 |
| ||||||||
|  | ||||||||
| TOP STORY |
|
Early Stem Cell Transplants Evaluated for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Patients at High Risk of Early Relapse Performing early stem cell transplants in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma does not improve overall survival in high-risk patients. But early transplantation does appear to be beneficial among a small group of patients who are at the very highest risk. [Press release from Loyola University Chicago discussing research published in the New England Journal of Medicine] Press Release | Abstract |
|
| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) |
|
Human Treg Responses Allow Sustained Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Transgene Expression Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have shown promise for the treatment of several diseases; however, immune-mediated elimination of transduced cells has been suggested to limit and account for a loss of efficacy. To determine whether rAAV vector expression can persist long term, researchers administered rAAV vectors expressing normal, M-type α-1 antitrypsin to AAT-deficient subjects at various doses by multiple i.m. injections. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release SUMO-1 Gene Transfer Improves Cardiac Function in a Large-Animal Model of Heart Failure Toward clinical translation, scientists evaluated the effects of small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (SUMO-1) gene transfer in a swine model of ischemic heart failure. After gene delivery, there was a significant increase in the maximum rate of pressure rise that was most pronounced in the group that received both SUMO-1 and SERCA2a. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Expression Drives Human Regulatory T Cell Resistance to Posttransplantation Cyclophosphamide Scientists studied early T cell reconstitution in patients undergoing allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation with posttransplantation cyclophosphamide and the effects of mafosfamide, a cyclophosphamide analog, on CD4+ T cells in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions in vitro. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release Hypoxic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Engraft and Ameliorate Limb Ischemia in Allogeneic Recipients Investigators evaluated the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells cultured under a different environment in ameliorating limb ischemia in allogeneic recipients. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract Guidance of In Vitro Migration of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and In Vivo Guided Bone Regeneration Using Aligned Electrospun Fibers Scientists tested their hypothesis that cell migration and bone tissue formation can be guided and facilitated by microscale morphological cues presented from a scaffold. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Allogeneic Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy (Remestemcel-L, Prochymal®) as a Rescue Agent for Severe Refractory Acute GvHD in Pediatric Patients Investigators evaluated the risk/benefit profile of remestemcel-L, a third party, off-the-shelf source of human mesenchymal stem cells, as a rescue agent for treatment-resistant acute graft versus host disease (GvHD) in pediatric patients. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract | Press Release MSCs versus MSCs Combined with CB for Engraftment Failure Following Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Pilot Prospective, Open-Labeled, Randomized Trial Researchers prospectively evaluated the effects and safeties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alone and combined with cord blood (CB) for engraftment failure. Twenty two patients were randomized to receive MSCs or MSCs plus CB. If patients did not respond to MSCs, they would receive the therapeutic schedule in CB group, and those patients with partial response in MSCs group and those without complete response in CB group would continue another cycle of MSCs treatment. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Extrahepatic Stem Cells Mobilized from the Bone Marrow by the Supplementation of BCAA Ameliorate Liver Regeneration in an Animal Model Researchers report that liver repopulation could be achieved with hepatocytes that bone marrow derived from stem cells proliferated. The treatment by oral supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) resulted in higher levels of CD34+SDF+c-kit+ stem cells in the blood and liver after liver transplantation. [J Gastroenterol Hepatol] Abstract A Novel Three-Dimensional Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Cluster for Vascular Regeneration in Ischemic Tissue The authors describe an innovative three-dimensional cell mass (3DCM) culture that is based on cell adhesion (basic fibroblast growth factor-immobilized substrate) and assess the therapeutic potential of 3DCMs composed of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells. [Cytotherapy]Abstract Human Salivary Gland Stem Cells Ameliorate Hyposalivation of Radiation-Damaged Rat Salivary Glands Researchers isolated tissue-specific stem cells from the human submandibular salivary gland (hSGSCs). Transplantation of hSGSCs to radiation-damaged rat salivary glands rescued hyposalivation and body weight loss, restored acinar and duct cell structure, and decreased the amount of apoptotic cells. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article 
|
| REVIEWS |
|
Genetically Modified Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for HIV-1 Infected Patients: Can We Achieve a Cure? The authors discuss results from early stage clinical trials and recent findings in animal models of gene modified hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. They also propose innovative combination therapies that may aid in the reduction and/or elimination of viral reservoirs in HIV-1 infected patients and promote the artificial development of a natural controller phenotype. [Mol Ther] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell, gene and immunotherapy research field. 
|
| SCIENCE NEWS |
|
Multipotent Stem Cell Proteins Support Soft Tissue Regeneration Through its proprietary technology process that simulates the conditions of the embryonic environment, Histogen has developed a human extracellular matrix (hECM) material composed of stem cell-associated proteins including SPARC, decorin, collagens I,III,IV, V, fibronectin, fibrillin, laminins, and hyaluronic acid. [Press release from Histogen, Inc. discussing research presented at the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) Americas Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release LVAD Patients Benefit from Heart Injection with Millions of Powerful Cells A multicenter team of researchers within the NIH-funded Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, have found end-stage heart failure patients who receive a surgically implanted left ventricular assist device (LVAD) heart pump may also benefit from a single dose of millions of powerful cells injected directly into their heart during surgery. [Press release from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai discussing research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2013, Dallas] Press Release Sangamo BioSciences Announces Presentation Of Clinical Data from Alzheimer’s Disease Program Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced the presentation of positive data from the Phase I clinical trial of CERE-110, a gene therapy approach designed to deliver nerve growth factor for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. [Press release from Sangamo BioSciences Inc. discussing research presented at the Sixth Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease Meeting, San Diego] Press Release Advanced Melanoma Patients’ Long-Term Survival Improved with California Stem Cell, Inc.’s Patient Specific Cell Therapy Advanced melanoma patients who received an experimental patient-specific tumor stem cell therapy as part of several clinical trials experienced superior survival rates compared to patients who did not receive the therapy according to a presentation by Robert Dillman entitled High-dose IL-2 in Metastatic Melanoma: Better Survival in Patients Who Also Received Patient-Specific Autologous Tumor Cell Vaccine. [Press release from Business Wire discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting National Harbor, National Harbor] Press Release Additional Interim Data for Merck’s Investigational Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy, MK-3475, Shows Estimated Overall Survival Rate of 81 Percent at One Year in Patients with Advanced Melanoma Merck announced additional data for MK-3475, an investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, in patients with advanced melanoma that showed an estimated overall survival rate of 81 percent at one year across all MK-3475 monotherapy doses evaluated. [Press Release from Merck discussing research presented at the 10th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research, Philadelphia] Press Release From our sponsor: Free wallchart from Nature Neuroscience – Neural Stem Cells. Request your copy. |
| POLICY |
|
Regenerative Medicine Certification System Eyed The Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM) will establish a certification system for physicians with expertise and skills in regenerative medicine and for medical technicians adept at cell culturing techniques as early as next fall, JSRM officials said. [The Japan Times] Editorial House Hearing Skates Over Big Disagreements on NSF Reauthorization Congressional hearings can sometimes hide more than they reveal. The research panel of the U.S. House of Representatives science committee held its first public airing of a bill that would make some controversial changes to peer review at the National Science Foundation (NSF). [ScienceInsider] Editorial Open-Access Group Sanctions Three Publishers After Science ‘Sting’ A leading trade association for the publishers of free, open-access scientific journals has expelled two of its members, and put a third on probation, as a result of a controversial investigative journalism project published earlier this year by Science. The Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association announced on its blog that it is terminating the memberships of publishers Hikari Ltd. and Dove Medical Press and placing the membership of SAGE Publications “under review” for six months. [ScienceInsider] Editorial |
| BUSINESS |
|
Austrianova Announces Exclusive Licensing Deal with Nuvilex Inc for Use of Cell-in-a-Box® Encapsulated Cell Technology for Diabetes Treatment Austrianova announced that Nuvilex, Inc has acquired the exclusive world-wide rights to use Austrianova’s cellulose-based live-cell encapsulation technology for the development of certain cell-type based treatments for diabetes in a multi-million dollar deal. [AustriaNova] Press Release immatics and Roche Sign Cancer Vaccine and Immunotherapy Collaboration immatics biotechnologies GmbH and Roche announced a strategic research and development collaboration covering multiple cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutics. The agreement will focus on the research, clinical development and commercialization of a number of new tumor-associated peptide (TUMAP)-based cancer vaccine candidates and other immunotherapies in oncology, targeting primarily gastric, prostate and non-small cell lung cancer. [immatics biotechnologies GmbH] Press Release MultiCell Technologies Files U.S. Patent Application for Targeted Delivery of MCT-485, a Noncoding miRNA for Cancer Treatment MultiCell Technologies, Inc. has filed a second U.S. patent application concerning methods and formulations to achieve targeted tumor cell death. MCT-485 is a noncoding double stranded micro RNA (miRNA) which has demonstrated oncolytic and immune stimulating activity in in vitro models of hepatocellular carcinoma. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release ViGene Biosciences Introduces World’s Largest Collection of Pre-Made Human Full-Length cDNA ORF and miRNA Adenoviruses ViGene Biosciences, Inc. announced the launch of its world’s largest collection of premade human full-length cDNA ORF and miRNA adenoviruses. The collection features over 1,240 pre-packaged human miRNA precursor adenoviruses and 6,000 pre-packaged human full-length cDNA adenoviruses. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release Cardio3 BioSciences Announces Q3 2013 Business Update and Authorization to Enroll Patients in Poland in Its CHART-1 Phase III Clinical Trial Cardio3 BioSciences SA announced a business update for the nine-month period ending 30 September 2013, and that it has received the authorization from the Polish Medicines Agency to begin its Congestive Heart failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART-1) European Phase III trial for C-Cure® in Poland. [Cardio3 BioSciences SA] Press Release CEL-SCI Receives Croatian Government Approval to Commence Phase III Clinical Trial of Multikine in Head and Neck Cancer CEL-SCI Corporation announced that it has received approval from the Health Protection Administration, Ministry of Health, of the Croatian Republic to begin enrolment of subjects into the Phase III clinical trial of its investigational cancer immunotherapy treatment Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection). Croatia is the ninth country into which CEL-SCI has expanded its global Phase III trial. [CEL-SCI Corporation] Press Release Opexa Therapeutics Selected as a “Top 10 Advanced Therapy Projects to Watch” Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing Tcelna®, a patient-specific T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis announced Opexa has been named one of the “Top Projects to Watch” in advanced therapeutics by Elsevier Business Intelligence. [Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release Life Stem Genetics Announces James Vanden Bosch as Chief Medical Stem Cell Specialist Life Stem Genetics, Inc. announced that its Regenerative Specialist, James Vanden Bosch, BHA, has been given the title and responsibility of Chief Medical Stem Cell Specialist at Life Stem Genetics. [Business Wire] Press Release |
| EVENTS |
|
NEW 4th International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering March 16-19, 2014 Coronado, United States Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community. |
 |
SUBSCRIBER TOOLS: | 
  | |
 |
Profile Center | Connexon Publications | Article Submission | Contact Us |  | |