic-targeted therapy. [Oncogene] Abstract Two randomized controlled trials of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for systemic sclerosis (SSc) have shown significant improvement in organ function, quality of life and long-term survival compared to standard therapy. However, transplant-related mortality (TRM) ranged from 3–10% in patients undergoing HSCT. In SSc, the main cause of non-transplant and TRM is cardiac related. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the hematopoiesis research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSPfizer Oncology to Present Data across 13 Different Types of Cancer Pfizer Inc. announced it will present more than 50 abstracts, involving more than 15 clinical-stage assets across solid and hematologic tumors and 12 mechanisms of action. [Press release from Pfizer Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago] Press Release Broad Range of Clinical Data Evaluating Celgene Therapies to Be Presented Celgene Corporation announced that data from a broad range of company-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies evaluating Celgene investigational agents and investigational uses of marketed products will be presented. [Press release from Celgene Corporation discussing research to be presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago] Press Release AbbVie to Present Latest Clinical Study Results in Hematology and Solid Tumor Research AbbVie announced it will present data about the company’s portfolio of approved and investigational oncology medicines. A total of 23 abstracts have been accepted across several tumor types including brain cancer, hematologic malignancies, breast cancer, lung cancer and other solid tumors. [Press release from AbbVie Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSA team led by Gregory Abel, MD, MPH, a member of the division of Population Sciences as well as the division of Hematologic Malignancies at Dana-Farber has been selected to receive $2.6 million in funding from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute for a five-year clinical trial to determine if the Shared Care program can be safe and effective in providing quality in follow-up care. [Dana-Farber Cancer Institute] Press Release BioLineRx Ltd. announced the filing of regulatory submissions required to commence a Phase Ib trial for BL-8040 in combination with atezolizumab, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group’s anti-PDL1 cancer immunotherapy, for the maintenance treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have achieved complete response following induction therapy. [BioLineRx Ltd.] Press Release Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that the European Medicines Agency validated its grouped Type II variation/Extension of Application for Sprycel to treat children and adolescents aged one year to 18 years with chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia and to include the powder for oral suspension. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSWhat’s in Trump’s 2018 Budget Request for Science? President Donald Trump unveiled his full 2018 budget request to Congress. The spending plan, for the fiscal year that begins 1 October, fleshes out the so-called skinny budget that the White House released this past March. That plan called for deep cuts to numerous research agencies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Journal that Holds Record for Retracted Papers Also Has a Problem with Editorial Board Members Last month, Springer, announced that the journal Tumor Biology was retracting 107 papers after finding that the peer-review process had been compromised. It was the third mass retraction at Tumor Biology. But that’s not Tumor Biology’s only problem. ScienceInsider has discovered that the journal’s editorial board, as published online, contains the names of several scientists who say they have no relationship whatsoever with the journal—including German Nobel laureate Harald zur Hausen. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Worldwide Innovative Networking in Personalized Cancer Medicine (WIN) 2017 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESFull Member Faculty – Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Program (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Faculty Position – Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital) Postdoctoral Position – Experimental Leukemia Research (University Children’s Hospital Basel) Postdoctoral Position – Leukemia Research (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology) Scientist – Biological Function of Hematopoietic Stem Cells/Progenitors (HemoGenyx LLC) Lab Director – Pharmacokinetics (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) Principal Scientist – Immuno Oncology (Celgene Corporation) Associate Director – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation) Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Development and Homeostasis (Harvard Medical School, BIDMC) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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