TOP STORY
Early Research Suggests Origin of Diabetes 
Scientists have identified events inside insulin-producing pancreatic cells that set the stage for a neonatal form of non-autoimmune type 1 diabetes, and may play a role in type 2 diabetes as well. [Press release from the University of Michigan discussing online prepublication in PLoS One]
SPECIAL FEATURE
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SCIENCE NEWS
New Clues on How Cancer Spreads
Researchers found that “enabling” pancreatic stellate cells from primary tumors have the ability to invade blood vessels to travel via the bloodstream to distant sites, where they create a hospitable environment for cancer cells to seed and grow. [Press release from the University of New South Wales discussing online prepublication in the American Journal of Pathology]
Computer Predicts Pancreatic Cancer
Using a computer program, researchers from Johns Hopkins have predicted which changes in the DNA code may cause pancreatic cells to become cancerous and deadly. [Press release from Johns Hopkins Medicine discussing online prepublication in Cancer Biology and Therapy]
Surgeons Create Functional Artificial Pancreatic Tissue
Surgeons from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston have bio-engineered a novel matrix that serves as a scaffold for seeding supportive stem cells as well as pancreatic islets. [Press release from Newswise discussing research presented at the 2010 Annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons]
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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)
DIABETES
Loss of Nix in Pdx1-Deficient Mice Prevents Apoptotic and Necrotic Beta Cell Death and Diabetes
Results establish Nix as a critical mediator of beta cell apoptosis and programmed necrosis in Pdx1-deficient diabetes. [J Clin Invest]
Lack of TRPM2 Impaired Insulin Secretion and Glucose Metabolisms in Mice
Results indicate that TRPM2 is involved in insulin secretion stimulated by glucose and is further potentiated by incretins. Thus, TRPM2 may be a new target for diabetes therapy. [Diabetes]
Expression Level of a Pancreatic Neo-Antigen in Beta Cells Determines Degree of Diabetes Pathogenesis
Researchers sought to determine how the expression level of a membrane bound, non-secreted or cross-presented neo-antigen, the glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, would influence autoimmune diabetes. [J Autoimmun]
An Intrinsic Circadian Clock of the Pancreas Is Required for Normal Insulin Release and Glucose Homeostasis in Mice
The mouse pancreas has an autonomous clock function and beta cells are very likely to be one of the pancreatic cell types possessing an intrinsic clock. The Bmal1 circadian clock gene is required in the pancreas, probably in beta cells, for normal insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. [Diabetologia]
mRNA Expression Analysis of Cell Cycle Genes in Islets of Pregnant Mice
A sharp peak of cell cycle-related mRNA expression in islets occurs around P9.5, after which beta cell replication is increased. As illustrated by the identification of G7e and Fignl1 in islets of pregnant mice, further study of this distinct transcriptional peak should help to unravel the complex process of beta cell replication. [Diabetologia]
Lysine Deacetylases Are Produced in Pancreatic Beta Cells and Are Differentially Regulated by Proinflammatory Cytokines
All classical non-selective inhibitor of lysine deacetylases (KDAC) genes are expressed by beta cells and differentially regulated by cytokines. Based on the relative expression levels and degree of regulation by cytokines, researchers propose that HDAC1, -2, -6 and -11 are of particular importance for beta cell function. [Diabetologia]
Mutant INS-Gene Induced Diabetes of Youth: Proinsulin Cysteine Residues Impose Dominant-Negative Inhibition on Wild-Type Proinsulin Transport
While there is general agreement that ultimately, as diabetes progresses, a significant loss of beta cell mass occurs, the early events described herein precede cell death and loss of beta cell mass. Researchers conclude that the molecular pathogenesis of M utant INS-gene-induced Diabetes of Youth (MIDY) is initiated by perturbation of the disulfide-coupled folding pathway of wild-type proinsulin. [PLoS One]
PANCREATIC CANCER
Role of Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis
Human pancreatic stellate cells accompany cancer cells to metastatic sites, stimulate angiogenesis, and are able to intravasate/extravasate to and from blood vessels. [Am J Pathol]
Exenatide Does Not Evoke Pancreatitis and Attenuates Chemically-Induced Pancreatitis in Normal and Diabetic Rodents
Exenatide did not modify plasma amylase and lipase concentrations in rodents without pancreatitis and improved chemically-induced pancreatitis in normal and diabetic rodents. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab]
A Novel Stepwise Differentiation of Functional Pancreatic Exocrine Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers developed a differentiation protocol that gradually induced the formation of mouse pancreatic exocrine cells from embryonic stem cells. [ Stem Cells Dev]
Prioritization of Driver Mutations in Pancreatic Cancer Using Cancer-Specific High-Throughput Annotation of Somatic Mutations (CHASM)
Over 20,000 genes were recently sequenced in a series of 24 pancreatic cancers. Researchers applied CHASM to 963 of the somatic missense mutations discovered in these 24 cancers and identified putative driver mutations in three known pancreatic cancer driver genes (P53, SMAD4, CDKN2A). [Cancer Biol Ther]
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INDUSTRY NEWS
STEMSOFT Connect – A Simplified Solution to a Complex Problem
STEMSOFT is pleased to announce the release of their new standard interfaces, STEMSOFT Connect™. STEMSOFT Connect offers standard interface tools that easily connect commonly used applications and devices to STEMSOFT’s applications. [STEMSOFT Software Inc. Press Release]
University of Minnesota and Mayo Launch Plan to Cure Diabetes
University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic researchers have launched a major diabetes research initiative with the ultimate goal of curing diabetes and making Minnesota a destination for prevention and treatment innovation. [American Diabetes Association Press Release]
Generex Reaches Agreement to Acquire 51% Stake in Global Medical Direct
Generex Biotechnology Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest (51%) in Global Medical Direct, LLC of Lenexa, Kansas, a nationwide Durable Medical Equipment and Pharmaceutical provider specializing in direct-to-consumer diabetes supplies and medications. [Generex Biotechnology Corporation Press Release]
Genzyme Board Unanimously Rejects Sanofi-Aventis Tender Offer
Genzyme Corporation announced that its board of directors has voted unanimously to reject the unsolicited $69.00 per share tender offer from Sanofi-Aventis, and the board recommends that Genzyme shareholders not tender their shares to Sanofi-Aventis pursuant to the offer. [Genzyme Corporation Press Release]
American Cancer Society Awards New Research and Training Grants
The American Cancer Society has awarded 94 national research and training grants totaling $46,633,000 to 70 institutions nationwide in the first of two grants cycles for 2011. [American Cancer Society Press Release]
Neogenix Oncology to Commence Phase I Trial for Therapeutic Antibody for Pancreatic and Colorectal Cancer
Neogenix Oncology, Inc. announced that researchers at Duke University Medical Center have received approval to move forward with a Phase I trial of the company’s lead therapeutic antibody, NPC-1C, in patients with advanced stage pancreatic or colorectal cancer. [BusinessWire]
BioCancell Completes Phase I/IIa Panreatic Cancer Clinical Trial
Biopharmaceutics company BioCancell Therapeutics, Inc. announced that treatment was completed of the second and last dosage cohort in Biocancell’s Phase I/IIa clinical trial for use in treating pancreatic cancer. [BioCancell Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]
Everolimus Improves Progression-Free Survival for Patients with Rare Pancreatic Cancer
In an international Phase III randomized study, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin, has shown to dramatically improve progression-free survival for patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. [University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Press Release]
Novartis’s Afinitor Fails to Slow Rare Form of Pancreatic Cancer in Trial
Novartis AG’s Afinitor kidney cancer drug didn’t meet the goal of a late-stage clinical trial, slowing a rare form of neuroendocrine cancer, researchers said. [Bloomberg]
Benefits of Sutent for Type of Pancreatic Cancer Confirmed
An independent review of the benefit of Pfizer’s Sutent in a Phase III trial in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours has confirmed the original findings of the investigators that the drug results in a clinically significant improvement in progression-free survival compared with placebo. [PharmaTimes]
Discovery and Validation of 13 Diabetes Biomarkers to Be Commercialized
After three years of collaborative research involving patients from The Busselton Health Study, drug discovery company Proteomics International announced the identification and analytical validation of 13 protein biomarkers for a significant complication of diabetes — diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). [Proteomics International Press Release]
Positive Top-Line Results from Phase III GETGOAL Clinical Trial Using Once-Daily Lixisenatide in Combination with Basal Insulin
Zealand Pharma A/S is pleased to note that its partner, Sanofi-Aventis, has announced positive top-line results of the Phase III GETGOAL-L-ASIA trial which assessed the efficacy and safety of lixisenatide, a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist discovered by Zealand Pharma, in combination with basal insulin. [Zealand Pharma Press Release]
Harvard Casts a Wide Net for Aid on Diabetes
Harvard University sent out a challenge for faculty, students, staff, and the outside community to suggest novel ways to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes. [American Diabetes Association Press Release]
Shrinking U.S. Biotechnology Sector Lost 25% of Companies in Past 3 Years
One hundred publicly traded biotechnology companies in the U.S. have been acquired or ceased operations since the end of 2007, a 25 percent drop in the number of active companies, a report said. [Bloomberg]
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POLICY NEWS
NIH Announces New Program to Accelerate Research Independence
The National Institutes of Health intends to invest approximately $60 million over the next five years in the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award program to help junior investigators leapfrog over traditional post-doctoral training and move into independent academic positions at U.S. institutions, directly upon completion of their graduate research degrees. [National Institutes of Health, United States]
FDA to Push for More Investment in Science
Health regulators plan to spend millions of dollars to step up their scientific prowess in a move that officials say will help quickly get new treatments to patients and protect the public against possible health threats. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
FDA’s $25 Million Pitch for Improving Drug Regulation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pressing for a big funding boost for “regulatory science”-research that can help it evaluate new treatments better and faster. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
European Medicines Agency Management Board Adopt New Policies on Handling of Conflicts of Interests and on Access to Documents
The European Medicines Agency’s Management Board adopted a number of important policies at its 68th meeting. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]
Spain’s Science Budget Proposal: Not as Bad as Feared, But Not Good
After weeks during which Spanish researchers fretted nervously about possibly significant cuts to their country’s science budget, Spanish Science and Innovation Minister Cristina Garmendia tried in a press conference to give a reassuring message to the scientific community: the ministry will have about the same amount of money next year as proposed in 2010 with which to fund competitive research projects and scholarships, support national research institutes, and give loans to R&D companies. [Ministry of Science, Spain]
Proposed Collection; Comment Request; National Evaluation of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Initiative (FR Doc. 2010-25589) [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]
Agency Information Collection Request. 30-Day Public Comment Request (FR Doc. 2010-25587) [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-25173) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Amended Notice of Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25175) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-25181) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-25595) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-25597) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25598) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25601) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25636) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25640) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Center for Research Resources; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25176) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25172 ) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
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EVENTS (Listed by Date)
Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium Leipzig 2010
October 29-30, 2010
Leipzig, Germany
2010 American Pancreatic Association (APA) Annual Meeting
November 3-6, 2010
Chicago, United States
Select Biosciences 2nd International Forum on Stem Cells (2010 IFSC)
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
Dillon, United States
Keystone Symposia: Obesity
January 12-17, 2011
Keystone, Colorado
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 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
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 102nd Annual Meeting 2011
April 2-6, 2011
Orlando, 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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