SCIENCE NEWS
New Approach to the Artificial Pancreas Announced
A professor at De Montfort University is in the early stages of developing an artificial pancreas. The device, which would be implanted between the lowest rib and the hip, contains a supply of insulin kept in place by a gel barrier which is designed to react to blood glucose levels and secrete insulin when needed. [Diabetes UK Press Release]
New Investigational Compound Targets Pancreatic Cancer Cells
A new investigational drug designed to penetrate and attack pancreatic cancer cells has been administered to a patient for the first time ever. [Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare Press Release]
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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)
DIABETES
In Vivo Expression of HGF/NK1 and GLP-1 from dsAAV Vectors Enhances Pancreatic Beta Cell Proliferation and Improves Pathology in the db/db Mouse Model of Diabetes
A single treatment with double-stranded adeno-associated virus (dsAAV) vectors expressing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or NK1 fragment of hepatocyte growth factor enhances islet growth and significantly improves pathology in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. [Diabetes]
Enterovirus Infection and Progression from Islet Autoimmunity to Type 1 Diabetes: The Diabetes and Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY)
Of 140 children who seroconverted to repeated positivity for islet autoantibodies at a median age of 4.0 years, 50 progressed to type 1 diabetes during a median follow-up of 4.2 years. [Diabetes]
Congenic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Reverses Hyperglycemia in Experimental Type 1 Diabetes
NOR mesenchymal stem cell treatment of experimental type 1 diabetes resulted in long-term reversal of hyperglycemia, and therapy was shown to alter diabetogenic cytokine profile, to diminish T cell effector frequency in the pancreatic lymph nodes, to alter antigen-presenting cell frequencies, and to augment the frequency of the plasmacytoid subset of dendritic cell. [Diabetes]
A High Throughput Micro-Array System of Polymer Surfaces for the Manipulation of Primary Pancreatic Islet Cells
Researchers developed a high throughput micro-arrayed polymer system for the study of polymer surfaces for islet cell culture. A micro-arrayed library with 496 different polymers was synthesized and used to examine attachment and insulin expression of islet cells. [Biomaterials]
Intra-Arterial Targeted Islet-Specific Expression of Sirt1 Protects Beta Cells from Streptozotocin-Induced Apoptosis in Mice
Results demonstrated that overexpression of Sirtuin in streptozotocin-treated mice reduced the level of beta-cell death and extent of glucose intolerance. [Mol Ther]
Beneficial Metabolic Effects Caused by Persistent Activation of Beta-Cell M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Transgenic Mice
Results suggest that chronic activation of beta-cell M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors may represent a useful approach to boost insulin output in the long-term treatment of type 2 diabetes. [Endocrinology]
PANCREATIC CANCER
Polymorphic Genetic Control of Tumor Invasion in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinogenesis
Results demonstrate that tumor invasion is subject to polymorphic genetic control and identify Alk as a genetic modifier of invasive tumor growth. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]
Pancreatic Stellate Cells Produce Acetylcholine and May Play a Role in Pancreatic Exocrine Secretion
Researchers hypothesized that neurally related pancreatic stellate cells play a regulatory role in pancreatic secretion by serving as an intermediate target for cholecystokinin and secreting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which, in turn, stimulates acinar enzyme secretion. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]
Long Circulation and Cytotoxicity of PEGylated Gemcitabine and Its Potential for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
The present study describes the synthesis of a water soluble formulation of PEGylated gemcitabine characterized by FT IR, 1H NMR and RP-HPLC chromatography. [Biomaterials]
CCK1- and CCK2-Receptors Are Expressed on Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Induce Collagen Production
Data suggest that cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin have a direct activating effect on pancreatic stellate cells, are able to induce collagen synthesis in these cells and therefore appear to be important regulators of pancreatic fibrogenesis. [J Biol Chem]
KISS1 Over-Expression Suppresses Metastasis of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in a Xenograft Mouse Model
Data suggest induction of KISS1 expression has potential as an adjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer. [Clin Exp Metastasis]
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INDUSTRY NEWS
OHSU Research Team Joins Elite Consortium Dedicated to Curing Type 1 Diabetes
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) will lead a multi-center team of scientists selected to participate in the prestigious Beta Cell Biology Consortium. Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the consortium’s long-term goal is to develop a cell-based therapy for insulin delivery in type 1 diabetes patients. [Oregon Health and Science University Press Release]
Third Rock Ventures Raises $426 Million Fund II
Third Rock Ventures, LLC announced the final closing of Fund II, raising $426 million in an oversubscribed fund. With Fund II, Third Rock will continue to execute on its strategy and build on its successful track record of launching and supporting transformative life sciences companies. [Third Rock Ventures, LLC Press Release]
ExonHit Announces Highmark’s Decision to Maintain Coverage of PathFinderTG® – Pancreatic Cancer Test
ExonHit Therapeutics informs its shareholders that on September 20, 2010, Highmark decided to continue coverage of PathFinderTG® — Pancreatic cancer test as a “reasonable and necessary” service specifically and only for the indications of pancreatic cyst/mass where first line diagnostic evaluations are inconclusive, under “Coverage with Appropriateness Development.” [ExonHit Therapeutics Press Release]
Clinical Study of TT-223 in Combination with a GLP-1 Analogue Does Not Meet Study Efficacy Endpoints
Transition Therapeutics Inc. announced that a clinical study of gastrin analogue TT-223 in combination with a Lilly proprietary GLP-1 analogue in patients with type 2 diabetes did not meet its efficacy endpoints. Given these findings, there will be no further development of TT-223. [Transition Therapeutics Inc. Press Release]
24-Week Phase III Study Found Investigational Drug Dapagliflozin Improved Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) When Added to Glimepiride in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced results from a randomized, double blind Phase III clinical study, which demonstrated that the addition of the investigational drug dapagliflozin to existing glimepiride (sulphonylurea) therapy produced significant reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) in adult patients with type 2 diabetes compared to glimepiride alone. [AstraZeneca Press Release]
Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission to Host Third Annual Maryland Stem Cell Research Symposium
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission will host the Third Annual Maryland Stem Cell Research Symposium in partnership with the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Standards and Technology on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Press Release]
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POLICY NEWS
Pancreas Publishes NANETS Guidelines for Neuroendocrine Tumors
A recent issue of Pancreas presents the newly developed consensus guidelines of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS). [North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society, North America]
Oral Hearing Scheduled in Stem Cell Injunction Appeal
In an unexpected move, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit scheduled a 30-minute oral hearing on 24 September to hear arguments on whether Chief Judge Royce Lamberth’s injunction that blocked National Institutes of Health funding for work with the cells should be lifted while the case is being litigated. [Court of Appeals, United States]
FDA Reviewing Preliminary Safety Information on Actos (Pioglitazone)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has begun a safety review of the diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone), after receiving preliminary results from a long-term observational study designed to evaluate the risk of bladder cancer associated with use of this drug. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
FDA to Review Medical Products Alongside Medicare
A new process to review medical products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in tandem with the nation’s Medicare insurance program could help speed up coverage decisions. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
European Medicines Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Extend Confidentiality Arrangements Indefinitely
The European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have extended their confidentiality arrangements related to medicinal products for human and veterinary use, following the positive experience gained since the initial arrangements were signed in September 2003. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]
Mixing Animals and Human Tissues? Go Ahead If It Cures, Public Tells Researchers
The majority of the general public is in favor of research using animals containing human material (ACHM) if doing so helps to improve human health and cure diseases, says a study. [Academy of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom]
Type 1 Diabetes Impact Award (DP3) (RFA-DK-10-012) [National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, United States]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23019) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23070) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23153) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23144) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23143) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23275) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: The Development of Immunotoxins/Targeted Toxins for the Treatment of Human Cancer (FR Doc. 2010-22844) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
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EVENTS (Listed by Date)
Third Annual Maryland Stem Cell Research Symposium
September 22, 2010
Gaithersburg, United States
Annual Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) World Congress
September 19-23, 2010
Sydney, Australia
46th European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting
September 20-24, 2010
Stockholm, Sweden
Institute of Medicine – University of Illinois at Chicago Midwest Conference on Diabetes and Obesity
September 21, 2010
Chicago, United States
35th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress
October 8-12, 2010
Milan, Italy
NEW NANETS 2010 NeuroEndocrine Tumor Symposium
October 29-30, 2010
Santa Fe, United States
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
Select Biosciences International Forum on Stem Cells
November 12-13, 2010
Tianjin, China
Australasian Pancreatic Club Annual Meeting
November 15-16, 2010
Melbourne, Australia
Type 2 Diabetes, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Dysfunction
January 12-17, 2011
Keystone, United States
2011 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
January 20-22, 2011
San Francisco, United States
Epithelial Plasticity and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
January 21-26, 2011
Vancouver, Canada
Select Biosciences 5th Annual Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine World Congress
January 24-25, 2011
San Diego, United States
Phacilitate 7th Annual Cell & Gene Therapy Forum 2011
January 24-26, 2011
Washington, DC, United States
Joint Conference of the International Association of Pancreatology and the Indian Pancreas Club
February 10-13, 2011
Maradu, India
Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.
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