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Heart attack recovery aided by injecting heart muscle cells that overexpress cyclin D2 – The Mix

By daniellenierenberg

Researchers used a pig model of heart attacks, which more closely resembles the human heart in size and physiology, and thus has high clinical relevance to human disease.

Researchers used a pig model of heart attacks, which more closely resembles the human heart in size and physiology, and thus has high clinical relevance to human disease.In a large-animal study, researchers have shown that heart attack recovery is aided by injection of heart muscle cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cell line, or hiPSCs, that overexpress cyclin D2. This research, published in the journal Circulation, used a pig model of heart attacks, which more closely resembles the human heart in size and physiology, and thus has higher clinical relevance to human disease, compared to studies in mice.

An enduring challenge for bioengineering researchers is the failure of the heart to regenerate muscle tissue after a heart attack has killed part of its muscle wall. That dead tissue can strain the surrounding muscle, leading to a lethal heart enlargement.

Heart experts thus have sought to create new tissue applying a patch of heart muscle cells or injecting heart cells to replace damaged muscle. Similarly, they have tried to stimulate division of existing heart muscle cells near the damaged area. This current study, led by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, shows progress in both goals.

After the experimental heart attack, heart tissue around the infarction site was injected with about 30 million bioengineered human cardiomyocytes that were differentiated from hiPSCs. These cells also overexpress cyclin D2, part of a family of proteins involved in cell division.

Compared to control human cardiomyocytes, the cyclin D2-cardiomyocytes showed enhanced potency to repair the heart. They proliferated after injection, and by four weeks, the hearts had less pathogenic enlargement, reduced size of dead muscle tissue and improved heart function.

Intriguingly, the cyclin D2-cardiomyocytes stimulated not only their own proliferation, but also proliferation of existing heart muscle cells around the infarction site of the pig heart, as well as showing angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels.

These results suggest that the cyclin D2-cardiomyocyte transplantation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the repair of infarcted hearts, said study leader Jianyi Jay Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., the chair of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department of the UAB School of Medicine and the UAB School of Engineering.

This ability of the graft cyclin D2-cardiomyocytes to stimulate the proliferation of nearby existing heart cells suggested paracrine signaling, a type of cellular communication where a cell produces a signal that induces changes in nearby cells.

Exosomes small blebs or tiny vesicles that are released by human or animal cells and contain proteins and RNA from the cells that release them are one common form of paracrine signaling.

Zhang and colleagues found that exosomes that they purified from the cyclin D2-cardiomyocyte growth media indeed promoted proliferation of cultured cardiomyocytes. In addition, the treated cardiomyocytes were more resistant to programmed cell death, called apoptosis, induced by low oxygen levels. The exosomes also induced proliferation of various other cell types, including human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human vascular smooth muscle cells and 7-day-old rat cardiomyocytes that have almost undetectable proliferation.

Part of the cargo that exosomes carry are microRNAs, or miRNAs. These short pieces of RNA have the ability to interact with messenger RNA in target cells, and they are robust players of gene regulation in cells. Humans have more than 2,000 miRNAs with different RNA sequences, and these are thought to regulate a third of the genes in the genome.

So, the researchers documented which microRNAs were present in exosomes from the cyclin D2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes and in exosomes from non-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. As expected, they found differences.

Jianyi Jay Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.Together, the exosomes from both types of cells contained 1,072 different miRNAs, and 651 were common to the two exosome groups. However, 332 miRNAs were found only in the cyclin D2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes, and 89 miRNAs were specific for the non-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. In preliminary work of characterizing the effects of specific miRNAs, one particular miRNA from the cyclin D2-overexpressing exosomes was shown to stimulate proliferation when delivered into rat cardiomyocytes.

Thus, as the therapeutic potential of exosomes for improving cardiac function becomes more evident, combining an exosome-mediated delivery of proliferative miRNAs with transplantation of cyclin D2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes, or cell products, could become a new promising strategy for upregulating proliferation of the recipient cardiomyocytes and reducing cardiac fibrosis, Zhang said. Altogether, our data suggest that cardiac cell therapy, involving cardiomyocytes with enhanced proliferation capacity, may become an efficacious future strategy for myocardial repair and prevention of congestive heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarctions.

UAB Department of Biomedical Engineering co-authors with Zhang, in the study Cyclin D2 overexpression enhances the efficacy of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for myocardial repair in a swine model of myocardial infarction, are Meng Zhao, Yuji Nakada, Yuhua Wei, Weihua Bian, Anton V. Borovjagin, Yang Zhou and Gregory P. Walcott.

Additional co-authors are Yuxin Chu and Min Xie, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, UAB Department of Medicine; Wuqiang Zhu, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale; Thanh Nguyen, UAB Informatics Institute; and Vahid Serpooshan, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.

Support came from National Institutes of Health grants HL114120, HL131017, HL149137 and HL134764.

At UAB, Zhang holds the T. Michael and Gillian Goodrich Endowed Chair of Engineering Leadership.

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Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Segment Is Expected To Lead In the Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy Market over the Forecast Period,…

By daniellenierenberg

The report on the Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market provides a birds eye view of the current proceedings and the impact on the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the report ponders over the various factors that are likely to impact the overall dynamics of the market once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. The current trends, growth opportunities, restraining factors, and drivers are discussed in the report in detail.

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The growing prevalence and recurrence of rheumatoid arthritis is expected to be the major factor driving the growth of the rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market over the forecast period. Although doctors do not know the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis, but certain risk factors are observed to be associated with it.

These risk factors include age (most common between the age of 40 and 60), family history, gender, environment (a toxic chemical in the environment can up the odds), obesity and smoking. Changes in lifestyle and eating habits are contributing to the growing prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy Market: Segmentation

Tentatively, the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market can be segmented on the basis of treatment type, application, end user and geography.

Based on treatment type, the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market can be segmented into:

Based on application, the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market can be segmented into:

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Based on distribution channel, the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market can be segmented into:

Based on geography, the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market can be segmented into:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy Market: Regional Outlook

Geographically, the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market can be segmented into viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America is expected to be the dominant region in the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market, owing to the presence of various key players.

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The rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow at a significant CAGR due to the expansion of product offerings by key players. Europe is expected to have the second large share in the global rheumatoid arthritis stem cell therapy market throughout the forecast period.

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Pigs can breathe through their butts. Can humans? – Livescience.com

By daniellenierenberg

Mice, rats and pigs all share a secret superpower: They can all use their intestines to breathe, and scientists discovered this by pumping oxygen up the animals' butts.

Why run such experiments, you ask? The research team wanted to find a potential alternative to mechanical ventilation, a medical treatment where a machine pushes air into a patient's lungs through the windpipe. Ventilators deliver oxygen to the lungs and help remove carbon dioxide from the blood, but the machines aren't always available.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, hospitals faced a severe shortage of ventilators, The New York Times reported. Although doctors can also use a technique called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), where blood is pumped out of the body and reoxygenated with a machine, the procedure carries inherent risks, such as bleeding and blood clots; and it's often less readily available than ventilators, according to Mayo Clinic.

Related: The 10 weirdest medical cases in the animal kingdom

In search of another solution, the study authors drew inspiration from aquatic animals like sea cucumbers and freshwater fish called loaches (Misgumus anguillicandatus), which use their intestines for respiration. It was unclear whether humans and other mammals have similar capabilities, although some scientists attempted to answer that question in the 1950s and 1960s.

"We initially looked at a mouse model system to see if we could deliver oxygen gas intra-anusly," said senior author Dr. Takanori Takebe, a professor at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University and a director at the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Research and Medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

"Every time we performed experiments, we were quite surprised," Takebe told Live Science.

Without intestinal ventilation, mice placed in a low-oxygen environment survived for only about 11 minutes; with ventilation into their anuses, 75% survived for 50 minutes, thanks to an infusion of oxygen that reached their hearts. The team then tried using oxygenated liquid, rather than gas, in mice, rats and pigs, and they found similarly promising results. The team noted that more work still needs to be done to see if the approach is safe and effective in humans, according to a paper on their findings published May 14 in the journal Med.

"The pandemic has highlighted the need to expand options for ventilation and oxygenation in critical illness, and this niche will persist even as the pandemic subsides," as there will be times when mechanical ventilation is unavailable or inadequate on its own, Dr. Caleb Kelly, a clinical fellow and physician-scientist at Yale School of Medicine, wrote in a commentary of the study. If, after further evaluation, intestinal ventilation eventually becomes common practice in intensive care units, this new study "will be marked by historians as a key scientific contribution," he wrote.

Before starting their experiments in rodents, the team got very familiar with loach guts. The fish take in oxygen mostly through their gills, but occasionally, when exposed to low-oxygen conditions, loaches instead use a portion of their intestines for gas exchange, Takebe said. In fact, in response to the lack of oxygen, the structure of gut tissues near the anus changes such that the density of nearby blood vessels increases and secretion of fluids related to digestion decreases.

These subtle changes allow loaches to "suck up the oxygen more efficiently," Takebe said. In addition, the outermost lining of the loach gut the epithelium is very thin, meaning oxygen can easily permeate the tissue to reach the blood vessels beneath, he added. To simulate this structure in their mouse models, the team thinned out the gut epithelium of the rodents using chemicals and various mechanical procedures.

They then placed the mice under extremely low-oxygen conditions and used a tube to pump oxygen gas up the animals' bums and into their large intestines.

Related: 8 bizarre animal surprises from 'True or Poo' Can you tell fact from myth?

Compared with mice whose gut epithelium had not been thinned, the mice with thin epitheliums survived significantly longer in the experiment with most surviving 50 minutes as compared with about 18 minutes. Again, mice not given any oxygen only survived for about 11 minutes. In addition to surviving longer, the group with thinned-out gut linings showed signs that they were no longer starved for oxygen; they stopped gasping for air or showing signs of cardiac arrest, and the oxygen pressure in their major blood vessels improved.

Although this initial experiment suggested that oxygen could pass through the intestine and into circulation, thinning out the gut epithelium would likely not be feasible in human patients, Takebe said.

Particularly in critically ill patients, "I think additional damage to the gut would be really dangerous, for the treatment perspective," Takebe said. But "over the course of the experiments, we realized that even the intact gut has some, not really efficient, but some capacity to exchange the gas," he noted, meaning there may be a way to introduce oxygen through the gut without first thinning out the tissues.

So in another experiment, rather than using oxygen gas, the team tried perfluorodecalin (PFD), a liquid fluorocarbon that can be infused with a large amount of oxygen. The liquid is already used in people, such as for use in the lungs of infants with severe respiratory distress, the authors noted in their report.

The liquid also acts as a surfactant a substance that reduces surface tension; since a surfactant lines the air sacs of the lungs and helps boost gas exchange in the organ, PFD may fulfill a similar purpose in the intestines, Takebe said.

Much like in the oxygen-gas experiments, the oxygenated PFD rescued mice from the effects of being placed in a low-oxygen chamber, enabling the rodents to meander about their cage more than mice not given the treatment. After just one injection of 0.03 ounces (1 milliliter) of the liquid, the rodents' improvements persisted for about 60 minutes.

"We are not quite sure why this improvement is persisting much longer than the original expectations," Takebe noted, as the authors expected the effects to wear off in just a couple minutes. "But the observation is really reproducible and very robust."

Related: Gasp! 11 surprising facts about the respiratory system

The team then moved on to a pig model of respiratory failure, where they placed pigs on ventilators and only provided a low level of oxygen and then injected PDF into the pigs' posteriors with a long tube. Compared with pigs not given the PFD treatment, pigs given PFD improved in terms of the oxygen saturation of their blood, and the color and warmth returned to their skin. A 13.5 oz (400 ml) infusion sustained these improvements for about 18 to 19 minutes, and the team found that they could give additional doses to the pigs without noticeable side effects.

The team also tested the safety of repeat dosing in rats and found that, while their oxygen levels rose, the animals showed no notable side effects, markers of organ damage or stray PFD lingering in their cells.

Following this success in animal models, Takebe said that his team hopes to start a clinical trial of the treatment in humans sometime next year. They would likely start by testing the safety of the approach in healthy volunteers and beginning to work out what dose levels would be reasonable, he said. However, to make the jump from animals to human patients, the team will need to address a number of critical questions.

For instance, the treatment could potentially stimulate the vagus nerve a long nerve that connects the gut and brain so trial organizers should likely be on the lookout for side effects like falling blood pressure or fainting, Takebe noted. Also, the lower gut contains relatively little oxygen compared with other organs in the body, he added. The community of bacteria and viruses that live in the gut are adapted to these low-oxygen conditions, and a sudden infusion of oxygen might disrupt those microbes, he said.

"The consequence of reversing this so-called 'physiologic hypoxia' is unknown," Kelly noted in his commentary, echoing Takebe's sentiments. In humans, it will be important to determine how many doses of oxygenated liquid could be safely administered into the gut without causing unintended changes to the intestinal environment, he wrote.

In addition, the animal models in the study don't fully reflect what critically ill patients experience during respiratory failure, a condition that often coincides with infection, inflammation and low blood flow, Kelly noted. So there may be additional factors to consider in critically ill patients that weren't relevant in rodents and pigs. And depending on a given patient's condition, they may need a higher or lower dose of PFD all of these fine details will need to be carefully assessed in future trials, Takebe said.

Originally published on Live Science.

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Merck Announces Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 Trial Met Dual Primary Endpoint of Event-Free Survival (EFS) in Patients With High-Risk Early-Stage…

By daniellenierenberg

KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced positive results from the pivotal neoadjuvant/adjuvant Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Mercks anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy as pre-operative (neoadjuvant) treatment and then continuing as a single agent (adjuvant) treatment after surgery. KEYNOTE-522 met its dual primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS) for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Based on an interim analysis conducted by the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy followed by adjuvant KEYTRUDA as monotherapy showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in EFS compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone. As previously communicated, KEYNOTE-522 met its other dual primary endpoint of pathological complete response (pCR). The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified.

KEYTRUDA is the first immunotherapy to show positive results for event-free survival in patients with high-risk early-stage TNBC, a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, said Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. The improvement in pathological complete response rates initially observed following pre-operative treatment was encouraging, and now that we are seeing the data mature after four years to include a statistically significant improvement in event-free survival, we look forward to working with the FDA and other global authorities to bring this new option to patients as quickly as possible. We are grateful to the study participants who are critical to our efforts to advance potential treatment options for patients with TNBC.

An analysis of pCR from KEYNOTE-522 was presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Congress and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Findings showed a statistically significant increase in pCR for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with early-stage TNBC, regardless of PD-L1 status. As previously announced, the company received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA in March 2021 regarding Mercks supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking approval for KEYTRUDA for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage TNBC based on these pCR data and early interim EFS findings. The CRL followed the FDAs Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting that voted 10-0 that a regulatory decision should be deferred until further data were available from KEYNOTE-522.

The KEYTRUDA clinical development program for TNBC encompasses several internal studies and external collaborative trials, including the ongoing studies KEYNOTE-242 and KEYNOTE-355.

Merck has an expansive clinical development program investigating KEYTRUDA in earlier lines of therapy including in neoadjuvant, adjuvant and locally advanced settings, with approximately 20 registrational studies ongoing.

About KEYNOTE-522

KEYNOTE-522 is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03036488), evaluating a regimen of neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy followed by adjuvant KEYTRUDA as monotherapy versus a regimen of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant placebo. The dual primary endpoints are pCR and EFS. The secondary endpoints include pCR rate using alternative definitions (i.e., no invasive or noninvasive residual cancer in breast or nodes) at the time of definitive surgery, overall survival, EFS in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] 1), safety and patient-reported outcomes. The study enrolled 1,174 patients who were randomized 2:1 to receive either:

About Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive type of breast cancer that characteristically has a high recurrence rate within the first five years after diagnosis. While some breast cancers may test positive for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors or overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), TNBC tests negative for all three. Approximately 15-20% of patients with breast cancer are diagnosed with TNBC. TNBC tends to be more common in women who are younger than 40 years of age, who are African American or who have a BRCA1 mutation.

About KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg

KEYTRUDA is an anti-PD-1 therapy that works by increasing the ability of the bodys immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.

Merck has the industrys largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,400 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.

Selected KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.

Melanoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) 1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS 1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer

KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS) 1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.

Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.

Urothelial Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS 10), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or in patients who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 status. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.

Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.

Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).

Gastric Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, and fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS 1) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after two or more prior lines of therapy including fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy and if appropriate, HER2/neu-targeted therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Esophageal Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:

Cervical Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS 1) as determined by an FDA-approved test. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Tumor Mutational Burden-High

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) that is not curable by surgery or radiation.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS 10) as determined by an FDA-approved test. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on progression-free survival. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDA

Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

KEYTRUDA is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of drugs that bind to either the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response, potentially breaking peripheral tolerance and inducing immune-mediated adverse reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue, can affect more than one body system simultaneously, and can occur at any time after starting treatment or after discontinuation of treatment. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions.

Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of antiPD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.

Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity of the immune-mediated adverse reaction. In general, if KEYTRUDA requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy.

Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.4% (94/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including fatal (0.1%), Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (1.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 67% (63/94) of patients. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 1.3% (36) and withholding in 0.9% (26) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Pneumonitis resolved in 59% of the 94 patients.

Pneumonitis occurred in 8% (31/389) of adult patients with cHL receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grades 3-4 in 2.3% of patients. Patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median duration of 10 days (range: 2 days to 53 months). Pneumonitis rates were similar in patients with and without prior thoracic radiation. Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 5.4% (21) of patients. Of the patients who developed pneumonitis, 42% of these patients interrupted KEYTRUDA, 68% discontinued KEYTRUDA, and 77% had resolution.

Immune-Mediated Colitis

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may present with diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.7% (48/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (0.4%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 69% (33/48); additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 4.2% of patients. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.5% (15) and withholding in 0.5% (13) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Colitis resolved in 85% of the 48 patients.

Hepatotoxicity and Immune-Mediated Hepatitis

KEYTRUDA as a Single Agent

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 0.7% (19/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.4%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 68% (13/19) of patients; additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 11% of patients. Hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.2% (6) and withholding in 0.3% (9) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Hepatitis resolved in 79% of the 19 patients.

KEYTRUDA with Axitinib

KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib can cause hepatic toxicity. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of and periodically throughout treatment. Consider monitoring more frequently as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. For elevated liver enzymes, interrupt KEYTRUDA and axitinib, and consider administering corticosteroids as needed. With the combination of KEYTRUDA and axitinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (20%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (13%) were seen, which was at a higher frequency compared to KEYTRUDA alone. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with increased ALT received systemic corticosteroids. In patients with ALT 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (Grades 2-4, n=116), ALT resolved to Grades 0-1 in 94%. Among the 92 patients who were rechallenged with either KEYTRUDA (n=3) or axitinib (n=34) administered as a single agent or with both (n=55), recurrence of ALT 3 times ULN was observed in 1 patient receiving KEYTRUDA, 16 patients receiving axitinib, and 24 patients receiving both. All patients with a recurrence of ALT 3 ULN subsequently recovered from the event.

Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies

Adrenal Insufficiency

KEYTRUDA can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.8% (22/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 77% (17/22) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.3% (8) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.

Hypophysitis

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (17/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.2%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 94% (16/17) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (4) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.

Thyroid Disorders

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement for hypothyroidism or institute medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (16/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.3%). None discontinued, but KEYTRUDA was withheld in <0.1% (1) of patients.

Hyperthyroidism occurred in 3.4% (96/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.8%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (2) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. Hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (237/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (6.2%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.5% (14) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. The majority of patients with hypothyroidism required long-term thyroid hormone replacement. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 1185 patients with HNSCC, occurring in 16% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent or in combination with platinum and FU, including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 389 adult patients with cHL (17%) receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grade 1 (6.2%) and Grade 2 (10.8%) hypothyroidism.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Which Can Present With Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Type 1 DM occurred in 0.2% (6/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. It led to permanent discontinuation in <0.1% (1) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1). All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.

Immune-Mediated Nephritis With Renal Dysfunction

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.3% (9/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.1%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 89% (8/9) of patients. Nephritis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (3) and withholding in 0.1% (3) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Nephritis resolved in 56% of the 9 patients.

Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, has occurred with antiPD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% (38/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (1%) and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 40% (15/38) of patients. These reactions led to permanent discontinuation in 0.1% (2) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in 0.6% (16) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 6% had recurrence. The reactions resolved in 79% of the 38 patients.

Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of <1% (unless otherwise noted) in patients who received KEYTRUDA or were reported with the use of other antiPD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions. Cardiac/Vascular: Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis; Nervous System: Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barr syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy; Ocular: Uveitis, iritis and other ocular inflammatory toxicities can occur. Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment, including blindness, can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss; Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis, to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis; Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue: Myositis/polymyositis rhabdomyolysis (and associated sequelae, including renal failure), arthritis (1.5%), polymyalgia rheumatica; Endocrine: Hypoparathyroidism; Hematologic/Immune: Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, solid organ transplant rejection.

Infusion-Related Reactions

KEYTRUDA can cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions, including hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis, which have been reported in 0.2% of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion for Grade 1 or Grade 2 reactions. For Grade 3 or Grade 4 reactions, stop infusion and permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA.

Complications of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)

Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic HSCT before or after antiPD-1/PD-L1 treatment. Transplant-related complications include hyperacute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), acute and chronic GVHD, hepatic veno-occlusive disease after reduced intensity conditioning, and steroid-requiring febrile syndrome (without an identified infectious cause). These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between antiPD-1/PD-L1 treatment and allogeneic HSCT. Follow patients closely for evidence of these complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit vs risks of using antiPD-1/PD-L1 treatments prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT.

Increased Mortality in Patients With Multiple Myeloma

In trials in patients with multiple myeloma, the addition of KEYTRUDA to a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone resulted in increased mortality. Treatment of these patients with an antiPD-1/PD-L1 treatment in this combination is not recommended outside of controlled trials.

Embryofetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise women of this potential risk. In females of reproductive potential, verify pregnancy status prior to initiating KEYTRUDA and advise them to use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

In KEYNOTE-006, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 9% of 555 patients with advanced melanoma; adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation in more than one patient were colitis (1.4%), autoimmune hepatitis (0.7%), allergic reaction (0.4%), polyneuropathy (0.4%), and cardiac failure (0.4%). The most common adverse reactions (20%) with KEYTRUDA were fatigue (28%), diarrhea (26%), rash (24%), and nausea (21%).

In KEYNOTE-054, KEYTRUDA was permanently discontinued due to adverse reactions in 14% of 509 patients; the most common (1%) were pneumonitis (1.4%), colitis (1.2%), and diarrhea (1%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. The most common adverse reaction (20%) with KEYTRUDA was diarrhea (28%).

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Merck Announces Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 Trial Met Dual Primary Endpoint of Event-Free Survival (EFS) in Patients With High-Risk Early-Stage...

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Key Trends of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market 2021 Business Opportunities, Market Dynamics, Growth Size and Forecasts to 2026 – Clark…

By daniellenierenberg

New research report on Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market size by In4Research provides the latest developments in the market has attained and the latest news regarding the market and its building blocks. Some of the most accurate topics mentioned in the report include market drivers and restraints, challenges, opportunities, COVID-19 information related to the market, key players of the market, and the entire market segmentation.

This report provides data for the base year 2020 as well as the forecast period (2021-2026) along with the CAGR. This report contains detailed research of the market from the industry level to the market players and how the market is functioning at present along with all the relevant data and information. Thereby, the Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies research report has been formulated encompassing all the key points that are present in the form of tables and graphs to make it more specific for decision-makers.

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The segmental analysis offered in the report pinpoints key opportunities available in the Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market through leading segments. The regional study of the Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market included in the report helps decision-makers to gain a sound understanding of the development of different geographical markets in recent years and going forth.

By Type:

By Applications:

By Region:

To comprehend Global Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market is analyzed across major regions. A customized study by region and country can be provided considering the below splits.

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Major Companies included in the Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market:

The report provides in-depth information about profitable showing markets and examines the markets for the global Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market with business strategies of the key players and the new entering market industries are considered in detail and it presents the deep-dive eyesight of this Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market from 2021 to 2026 and prospective prediction market trends.

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Key Trends of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market 2021 Business Opportunities, Market Dynamics, Growth Size and Forecasts to 2026 - Clark...

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Global Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market Survey Report, 2020-2027 KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper – KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper

By daniellenierenberg

From an insight perspective, this research report has focused on various levels of analysis industry trends analysis, top players analysis, company profiles, which discuss the basic views on the competitive landscape, emerging and high-growth segments of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market, and high-growth regions. Besides, drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities pertaining to Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies market are also predicted in this report.

Get Sample Copy of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market Report at:https://www.globalmarketmonitor.com/request.php?type=1&rid=643098

Major Participators LandscapeThese market players enjoyed broad industry coverage, outstanding operational ability, and strong financial resources. Manufacturers are focusing on product innovation, brand extension, and the introduction of new brands to cater to the preferences of consumers. Some of them will be endowed with vital future while others will show a weak growth during the prospective timeframe.Major market participators covered in our report are:US STEM CELL, INC. Med cell Europe Pluristem Therapeutics Inc Mesoblast Tigenix Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Regeneus

To Get More Information on The Regional Analysis Of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market, Click Here:https://www.globalmarketmonitor.com/reports/643098-autologous-stem-cell-based-therapies-market-report.html

Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Application AbstractThe Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies is commonly used into:Neurodegenerative Disorders Autoimmune Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases

Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Type AbstractBased on the basis of the type, the Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies can be segmented into:Embryonic Stem Cell Resident Cardiac Stem Cells Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells

Table of Content1 Report Overview1.1 Product Definition and Scope1.2 PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technological) Analysis of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market2 Market Trends and Competitive Landscape3 Segmentation of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market by Types4 Segmentation of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market by End-Users5 Market Analysis by Major Regions6 Product Commodity of Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Market in Major Countries7 North America Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Landscape Analysis8 Europe Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Landscape Analysis9 Asia Pacific Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Landscape Analysis10 Latin America, Middle East & Africa Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies Landscape Analysis 11 Major Players Profile

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Major countries of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world are all exhaustive analyzed in the report. Apart from this, policy mobilization, social dynamics, development trends, and economic development in these countries are also taken into consideration.

Target Audience for this Report Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies manufacturers Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies traders, distributors, and suppliers Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies industry associations Product managers, Autologous Stem Cell Based Therapies industry administrator, C-level executives of the industries Market Research and consulting firms Research & Clinical Laboratories

Report SpotlightsDetailed overview of marketChanging market dynamics in the industryIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and valueRecent industry trends and developmentsCompetitive landscapeStrategies of key players and products offeredPotential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective on market performanceMust-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprints

About Global Market MonitorGlobal Market Monitor is a professional modern consulting company, engaged in three major business categories such as market research services, business advisory, technology consulting.We always maintain the win-win spirit, reliable quality and the vision of keeping pace with The Times, to help enterprises achieve revenue growth, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement, and significantly avoid operational risks, to achieve lean growth. Global Market Monitor has provided professional market research, investment consulting, and competitive intelligence services to thousands of organizations, including start-ups, government agencies, banks, research institutes, industry associations, consulting firms, and investment firms.ContactGlobal Market MonitorOne Pierrepont Plaza, 300 Cadman Plaza W, Brooklyn,NY 11201, USAName: Rebecca HallPhone: + 1 (347) 467 7721Email: info@globalmarketmonitor.comWeb Site: https://www.globalmarketmonitor.com

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Durable B-ALL Control With Allogeneic Transplant After CAR T-Cell Therapy – Cancer Therapy Advisor

By daniellenierenberg

Children and young adults who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) after achieving complete response with CD19 CAR T-cell therapy experienced durable B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) control, according to the results of a phase 1 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01593696) published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Although a proportion of patients who undergo CAR T-cell therapy go on to receive alloHSCT, the study authors stated that The role for [alloHSCT] following CD19-CAR T-cell therapy to improve long-term outcomes in [children and young adults] has not been examined.

The phase 1 trial evaluated 50 children and young adults with B-ALL who received CD19.28 CAR T-cell therapy. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of CAR T cells, toxicity, and feasibility of generating CAR T cells in the study population. In addition, this analysis retrospectively evaluated the effect of alloHSCT on survival after CAR T-cell therapy.

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At baseline, the median age was 13.5 years (range, 4.3-30.4), and 40 (80%) of the patients were male. The median number of prior regimens was 4 (range, 4.3-30.4); 22 (44%) patients had at least 1 prior HSCT, 2 (4%) had prior CD19-targeted therapy, and 5 (10%) of the patients had prior treatment with blinatumomab.

Complete response was achieved in 31 (62%) of the patients. Among these patients, 28 (90.3%) were negative for minimal residual disease. Higher rates of complete response were associated with primary refractory disease, fewer prior lines of therapy, M1 marrow, or fludarabine/cytarabine-based lymphodepletion. The median overall survival was 10.5 months (95% CI, 6.3-29.2) during a median follow-up of 4.8 years.

Of the 28 patients who achieved complete response, 21 (75%) proceeded to undergo consolidative alloHSCT. The median overall survival for these patients was 70.2 months (95% CI, 10.4-not estimable), with an event-free survival not yet reached. The rate of relapse after alloHSCT was 4.8% (95% CI, 0.3-20.3) at 12 months and 9.5% (95% CI, 1.5-26.8) at 24 months.

Any grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS) developed among 35 (70%) patients, with 9 (18%) experiencing grade 3 to 4 CRS. Of the 10 patients (20%) who developed neurotoxicity, 4 cases were severe. One cardiac arrest occurred during CRS. All patients with CRS, neurotoxicity, and cardiac arrest recovered.

The authors concluded that CD19.28 CAR T cells followed by a consolidative alloHSCT can provide long-term durable disease control in [children and young adults] with relapsed or refractory B-ALL.

Disclosure: Please see the original reference for a full disclosure of authors affiliations.

Reference

Shah NN, Lee DW, Yates B, et al. Long-term follow-up of CD19-CAR T-cell therapy in children and young adults with B-ALL. J Clin Oncol. Published online March 25, 2021. doi:org/10.1200/JCO.20.02262c

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Durable B-ALL Control With Allogeneic Transplant After CAR T-Cell Therapy - Cancer Therapy Advisor

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Kaytlyn Gerbin is blazing trails in cell science and as an ultrarunner who has conquered Mount Rainier – GeekWire

By daniellenierenberg

Kaytlyn Gerbin, left, runs the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier. She completed the 93-mile loop in just under 19 hours. Her friend Tara Fraga helped with pacing between miles 30-55. (Ryan Thrower Photo)

When Kaytlyn Gerbin moved to Seattle 10 years ago to attend graduate school at the University of Washington, a friend took her to Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighborhood on her first visit. The celebrated viewpoint offered Gerbin a glimpse of Mount Rainier that ignited an ongoing passion.

At the time, I had absolutely no idea there was a trail all the way around it, and didnt know the first thing that went into climbing to the summit or running even a few miles on the trails, Gerbin said. Since then, Ive climbed Rainier 10 times, and spent countless hours on the mountain and trails in that park.

Along with her drive to get to know Washington states most famous landmark more intimately, Gerbin achieved her PhD in bioengineering at UW, where her research was focused on the therapeutic and regenerative potential of cardiac cells. For the past four years shes been a scientist at Allen Institute for Cell Science, where she studies stem cells and cardiomyocytes, or cardiac muscle cells.

Our latest Geek of the Week, Gerbin is an accomplished ultrarunner, and she now knows a lot more about that trail that encircles Mount Rainier.

With COVID-19 lockdowns impacting her international race season last summer, Gerbin, a sponsored athlete for The North Face, went after the fastest known time, or FKT, for a run around the Wonderland Trail. Together with teammate Dylan Bowman of Portland and a small crew of local filmmakers, they made Summer of Wonder, a short film about the experience, which you can watch in full here:

The average thru-hiker takes 10-14 days to complete the 93-mile Wonderland Trail, with its 24,000 feet of elevation gain. Gerbin did it in 18 hours, 41 minutes, 53 seconds, and the film is a breathtaking look at her endurance feat.

Gerbins passion for running started with 3-mile commutes back and forth between her apartment, her research lab, and campus during grad school. Eventually she started trail running,essentially as a life hack to see if she could squeeze a five-day backpacking route into a weekend between experiments.

It turned out I was actually pretty good at that, and that opened up opportunities to start racing at some of the most competitive trail races in the U.S. and Europe, Gerbin said.

Shes since raced with Team USA at the Trail World Championships, reached the podium at the iconic Western States 100, and won races such as the Canary Islands Transgrancanaria and Cascade Crest 100 in Washington. She also still holds the womens self-supported FKT for the Rainier Infinity Loop (set in 2019), which combines the Wonderland Trail with two summits and descents of Mount Rainier.

Her preferred racing distance is anything between 50-100 miles long, the more elevation gain and technical the trail, the better. During peak training, Gerbin is usually hitting between 70-90 miles with over 20,000 feet of elevation gain each week. She calls the Pacific Northwest the best outdoor playground there is.

Although I love running fast, Im also really excited about pushing myself on more challenging terrain. So many of my other FKT goals and route ideas are along these lines, with more technical traveling than actual running, she said.

COVID permitting, her highest race priority this year is Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, which is the most competitive world-stage for ultrarunning, at the end of August. The race circumnavigates Mont Blanc, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland and covering around 105 miles and 33,000 feet of elevation gain.

While Gerbins experience as a scientist does inform her appreciation for what shes putting her body through during ultrarunning, shes equally passionate in the lab. At the Allen Institute shes seeking answers to broad questions about how cells work, including how single cells and all of their components are integrated into a functional system, while using imaging to build predictive models of cell behavior.

I get the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of badass scientists, biologists, and engineers on really cool problems in cell biology, she said.

Learn more about our latest Geek of the Week, Kaytlyn Gerbin:

What do you do, and why do you do it? Science and ultrarunning for me have always come down to problem solving.

As a scientist, problem solving is inherent to experimental design, data analysis, and interpreting results. By asking hard questions, Im interested in pushing the field of cell biology forward, and challenging the current way of thinking.

As an ultrarunner, its a different kind of problem solving, but I lean on the same mindset to figure out how to push my athletic limits further and faster.

One thing that always amazes me is how adaptable the human body is. My training in cell science gives me context for how all of these stressors and inputs were putting on our bodies are fundamentally happening at the single cell level, and it keeps me thinking about the cells response to external cues in my research.

Whats the single most important thing people should know about your field? Yes, I do think about science and when Im running, and no, I do not geek out on heart rate monitors and training zones and all those numbers when Im running.

Where do you find your inspiration? Im inspired by brilliant women that are pushing whats possible in both science and in sports. I think we often set boundaries for ourselves about what we think is possible, without ever letting ourselves really hit that limit. Im inspired by women who set bold goals and bring others up and along for the ride, redefining whats possible.

Whats the one piece of technology you couldnt live without, and why? My Garmin 935. I use this watch daily to track miles run, elevation gain, etc. The battery life has lasted me for 100 miles of running and ~24 hrs, but its small enough to wear every day.

Whats your workspace like, and why does it work for you? Prior to 2020, I was splitting my time between the tissue culture hood (passaging cells, differentiating cardiomyocytes, setting up experiments), conference rooms (team science and collaboration means a lot of group discussions!), and my computer for writing and analysis. Since then, Ive shifted my work to be more remote while I work on a few different manuscripts. I have an office set up at home with a window, some good tunes, plenty of coffee, and a chair for my dog to wait impatiently on.

Your best tip or trick for managing everyday work and life. (Help us out, we need it.) I have always been a to-do list person. Most mornings start with me listing out tasks (and breaking those down into many sub-tasks). I feel productive as I cross things off, and it also helps me prioritize and plan ahead to make sure I can also fit my training runs in.

Mac, Windows or Linux? Mac as a personal preference, Windows for my work computer (I do work at the Paul Allen Institute 🙂

Transporter, Time Machine or Cloak of Invisibility? Transporter. I just promise not to use it in races.

Greatest game in history: Lode Runner. I havent played it since I was a kid, but the memories of yelling at the computer with my sister frantically hitting up-down-up-down arrows make me feel like it was just yesterday.

Best gadget ever: Garmin inReach mini satellite messaging and SOS call, all in a device small enough to throw in the bottom of a pack (or shorts pocket) and forget its there. I bring this with me anytime Im headed out into the wilderness/mountains, but I hope I never need to use it.

First computer: iMac G3.

Current phone: iPhone 11.

Favorite app: I have a love/hate relationship with Strava. Ive also been using DuoLingo during the pandemic and have a strong daily streak going!

Most important technology of 2021: COVID vaccines!!

Most important technology of 2023: Advancements in remote/low-resource medical care.

Final words of advice for your fellow geeks: Most problems can be solved with more snacks and some time (works for science and running).

Twitter: @kaytlyn_gerbin

LinkedIn: Kaytlyn Gerbin

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Kaytlyn Gerbin is blazing trails in cell science and as an ultrarunner who has conquered Mount Rainier - GeekWire

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The Physiological Challenges of Spaceflight – Cambridge Wireless

By daniellenierenberg

By Guest Blogger Rich Whittle, Bioastronautics & Human Performance Lab at Texas A&M UniversityThe recent landing of the probe Perseverance on Mars, and the excitement generated by the high-resolution images currently being broadcast back to Earth, has inevitably started people thinking about human exploration of the Red Planet. However, the challenges faced by a manned journey to Mars are much more than just technical, but reflect some fundamental aspects of human physiology. In this guest article, Rich Whittle of the Bioastronautics and Human Performance Lab at Texas A&M University, reflects on some of the key issues.

NASA has ambitious plans to begin manned exploration of Mars, although its current focus is on sending the next man and first woman to the Moon as part of the Artemis programme, which will establish a permanent human presence there in the coming decade. A key part of this latter objective is to place a spaceship called Gateway in orbit around the Moon, from which landers will take astronauts to the surface and support their activities. Gateway will also conduct a wide variety of human and scientific missions, and in particular study the physiological effects of long journeys into space, in preparation for that first manned voyage to Mars.

The human body has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to flourish on the surface of the Earth, and it is perhaps not surprising that the stresses of spaceflight pose unique physiological and medical problems. In fact, many of the basic issues associated with spaceflight, such as hypoxia, dysbarism, acceleration, and thermal support, have been well studied through aviation and diving medicine in the years prior to spaceflight. But while the last 50 years of manned space exploration have shown that humans can adapt to space, remaining productive for up to 1 year and possibly longer, there are still many problems associated with the prolonged exposure to a unique combination of stressful stimuli including acceleration, radiation, and weightlessness. The latter condition is a critical feature of spaceflight and has significant effects on human physiology, many of which were quite unexpected at the beginning of space exploration.

Scientists have known for a long time that the human body responds in specific ways to the microgravity environment of spaceflight. For example, a person who is inactive for an extended period loses overall strength, as well as muscle and bone mass. Unsurprisingly spaceflight has a similar effect, resulting in loss of bone mineral density (BMD), and increasing the risk of bone fractures in astronauts. It is predicted that a third of astronauts will be at risk for osteoporosis during a predicted 7-month long human mission to Mars. It is however possible to compensate for this loss of muscle and bone mass using resistive exercise devices that NASA has developed to allow for more intense workouts in zero gravity.

Overall, the pathophysiological adaptive changes that occur during spaceflight, even in well-trained, highly selected, and healthy individuals, have been likened to an accelerated aging process, and are being studied in research groups around the world. My own research at Texas A&M focuses on changes to the cardiovascular system caused by the microgravity environment of spaceflight. In an upright position under the Earths standard 1G gravity, arterial blood pressure is lower above the heart and higher below the heart. But in a weightless environment the body experiences a uniform arterial pressure, which decreases the cardiac workload, and reduces the need for blood pressure regulatory mechanisms. As a result, the muscles of the heart and blood vessels begin to atrophy, and consequently some astronauts experience orthostatic intolerance, the difficulty or inability to stand because of light headedness after return to Earth. During spaceflight, cardiovascular changes are noticeable immediately after the onset of weightlessness, with astronauts exhibiting characteristically puffy faces, stuffed noses, and chicken legs, as approximately 2L of fluid is shifted from the legs towards the head.

These fluid shifts affect not only the cardiovascular system but also the brain, eyes, and other neurological functions. The apparent increase in fluid within the skull is potentially linked to a collection of pathologies of the eye known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). This is principally manifested through a hyperopic shift in visual acuity, which in some cases does not resolve on return to Earth.

We believe that many of these problems can be overcome through effective countermeasures during spaceflight, and are often reversible after landing. Physical exercise programs are the main countermeasure used during spaceflight to protect the cardiovascular system. The technology involved has advanced from a rowing ergometer used in the early Skylab missions, through a motorized treadmill used in the ISS. This has been recently joined by a device for performing resistive exercise, and now rowing ergometers are once again being looked at for longer duration missions to Mars due to their small footprint.

However, some astronauts have returned from the ISS with unexpectedly stiff arteries, of a magnitude expected from 10 20 years of normal aging. Arterial stiffening is often linked to an increased blood pressure and elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, other studies have suggested that insulin resistance occurs during spaceflight, possibly due to reduced physical activity, which could lead to increased blood sugar and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These results suggest that the astronauts exercise routine did not always counteract the effect of the microgravity environment and indicated that further countermeasures might be needed to help maintain astronaut health. Here at Texas A&M we are looking at both lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and artificial gravity generated through short radius centrifugation as exciting new countermeasures that could be used in long duration spaceflight.

As we begin to further understand the effects of spaceflight on human physiology, scientists are now starting to study some of the underlying cellular mechanisms using model organisms, cell cultures, organs on a chip and stem cells. And because many of the observed changes seen in space, such as cardiovascular dysfunction due to inflammation, lack of exercise, intracranial hypertension, and hormonal and metabolic changes, resemble those caused by aging or illnesses, the research we conduct may have important applications on Earth. Hopefully, our push for manned exploration of the planets of the solar system will lead to tangible benefits to the health and well-being of humans on our home planet.

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5 Novel Therapies Using Synthetic Biology – Nanalyze

By daniellenierenberg

The 1997 film Gattaca promised a future where humans would be free of disease and babies born on demand with the latest upgrades, including enhanced speed, intelligence, and beauty. Much like a new Tesla Roadster. However, despite the technological predictions offered by Hollywood moviemakers, were still living in a time when synthetic biology is working hard to make a dent in the world. No designer babies in sight. And stem cell technology promised so many radical breakthroughs back in the late 1990s, including growing organs for transplants and regenerating whole body parts, but the challenge of growing whole organs has been shown to be more complex than previously believed, including technologies like 3D bioprinting and xenotransplantation.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, investors believe were living in a different time, with more money pouring into the space over the last few years:

Indeed, the science and technology behind manipulating biological matter are still promising when it comes to health and medicine, especially with the rise of CRISPR gene editing. The idea that we could potentially switch on or off genes that cause disease using a cocktail of enzymes is just fantastical. While inserting CRISPR enzymes into a live human being is a bit challenging, there are regions of the body that are easily accessible, such as the eye. In a landmark clinical trial approved by the FDA and led by Editas Medicine (EDIT) and Allergan, now owned by AbbVie (ABBV), a CRISPR-Cas9 gene therapy was administered directly to patients to remove rare mutations that can cause childhood blindness.

McKinsey is calling this emerging technological renaissance the next Bio Revolution, with advances in biological sciences being accelerated by automation and artificial intelligence. The speed at which scientists and researchers were able to sequence the genome of the Rona virus is a testament to the power of these converging technologies. McKinsey predicts that synthetic biology could have a direct economic impact of $4 trillion per year, nearly half of which will be in the domain of human health.

Lets take a look through five companies that are harnessingthe revolutionary power of synthetic biology to design new therapies and treathuman diseases.

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Alameda, California, Scribe Therapeutics is a biotechnology startup that is producing therapeutics using custom-engineered CRISPR enzyme technology. The company has raised a whopping $120 million from the likes of Andreessen Horowitz to build out a suite of CRISPR technologies designed to treat genetic diseases. Scribe Therapeutics was co-founded by Dr. Jennifer Doudna, the UC Berkeley biochemist who discovered and developed CRISPR gene-editing technology and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 for her pioneering work.

The team at Scribe Therapeutics has designed its XEditing (XE) technology by evolving the native CRISPR gene-editing enzymes available to us to redesign and engineer them to suit different needs. More specifically, they want to be able to modify or silence the genes of live humans to treat genetic diseases such as Huntingtons, Parkinsons, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Anything your parents unwittingly handed down to you, Scribe Therapeutics is looking to treat it. The research team tests thousands of redesigned enzymes and selects those with greater editing ability, specificity, and stability compared to current enzymes. Scribe Therapeutics is starting with a pipeline of therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative diseases and has its sights set on other, less common genetic conditions down the road.

Canadian biotechnology startup Notch Therapeutics was founded in 2018 and has raised $86 million to develop immune cell therapies against pre-cancer cells. The companys cell therapies are based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), which are pre-differentiated cells with the limited capacity to transform into different mature cell lines. Based on its Engineered Thymic Niche (ETN) platform, the company is developing universally compatible stem cell-derived immune cell therapies.

Normally, human immune cells only recognize othercells found in the same individual and will target cells from other individuals,which appear foreign to the immune system. Thats why donor organs can sometimesbe rejected by the recipients body the immune system sees the organ as a foreignobject. Notch Therapeutics is designing a system where the immune cellsproduced from the stem cells will be universally recognizable by allindividuals, bypassing the need to create immune cells from pluripotent stemcells derived from each recipient. These manufactured immune cells, whichinclude T cells or natural killer cells, can be programmed to target cancercells and eliminate them from the patient.

Founded in 2016, Massachusetts-based bit.bio is a synthetic biology startup thats working on merging the world of coding with biology. The company has secured $42 million after a Series A round that was completed in June 2020. A spinout of Cambridge University, bit.bio is looking to commercialize its proprietary platform, opti-ox, which can reprogram human stem cells to do its bidding cure diseases. Touted as the Cell Coding Company, bit.bio was founded by Dr. Mark Kotter, a neurosurgeon at the University of Cambridge who studied regenerative medicine and stem cell technology.

While the ability to program mammalian stem cells has been around since 1981, the company claims it can consistently reprogram human adult cells into pluripotent stem cells, and then transform them into other mature human cells within days. Currently, stem cell technology produces a statistical mixed bag of mature, differentiated cells, some of which can have potential side effects. opti-ox uses a precise combination of transcription factors to ensure stem cells mature into cardiac, muscle, liver, kidney, or lung cells with high efficiency. The holy grail for the company is to be able to produce every cell in the human body for any cell therapy safely, on-demand, and with purities approaching 100%. And well be here, waiting for that stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction promised by the medical community.

Founded in 2020, Delonix Bioworks is a Shanghai-based synthetic biology company designing therapeutic solutions against infectious diseases. The startup received $14 million from a Seed round just back in March. The Delonix Bioworks team is focusing its initial efforts on anti-microbial resistant (AMR) infections. The emergence of resistance in some bacteria species against common antimicrobial compounds, so has led to an increasing number of infections that are difficult to treat with conventional strategies. These superbug strains are mostly spread in hospital or clinical settings due to the overuse of antibiotics.

The company is engineering attenuated, live bacteria thatcan act as vaccines against these types of infections. By introducing reprogrammed,but weakened, bacteria to express specific antigens on the surface of theirmembrane that match those of the strains that cause AMR infections into anindividual, the individuals immune system can recognize those antigens andrespond to future infections with greater speed. Its no different from how antiviralvaccines are designed, except most vaccines introduce an attenuated or inactivatedvirus to activate the immune system instead. And for those of you who skipped highschool biology, no, this is not a mind-control scheme orchestrated by biotech companies.

Founded in 2018, Octarine Bio is a Danish synthetic biology company thats building out a pipeline for high-potency cannabinoids and psilocybin derivatives for the pharmaceutical industry. Octarine Bio has brought in $3 million after a Seed round that was also completed in March. Medical studies on psychotropic compounds have been shown to help reduce anxiety, depression, and pain, and may have the potential to serve as novel psychiatric medications. A few companies have recently emerged to commercialize existing psychedelics. Octarine Bio believes it can do better by harnessing the power of synthetic biology to engineer microorganisms to produce these psychotropic compounds with better pharmacokinetic and therapeutic effects.

Normally, natural products are produced by plant and fungal species as an ill-defined mixture. The psychoactive properties of these compounds primarily stem from only a handful of compounds because their natural concentration is much higher than other derivatives in the organic material. For example, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive agent in marijuana while psilocybin is the one found in mushrooms from the Psilocybe and other psilocybin-producing genera. However, these are just a few out of hundreds of potential psychoactive derivatives produced by these species.

Molecular derivatives may be produced at too low of concentration to test and analyze, or the plant or mushroom may have a deactivated metabolic pathway that could lead to a superior compound. By tweaking the molecular structure of the product compounds using both synthetic biology and traditional organic chemistry, the team at Octarine Bio is creating a platform to discover new potential therapeutics that may not have been available before. Magic mushrooms are about to get an upgrade for an extra potent trip.

Much like what was said about software by Marc Andreessen back in 2011, synthetic biology is starting to eat the world. While were a long way away from a dystopian future where babies are engineered with supernatural talents, were already seeing the potential side-effects of using CRISPR on the Chinese twin girls originally to immunize them from HIV, including enhanced cognition and memory. The cure for stupid is possibly lurking in the vaults of this pioneering technology. For now, well wait and see how synthetic biology and CRISPR gene editing shape up as potential therapeutics for real diseases.

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Australian scientists discover secret switch for the heart to heal itself – The New Daily

By daniellenierenberg

Cut off a piece of a zebrafish heart, and the little creature wont be at the top of its game for a few days.

But after a month, the heart will grow back to normal and life goes on as normal.

Given that a heart attack in humans known as a myocardial infarction is akin to losing a piece of your heart (because tissue dies), scientists for years have been trying to understand how zebrafish heal themselves, with a view to replicating the process in people.

Now, scientists at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute have identified the genetic switch in zebrafish that prompts heart cells to divide and multiply after a heart attack, resulting in the complete regeneration and healing of damaged heart muscle in these fish.

Dr Kazu Kikuchi, who led the research, published in Science on Friday, said he was astonished by the findings.

Our research has identified a secret switch that allows heart muscle cells to divide and multiply after the heart is injured, Dr Kikuchi said in a statement.

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It kicks in when needed and turns off when the heart is fully healed. In humans where damaged and scarred heart muscle cannot replace itself, this could be a game changer.

The researchers investigated a critical gene known as Klf1, which previously had only been identified in red blood cells.

They discovered Klf1 plays a vital role in healing damaged hearts.

The gene works by making uninjured heart muscle cells called cardiomyocytes more immature and changing their metabolic wiring, a process called dedifferentiation.

This allows them to divide and make new cells

Cardiomyocytes are the heart cells primarily involved in the contractile function of the heart that enables the pumping of blood around the body.

Ordinarily, adult mammalian hearts have a limited ability to generate new cardiomyocytes whereas zebrafish will keep making new cells until their hearts are completely healed.

Its been known for more than a decade that cardiomyocytes become more youthful in order to regenerate and Dr Kikuchi was one of the researchers to demonstrate this.

What wasnt known was how this was made to happen.

Our new paper suggests it is Klf1 which triggers this, Dr Kikuchi said.

This isnt the same as stem cell technology. In fact, dedifferentiating cardiomyocytes has proved to be a more effective healing process than stem cells.

It all comes down to that genetic switch.

Dr Kikuchi said that when the gene was removed, the zebrafish heart lost its ability to repair itself after an injury such as a heart attack, which pinpointed it as a crucial self-healing tool.

Professor Bob Graham, head of the Institutes Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, says this world-first discovery made in collaboration with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research may well transform the treatment of heart attack patients and other heart diseases.

The team has been able to find this vitally important protein that swings into action after an event like a heart attack and supercharges the cells to heal damaged heart muscle. Its an incredible discovery, Professor Graham said.

The gene may also act as a switch in human hearts. We are now hoping further research into its function may provide us with a clue to turn on regeneration in human hearts, to improve their ability to pump blood around the body.

Importantly, the team also found the Klf1 gene played no role in the early development of the heart and that its regenerative properties were only switched on after a heart injury.

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Xenobots 2.0 are Here and Still Developed With Frog Stem Cells – Unite.AI

By daniellenierenberg

The same team of biologists and computer scientists from Tufts University and the University of Vermont that created the Xenobots last year have now developed Xenobots 2.0. Last years version were novel, tiny self-healing biological machines created from frog cells, and they could navigate, push payloads, and act as a collective unit in some cases.

The new Xenobots 2.0 are life forms that can self-assemble a body from single cells. They do not require muscles to move, and they have even demonstrated recordable memory. Compared to their previous counterparts, the new bots move faster, navigate even more environments, and have longer lifespans. At the same time, they can still work together and heal themselves when damaged.

The new research was published in Science Robotics.

With the Xenobots 1.0, the millimeter-sized automations were constructed top down, with the manual placement of tissue and surgical shaping of frog skin and cardiac cells, which produces motion. With the new version of the technology, they were constructed bottom up.

Stem cells were taken from the embryos of the African frog called Xenopus laevis, and this enabled them to self-assemble and grow into spheroids. After a few days, the cells differentiated and produced cilia that moved back and forth or rotated in a specific way.

These cilia provide the new bots with a type of legs that enables them to rapidly travel across surfaces. In the biological world, cilia, or tiny hair-like projections, are often found on mucous surfaces like the lungs. They help by pushing out foreign material and pathogens, but in the Xenobots, they offer rapid locomotion.

Michael Levin is a Distinguished Professor of Biology and director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. He is the corresponding author of the study.

We are witnessing the remarkable plasticity of cellular collectives, which build a rudimentary new body that is quite distinct from their default in this case, a frog despite having a completely normal genome, said Levin. In a frog embryo, cells cooperate to create a tadpole. Here, removed from that context, we see that cells can re-purpose their genetically encoded hardware, like cilia, for new functions such as locomotion. It is amazing that cells can spontaneously take on new roles and create new body plans and behaviors without long periods of evolutionary selection for those features.

Senior scientist Doug Blackiston was co-first author of the study along with research technician Emma Lederer.

In a way, the Xenobots are constructed much like a traditional robot. Only we use cells and tissues rather than artificial components to build the shape and create predictable behavior. said Blackiston On the biology end, this approach is helping us understand how cells communicate as they interact with one another during development, and how we might better control those interactions.

Over at UVM, the scientists were developing computer simulations that modeled different shapes of the Xenobots, which helped identify any different behaviors that were exhibited in both individuals and groups. The team relied on the Deep Green supercomputer cluster at UVMs Vermont Advanced Computing Core.

Led by computer scientists and robotics expert Josh Bongard, the team came up with hundreds of thousands of environmental conditions through the use of an evolutionary algorithm. The simulations were then used to identify Xenobots that could work together in swarms to gather debris in a field of particles.

We know the task, but its not at all obvious for people what a successful design should look like. Thats where the supercomputer comes in and searches over the space of all possible Xenobot swarms to find the swarm that does the job best, says Bongard. We want Xenobots to do useful work. Right now were giving them simple tasks, but ultimately were aiming for a new kind of living tool that could, for example, clean up microplastics in the ocean or contaminants in soil.

The new version of the bots are faster and more efficient at tasks like garbage collection, and they can now cover large flat surfaces. The new upgrade also includes the ability for the Xenobot to record information.

The most impressive new feature of the technology is the ability for the bots to record memory, which can then be used to modify its actions and behaviors. The newly developed memory function was tested and the proof of concept demonstrated that it could be extended in the future to detect and record light, the presence of radioactive contamination, chemical pollutants, and more.

When we bring in more capabilities to the bots, we can use the computer simulations to design them with more complex behaviors and the ability to carry out more elaborate tasks, said Bongard. We could potentially design them not only to report conditions in their environment but also to modify and repair conditions in their environment.

The new version of the robots are also able to self-heal very efficiently, demonstrating that they are capable of closing the majority of a severe full-length laceration half their thickness within just five minutes.

The new Xenobots carry over the ability to survive up to ten days on embryonic energy stores, and their tasks can be carried out with no additional energy sources. If they are kept in various different nutrients, they can continue at full speed for months.

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Scientists Create Living Machines That Move, Heal, Remember and Work in Groups – Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

By daniellenierenberg

Scientists have created small, synthetic living machines that self-organize from single cells, move quickly through different environments without the need for muscle cells, can remember their experiences, heal themselves when damaged, and exhibit herd behaviors.

Earlier, scientists have developed swarms of robots from synthetic materials and moving biological systems from muscle cells grown on precisely shaped scaffolds. But until now the creation of a self-directed living machine has remained beyond reach.

Biologists and computer scientists from Tufts University and the University of Vermont have created novel, tiny self-healing living machines from frog cells (Xenopus laevis) that they call Xenobots. These can move around, push a payload, and even exhibit collective behavior in a swarm.

In an article titled A cellular platform for the development of synthetic living machinespublished in the journal Science Robotics, the researchers report a method for creating these of Xenobots from frog cells. This cellular platform can be used to study self-organization, collective behavior, and bioengineering and provide versatile, soft-body, living machines for applications in biomedicine and environmental biology.

The next version of Xenobots have been createdtheyre faster, live longer, and can now record information [Doug Blackiston, Tufts University]

We are witnessing the remarkable plasticity of cellular collectives, which build a rudimentary new body that is quite distinct from their defaultin this case, a frog despite having a completely normal genome, says Michael Levin, Distinguished Professor of Biology and director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and corresponding author of the study. In a frog embryo, cells cooperate to create a tadpole. Here, removed from that context, we see that cells can re-purpose their genetically encoded hardware, like cilia, for new functions such as locomotion. It is amazing that cells can spontaneously take on new roles and create new body plans and behaviors without long periods of evolutionary selection for those features.

Xenobots can move around in a coordinated manner with the help of cilia present on their surface. These cilia grow through normal tissue patterning and do not require complicated architectural procedures such as scaffolding or microprinting, making the high-throughput production of Xenobots possible. And while the frog cells are organizing themselves into Xenobots, they are amenable to surgical, genetic, chemical, and optical stimulation. The researchers show that the Xenobots can maneuver through water, heal after damage and exhibit predictable collective behaviors.

The scientists also provide a proof of principle for a programmable molecular memory using a light-controlled protein that can record exposure to a specific wavelength of light.

Compared to their first edition, Xenobots 1.0, that were millimeter-sized automatons constructed in a top down approach by manual placement of tissue and surgical shaping of frog skin and cardiac cells to produce motion, this updated version of Xenobots 2.0 takes a bottom up approach. The biologists took stem cells from frog embryos and allowed them to self-assemble and grow into spheroids, where some of the cells after a few days differentiated to produce ciliatiny hair-like projections that move back and forth or rotate in a specific way. Cilia act like legs to help the new spheroidal Xenobots move rapidly across a surface.

In a way, the Xenobots are constructed much like a traditional robot. Only we use cells and tissues rather than artificial components to build the shape and create predictable behavior. Says Doug Blackiston, PhD, senior scientist and co-first author on the study with research technician, Emma Lederer. On the biology end, this approach is helping us understand how cells communicate as they interact with one another during development, and how we might better control those interactions.

Scientists at UVM ran computer simulations that modeled different shapes of the Xenobots and analyzed its effects on individual and collective behavior. Robotics expert, Joshua Bongard, PhD, and a team of computer scientists used an evolutionary algorithm on the Deep Green supercomputer cluster at UVMs Vermont Advanced Computing Core to simulate the behavior of the xenobots under numerous random environmental conditions. These simulations identified Xenobots that excelled at working together in swarms to gather large piles of debris in a field of particles.

We know the task, but its not at all obviousfor peoplewhat a successful design should look like. That is where the supercomputer comes in and searches over the space of all possible Xenobot swarms to find the swarm that does the job best, says Bongard. We want Xenobots to do useful work. Right now, were giving them simple tasks, but ultimately were aiming for a new kind of living tool that could, for example, clean up microplastics in the ocean or contaminants in soil.

Xenobots can quickly collect garbage working together in a swarm to sweep through a petri dish and gather larger piles of iron oxide particles. They can also cover large flat surfaces and travel through narrow capillaries.

The Tufts scientists engineered the Xenobots with a memory capability to record one bit of information, using a fluorescent reporter protein called EosFP that glows green but when exposed to blue light at 390nm wavelength, the protein emits red light instead.

The researchers injected the cells of the frog embryos with messenger RNA coding for the EosFP protein before the stem cells were excised to create the Xenobots so that the mature Xenobots have a built-in fluorescent switch which can record exposure to blue light.

To test the memory capacity, the investigators, allowed 10 Xenobots to swim around a surface on which one spot is illuminated with a beam of blue light. After two hours, they found that three bots emitted red light. The rest remained their original green, effectively recording the travel experience of the bots. This molecular memory in Xenobots could be harnessed to detect the presence of radioactive contamination, chemical pollutants, drugs, or a disease condition.

When we bring in more capabilities to the bots, we can use the computer simulations to design them with more complex behaviors and the ability to carry out more elaborate tasks, said Bongard. We could potentially design them not only to report conditions in their environment but also to modify and repair conditions in their environment.

The biological materials we are using have many features we would like to someday implement in the botscells can act like sensors, motors for movement, communication and computation networks, and recording devices to store information, says Levin. One thing the Xenobots and future versions of biological bots can do that their metal and plastic counterparts have difficulty doing is constructing their own body plan as the cells grow and mature, and then repairing and restoring themselves if they become damaged. Healing is a natural feature of living organisms, and it is preserved in Xenobot biology.

Cells in a biological robot can also absorb and break down chemicals and work like tiny factories, synthesizing and excreting chemicals and proteins.

Xenobots were designed to exhibit swarm activity, moving about on cilia legs. [Doug Blackiston, Tufts University]

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AgeX Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual 2020 Financial Results and Provides Business Update – Business Wire

By daniellenierenberg

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (AgeX; NYSE American: AGE), a biotechnology company developing therapeutics for human aging and regeneration, reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2020.

Recent Highlights

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Amendment to 2019 Loan Agreement

On February 10, 2021, AgeX entered into an amendment to its 2019 Loan Facility Agreement with Juvenescence Limited (Juvenescence). The Amendment extends the maturity date of loans under the agreement to February 14, 2022 and increases the amount of the loan facility by $4.0 million. All loans in excess of the initial $2.0 million that AgeX previously borrowed are subject to Juvenescences discretion.

At-the-market Offering Facility

During January 2021 AgeX entered into a sales agreement with Chardan Capital Markets LLC (Chardan) for the sale of shares of AgeX common stock in at-the-market (ATM) transactions. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, AgeX may offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $12.6 million through Chardan acting as the sales agent. Through March 26, 2021, AgeX raised approximately $496,000 in gross proceeds through the sale of shares of common stock.

Going Concern Considerations

As required under Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (ASC 205-40), AgeX evaluates whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about its ability to meet its future financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date its financial statements are issued. Based on AgeXs most recent projected cash flows, AgeX believes that its cash and cash equivalents and available sources of debt and equity capital would not be sufficient to satisfy AgeXs anticipated operating and other funding requirements for the twelve months following the filing of AgeXs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. These factors raise substantial doubt regarding the ability of AgeX to continue as a going concern.

Balance Sheet Information

Cash, and cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $0.6 million as of December 31, 2020, as compared with $2.5 million as of December 31, 2019. Since January 1, 2021, AgeX had cash proceeds of approximately $3.2 million through loans from Juvenescence, sales of shares of AgeX common stock, and the disposition of its subsidiary LifeMap Sciences, Inc. (LifeMap Sciences) through a cash-out merger.

Fourth Quarter and Annual 2020 Operating Results

Revenues: Total Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $0.5 million. Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $1.9 million, as compared with $1.7 million in the same period in 2019. AgeX revenue was primarily generated by its subsidiary LifeMap Sciences, Inc. which AgeX disposed of on March 15, 2021 through a cash-out merger. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 also included approximately $0.3 million of allowable expenses under a research grant from the NIH as compared with $0.2 million in the same period in 2019.

Operating expenses: Operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020, were $2.9 million, as reported, which was comprised of $2.5 million for AgeX and $0.4 million for LifeMap Sciences, and were $2.3 million, as adjusted, comprised of $2.0 million for AgeX and $0.3 million for LifeMap Sciences.

Operating expenses for the full year 2020 were $12.4 million, as reported, which was comprised of $10.4 million for AgeX and $2.0 million for LifeMap Sciences, and were $10.2 million, as adjusted, comprised of $8.7 million for AgeX and $1.5 million for LifeMap Sciences.

Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $0.9 million to $5.0 million from $5.9 million in 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to the layoff of research and development personnel in May 2020.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $0.7 million to $7.4 million from $8.1 million in 2019. Increases in personnel costs related to an increase in administrative staffing were offset to some extent by a decrease in noncash stock-based compensation expense, general office expense and supplies and travel related expenses with the shelter in place mandates since March 15, 2020 resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the elimination of shared facilities and services fees from AgeXs former parent Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. following the termination of a Shared Facilities and Services Agreement on September 30, 2019.

The reconciliation between operating expenses determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and operating expenses, as adjusted, a non-GAAP measure, is provided in the financial tables included at the end of this press release.

Other expense, net: Net other expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $0.5 million, as compared with net other income of $0.3 million in the same period in 2019. The change is primarily attributable to increased amortization of deferred debt costs to interest expense following the consummation of loan agreements.

Net loss attributable to AgeX: The net loss attributable to AgeX for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $10.9 million, or ($0.29) per share (basic and diluted) compared to $12.2 million, or ($0.33) per share (basic and diluted), for the same period in 2019.

About AgeX Therapeutics

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: AGE) is focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat human diseases to increase healthspan and combat the effects of aging. AgeXs PureStem and UniverCyte manufacturing and immunotolerance technologies are designed to work together to generate highly defined, universal, allogeneic, off-the-shelf pluripotent stem cell-derived young cells of any type for application in a variety of diseases with a high unmet medical need. AgeX has two preclinical cell therapy programs: AGEX-VASC1 (vascular progenitor cells) for tissue ischemia and AGEX-BAT1 (brown fat cells) for Type II diabetes. AgeXs revolutionary longevity platform induced Tissue Regeneration (iTR) aims to unlock cellular immortality and regenerative capacity to reverse age-related changes within tissues. HyStem is AgeXs delivery technology to stably engraft PureStem or other cell therapies in the body. AgeX is seeking opportunities to establish licensing and collaboration arrangements around its broad IP estate and proprietary technology platforms and therapy product candidates.

For more information, please visit http://www.agexinc.com or connect with the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not historical fact including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as will, believes, plans, anticipates, expects, estimates should also be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the business of AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. and its subsidiaries, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in more detail in the Risk Factors section of AgeXs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commissions (copies of which may be obtained at http://www.sec.gov). Subsequent events and developments may cause these forward-looking statements to change. AgeX specifically disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise these forward-looking statements as a result of changed events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release, except as required by applicable law.

AGEX THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value amounts)

December 31,

2020

2019

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$

527

$

2,352

Accounts and grants receivable, net

326

363

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

1,430

1,339

Total current assets

2,283

4,054

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AgeX Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual 2020 Financial Results and Provides Business Update - Business Wire

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Insulin 100: How the road to a diabetes cure is yielding better treatments – News@UofT

By daniellenierenberg

The pancreas, saysGary Lewis, an endocrinologist at Toronto General Hospital and director of the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre at the University of Torontos Temerty Faculty of Medicine, is like an exquisitely sensitive and perfectly networked computer.

Second by second,he notes,the pancreassecretesjust the right amount ofinsulinor glucagontolower or raiseblood sugarintotheportal veinthat leadsdirectlyto the liver, the site of key metabolic processes. Insulingis then distributedto every tissue in the body via general circulation.

Thats one reason a cure for diabetes has proven elusive 100 years after the discovery of insulin.

Another big reason is the complexity of how the disease arises. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, creating a life-threatening spike in blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes usually comes on more slowly, as the body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas cant produce enough of it.

Genetics play a role in both types. Exposure to viruses and other environmental effects may be a factor in type 1. Lifestyle factors, including weight gain and physical inactivity, are strongly linked to type 2.

The bottom line, says Lewis, is that diabetes is a multifactoral disease, and were not close to a cure.

Ask about treatments, though, and Lewis gets excited.

The last two decades have brought a plethora of clinical and research advances, from new drugs to boost and sensitize the body to insulin and promote weight loss, to lifestyle interventions that improve diet, continuous monitoring of blood sugar, long- and short-lasting insulin, better insulin pumps, pancreatic transplantsand pre-clinical stem cell and immunosuppressive therapies.

Progress on treatments has been fantastic, especially for type 2, Lewis says. Im very, very hopeful.

The distinction between treatment and cure in medicine is often unclear. And for the 3.6 million Canadians living with diabetes, the distinction matters less and lessif the goal is a full and healthy life.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 per cent of diabetes cases in Canada. Prevalence is rising, but Canadians with type 2 diabetes are living longer and have fewer diabetes-related complications.

The clinic doesnt look like it did 30 years ago, says Lewis, who mainly treats patients with type 2. We see fewer amputees, less blindness. Patients are generally healthier, and their prognosis is often excellent if they maintain their blood sugar target and other key parameters.

Weight loss is a cornerstone of treatments to lower blood sugar, and recent research has strengthened the link between weight reduction and type 2 diabetes management. Some people with type 2 can lose weight and control blood sugar through dietary changes and exercise alone.

Bariatric surgery is very effective for weight loss and often results in diabetes remission, although it comes with surgical risks and is expensive.

If we could prevent obesity, we could greatly reduce the incidence of type 2, Lewis says. And experiments have shown wecan get a remission withlifestyle changes, so we know what works.

The problem is broad implementation.

Ive tried to lose weight and I know how difficult it can be, especially in an environment of convenient and inexpensive calories, Lewis says. Moreover, factors such as income, education, ethnicity, access to healthy food and living conditions can make lifestyle changes that curb obesity nearly impossible.

Social determinants of health are overwhelmingly the most important influence on who gets type 2 diabetes, and how well or poorly they do with it, Lewis says.

Fortunately, dozens of new drugs for diabetes have hit the market in the last two decades.

Medications for weight loss round out the armamentarium, and some also protect against kidney damage and lower cardiac risk. Current therapies can reduce body weight up to 10 per cent, although a loss of 20 per cent or more would have a greater effect on outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes, saysJacqueline Beaudry, an assistant professor of nutritional sciences at U of T who studies links between obesity, hormones and diet.

Beaudry is probing the biology that underpins these medications, including the gut hormones GLP-1 and GIP. They control blood glucose and reduce appetite, but scientists are unsure how.

If we could understand their mechanisms of action, we could design better drugs, Beaudry says.

For people with type 1 diabetes, continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps and even automated closed-loopsystems that run on mobile apps to deliver insulin as-needed have radically changed the patient experience.

Sara Vasconcelos left),an assistant professor at U of Ts Institute of Biomedical Engineering, has worked withCristina Nostro (right), an associate professor in the department of physiology,and her team in the McEwen Stem Cell Institute at UHNto extend the survival and functionality of pancreatic precursor cells generatedfrom human stem cells.

Cell therapy could prove more liberating still.

University labs and biotechs are working on implantable devices that house insulin-producing cells derived from stem cells.

To that end,Cristina Nostro, an associate professor in the department of physiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine,and her team in the McEwen Stem Cell Institute at University Health Network recently discovered a more efficient way to generate and purify pancreatic precursor cells from human stem cells in the lab.

They have also found a way to vascularize those cells by working withSara Vasconcelos, an assistant professor at U of Ts Institute of Biomedical Engineering. Together, they have extended the survival and functionality of the cells in animal models of diabetes.

The biggest problem with these therapies is that the immune system rejects them. The same challenge currently hinders pancreas and islet transplants.

The immune system is an amazing machine, were luckyits so good, says Nostro. But its very difficult to control when it goes awry, as in autoimmune conditions.

Nostro is working with immunologists at the university on a method to protect insulin-producing beta cells from immune rejection, and she says many researchers in the field are now focused on immune-protective approaches.

Another strategy for type 1 diabetes is to tamp down the autoimmune response before the disease progresses. The idea is to prevent immune cells that damage the pancreas while the body still produces beta cells.

Groups around the world are bringing different ideas and creative approaches to treat type 1 diabetes, thats the beauty of science, says Nostro. I am very hopeful about what the future holds. Who knows? Maybe we will see hybrid technologies combining a pump and cells. We have to keep an open mind.

This story was originally published in U of T Med Magazines Insulin Issue.

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Pericardial Injection Effective, Less Invasive Way to Get Regenerative Therapies to Heart – Newswise

By daniellenierenberg

Newswise Injecting hydrogels containing stem cell or exosome therapeutics directly into the pericardial cavity could be a less invasive, less costly, and more effective means of treating cardiac injury, according to new research from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Stem cell therapy holds promise as a way to treat cardiac injury, but delivering the therapy directly to the site of the injury and keeping it in place long enough to be effective are ongoing challenges. Even cardiac patches, which can be positioned directly over the site of the injury, have drawbacks in that they require invasive surgical methods for placement.

We wanted a less invasive way to get therapeutics to the injury site, says Ke Cheng, Randall B. Terry, Jr. Distinguished Professor in Regenerative Medicine at NCStates Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences and professor in the NCState/UNC-Chapel Hill Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering. Using the pericardial cavity as a natural mold could allow us to create cardiac patches at the site of injury from hydrogels containing therapeutics.

In a proof-of-concept study, Cheng and colleagues from NCState and UNC-Chapel Hill looked at two different types of hydrogels one naturally derived and one synthetic and two different stem cell-derived therapeutics in mouse and rat models of heart attack. The therapeutics were delivered via intrapericardial (iPC) injection.

Via fluorescent imaging the researchers were able to see that the hydrogel spread out to form a cardiac patch in the pericardial cavity. They also confirmed that the stem cell or exosome therapeutics can be released into the myocardium, leading to reduced cell death and improved cardiac function compared to animals in the group who received only the hydrogel without therapeutics.

The team then turned to a pig model to test the procedures safety and feasibility. They delivered the iPC injections using a minimally invasive procedure that required only two small incisions, then monitored the pigs for adverse effects. They found no breathing complications, pericardial inflammation, or changes in blood chemistry up to three days post-procedure.

Our hope is that this method of drug delivery to the heart will result in less invasive, less costly procedures with higher therapeutic efficacy, Cheng says. Our early results are promising the method is safe and generates a higher retention rate of therapeutics than those currently in use. Next we will perform additional preclinical studies in large animals to further test the safety and efficacy of this therapy, before we can start a clinical trial.

I anticipate in a clinical setting in the future, iPC injection could be performed with pericardial access similar to the LARIAT procedure. In that regard, only one small incision under local anesthesia is needed on the patients chest wall, says Dr. Joe Rossi, associate professor in the division of cardiology at UNC-Chapel Hill and co-author of the paper.

The research appears inNature Communicationsand was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. Dr. Thomas Caranasos, director of adult cardiac surgery at UNC-Chapel Hill, also contributed to the work.

-peake-

Note to editors: An abstract follows.

Minimally invasive delivery of therapeutic agents by hydrogel injection into the pericardial cavity for cardiac repair

DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-21682-7

Authors: Dashuai Zhu, Zhenhua Li, Ke Cheng, North Carolina State University; Thomas Caranasos, Joseph Rossi, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillPublished:March 3, 2021 inNature Communications

Abstract:Cardiac patch is an effective way to deliver therapeutics to the heart. However, such procedures are normally invasive and difficult to perform. Here, we developed and tested a method to utilize the pericardial cavity as a natural mold for in situ cardiac patch formation after intrapericardial (iPC) injection of therapeutics in biocompatible hydrogels. In rodent models of myocardial infarction (MI), we demonstrated that iPC injection is an effective and safe method to deliver hydrogels containing induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiac progenitor cells (iPS-CPCs) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes. After injection, the hydrogels formed cardiac patch-like structure in the pericardial cavity, mitigating immune response and increasing the cardiac retention of the therapeutics. With robust cardiovascular regeneration and stimulation of epicardium-derived repair, the therapies mitigated cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac functions post MI. Furthermore, we demonstrated the feasibility of minimally-invasive iPC injection in a clinically-relevant porcine model as well as in human patients. Collectively, our study establishes iPC injection as a safe and effective method to deliver therapeutics to the heart for cardiac repair.

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COVID-19 kills heart muscle cells, interferes with a patients heartbeat – Study Finds

By daniellenierenberg

ST. LOUIS, Mo. Researchers in St. Louis are providing some much needed clarity about how COVID-19 impacts the human heart. COVID has been linked to cardiovascular complications for some time, but up until now its been a mystery as to how exactly the virus is interfering with the heart. For example, does the virus actually infect the heart itself? Or does it just cause inflammation which effects the cardiovascular system? Now, a team from Washington Universitys School of Medicine says theres evidence COVID-19 infects and replicates within carriers heart muscles cells.

This is of course bad news for the heart, which experiences cell death and muscle contraction issues as a result. In pursuit of an answer, the team used stem cells to create heart tissue modeling a COVID-19 infection.

Early on in the pandemic, we had evidence that this coronavirus can cause heart failure or cardiac injury in generally healthy people, which was alarming to the cardiology community, says senior author Kory J. Lavine, MD, PhD, in a university release.

Even some college athletes who had been cleared to go back to competitive athletics after COVID-19 infection later showed scarring in the heart. There has been debate over whether this is due to direct infection of the heart or due to a systemic inflammatory response that occurs because of the lung infection, the associate professor of medicine continues. Our study is unique because it definitively shows that, in patients with COVID-19 who developed heart failure, the virus infects the heart, specifically heart muscle cells.

Researchers also used stem cells to create tissues simulating heart muscle contractions. This process helped researchers to conclude that besides just killing heart muscle cells, COVID interferes with the organs contractions.

Notably, study authors add all of this heart damage can happen to an infected individual even if they show no signs of bodily inflammation.

Inflammation can be a second hit on top of damage caused by the virus, but the inflammation itself is not the initial cause of the heart injury, Lavine explains.

While this certainly isnt the first virus to impact the heart, the research team reports nothing is status quo when it comes to COVID-19. They explain that COVID-19 evokes a unique immune response dissimilar to anything seen when other viruses make contact with the heart.

COVID-19 is causing a different immune response in the heart compared with other viruses, and we dont know what that means yet, the researcher reports. In general, the immune cells seen responding to other viruses tend to be associated with a relatively short disease that resolves with supportive care. But the immune cells we see in COVID-19 heart patients tend to be associated with a chronic condition that can have long-term consequences. These are associations, so we will need more research to understand what is happening.

Researchers further confirmed their stem cell findings when they examined the real heart tissues from four COVID-19 patients.

Even young people who had very mild symptoms can develop heart problems later on that limit their exercise capacity, Lavine concludes. We want to understand whats happening so we can prevent it or treat it. In the meantime, we want everyone to take this virus seriously and do their best to take precautions and stop the spread, so we dont have an even larger epidemic of preventable heart disease in the future.

The study is published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science.

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Network pharmacology and RNA-sequencing reveal the molecular mechanism of Xuebijing injection on COVID-19-induced cardiac dysfunction – DocWire News

By daniellenierenberg

This article was originally published here

Comput Biol Med. 2021 Feb 22;131:104293. doi: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104293. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Up to 20%-30% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have evidence of cardiac dysfunction. Xuebijing injection is a compound injection containing five traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, which can protect cells from SARS-CoV-2-induced cell death and improve cardiac function. However, the specific protective mechanism of Xuebijing injection on COVID-19-induced cardiac dysfunction remains unclear.

METHODS: The therapeutic effect of Xuebijing injection on COVID-19 was validated by the TCM Anti COVID-19 (TCMATCOV) platform. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data from GSE150392 was used to find differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data from GSE151879 was used to verify the expression of Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and central hub genes in both human embryonic-stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) and adult human CMs with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS: A total of 97 proteins were identified as the therapeutic targets of Xuebijing injection for COVID-19. There were 22 DEGs in SARS-CoV-2 infected hiPSC-CMs overlapped with the 97 therapeutic targets, which might be the therapeutic targets of Xuebijing injection on COVID-19-induced cardiac dysfunction. Based on the bioinformatics analysis, 7 genes (CCL2, CXCL8, FOS, IFNB1, IL-1A, IL-1B, SERPINE1) were identified as central hub genes and enriched in pathways including cytokines, inflammation, cell senescence and oxidative stress. ACE2, the receptor of SARS-CoV-2, and the 7 central hub genes were differentially expressed in at least two kinds of SARS-CoV-2 infected CMs. Besides, FOS and quercetin exhibited the tightest binding by molecular docking analysis.

CONCLUSION: Our study indicated the underlying protective effect of Xuebijing injection on COVID-19, especially on COVID19-induced cardiac dysfunction, which provided the theoretical basis for exploring the potential protective mechanism of Xuebijing injection on COVID19-induced cardiac dysfunction.

PMID:33662681 | DOI:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104293

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Progenitor Cell Product Market 2021 Competitive Insights And Global Outlook ReNeuron Limited, Asterias Biotherapeutics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, …

By daniellenierenberg

The reportbegins with an overviewofProgenitor Cell Product andpresents throughout its development.It provides a comprehensive analysis of all regional and key player segments providing closer insights into current market conditions and future market opportunities, along with drivers, trend segments, consumer behavior, price factors and market performance and estimates.Forecast market information, SWOT analysis, Progenitor Cell Product market scenario, and feasibility study are the important aspects analyzed in this report.

The Progenitor Cell Product was valued at 12500 Billion US$ in 2021 and is projected to reach 17700 Billion US$ by 2025, at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period.

Top Companies in the Global Progenitor Cell Product Market:NeuroNova AB, StemCells, ReNeuron Limited, Asterias Biotherapeutics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, STEMCELL Technologies, Axol Bio, R&D Systems, Lonza, ATCC, Irvine Scientific

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This report segments the global Progenitor Cell Product Market based onTypesare:Pancreatic progenitor cells

Cardiac Progenitor Cells

Intermediate progenitor cells

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs)

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)

Others

Based on Application, the Global Progenitor Cell Product Market is Segmented into:Medical care

Hospital

Laboratory

For the comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, the global Progenitor Cell Product Market is analysed across key geographies namely: United States, China, Europe, Japan, South-east Asia, India and others. Each of these regions is analysed on the basis of market findings across major countries in these regions for a macro-level understanding of the market.

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Impact of the Progenitor Cell Product market report:

A comprehensive evaluation of all opportunities and risks in the market. Progenitor Cell Product market ongoing the developments and significant occasions. A Detailed study of business techniques for the development of the market-driving players. Conclusive study about the improvement plot of Progenitor Cell Product market for approaching years. Top to a bottom appreciation of market-express drivers, targets and major littler scale markets. Favorable impression inside imperative mechanical and publicize latest examples striking the market.

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What are the Progenitor Cell Product market factors that are explained in the report?

-Key Strategic Developments:The study also includes the key strategic developments of the Progenitor Cell Product market, comprising R&D, new product launch, M&A, agreements, collaborations, partnerships, joint ventures, and regional growth of the leading competitors operating in the market on a global and regional scale.-Key Market Features:The report evaluated key market features, including revenue, price, capacity, capacity utilization rate, gross, production, production rate, consumption, import/export, supply/demand, cost, market share, CAGR, and gross margin. In addition, the study offers a comprehensive study of the key market dynamics and their latest trends, along with pertinent market segments and sub-segments.Analytical Tools:The Global Progenitor Cell Product Market report includes the accurately studied and assessed data of the key industry players and their scope in the market by means of a number of analytical tools. The analytical tools such as Porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis, feasibility study, and investment return analysis have been used to analyze the growth of the key players operating in the market.

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Biomarkers Help Predict the Role of Chemotherapy in Biologic Aging – OncLive

By daniellenierenberg

Biologic aging is a complex process. There are several theories on why and how we age, and it is probable that none of them account for all the aspects. We are constantly exposed to both internal and external stimuli that, over time, facilitate the aging process. These stimuli include ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light, diet, exercise, oxidative stresses, and perhaps, worst of all, smoking. All of these can trigger intracellular processes, including DNA methylation, or epigenetic change, telomere shortening and damage, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors accelerate cellular senescencewhat is thought to be the critical factor in aging and has been shown to increase with age.1,2

Cellular senescence is a condition in which a cell has lost the ability to proliferate, and senescent cells increase in almost all organs and tissues as we age. Over time, these changes ultimately lead to the development of significant comorbidities and the cumulative functional deficits we acquire during aging. However, senescent cells are metabolically active and can produce cytokines and inflammatory proteinsthe senescence-associated secretory phenotypefurther accelerating aging and promoting malignancy. FIGURE 1 illustrates the effect of age and insults on senescence.

Accumulation of senescent cells is implicated as a cause of tissue reprogramming, osteoporosis, glaucoma, neurodegeneration, type 2 diabetes, changes in the microbiome, immune system dysfunction, dysfunctional tissue repair and fibrosis, and cancer.3 Recent data have shown the potential role of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in accelerating aging. Nowhere is chemotherapys effect in accelerating aging more apparent than in children and adolescents treated successfully for childhood malignancy.4 In these patients, by the time they reach aged 35 years, approximately 30% have the clinical phenotype of a person aged 65 years, as evidenced by dramatic increases in cardiac disease and new second malignancies.

At the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, we have focused on the effects of chemotherapy and accelerated aging in cancer. To date, we have studied the effects of chemotherapy on childhood cancer, early breast cancer, and bone marrow transplantation. Our research has explored the role of p16INK4a expression, a robust marker of biologic aging, following on the work of Norman E. Ned Sharpless, MD, director of the National Cancer Institute. p16INK4a encodes for a protein that blocks cyclin-dependent kinase, analogous to the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors now used in breast cancer, including palbociclib (Ibrance), ribociclib (Kisqali), and abemaciclib (Verzenio), that prevent cells from entering the cell cycle.5 This leads to cellular senescence. In murine models, aging is associated with dramatic changes in p16INK4a expression in almost all organs over the animals lifespan.6 In human studies, p16INK4a expression is measured in T lymphocytes using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction as a surrogate for aging in other tissues. Studies of p16INK4a expression using other immunohistochemistry methods suggest changes in T cells represent mirror changes in other tissue, and further research in this area is underway.

The change in p16INK4a with aging is not linear, and after 60 years, it appears to plateau for unclear reasons.7 It is possible that those older persons who would have had high levels of p16INK4a expression have already died of age-related illness such as cardiovascular disease, and current studies are addressing this issue.

The large dynamic range of p16INK4a expressionapproximately 10-fold over the human lifespanmakes it an ideal biomarker for study. In healthy children and adolescents, p16INK4a expression is low to undetectable, with high levels appearing in older persons. FIGURE 2 shows the effect of age on p16INK4a expression in 594 patients. These data give p16INK4a expression the potential to be an accurate predictor of cell senescence in an individual patient.

For example, if one hypothesizes that senescent cells are less likely to replicate to ameliorate the adverse effects of chemotherapy (ie, myelosuppression or mucositis), then investigators might be able to accurately predict between 2 patients of the same ageone with high p16INK4a expression and one with lowthat the patient with higher expression would have less cellular reserve and be more vulnerable to adverse effects. Studies are underway to determine if p16INK4a expression measured before treatment will prove to be a predictive marker of toxicity for currently used adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.

Investigators have examined several hundred patients with early breast cancer and a smaller number with childhood cancer and after bone marrow transplantation, and they have found that most chemotherapy regimens cause rapid and sustained increases in p16INK4a expression. Changes are seen shortly and dramatically after beginning chemotherapy, persist over time, and are irreversible.5,8,9 In adolescents and young adults treated with chemotherapy, significant increases in p16INK4a expression were associated with frailty and represented a 35-year acceleration in age among frail young adult cancer survivors. These data mimic what has been clinically noted in large study of adults who had childhood cancer: Approximately one-third of young adults and childhood cancer survivors aged 35 years have a disease phenotype of a person aged 65 years.4 Our group has also found that p16INK4a expression rose markedly in patients treated with allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplants for hematologic malignancies. These patients had a 2- to 3-fold increase in p16INK4a expression corresponding to 16 to 28 years of accelerated aging.10

We have noted similar findings in women with early-stage breast cancer. In patients treated with adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, especially with anthracycline-based regimens (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and taxanes with or without carboplatin), p16INK4a expression rose dramatically during chemotherapy and persisted during follow-up. On average, chemotherapy accelerated aging by approximately 17 years of life span, with acceleration of 23 to 27 years for those treated with anthracycline-based treatment.

Of note, docetaxel/cyclophosphamide regimens were associated with only 11 years of aging, and we found no evidence that anti-HER2 therapy affected p16INK4a expression. In these studies, accelerated aging due to chemotherapy represents estimates based on the trajectory of p16INK4a expression in normal patients over their lifespan. We are uncertain of the long-term implications of these changes. In our breast cancer studies, baseline p16INK4a expression was also associated with fatigue. In a recent unpublished analysis (Mitin N, et al), the difference between a patients baseline p16INK4a expression and a normal value for a patient of the same agethe p16 gapwas highly predictive of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with taxane chemotherapy. We also found that baseline p16INK4a expression is a significant predictor of a p16 change, independent of age or chemotherapy type, with those patients having lower baseline p16INK4a expression being more likely to have greater changes with any chemotherapy regimen. The reasons for this are unclear, but patients of similar age with higher p16INK4a less ability to overcome tissue and organ damage. Not all chemotherapeutic agentsfor example, taxanes used as a single agentmay be associated with accelerated aging.11 More detailed studies of patients treated with different agents, including immunotherapeutic and other biologic therapies, and for different types of cancer are needed.

The long-term implications of changes in p16INK4a expression with chemotherapy are unknown, but our data suggest that higher levels may be indicators of frailty, a syndrome associate with increased comorbidity, poor quality of life, and shortened survival. p16INK4a expression has been associated with other diseases of aging, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other common illnesses, and our chemotherapy-treated patients with accelerated aging may experience major problems 10 to 20 years after treatment, similar to young adults with cancer, and at a time when they are not likely to be followed by their oncologists.

However, these concerns should not mitigate the use of what has proven to be markedly effective treatment regimens that have dramatically improved overall survival in childhood cancer and breast cancer. It is too early to speculate, especially in breast cancer, whether nonanthracycline regimens with similar effectiveness to anthracyclines may be worth considering for patients with long life expectancy. The use of biomarkers in aging research, geroscience, is an exciting area of exploration, and p16INK4a expression is just one of the markers currently being studied.12 The implications of accelerated aging are being studied in other scenarios, and a broad range of studies are exploring interventions to ameliorate biological changes suggesting accelerated aging.

An excellent review of these issues and potential interventions is available13 and describes studies of exercise, diet and nutrition strategies, and senolytics. Learning about the effects of cancer treatment on aging is of major importance, as the clinical scenario of cancer is dominated by older adults who already may have a substantial comorbid illness at the time of diagnosis that might be accelerated by treatment. In children and young adults with cancer, learning how to assess and, in the future, intervene to prevent treatment-related accelerated aging is also a major need.

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