TOP STORY
Molecular Marker Could Help Spot Pancreatic Cancer Early
Researchers have identified a molecular marker of pancreatic cancer that may help spot the disease at its earliest stages, when it can be treated more successfully with surgery. The study showed that a specific form of a protein called palladin is produced in large amounts in the “tumor nest,” the cells that surround a pancreatic tumor. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in PLoS ONE]
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SCIENCE NEWS
Karmanos Cancer Institute Researchers Use Soy Derivative to Improve Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Scientists at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute presented data that shows when genistein, a component of soy, is paired with the FDA-approved drug oxaliplatin, pancreatic cancer cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy. [Press release from Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute discussing research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting 2010]
Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine Shows Promise In Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
A combination of nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane for Injectable Suspension) and gemcitabine improves survival when used as first-line treatment in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, researchers announced. [Press release from Medical News Today discussing research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting 2010]
Durable Responses Seen in Pancreatic Cancer
Some patients with advanced pancreatic cancer had durable responses lasting beyond a year when an inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor was added to chemotherapy, data from a small phase I clinical trial showed. [Press release from MedPage Today discussing research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting 2010]
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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS
DIABETES
Derepression of Polycomb Targets During Pancreatic Organogenesis Allows Insulin-Producing Beta Cells to Adopt a Neural Gene Activity Program
To gain insights into how pancreatic beta cells are programmed, researchers profiled key histone methylations and transcripts in embryonic stem cells, multipotent progenitors of the nascent embryonic pancreas, purified beta cells, and 10 differentiated tissues. [Genome Res]
GABA is an Autocrine Excitatory Transmitter in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells
Signaling via GABA and GABAA receptors (GABAAR) constitutes an autocrine positive feedback loop in human beta cells. The presence of GABAAR in non-beta cells suggests that GABA may also be involved in the regulation of somatostatin and glucagon secretion. [Diabetes]
The Transcription Factor Rfx3 Regulates Beta Cell Differentiation, Function and Glucokinase Expression
Results show that Rfx3 is required for the differentiation and function of mature beta cells, and regulates the beta cell promoter of the glucokinase gene. [Diabetes]
Human Islet Cell Implants in a Nude Rat Model of Diabetes Survive Better in Omentum than in Liver with a Positive Influence of Beta Cell Number and Purity
In nude rats, human islet cell implants survive better in omentum than in liver, with positive influences of the number and purity of implanted beta cells. [Diabetologia]
In Vivo Non-Viral Gene Delivery of Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Improves Revascularisation and Restoration of Euglycaemia After Human Islet Transplantation into Mouse Liver
Delivery of human vascular endothelial growth factor gene to host liver using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction promoted islet revascularisation after islet transplantation and improved the restoration of euglycaemia. [Diabetologia]
Toll-Like Receptor 2-Deficient Mice are Protected from Insulin Resistance and Beta Cell Dysfunction Induced by a High-Fat Diet
Researchers investigated a potential contribution of toll-like receptor 2 to the metabolic dysregulation induced by high-fat diet feeding in mice. [Diabetologia]
Isolation and Characterization of Stem Cells from Pancreatic Islet: Pluripotency, Differentiation Potential and Ultrastructural Characteristics
The aim of this study was to characterize in detail the stem cells (SC) isolated from pancreatic islet (PI) and compare their properties with bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) of the rat. Researchers suggest that, by reason of the respectively high telomerase activity in PI SC, they could be better candidates than BM MSC for cell replacement therapy of type 1 diabetes. [Cytotherapy]
PANCREATIC CANCER
Replacement of Rbpj with Rbpjl in the PTF1 Complex Controls the Final Maturation of Pancreatic Acinar Cells
Replacement of Rbpj by Rbpjl in the PTF1 complex drives acinar differentiation by maximizing secretory protein synthesis, stimulating mitochondrial metabolism and cytoplasmic creatine-phosphate energy stores, completing the packaging and secretory apparatus, and maintaining acinar-cell homeostasis. [Gastroenterology]
Isoform-Specific Upregulation of Palladin in Human and Murine Pancreas Tumors
In this study, researchers analyzed the expression of palladin isoforms in murine and human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) and explored palladin’s potential use in diagnosing PDA. [PLoS ONE]
Autoantibodies Against the Exocrine Pancreas in Autoimmune Pancreatitis: Gene and Protein Expression Profiling and Immunoassays Identify Pancreatic Enzymes as a Major Target of the Inflammatory Process
These data indicate that the immune-mediated process characterizing autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) involves pancreatic acinar cells and their secretory enzymes such as trypsin isoforms. Demonstration of trypsinogen autoantibodies may be helpful for the diagnosis of AIP. [Am J Gastroenterol]
Organ-, Inflammation- and Cancer Specific Transcriptional Fingerprints of Pancreatic and Hepatic Stellate Cells
To identify organ- and disease-specific stellate cell transcriptional fingerprints, researchers employed genome-wide transcriptional analysis of primary human pancreatic stellate cells and hepatic stellate cells isolated from patients with chronic inflammation or cancer. [Mol Cancer]
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INDUSTRY NEWS
A Skeptic Questions Cancer Genome Projects
Fueled by hundreds of millions of grant dollars, biomedical researchers have begun sequencing the genomes of thousands of tumor samples in the past few years, linking up scores of labs and sequencing centers in a massive effort to identify the genes behind major cancers. But a leading cancer geneticist questions whether this strategy still makes sense. [ScienceInsider]
Apollo Hospitals Group Forays into Stem Cell Research
Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Centre, under the aegis of Apollo Hospitals, has set up Cell and Molecular Biology Research Center, which will be involved in stem cell research and clinical trials, in its Jubilee Hills campus. [Apollo Hospitals Group Press Release]
Living Cell Technologies Receives Grant from Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International for DIABECELL® NZ Clinical Trial
Living Cell Technologies Limited has received a grant of US$500,000 for its on-going Phase II clinical trial of DIABECELL® in New Zealand from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. [Living Cell Technologies Limited Press Release]
Amylin, Lilly and Alkermes Submit Reply to FDA Complete Response Letter for BYDUREON™
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company and Alkermes, Inc. announced that the companies have submitted their reply to a complete response letter issued last month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after review of the New Drug Application submission for BYDUREON™ (exenatide for extended-release injectable suspension). [Alkermes, Inc. Press Release]
Seattle Genetics and Agensys, an Affiliate of Astellas, Report ASG-5ME Preclinical Data at AACR
In models of human prostate and pancreatic cancer, ASG-5ME was found to have potent and long lasting antitumor activity. [Seattle Genetics, Inc. Press Release]
Immunomedics’ Blood Assay for PAM4-Protein can Detect Pancreatic Cancer Predict Early Relapse
Immunomedics, Inc. reported that a new blood test using the Company’s proprietary humanized antibody, clivatuzumab or PAM4, predicted a partial response in an initial set of patients treated with a combination of the antibody labeled with yttrium-90 (Y-90) and gemcitabine. [The Medical News Press Release]
Infinity Initiates Randomized Clinical Trial of IPI-926 in Pancreatic Cancer and Reports New Preclinical Data at AACR
Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has initiated a randomized Phase Ib/II clinical trial evaluating IPI-926, its novel, oral Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine in patients with pancreatic cancer. [Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]
Clovis Oncology, Inc. Signs an Agreement with Ventana Medical Systems to Develop Companion Diagnostic Test for CO-1.01
Clovis Oncology, Inc. and Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a collaboration agreement for the development of a human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) immunohistochemistry assay, which will be used in Clovis’ CO-1.01 clinical trials to identify patients with low level tumor expression of hENT1 protein. [Clovis Oncology, Inc. Press Release]
Clavis Pharma and Clovis Oncology Sign $380 Million Partnership for the Development and Commercialization of Anti-Cancer Agent CP-4126
Clavis Pharma ASA and Clovis Oncology, Inc. announced an agreement for the further development and commercialization of the Clavis Pharma drug candidate, CP-4126, currently in Phase II development in pancreatic cancer. [Clovis Oncology, Inc. Press Release]
NeoPharm Starts Enrolling Pancreatic Cancer Patients in Phase II Trial of LE-DT
NeoPharm, Inc. announced that it has started enrolling patients in its Phase II clinical trial for liposome entrapped docetaxel (LE-DT), as a frontline treatment of pancreatic cancer patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. [NeoPharm, Inc. Press Release]
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POLICY NEWS
Whitcomb Named First Medical Director of National Pancreas Foundation
As Medical Director for the national health foundation focused specifically on diseases of the pancreas, Dr. Whitcomb acts as the “voice” of the National Pancreas Foundation and is the go-to resource for media, advocacy, the medical community and others for issues related to patient care. [National Pancreas Foundation, United States]
Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Ways to Boost Bioscience
Five gubernatorial candidates offered their prescriptions for creating a healthier climate for Minnesota’s biotech industry that included lower taxes, higher government spending, and faith in science over ideology. [Minnesota, United States]
Instructions for Completion and Technical Evaluation of the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) in NIH Contract Proposals (NOT-OD-10-049) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Request for Information (RFI): Priorities for the NIH Adherence Research Network (NOT-OD-10-078) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Waivers for Conflicts of Interest for the May 7, 2010 Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting [Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States]
FDA Announces Draft Revised Guidance on Transparency and Advisory Committees [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
Risk Communication Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001] [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
Draft Guidance for the Public, Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee Members, and Food and Drug Administration Staff: Public Availability of Advisory Committee Members’ Financial Interest Information and Waivers; Availability [Docket No. FDA-2002-D-0094] [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
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EVENTS
44th Annual American Pancreas Club Meeting
May 1-2, 2010
New Orleans, United States Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010
May 1-5, 2010
New Orleans, United States
Society for Biological Engineering’s (SBE) Second International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering
May 2-5, 2010
Boston, United States
Stem Cells, Tissue Homeostasis and Cancer Conference
May 12-15, 2010
Heidelberg, Germany
Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI) Stem Cell Symposium 2010: Epigenetics, Transcriptomics and Nanobiotechnology of Stem Cells
May 20-21, 2010
Brisbane, Australia 16th Annual International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Meeting
May 23-26, 2010
Philadelphia, United States
Systems Biology of Stem Cells
May 24-25, 2010
Irvine, United States
International Scientific Symposium: Stem Cells in Biology and Disease
May 26-28, 2010
Lisbon, Portugal
American Society for Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO) 56th Annual Conference
May 27-29, 2010
Baltimore, United States
46th American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
June 4-8, 2010
Chicago, United States
The First Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Scientific Symposium
June 14, 2010
Los Angeles, United States
42nd Meeting of the European Pancreatic Club (EPC)
June 16-19, 2010
Stockholm, Sweden
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting
June 16-19, 2010
San Francisco, United States
70th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association
June 25-29, 2010
Orlando, United States
21st Meeting of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
June 26-29, 2010
Oslo, Norway
United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) Third Annual Scientific Conference
July 12-14, 2010
Nottingham, United Kingdom
2010 World Cancer Congress
August 18-21, 2010
Shenzhen, China
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Meeting – Advancing the Life Sciences
September 4-7, 2010
Barcelona, Spain
The Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS) 2010 Scientific Meeting
September 9-10, 2010
Oxford, United Kingdom
Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010
September 13-15, 2010
Philadelphia, United States
Annual Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) World Congress
September 19-23, 2010
Sydney, Australia
35th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress
October 8-12, 2010
Milan, Italy
Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium 2010
October 29-30, 2010
Leipzig, Germany
2010 American Pancreatic Association (APA) Annual Meeting
November 3-6, 2010
Chicago, United States
Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.
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