Medical treatment involving stem cells is an ever-growing, billion-dollar industry, so chances are you have heard about it in the news. Here in the U.S. and around the world, stem cells are being used in various therapies to treat a wide variety of health problems and diseases, including dementia, autism, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, osteoarthritis, cancer, heart disease, Parkinsons disease, and spinal cord injury. Treatments for such health issues may sound promising, but the risk is many of those being sold and advertised arent yet proven to be safe and effective. This is why its so important to educate yourself before jumping into any kind of stem cell treatment.

What are stem cells?

To gain a better understanding of this new age of medical research, one must first understand what stem cells are and how they work. Stem cells are special human cells that can develop into many different types of cells. They can divide and produce more of the same type of stem cells, or they can turn into different functioning cells. There are no other types of cells in the body that have this natural ability to generate new cell types.

Where do stem cells come from?

So where do stem cells that are used for research and medical treatments come from? The three main types of stem cells are embryonic (or pluripotent) stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells come from unused, in vitro fertilized embryos that are three to five days old. The embryos are only donated for research purposes with the informed consent of the donors. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, which means they can turn into any cell type in the body.

Adult stem cells are found in small numbers in developed tissues in different parts of the body, such as bone marrow, skin, and the brain. They are specific to a certain kind of tissue in the body and are limited to maintaining and repairing the tissue in which they are found. For example, liver stem cells can only make new liver tissue; they arent able to make new muscle tissue.

Induced pluripotent stem cells are another form of adult stem cells. These are stem cells that have been manipulated in a laboratory and reprogrammed to work like embryotic (or pluripotent) stem cells. While these altered adult stem cells dont appear to be clinically different from embryonic stem cells, research is still being conducted to determine if the effects they have on humans differ from actual embryonic stem cells.

Stem cells can also be found in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood. These stem cells have the ability to change into specialized cells like embryonic stem cells. While more research is being conducted to determine the potential of these types of stem cells, researchers already actively use these through amniocentesis procedures. In this procedure, the stem cells drawn from amniotic fluid samples of pregnant women can be screened for developmental abnormalities in a fetus.

How stem cells function

The main difference between embryonic and adult stem cells is how they function. Embryonic stem cells are more versatile. Since they can divide into more stem cells or become any type of cell in the body, they can be used to regenerate or repair a variety of diseased tissue and organs. Adult stem cells only generate the types of cells from where they are taken from in the body.

The future of stem cell research

The ability for stem cells to regenerate under the right conditions in the body or in a laboratory is why researchers and doctors have become so interested in studying them. Stem cell research is helping scientists and doctors to better understand how certain diseases occur, how to possibly generate healthy cells to replace diseased cells, and offer ways to test new drugs.

Clearly, stem cell research is showing great potential for understanding and treating a range of diseases and other health issues, but there is still a lot to learn. While there are some diseases that are showing success using stem cell treatments, many others are yet to be proven in clinical trials and should be considered highly experimental.

In our next article, various stem cell treatments, FDA regulations, and other stem cell hot topics will be explored. It will also focus on what to look for when considering stem cell therapies so people arent misled or misinformed about the benefits and risks.

For more information regarding the basics of stem cells visit these sites:

https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/1.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117

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The 411 on Stem Cells: What They Are and Why It's Important to Be Educated - Legal Examiner

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on The 411 on Stem Cells: What They Are and Why It’s Important to Be Educated – Legal Examiner | February 17th, 2020

There are two different types of stem cell transplants:

To understand these treatments, it helps to know about bone marrow and stem cells.

Bone marrow is part of our immune system which protects us from infection and disease. It is found inside our bones, mainly in the hip bone and the breast bone. The bone marrow is where stem cells are made.

Stem cells are blood cells at the earliest stage of development. All our blood cells develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. Stem cells stay inside the bone marrow and when they are fully developed they go into the bloodstream.

Blood cells do not live long. The bone marrow normally makes millions of new blood cells every day to replace blood cells as they are needed.

There are three main types of blood cells:

There are two main types of white blood cell. These are called neutrophils and lymphocytes. Neutrophils are the most common. You will hear your doctor or nurse talk about your neutrophil count during your treatment.

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What are stem cells and bone marrow? - Macmillan Cancer ...

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on What are stem cells and bone marrow? – Macmillan Cancer … | February 16th, 2020

Early data trends from first patient dosed in the AVR-RD-04 investigational gene therapy program for cystinosis show improvements across multiple measures

Data from the Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials of AVR-RD-01 support potential long-term engraftment and durable, endogenous production of functional enzyme in patients with Fabry disease

First Phase 2 Fabry patient treated using plato gene therapy platform shows plasma enzyme activity at one month 4.0 times higher than mean activity of other Phase 2 patients treated using academic platform at same timepoint

Analyst and investor event will be webcast today, Feb. 10, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. ET, in conjunction with WORLDSymposiumTM

AVROBIO, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVRO), a leading clinical-stage gene therapy company with a mission to free people from a lifetime of genetic disease, today announced new initial data from the first patient dosed in the investigational gene therapy program for cystinosis, showing improvements in early measures at three months compared to baseline. The company also unveiled new clinical data showcasing a sustained biomarker response in patients for up to 32 months after receiving the companys investigational gene therapy for Fabry disease across metrics including vector copy number (VCN), substrate levels and enzyme activity. Additionally, the company reported on the clinical debut of its platoTM gene therapy platform. These data showed improved enzyme activity, transduction efficiency and VCN in drug product manufactured using plato compared with drug product produced using the academic platform, as well as higher in vivo enzyme activity at one month in the first patient treated with plato, as compared to other patients treated using the academic platform. All these data will be presented today, during the 16th Annual WORLDSymposiumTM in Orlando, Fla.

"We have now dosed 10 patients across three trials for two lysosomal disorders and were delighted with the data were seeing. We have followed six patients in our Fabry trial for more than a year and one for nearly three years, and they are consistently producing the functional enzyme that was missing as a consequence of their genetic disease, suggesting a potentially durable effect from a single dose," said Geoff MacKay, AVROBIOs president and CEO. "Furthermore, we believe that early data from the first clinical application of plato support our decision to invest heavily from AVROBIO's earliest days in this state-of-the-art gene therapy platform. We believe these data collectively indicate that were making exciting progress toward our goal of freeing patients and families from the life-limiting symptoms and relentless progression of lysosomal disorders."

Story continues

Three-month data from first patient in investigational AVR-RD-04 trial in cystinosisAVROBIO reported initial data from the first patient dosed in the investigator-sponsored Phase 1/2 trial of the companys AVR-RD-04 investigational gene therapy for cystinosis, a progressive disease marked by the accumulation of cystine crystals in cellular organelles known as lysosomes. Patients with cystinosis accumulate the amino acid cystine, which can lead to crystal formation in the lysosomes of cells, causing debilitating symptoms including corneal damage, difficulty breathing and kidney failure, often leading to a shortened lifespan. The current standard of care for cystinosis, a burdensome treatment regimen that can amount to dozens of pills a day, may not prevent overall progression of the disease.

As of the safety data cut-off date of Jan. 27, 2020, which was approximately three months following administration of the investigational gene therapy to the first patient in the AVR-RD-04 program, there have been no reports of safety events attributed to the investigational drug product. In addition, no serious adverse events (SAEs) have been reported as of the safety data cut-off date. Adverse events did not suggest any unexpected safety signals or trends.

Three months following administration of AVR-RD-04, the first patient had a VCN of 2.0. VCN measures the average number of copies of the lentiviral-vector inserted transgene integrated into the genome of a cell and can be used to help assess the durability of a gene therapy. Initial data on another biomarker show that the patients average granulocyte cystine level -- one of the trials primary endpoints -- decreased from 7.8 nmol half cystine/mg protein two weeks after cysteamine discontinuation, to 1.5 at three months post-gene therapy.

The ongoing open-label, single-arm Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of AVR-RD-04 is sponsored by AVROBIOs academic collaborators at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), led by Stephanie Cherqui, Ph.D. The trial is actively enrolling up to six participants at UCSD.

Interim data continue to support potential first line use of AVR-RD-01 in Fabry diseaseFour patients have been dosed in the Phase 2 trial (FAB-201), and five patients in the Phase 1 investigator-led trial of AVR-RD-01 in Fabry disease.

VCN data continue to be stable at 32 months following AVR-RD-01 treatment for the first patient in the Phase 1 trial, suggesting successful engraftment, which is critical to the long-term success of investigational ex vivo lentiviral gene therapies. The VCN data trend was generally consistent across the seven other Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial participants out six to 24 months.

The first three AVR-RD-01 Phase 2 patients entered the study with minimal endogenous enzyme activity. At nine, 12 and 18 months after dosing, data from these three patients indicate sustained increased leukocyte and plasma enzyme activity, suggesting that they are now producing an endogenous supply of functional alpha-galactosidase (AGA) enzyme. This enzyme is essential for breaking down globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in cells; without it, a toxic metabolite, lyso-Gb3, may accumulate, potentially causing cardiac and kidney damage and other symptoms.

For two Phase 2 patients, data indicate that their decreased plasma lyso-Gb3 levels, a key biomarker for monitoring Fabry disease, have been sustained below their baseline at six and 18 months after dosing. The third Phase 2 patient, a cardiac variant who does not have classic Fabry disease, did not show a decrease in plasma lyso-Gb3 levels, as expected. Cardiac and kidney function measures in the Phase 2 trial remained within normal range for patients who had available 12-month data.

As previously reported, a kidney biopsy taken at 12 months post-treatment for the first patient in the Phase 2 trial showed an 87-percent reduction in Gb3 inclusions per peritubular capillary. The company believes this data point, the primary efficacy endpoint for the Phase 2 trial, supports the potential of AVR-RD-01 to reduce Gb3 levels in tissue, including in the kidney.

In the Phase 1 trial of AVR-RD-01, four of the five patients had their plasma lyso-Gb3 levels reduced between 26 and 47 percent compared to their pre-treatment baseline levels. Data from the other patient in the trial, who remains off enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), through month six showed an initial decline and at month 12 showed a 23-percent increase in lyso-Gb3 levels, as compared to pre-treatment levels. This patients lyso-Gb3 levels remain within the range for the Fabry disease patients on ERT observed in this study.

Overall, three of the five Phase 1 patients have discontinued ERT and all three remain off ERT for six, 14 and 15 months.

As of the safety data cut-off date of Nov. 26, 2019, there have been no safety events attributed to AVR-RD-01 drug product in either the Phase 1 or Phase 2 trial. Through the safety data cut-off date, four SAEs have been reported in the FAB-201 trial and two SAEs in the Phase 1 trial. The fourth Phase 2 patient, who was dosed after the safety data cut-off date, has reported an SAE, which was not attributed to AVR-RD-01 and which subsequently resolved. Across both studies, each of the SAEs has been consistent with the conditioning regimen, stem cell mobilization, underlying disease or pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing low anti-AGA antibody titers have been detected in four patients in the Phase 1 trial and a transient low titer was observed but not detectable in subsequent measures in one patient in the Phase 2 trial.

The Phase 1 trial is fully enrolled. AVROBIO continues to actively enroll the Phase 2 trial in Australia, Canada and the U.S. The FAB-201 trial is an ongoing open-label, single-arm Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of AVR-RD-01 in eight to 12 treatment-nave patients with Fabry disease.

Successful clinical debut of platoTM gene therapy platformAVROBIO also shared preliminary results from the first two patients to receive busulfan conditioning. Conditioning is an essential step in ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy designed to clear space in the bone marrow for the cells carrying the therapeutic transgene to engraft. The conditioning regimen developed as part of AVROBIOs plato platform includes therapeutic dose monitoring to assess how rapidly the individual patient metabolizes busulfan so physicians can adjust the dose as needed, with a goal of minimizing side effects while maximizing the potential of durable engraftment.

AVROBIO is implementing its precision dosing conditioning regimen across its company-sponsored clinical trials as part of the plato platform. The fourth patient in AVROBIOs Phase 2 Fabry trial received a precision dosing conditioning regimen with busulfan as part of the plato platform, while the first patient in the investigator-led cystinosis trial received busulfan but not as part of the plato platform.

These two patients both had rapid neutrophil and platelet count recovery, with a trajectory that was similar to the patients who enrolled earlier in the Fabry trials and who received a melphalan conditioning regimen. Side effects, which included nausea, mucositis, fever, rash and hair loss, developed eight to 10 days after dosing with busulfan and then resolved quickly.

The company also reported preliminary data from the first drug product produced using the plato gene therapy platform, which was used to dose the fourth patient in the Phase 2 Fabry trial (FAB-201). Early data indicate that enzyme activity and transduction efficiency for the drug product used to dose the fourth patient were 2.2 times higher than the mean of the drug product used to dose the first three patients in FAB-201. VCN for the drug product used to dose the fourth patient was 1.8 times higher than the mean of the drug product for the first three patients dosed in FAB-201. The drug product for the first three patients in FAB-201 was manufactured using a manual process first developed by AVROBIOs academic collaborators. The automated manufacturing embedded in plato leverages optimized processes developed at AVROBIO.

At one month following administration of the plato-produced investigational gene therapy for the fourth patient in the Phase 2 Fabry trial, initial data show the patients plasma enzyme activity level to be 4.0 times higher than the mean activity level of the first three patients in the Phase 2 Fabry trial at the same timepoint.

The investigational drug product used to dose the first patient in the AVR-RD-04 program for cystinosis, which included a four-plasmid vector but not platos automated manufacturing process, also showed increased performance in line with the increased performance recorded for the drug product in the Fabry trial. The investigational drug product and VCN assay are different for each trial.

"We believe these data are an early, but exciting, validation of our decision to invest in technological innovation rather than build expensive bricks-and-mortar manufacturing facilities," said MacKay. "The plato platform gives us control over the production and scaling of our investigational gene therapies through an efficient, automated manufacturing system that is designed to be deployed in standard contracted sites around the world. The four-plasmid vector, conditioning regimen with precision dosing and other elements of plato are designed to optimize the safety, potency and durability of our investigational lentiviral gene therapies."

About AVROBIOs ex vivo approach to gene therapyOur investigational ex vivo gene therapies start with the patients own stem cells. In the manufacturing facility, a lentiviral vector is used to insert a therapeutic gene designed to enable the patient to produce a functional supply of the protein they lack. These cells are then infused back into the patient, where they are expected to engraft in the bone marrow and produce generations of daughter cells, each containing the therapeutic gene. This approach is designed to drive durable production of the functional protein throughout the patients body, including hard-to-reach tissues such as the brain, muscle and bone. It is a distinguishing feature of this type of gene therapy that the corrected cells are expected to cross the blood-brain barrier and thereby potentially address symptoms originating in the central nervous system.

Lentiviral vectors are differentiated from other delivery mechanisms because of their large cargo capacity and their ability to integrate the therapeutic gene directly into the patients chromosomes. This integration is designed to maintain the transgenes presence as the patients cells divide, which may improve the expected durability of the therapy and potentially enable dosing of pediatric patients, whose cells divide rapidly as they grow. Because the transgene is integrated ex vivo into patients stem cells, patients are not excluded from receiving the investigational therapy due to pre-existing antibodies to the viral vector.

Analyst and investor event and webcast informationAVROBIO will host an analyst and investor event today, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, in conjunction with the WORLDSymposiumTM, an annual scientific meeting dedicated to lysosomal disorders, in Orlando, FL. The presentation at the event will be webcast beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. The webcast and accompanying slides will be available under "Events and Presentations" in the Investors & Media section of the companys website at http://www.avrobio.com. An archived webcast recording of the event will be available on the website for approximately 30 days.

About AVROBIOOur mission is to free people from a lifetime of genetic disease with a single dose of gene therapy. We aim to halt or reverse disease throughout the body by driving durable expression of functional protein, even in hard-to-reach tissues and organs including the brain, muscle and bone. Our clinical-stage programs include Fabry disease, Gaucher disease and cystinosis and we also are advancing a program in Pompe disease. AVROBIO is powered by the plato gene therapy platform, our foundation designed to scale gene therapy worldwide. We are headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an office in Toronto, Ontario. For additional information, visit avrobio.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words and phrases such as "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "could," "designed to," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "intends," "may," "plans," "possible," "potential," "seeks," "will," and variations of these words and phrases or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our business strategy for and the potential therapeutic benefits of our prospective product candidates, the design, commencement, enrollment and timing of ongoing or planned clinical trials, clinical trial results, product approvals and regulatory pathways, and anticipated benefits of our gene therapy platform including potential impact on our commercialization activities, timing and likelihood of success. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Results in preclinical or early-stage clinical trials may not be indicative of results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on AVROBIOs current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry as well as managements current beliefs and expectations of future events only as of today and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that any one or more of AVROBIOs product candidates will not be successfully developed or commercialized, the risk of cessation or delay of any ongoing or planned clinical trials of AVROBIO or our collaborators, the risk that AVROBIO may not successfully recruit or enroll a sufficient number of patients for our clinical trials, the risk that AVROBIO may not realize the intended benefits of our gene therapy platform, including the features of our plato platform, the risk that our product candidates or procedures in connection with the administration thereof will not have the safety or efficacy profile that we anticipate, the risk that prior results, such as signals of safety, activity or durability of effect, observed from preclinical or clinical trials, will not be replicated or will not continue in ongoing or future studies or trials involving AVROBIOs product candidates, the risk that we will be unable to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for our product candidates, the risk that the size and growth potential of the market for our product candidates will not materialize as expected, risks associated with our dependence on third-party suppliers and manufacturers, risks regarding the accuracy of our estimates of expenses and future revenue, risks relating to our capital requirements and needs for additional financing, and risks relating to our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause AVROBIOs actual results to differ materially and adversely from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in AVROBIOs most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors in AVROBIOs subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AVROBIO explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200210005767/en/

Contacts

Investor Contact: Christopher F. BrinzeyWestwicke, an ICR Company339-970-2843chris.brinzey@westwicke.com

Media Contact: Tom DonovanTen Bridge Communications857-559-3397tom@tenbridgecommunications.com

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AVROBIO Presents Positive Initial Data for its Investigational Cystinosis Program and Plato TM Platform, as well as Positive Data Out to 32 Months for...

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on AVROBIO Presents Positive Initial Data for its Investigational Cystinosis Program and Plato TM Platform, as well as Positive Data Out to 32 Months for… | February 16th, 2020

Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, is best remembered for her reckless extravagance and her tragic death. French revolutionaries executed her with a guillotine in 1793 for treason. Popular belief is that her hair turned grey the night before her death.

There are other stories and anecdotes like this which suggest that stressful experiences are correlated with the phenomenon of hair greying. Now, for the first time, Harvard University scientists have found the real mechanism behind it.

Published in the journal Nature, the study was initiated with the aim of analysing the effect of stress on various tissues. Hair and skin are the tissues that are visible from outside. So, the researchers started with effects of stress on hair colour.

Their initial hypothesis was that stress initiates an immune attack on pigment-producing cells in the hair follicles. However, when they tested it on mouse, they found those lacking immune cells (nude mouse) also exhibited hair greying. Then, their attention turned to a hormone called cortisol. It is responsible for regulating a wide range of processes through the body, including metabolism and the immune response. In response to stress, extra cortisol is released to help the body to respond appropriately. Surprisingly, when the researchers removed the adrenal gland from the miceto prevent production of cortisol-like hormone aldosteroneand triggered stress, their hair still turned grey.

Finally, the researchers tested the sympathetic nerves that branch out to each hair follicle. The sympathetic nerve system is responsible for the bodys fight-or-flight response. They found that in a stressful condition, the sympathetic nerves release a chemical called norepinephrine, which is taken up by certain stem cells in the hair follicle. Stem cells act as a reservoir for pigment-producing cells. During hair regeneration, some of these stem cells are converted into pigment-producing cells to give colour to new hair strands.

When these stem cells take norepinephrine, they are activated excessively and all of them get converted into pigment-producing cells. This would prematurely deplete the reservoir for pigment-producing cells. Once all of them are consumed, pigment regeneration would stop, resulting in permanent damage. The fight-or-flight response has been traditionally viewed as beneficial. But now it is proved that it has its own detrimental effects, too.

The study established how neurons interact at the cellular and molecular level to link stress with hair greying. The findings are expected to put light on the broader effects of stress on various body parts. The scientists will initiate new studies that seek to modify or block the damaging effects of stress.

Read the rest here:
The ghost behind grey - THE WEEK

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The ghost behind grey – THE WEEK | February 16th, 2020

DALLAS It is more blessed to give than to receive. That's what a Bible verse says. And watching the smiles of a now healthy 8-year-old boy, that's what a recent bone marrow donor will gladly tell you too.

"I felt like the earth underneath my legs was pulled out and like I didn't know what to do," said Anitha Nagilla of Frisco of the 2017 chronic myeloid leukemia diagnosis for her then 6-year-old son Akshaj.

After chemotherapy and other treatments, he would need a bone marrow transplant to regenerate his immune system. But no one in his family, including his older sister, was a close enough match. Also, the likelihood of someone with Asian Indian heritage having a matched, available donor is only 41%.

The Nagilla family moved to north Texas from southern India 13 years ago.

WFAA

Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer, like leukemia or lymphoma. For many patients, finding a bone marrow donor who is a match is their only chance for a cure. Finding a match can happen anywhere in the world at any time.

In nearby Colleyville, another immigrant, unknowingly, was about to help save the Akshaj's life.

WFAA

"Typical immigration story. Parents moved for a better life for their children and for themselves," said Dr. Prasanthi Ganesa, an oncologist who works at the Center for Cancer and Blood disorders in Fort Worth.

Dr. Ganesa moved to the U.S. as a 10-year-old child, also from southern India. She now works with adult cancer patients.

But as a medical student at Texas A&M, she and a group of friends decided to join the nationalBone Marrow Registry. The donation of blood, stem cells, and bone marrow can help people recover from a variety of cancer-related illnesses.

"At that time it was pretty simple," Dr. Ganesa said of joining the registry approximately 17 years ago. "You fill out some paperwork. It's a (saliva) swab and they have my information. So I've been on it, really not thinking about it, until I got the call. It was a surprise. It was a delightful surprise."

The surprise was that she was a match for a young boy, the same age as her own youngest child. After an outpatient procedure where marrow was extracted from a location on each hip, she went home, then back to work, and waited to hear what happened to whoever it was that received her donation.

Dr. Prasanthi Ganesa

Friday morning at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, she met him face to face.

In a meeting room all decorated for Valentine's Day, they celebrated what is also known as "National Donor Day."

"Hi buddy, how are you?" Dr. Ganesa said as she reached out to hug 8-year-old Akshaj Nagilla. "Oh my goodness," she said as they embraced.

"Definitely is on the list of one of my happiest proudest moments in my life," Dr. Ganesa said. "And Akshaj I have you to thank for that. You know what this means right? We're gonna have to be friends forever," she said as the audience of doctors, nurses, and family and friends laughed and applauded.

Being on the marrow registry is easy. All it takes is a swab of saliva. And minority donors are needed the most. Dr. Ganesa was one of two marrow donors for Akshaj. She supplied the first donation.

Akshaj initially recovered but relapsed in the fall of 2018, when he received a second transplant from a different donor, also of Asian Indian heritage. But his family credits the first donation with starting his long road to recovery.

"She being close here in Dallas is undoubtedly remarkable, in that it happened to our family," Anitha Nagilla said.

"She saved my son's life directly. But she saved some other lives as well in the family," Nagilla said of the impact on her entire extended family. "She is a lifesaver for others as well."

Friday morning at their first meeting, the Nagilla family presented Dr. Ganesa with a gold bracelet and a card with a personal message from Akshaj inside. "I'm doing good and wish you well always", he wrote.

"How wonderful is this," Dr. Ganesa said as they embraced again.

The usually shy 8-year-old also mustered up the courage to climb up to a podium and address the entire crowd, but mostly his message was for Dr. Ganesa.

"I am very thankful because I am still alive," he said.

"I just encourage everybody of Indian origin, of southeast Asian origin, any minority group to get yourself on the registry because it could save a life," Dr. Ganesa said.

"It feels really good to be able to say I gave a part of myself and I saved this person's life. I think it's the ultimate meaning of being a human being. We are here to love all serve all. And what an opportunity that I have had. So I am so grateful that I've had that opportunity," Dr. Ganesa said.

She says she feels like she received more than she gave. As she, her own two sons and the Nagilla family gathered for a group hug, her own extended family maybe just got a lot bigger too.

See more here:
8-year-old bone marrow recipient and donor celebrate in emotional reunion - WFAA.com

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on 8-year-old bone marrow recipient and donor celebrate in emotional reunion – WFAA.com | February 15th, 2020

WHEN student Hayden Ryals saw a call for blood stem cell donors, she didn't think twice about signing up.

But she was shocked when she received a call just a year later, asking for her help to save a one-year-old girl's life.

6

Hayden, now 27, from Alabama, had the operation and instantly felt bonded to little Skye.

And two years later, the pair met for the first time, when Skye was invited to be a flower girl at Hayden's wedding.

Speaking exclusively to Fabulous Digital, Hayden tells her story...

Since I was about 16, I have always given blood. It seemed like such a small thing to do to help people. Donating only takes 10 minutes.

6

Then I went to University in Auburn, Alabama. I was walking to a lecture one day and saw a stall from Be the Match. I wandered over to see what they were about.

The lady at the stall told me they were looking for bone marrow donors. I just needed a swab in my cheek, so they would have my tissue, and then I would be put on the register. You only get called if you're a match.

I happily said yes, it only took two minutes, and didnt think much more about it.

Almost a year to the day later, in April 2016, I got a phone call. It was from Be the Match.

When I spoke to her mum Talia, it was emotional. 'Youve saved my daughters life,' she said through tears

"You have been matched with a one-year-old little girl," I was told.

At first I thought it was a mistake, surely I wouldnt be able to do something so big? But it was true, she needed me to save her life.

I had been feeling so down in life, wondering what I was supposed to be doing, I felt a surge of joy at being able to help someone.

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I found out the little girl, Skye Savren-McCormick, wasdiagnosed withjuvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. She lived in California, miles away from me.

I immediately knew I wanted to help her.

I sent her parents a letter, through a co-ordinator, telling them I wouldnt back out.

They already felt like family to me. It was strange how connected I felt to a little girl I had never met.

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In July 2016, we did the transfer. I went to a hospital three hours away in Birmingham Alabama and was put under general anaesthetic for an hour.

They put a hollow needle into my hip bone to extract my bone marrow. It really wasnt bad, and I didnt feel much pain afterwards.

I was told Skye responded well, but had to wait a year to contact Skye's parents.

When I eventually spoke to her mum Talia, it was emotional. "Youve saved my daughters life," she said through tears.

6

Around this time, I started dating my childhood friend Adrian Ryals, now 34. He was in the US Air Force, and was posted to Korea for a year in 2017.

Just before he left, Adrian popped the question. Delighted, we set a wedding date for June 2018.

In March 2018, I sent Skye a birthday present and asked if she would consider being my flower girl.

Becoming a blood stem cell donor

Every 20 minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK.

For many, blood stem cell donation is their only chance of survival.

It's difficult to find a match, because of the millions of different stem cell combinations, so the DKMS are constantly on the look out for donors.

To become a blood stem cell donor, you just need to request a kit and do a five-minute cheek swab at home.

You can check your eligibility, and request a kit, here.

The odds are you may never be called upon.

Most blood stem cells are collected through a needle in the arm, just like giving blood.

Bone marrow collection involves stem cells being collected from the back of the hip under general anaesthetic. It takes one to two hours and most donors return to normal activities within a week. This method is only used in 10% of cases.

I knew it was a big ask, she lived a six-hour flight away, but she was so special to me.

If there was a chance she could come, I wanted her at my wedding.

Skye still lived in hospital at the time and had never flown. But in May 2018, the doctor gave her the green light to be able to come to the wedding.

6

Talia, Skye and her dad Todd flew down the Thursday before the wedding.

As we arrived at the church where we were having the rehearsal, they were already there waiting.

I was breathless and speechless to finally meet this little human, and know I was fortunate enough to have been able to help her.

I just ran up to her, got on my knees and gave her a big hug. She wasnt shy with me, as we had spoken on the phone a few times before.

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Skye didnt really understand what I had done for her, but she knew I was somebody special.

I was so honoured to have Skye be my flower girl, it made the wedding even more beautiful. I feel so lucky to have her in my life.

Earlier this week, we reported on a mother-of-the-bride who demanded her ginger bridesmaid dyed her hair for the wedding - because it "clashed" with her hair.

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Bride saves babys life by donating her bone marrow then meets her for the first time as a flower girl at he - The Sun

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Bride saves babys life by donating her bone marrow then meets her for the first time as a flower girl at he – The Sun | February 15th, 2020

In August of 2011, Carl June and his team published a landmark paper showing their CART treatment had cleared a patient of cancer. A year-to-the-month later, Jennifer Doudna made an even bigger splash when she published the first major CRISPR paper, setting off a decade of intense research and sometimes even more intense public debate over the ethics of what the gene-editing tool could do.

Last week, June, whose CART work was eventually developed by Novartis into Kymriah, published in Sciencethe first US paper showing how the two could be brought together. It was not only one of the first time scientists have combined the groundbreaking tools, but the first peer-reviewed American paper showing how CRISPR could be used in patients.

June used CRISPR to edit the cells of three patients with advanced blood cancer, deleting the traditional T cell receptor and then erasing the PD1 gene, a move designed to unleash the immune cells. The therapy didnt cure the patients, but the cells remained in the body for a median of 9 months, a major hurdle for the therapy.

Endpoints caught up with June about the long road both he and the field took to get here, if the treatment will ever scale up, and where CRISPR and other advancements can lead it.

The interview has been condensed and edited.

Youve spoken in the past about howyou started working in this field in the mid-90s after your wife passed away from cancer. What were some of those early efforts? How did you start?

Well, I graduated from high school and had a low draft number [for the Vietnam War] and was going to go to study engineering at Stanford, but I was drafted and went into the Naval Academy in 1971, and I did that so I wouldnt have to go to the rice fields.

The war ended in 73, 74, so when I graduated in 1975, I was allowed to go to medical school, and then I had a long term commitment to the Navy because they paid for the Acadamy and Medical school. And I was interested in research and at the time, what the Navy cared about was a small scale nuclear disaster like in a submarine, and like what happened at Chernobyl and Fukushima. So they sent me to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center where I got trained in cancer, as a medical oncologist. I was going to open a bone marrow transplant center in Bethesda because the Navy wanted one in the event of a nuclear catastrophe.

And then in 1989, the Berlin Wall came down and there was no more Cold War. I had gone back to the Navy in 86 for the transplant center, which never happened, so then I had to work in the lab full time. But in the Navy, all the research has to be about combat and casualty. They care about HIV, so my first papers were on malaria and infectious disease. And the first CAR-T trials were on HIV in the mid-90s.

In 96, my wife got diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she was in remission for 3-4 years. I moved to the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and started working on cancer because I wasnt allowed to do that with the Navy. My wife was obviously a lot of motivation to do that. She passed away in 2001. Then I started working with David Porter on adoptive transfer T cells.

I got my first grant to do CAR-T cells on HIV in 2004, and I learned a whole lot. I was lucky to have worked on HIV because we did the first trials using lentiviruses, which is an engineered HIV virus.

I was trained in oncology, and then because of the Navy forced to work on HIV. It was actually a blessing in disguise.

So if you hadnt been drafted, you wouldve become an engineer?

Yes. Thats what I was fully intending. My dad was a chemical engineer, my brother is an engineer. Thats what I thought I was going to do. No one in my family was ever a physician. Its one of those many quirks of fate.

Back then, we didnt have these aptitude tests. It was just haphazard. I applied to three schools Berkeley, Stanford and Caltech and I got into all three. It was just luck, fate.

And it turned out when I went to the Naval Academy, they had added a pre-med thing onto the curriculum the year before, so thats what I did when I started, I did chemistry.

I wouldve [otherwise] been in nuclear submarines. The most interesting thing in the Navy then was the nuclear sub technology.

You talked about doing the first CAR-T trials on HIV patients because thats where the funding was. Was it always in your head that this was eventually going to be something for cancer?

So I got out of the Navy in 99 and moved to Penn. I started in 98 working on treating leukemia, and then once I got to Penn, I continued working one day a week on HIV.

Its kind of a Back-to-the-Future thing because now cancer has paved out a path to show that CART cells can work and put down the manufacturing and its going to be a lot cheaper making it for HIV. I still think thats going to happen.

Jim Riley, who used to be a postdoc in my lab, has some spectacular results in monkeys with HIV models. They have a large NIH and NIAID research program.

So were going to see more and more of that. The CAR technology is going to move outside of cancer, and into autoimmune and chronic infections.

I want to jump over to cytotoxic release syndrome (CRS)because a big part of the CRISPR study was that it didnt provoke this potentially deadly adverse effect. When did you first become aware that CRS was going to be a problem?

I mean we saw it in the very first patient we treated but in all honesty, we missed it. Im an MD, but I dont see the patient and David Porter tookcare of the first three patients and our first pediatric patient,Emily Whitehead.

In our first patients, 2 out of 3, had complete remission and there were fevers and it was CRS but we thought it was just an infection, and we treated with antibiotics for 3 weeks and[eventually] it went away. And sort of miraculously he was in remission and is still in remission, 9 years later.

And then when we treated Emily. She was at a 106-degree fever over three days, and there was no infection.

Ive told this story before. My daughter has rheumatoid arthritis, and I had been president of the Clinical Immunologists Society from 2009 to 2010, and the first good drug for juvenile rheumatoid arthritisthat came out. I was invited to give the Japanese scientist Tadamitsu Kishimoto the presidential award for inventing the drug.

Then in 2012, Emily Whitehead was literally dying from CRS, she had multiple organ failures. And her labs came back and IL-6 levels were 1000x normal. It turns out the drug I was looking at for my daughter, it blocks IL-6 levels. I called the physician and I said, listen theres something actionable here, since its in your formulary to give it to her off-label.

And she gave her the appropriate dose for rheumatoid arthritis. It was miraculous. She woke up very rapidly.

Now its co-labeled. When the FDA approvedKymriah, it was co-labeled. It kind of saved the field.

How were you feeling during this time? Did you have any idea what was happening to her?

No, not until we got the cytokine levels, and then it was really clear. The cytokine levels go up and it exactly coincided. Then we retroactively checked out adults and they had adverse reactions and it easy to see. We hadnt been on the lookout because it wasnt in our mouse models.

And it appeared with those who got cured. Its one of the first on-target toxicities seen in cancer, a toxicity that happens when you get better. All the toxicities from chemotherapy are off-target: like leukopenia or hair loss.

I had a physician who had a fever of 106, I saw him on a fever when he was starting to get CRS. When the nurse came in and it said 106, they thought the thermometer must be broken. On Monday, I saw him, and said how are you feeling and he said fine. And I looked at the thermometer and histemperature was still 102.

People will willingly tolerate on-target toxicity thats very different from chemotherapy if they know it helps get them better. Thats a new principle in cancer therapy.

You had these early CART results almost at the same time that Doudna publishes the first CRISPR papers, then still in bacteria. When did you first start thinking about combining the two?

Yeah, it was published inSciencein 2012 and thats when Emily Whitehead got treated. Its an amazing thing.

Thats something so orthogonal. You think how in the heck can that ever benefit CART cells? but my lab had done the first edited cells in patients, published in 2012. And we used zinc-fingered nucleases, which were the predecessors to CRISPR. It knocked out one gene at a time, but we showed it was safe.

I was already into gene editing because it could make T cells resistant to HIV. So it was pretty obvious that there were candidates in T cells that you can knock out. And almost every lab started working on some with CRISPR, cause it was much easier.

We were the first to get full approval by the FDA, so we worked on it from 2012, had all the preclinical data by 2016, and then it takes a while to develop a lot of new assays for this as we were very cautious to optimize safety and it took longer than we wanted, but in the end, we learned a tremendous amount.

So what did we learn?

First of all our patients had advanced metastatic cancer and had had a lot of chemotherapy. The first patient had had 3 bone marrow transplants.

One thing is feasibility: could you really do all the complex engineering? So we found out we could. feasibility was passed.

Another was the fact that cas9 came out of bacteria, forms of strep and staph. Everyone has pre-existing immunity to Cas9 and we had experience from the first trial with Sangamo[with zinc-finger nucleases] where some patients had a very high fever. In that case, we had used adenoviruses, and it turned out our patients had very high levels of baseline immune response to adenoviruses, so we were worried that would happen with CRISPR, and it did not happen.

It did not have any toxicity. If it had, it would have really set the field back. If there was animmune response to cas9 and CRISPR, there couldve been a real barrier to the field.

And then, the cells survived in the patients. The furthest on, it was 9 months. The cells had a very high level of survival. In the previous trials, the cells survived less than 7 days. In our case, the half-life was 85 days. We dont know the mechanism yet.

And we found very big precision in the molecular scissors, and that was a good thing for the field. You could cut 3 different genes on 3 different chromosomes and have such high fidelity.

It [CRISPR] is living up to the hype. Its going to fix all these diseases.

Whats the potential in CAR-T, specifically?

Well theres many many genes that you can add. There are many genes that knocking outwill make the cells work better. We started with the cell receptor. There are many, I think, academics and biotechs doing this now and it should make the cells more potent and less toxic.

And more broadly, what else are you looking at for the future of CART? The week before your paper, there were the results from MD Anderson on natural killer cells.

Different cell types, natural killer cells, stem cells putting CAR molecules into stem cells, macrophages. One of my graduate students started a company to do CAR macrophages and macrophages actually eat tumor cells, as opposed to T cells that punch holes in them.

There will be different cell types and there will be many more ways to edit cells. The prime editing and base editing. All different new variations.

Youve talked about how people used to think the immuno-oncology, if it ever worked, would nevertheless be a boutique treatment. Despite all the advancements, Novartis and Gilead still have not met the sales they once hoped to grab from their CART treatments. Are you confident CART will ever be widely accessible?

Oh yeah, Novartis sales are going up. They had a hiccup launching.

Back in 96 or 97, when Genentech launched Herceptin, their commercial antibody, they couldnt meet the demand either and then they scaled up and learned how to do better cultures. So right now Novartis is using tech invented in my lab in the 1990s culture tech thats complex and requires a lot of labor, so the most expensive part is human labor. A lot can be made robotic. The scale problem will be much easier.

Thats an engineering problem that will become a thing of the past. The manufacturing problem will get a lot cheaper. Here in the US, we have a huge problem with how drugs are priced. We have a problem with pricing. Thats a political issue.

But in cell therapy, its just kind of the growth things you see in a new industry. Itll get worked out.

This article has been updated to reflect that Jim Riley conducted work on CAR in HIV.

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Carl June on CRISPR, CART and how the Vietnam War dropped him into medicine - Endpoints News

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People usually start gradually greying in their thirties. Once across the age of 50, one will be hard-pressed to successfully disguise ones white hair without paying monthly visits to a hairdresser.

However, medical reports suggest the process of hair colour loss, which scientists call canities or achromotrichia, can be greatly accelerated by persistent acute stress or severe trauma.

Some historians have speculated that the French Queen Marie Antoinettes hair turned white when she heard she was to be guillotined at the height of the French Revolution in 1793.

For the longest time, its been said that stress makes the hair turn white, but until now, there was no scientific basis for this belief.

Our study proved that the phenomenon does indeed occur and we identified the mechanisms involved.

In addition, we discovered a way of interrupting the process of hair colour loss due to stress, said Thiago Mattar Cunha, a researcher affiliated with the Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID) a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center funded by FAPESP and hosted by the University of So Paulos Ribeiro Preto Medical School in Brazil.

The study was conducted in partnership with a group led by Hsu Ya-Chieh, a professor of regenerative biology at Harvard University in the United States.

According to Cunha, the results, published recently in the journal Nature, were partly serendipitous.

We were conducting a study on pain using black C57 mice, a dark-furred laboratory strain, he said.

In this model, we administered a substance called resiniferatoxin to activate a receptor expressed by sensory nerve fibres and induce intense pain.

Some four weeks after systemic injection of the toxin, a PhD student observed that the animals fur had turned completely white.

The experiment was repeated several times until the CRID researchers concluded that the phenomenon was indeed due to the application of resiniferatoxin, a naturally-occurring chemical found in resin spurge (Euphorbia resinifera), a cactus-like plant native to Morocco.

We set out to check the hypothesis that the loss of fur colour resulted from pain-induced stress, Cunha said.

We designed a very simple experiment to see if the phenomenon was dependent on activation of sympathetic nerve fibres.

He explained that the sympathetic nervous system is directly affected by stress.

This division of the autonomic nervous system consists of nerves that branch from the spine and run throughout the body.

It controls the organisms fight or flight response to imminent danger, triggering the release of adrenaline and cortisol to make the heart beat faster, blood pressure rise, respiration accelerate and the pupils dilate, among other systemic effects.

After injecting resiniferatoxin into the mice, we treated them with guanethidine, an anti-hypertensive capable of inhibiting neurotransmission via sympathetic fibres.

We observed that the process of fur colour loss was blocked by the treatment, Cunha said.

In another experiment, neurotransmission was interrupted by the surgical removal of sympathetic fibres.

In this case too, fur colour was not lost in the weeks following pain induction.

These and other experiments conducted by our group demonstrated the participation of sympathetic innervation in achromotrichia and confirmed that pain is a powerful stressor in this model.

But it remained to detail the mechanisms involved, he explained.

Maturing too quickly

Cunha spent a period at Harvard as a visiting professor in 2018-19 with a scholarship from the joint programme Harvard holds with CAPES, the Brazilian Education Ministrys Office for Faculty Development.

In conversations with colleagues, he heard that a Harvard group had made similar discoveries to those of his group at So Paulo, and that their findings were also partly accidental.

Professor Hsu Ya-Chieh invited me to join a project in which the phenomenon was being investigated in more detail.

Shes a leading researcher on processes that control skin stem cell differentiation, Cunha said.

His group already knew by then that pain-related stress was somehow making the melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicle bulb mature too soon.

These cells are responsible for yielding melanin-producing cells. Melanin is the pigment primarily responsible for skin and hair colour.

In a young individual, the cells are undifferentiated like all stem cells, but with ageing, they gradually differentiate.

Once the process is complete, they stop producing the melanocytes that produce melanin, Cunha explained.

We used various methodologies to show that intense sympathetic activity speeds up differentiation significantly.

In our model therefore, pain accelerated the ageing of melanocyte stem cells.

When we started to study this, I expected that stress was bad for the body but the detrimental impact of stress that we discovered was beyond what I imagined, Prof Hsu said.

After just a few days, all of the pigment-regenerating stem cells were lost. Once theyre gone, you cant regenerate pigment anymore. The damage is permanent.

Study lead author and postdoctoral fellow Zhang Bing added: Acute stress, particularly the fight-or-flight response, has been traditionally viewed to be beneficial for an animals survival.

But in this case, acute stress causes permanent depletion of stem cells.

Other systems in the organism are probably affected by intense stress in a similar manner to the hair follicle bulb.

We dont know for sure what the implications are, Cunha said.

Im currently working with other researchers on an investigation of the effects of sympathetic activity in other stem cell subpopulations.

Altered gene expression

RNA (ribonucleic acid) sequencing was one of the methodologies used to explore the mechanisms that promote melanocyte stem cell differentiation.

The researchers used this technology to compare the gene expression profiles of mice that received the injection of resiniferatoxin developing pain, stress and fur colour loss with those of mice injected with a placebo.

We looked for genes whose expression was most altered after stress induction, and one caught our attention: the gene that encodes a protein called CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase).

This is an enzyme that participates in cell cycle regulation, Cunha said.

When the researchers repeated the pain induction procedure and treated the mice with a CDK inhibitor, they found that melanocyte stem cell differentiation was prevented, as was fur colour loss.

This finding shows that CDK participates in the process and could, therefore, be a therapeutic target, he said.

Its too soon to know whether it will actually become a target someday in clinical practice, but its worth exploring further.

In another experiment, the researchers demonstrated that when the sympathetic system is robustly activated, the fibres that innervate hair follicle bulbs release noradrenaline very near the melanocyte stem cells.

We showed that melanocyte stem cells express the protein ADRB2 (beta-2 adrenergic receptor), which is activated by noradrenaline, and we discovered that the stem cells differentiate when this receptor is activated by noradrenaline, Cunha said.

To confirm the finding, the researchers repeated the experiment using mice that had been genetically modified so as not to express ADRB2.

As suspected, their fur did not turn white after they were injected with resiniferatoxin.

In another test, we injected noradrenaline directly into the skin of the mouse.

As a result, the fur around the site of the injection turned white, Cunha said.

Finally, the group treated a primary culture of human melanocytes (melanin-producing cells obtained directly from the skin of a volunteer) with noradrenaline, which as noted earlier, is released by the sympathetic nerve fibres in hair follicles.

The result was an increase in expression of CDK similar to that observed in mice.

According to Cunha, the researchers do not yet know if there will be future aesthetic applications for their findings, such as the development of a drug that prevents the hair colour loss associated with ageing.

It would be necessary to see if a CDK inhibitor has side effects, and if so, whether they would be outweighed by the aesthetic benefit, he said. Agncia FAPESP

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What makes your hair turn white faster - The Star Online

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Clumsy robots have been offered hope of improving their coordination after MIT researchers found a new way to help them find their bearings.

The systemgives soft robots a greater awareness of their movements by analysing motion and position data through a sensorized skin.

It works by collecting feedback fromsensors on the robots body.A deep learning model then analyses the data to estimate the robots 3D configuration.

[Read:Scientists used stem cells to create a new life-form: Organic robots]

The sensors are comprised of conductive silicone sheets, which the researchers cut into patterns inspired by kirigami a variation of origami that that involvescutting as well as folding paper. These patterns make the material sufficiently flexible and stretchable to be applied to soft robots.

A deep neural network then captures signals from sensorsto predict the best configuration for the robot.

The system aims to overcome the problem of controlling soft robots that can move in countless direction by giving themproprioception an awareness of their position and movements.It could eventually make artificial limbs better at handling objects.

The researchers used the system to teach an elephant trunk-shaped robot to predict its own position as it rotated and extended.

We want to use these soft robotic trunks, for instance, to orient and control themselves automatically, to pick things up and interact with the world, said MIT researcherRyan Truby, who co-wrote a paper describing how the system works. This is a first step toward that type of more sophisticated automated control.

Truby admits that the system can not yet capture subtle or dynamic motion. But it could at least reduce the clumsiness that has embarrassed robotkind for decades.

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Published February 13, 2020 17:10 UTC

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Sensorized skin helps robots understand where the hell they are - The Next Web

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When Lt. Col. Jason Barnhill traveled to Africa last summer, he took with him not only the normal gear of an Army officer, but also a 3D printer.Barnhill, who is the life science program director at the U.S. Military Academy, traveled to Africa to study how 3D printers could be used for field medical care. Barnhills printer was not set up to print objects made out of plastics as the printers are frequently known for. Instead, his printer makes bioprinted items that could one day be used to save Soldiers injured in combat.The 3D bioprinting research has not reached the point where a printed organ or meniscus can be implanted into the body, but Barnhill and a team of cadets are working to advance the research in the field.Twenty-six firsties are doing bioprinting research across seven different projects as their capstone this year. Two teams are working on biobandages for burn and field care. Two teams are working on how to bioengineer blood vessels to enable other bioprinted items that require a blood source, such as organs, to be viable. One team is working on printing a viable meniscus and the final team is working on printing a liver.The basic process of printing biomaterial is the same as what is used to print a plastic figurine. A model of what will be printed is created on the computer, it is digitally sliced into layers and then the printer builds it layer by layer. The difference is the ink that is used.Instead of heating plastic, 3D bioprinting uses a bioink that includes collagen, a major part of human tissue, and cells, typically stem cells.A lot of this has to do with the bioink that we want to use, exactly what material were using as our printer ink, if you will, Class of 2020 Cadet Allen Gong, a life science major working on the meniscus project, said. Once we have that 3D model where we want it, then its just a matter of being able to stack the ink on top of each other properly.Cadets are researching how to use that ink to create a meniscus to be implanted into a Soldiers injured knee or print a liver that could be used to test medicine and maybe one day eliminate the shortage of transplantable organs.The research at West Point is funded by the Uniformed Services University of Health Science and is focused on increasing Soldier survivability in the field and treating wounded warriors.Right now, cadets on each of the teams are in the beginning stages of their research before starting the actual printing process. The first stage includes reading the research already available in their area of focus and learning how to use the printers. After spring break, they will have their first chance to start printing with cells.For the biobandage, meniscus and liver teams, the goal is to print a tangible product by the end of the semester, though neither the meniscus or liver will be something that could be implanted and used.There are definitely some leaps before we can get to that point, Class of 2020 Cadet Thatcher Shepard, a life science major working on the meniscus project, said of actually implanting what they print. (We have to) make sure the body doesnt reject the new bioprinted meniscus and also the emplacement. There can be difficulties with that. Right now, were trying to just make a viable meniscus. Then, well look into further research to be able to work on methods of actually placing it into the body.The blood vessel teams are further away from printing something concrete because the field has so many unanswered questions. Their initial step will be looking at what has already been done in the field and what questions still need to be answered. They will then decide on the scope and direction of their projects. Their research will be key to allowing other areas of the field to move forward, though. Organs such as livers and pancreases have been printed, so far, they can only be produced at the micro level because they have no blood flow.Its kind of like putting the cart before the horse, Class of 2020 Cadet Michael Deegan, a life science major working on one of the blood vessel projects, said. Youve printed it, great, but whats the point of printing it if its not going to survive inside your body? Being able to work on that fundamental step thats actually going to make these organs viable is what drew me and my teammates to be able to do this.While the blood vessel, liver and meniscus projects have the potential to impact long-term care, the work being done by the biobandage teams will potentially have direct uses in the field during combat. The goal is to be able to take cells from an injured Soldier, specifically one who suffers burns, and print a bandage with built in biomaterial on it to jumpstart the healing process.Medics would potentially be deployed with a 3D printer in their Humvee to enable bandages to be printed on site to meet the needs of the specific Soldier and his or her exact wound. The projects are building on existing research on printing sterile bandages and then adding a bioengineering element. The bandages would be printed with specialized skin and stem cells necessary to the healing process, jumpstarting healing faster.Were researching how the body actually heals from burns, Class of 2020 Cadet Channah Mills, a life science major working on one of the biobandage projects, said. So, what are some things we can do to speed along that process? Introducing a bandage could kickstart that healing process. The faster you start healing, the less scarring and the more likely youre going to recover.The meniscus team is starting with MRI images of knees and working to build a 3D model of a meniscus, which they will eventually be able to print. Unlike a liver, the meniscus doesnt need a blood flow. It does still have a complex cellular structure, though, and a large part of the teams research will be figuring out how and when to implant those cells into what theyre printing.Of the 26 cadets working on bioprinting projects, 17 will be attending medical school following graduation from West Point. The research they are doing gives them hands-on experience in a cutting-edge area of the medical field. It also enabled them to play a role in improving the care for Soldiers in the future, which will be their jobs as Army doctors.Being on the forefront of it and just seeing the potential in bioengineering, its pretty astounding, Gong said. But it has also been sobering just to see how much more complicated it is to 3D print biomaterials than plastic.The bioprinting projects will be presented during the academys annual Projects Day April 30.

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Cadets research bioprinting to improve Soldier care in the future - Pointer View

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The research report presents a detailed competitive analysis of the Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Market 2019 market Share, Size, and Future scope 2026. This research report classifies the market by manufacturers, region, type, and applications.

The data presented in the graphical format gives a thorough understanding of the major players of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer . The restraints and growth, industry plans, innovations, mergers, and acquisitions are covered in this report. The market is segmented based on key industry verticals like the product type, applications, and geographical regions.

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Key Players of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Report are:

OncothyreonVarian Medical SystemsLEO PharmaAqua PharmaceuticalsMedaIRX TherapeuticsMoberg PharmaEli Lilly and Co.Cannabis ScienceMylan PharmaceuticalMerck & Co.Boehringer IngelheimCellceutix Corp.Bristol Myers Squibb Co.BiofronteraElektaICADValeant PharmaceuticalsSun Pharma IndustriesGaldermaAlmirallGENEXTRAF. Hoffmann-la RocheNovartis International

Short Description of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Market 2019-2026:

The Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer market was valued t XX Million US$ in 2019 and is projected to reach XX Million US$ by 2026, at a CAGR of XX% during 2019-2026. The research report gives historic report from 2013-2018.

The market is segmented into below points:

Market by Type/Products:

Type 1Type 2Type 3

Market by Application/End-Use:

Application 1Application 2Application 3

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Outline of the data covered in this study:

The market study covers the forecast Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer information from 2019-2026 and key questions answered by this report include:

In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer are as follows:

Historic Period: 2015-2019.

Base Year: 2019.

Estimated Year: 2020.

Forecast Year 2020 to 2026.

Significant Features that are under Offering and Key Highlights of the Reports:

Table of contents:

For More TOC Content Continued,

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Global Stem Cells Types, Technologies And Therapeutics Market Is Estimated To Expand At a Healthy CAGR in Upcoming year 2020-2026 - Jewish Life News

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Global Stem Cells Types, Technologies And Therapeutics Market Is Estimated To Expand At a Healthy CAGR in Upcoming year 2020-2026 – Jewish Life News | February 14th, 2020

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Exploring the Wonderful World of Tresor Rare - VIVA GLAM MAGAZINE - vivaglammagazine.com

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Exploring the Wonderful World of Tresor Rare – VIVA GLAM MAGAZINE – vivaglammagazine.com | February 14th, 2020

By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced

Professor Joel Spencer and his lab have made a huge breakthrough in stem cell research.

Professor Joel Spencer was a rising star in college soccer and now he is an emerging scientist in the world of biomedical engineering, capturing for the first time an image of a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) within the bone marrow of a living organism.

Everyone knew black holes existed, but it took until last year to directly capture an image of one due to the complexity of their environment, Spencer said. Its analogous with stem cells in the bone marrow. Until now, our understanding of HSCs has been limited by the inability to directly visualize them in their native environment until now.

This work brings an advancement that will open doors to understanding how these cells work which may lead to better therapeutics for hematologic disorders including cancer.

Understanding how HSCs interact within their local environments might help researchers understand how cancers use this same environment in the bone marrow to evade treatment.

Spencer studied biological sciences at UC Irvine where he was the captain of the mens Division 1 soccer team. He initially planned to pursue a career in professional soccer until faculty mentors opened doors for research and introduced Spencer to biophotonics the science that deals with the interactions of light with biological matter.

UC faculty were a big part of my research experience; they became mentors and friends, Spencer said. My first foray into research was as a lab tech, and that is where I met people who were doing biomedical imaging, and it just caught my wonder.

An image of a stem cell in its natural niche

Spencer left his native California to earn his Ph.D. in bioengineering at Tufts University in Boston and took a postdoctoral research position in the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In Boston, he learned about live-animal imaging and his wonder became a passion.

Now his emphasis is on biomedical optics: building new microscopes and new imaging techniques to visualize and study biological molecules, cells and tissue in their natural niches in living, fully intact small animals.

I work at the interface of engineering and biology. My lab is seeking to answer biological questions that were impossible until the advancements in technology we have seen in the past couple decades, he said. You need to be able to peer inside an organ inside a live animal and see whats happening as it happens.

Based on work conducted at UC Merced and in Boston, he and his collaborators including his grad student Negar Tehrani visualized stem cells inside the bone marrow of live, intact mice.

He and his collaborators have a new paper published in the journal Nature detailing the work they conducted to study HSCs in their native environment in the bone marrow.

We can see how the cells behave in their native niches and how they respond to injuries or stresses which seems to be connected to the constant process of bone remodeling, Tehrani said. Researchers have been trying to answer questions that have gone unanswered for lack of technology, and they have turned to engineering to solve those puzzles.

Its important for researchers to understand the mechanics of stem cells because of the cells potential to regenerate and repair damaged tissue.

Spencer, left, and students from his lab

Spencer returned to California three years ago, joining the Department of Bioengineering in the School of Engineering at UC Merced. Hes also an affiliate of the Health Sciences Research Institute and the NSF CREST Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines . This is his third paper in Nature, but the first stemming from work conducted in his current lab.

He didnt come to UC Merced just because he loves biology Spencer also joined the campus because of the students.

Now Im back in the UC system Im a homegrown UC student whos now faculty, Spencer said. As a student within the system I was able to participate in myriad opportunities, including mentorships that advanced my career. Now I try to encourage graduate and undergrad students to follow their dreams. I love being able to give them opportunities its something I really want to do for the next generation.

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Breakthrough in Stem Cell Research: First Image of Niche Environment | Newsroom - UC Merced University News

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Breakthrough in Stem Cell Research: First Image of Niche Environment | Newsroom – UC Merced University News | February 14th, 2020

To some longevity acolytes, stem cells promise the secret to eternal youth. For a hefty fee, you can pay a startup to extract your own stem cells and cryogenically freeze them, in the hope that they can one day be used in a treatment to help extend your life.

Other firms let you bank stem cells from your babys umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth, if youre convinced the high cost represents an insurance policy against future illness. Or you can follow the example of Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett and opt for an anti-ageing cream made with stem cells derived from the severed foreskins of newborn babies in South Korea.

Stem cells are the parent cells which give rise to other cells in our bodies. Since scientists first isolated human embryonic stem cells in a lab and grew them over 20 years ago, they have been mooted as a source of great hope for regenerative medical treatments, including for age-related degenerative conditions such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers, heart disease and stroke.

But apart from a few small-scale examples, the only stem cell-based medical treatment practised in clinics uses haematopoietic stem cells found in the blood and bone marrow which only produce blood cells for transplants in blood cancer patients. These cells are taken from a patients sibling or an unrelated donor, before being infused into a patients blood, or theyre taken from a patients own blood before being reinfused. The procedure has been used to treat blood malignancies for almost half a century, and recently multiple sclerosis too. So how likely is it that the predictions about stem cells' longevity-enhancing powers will become a reality?

In September 2019, Google banned ads for unproven or experimental medical techniques such as most stem cell therapy, citing a rise in bad actors attempting to take advantage of individuals by offering untested, deceptive treatments [that can often] lead to dangerous health outcomes. The decision was welcomed by the International Society for Stem Cell Research, which emphasised that most stem cell interventions remain experimental. Selling treatments before well-regulated clinical trials have been done, the body said, [threatens public] confidence in biomedical research and undermines the development of legitimate new therapies.

Its easy to see how less scrupulous companies can exploit the allure of stem cells, which seem to occupy a place in our collective consciousness as a kind of magical elixir. High hopes for stem cell-based therapies have grown since 2006, when the Japanese biologist Shinya Yamanaka created a new technology to reprogram adult cells, such as skin cells, into a similar state to embryonic stem cells, which are pluripotent, meaning they can develop into any tissue in the body. The Nobel prize-winning breakthrough was hailed as a major step in the study of stem cells without the need for controversial embryo research, and towards the use of these human induced pluripotent stem cells to regenerate damaged or diseased organs or effectively grow new spare parts which could treat the life-limiting and life-shortening illnesses associated with ageing.

Gerontologist Aubrey de Grey, whose Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) research foundation aims to eliminate ageing-related diseases, thinks the chances well soon have stem cell based therapies are high. For anything that's in clinical trials, you're talking about maybe five years before it's available to the general public, he says, citing stem cell treatments for Parkinsons disease, currently being tested in phase two clinical trials, as one of the developments he thinks is likely to come soonest.

However, given that these trials involve a relatively small number of participants and most clinical trials ultimately fail, his predictions might be overly optimistic. Often described as a maverick, De Grey believes that humans can live forever and there is a 50 per cent chance medical advances of which stem cell therapies will play an important part will make this a reality within the next 17 years. Though living forever, he says, is not the ultimate goal but a rather large side effect of medicine which will successfully prevent or repair the damage that comes with ageing.

For New Jersey-based Robert Hariri, who co-founded Human Longevity Inc, which set its sights more modestly on making 100 the new 60, stem cells derived from placentas present especially exciting opportunities. A biomedical scientist, surgeon and entrepreneur, Hariri says his current venture Celularity which is focused on engineering placental cells, including stem cells, to create drugs for cancer and other conditions is not as concerned about the actual age number, but about preserving human performance as we age and treating the degenerative diseases that rob us of our quality of life.

Many of those working in the field, however, remain cautious in their optimism. Researchers have highlighted the potential risks of giving pluripotent cells to patients, whether they are induced or embryonic, as these cells can develop cancer-causing mutations as they grow.

Davide Danovi, a scientist at Kings College Londons Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, says the path to stem cell-based therapy is very long and full of hurdles. The supply chain involves challenges, he says. On the one hand, allogeneic treatments those with stem cells derived from one individual and expanded into big batches to create cells to treat many individuals have the advantage of being similar to the traditional pharmaceutical business models. The product is clear, its something that comes in a vial and can be scaled up and mass produced, Danovi says. But this treatment can present a greater risk of rejection from the patient, as opposed to the more bespoke autologous option which is more expensive and time-consuming as it involves extracting a patients own stem cells before reprogramming them.

Danovi is most excited by the potential of stem cells to treat age-related macular degeneration. In 2017 Japanese scientist Masayo Takahash led a team that administered transplants of artificially grown retinal cells created from induced pluripotent stem cells taken from donors to five patients with the eye condition, which can cause blindness, and theyre reported to be doing well. The eye, he says seems to be a place where immunity plays less of a role relative to other issues, so you can host cells which come from another individual with fewer problems [of rejection]. But, with other organs such as the liver, he says there are major conceptual problems with creating enough tissue. Its like the clean meat burger - you're talking about a production that is, in many cases, not easy to reach with the current technology.

Hariri believes placentas will solve some of the production challenges crucially, theyre an abundant commodity, with the vast majority thrown out after childbirth. His interest was sparked 20 years ago when his oldest daughter was in the womb: When I saw her first ultrasound in the first trimester, the placenta had already developed into a relatively sizable organ, even though she was just a peanut-sized embryo. Id been taught that the placenta was nothing more than an interface, but [if that was the case], you would expect that it would grow at the same rate as the embryo. His curiosity piqued, he began to see the placenta not as an interface but as a biological factory, where stem cells could be expanded and differentiated to participate in the development of that foetus. That intrigued me and I started to collect placentas and just, you know, basically disassemble them.

Placentas have numerous benefits, he says they dont carry the same ethical controversy as embryonic stem cells, for one thing. Scientists working on embryonic stem cells have to destroy an early embryo, and that option yields them a dozen cells, which have to be culture-expanded in the laboratory into billions of cells. In contrast, the placenta houses, billions and hundreds of billions of cells, which can be expanded as well, but you're starting out with a dramatically larger starting material.

Increasingly, scientists in the anti-ageing sphere are focusing on an approach that seems like the opposite of planting fresh stem cells into our bodies. Experts such as Ilaria Bellantuono at Sheffield Universitys Healthy Lifespan Institute are working towards creating senolytics medication that could kill off our senescent cells, the zombie cells that accumulate in tissues as we age and cause chronic inflammation. I think stem cells are very good for specific disease, where the environment is still young, Bellantuono says, but the data in animal models tells us that senolytics are actually able to delay the onset and reduce the severity of multiple diseases at the same time for example, there is evidence for osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes. She explains that while human trials are still in their early stages, senolytics are likely to be more cost-effective than stem cell therapy and the status quo of older patients taking multiple pills for multiple diseases, which can interact with each other. Besides, she adds, they may actually work in tandem with stem-cell based therapies in the future, with senolytics creating a more hospitable environment in tissues to allow stem cells to do their work.

And as for the so-called penis facial? Its far from the only ultra-expensive stem cell skincare making bold anti-ageing claims but youre probably better off saving your money, as you are with the experimental medical treatments on offer. Stem cells are definitely exciting but theyre not the key to eternal youth. At least, not yet.

Robert Harari will be one of the speakers at WIRED Health in London on March 25, 2020. For more details, and to book your ticket, click here

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Are stem cells really the key to making humans live longer? - Wired.co.uk

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Are stem cells really the key to making humans live longer? – Wired.co.uk | February 14th, 2020

Santiago Riviello-Goya, MD1; Aldo A. Acosta-Medina, MD2; Sergio I. Inclan-Alarcon, MD3; Sofa Garcia-Miranda, MD2; and Christianne Bourlon, MD, MHSc2

1Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Mdicas y Nutricin Salvador Zubirn, Mexico City, Mexico; 2Department of Hematology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Mdicas y Nutricin Salvador Zubirn, Mexico City, Mexico; 3Cancer Center, Centro Mdico ABC, Mexico City, Mexico

A 43-year-old male with a history of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) 5 months prior, presented to the emergency department with a 5-day history of progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness. On physical examination, there were no additional neurologic findings; sensory function and urethral and anal sphincter tone were preserved.

Initial clinical laboratory testing showed peripheral blood cell counts, a peripheral blood smear, and a comprehensive metabolic panel within normal limits. Neuroimaging by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance showed no evidence of acute intracranial processes or lesions suggestive of leukemic relapse. A lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was performed and documented the presence of lymphoid-appearing blasts (Figure 1). Flow cytometry (FC) confirmed central nervous system (CNS) infiltration by B-lineage lymphoid blasts (CD34+, CD45+, CD22+, CD19+, and CD10+) (Figure 2). Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy, including FC evaluation, were negative for systemic relapse. Bone marrow chimerism was 98%.

With a diagnosis of isolated extramedullary leukemic relapse (iEMR), the patient was initiated on weekly intrathecal chemotherapy and was weaned off graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, achieving CSF clearance after 4 weeks of therapy. Against Hematology service recommendations, the patient declined systemic therapy and received only whole brain radiation therapy (24 Gy in 12 fractions).

The patient experienced remission of neurologic symptoms; however, after 5 months, he developed bilateral testicular tenderness and enlargement. An ultrasound was performed and was suggestive of leukemic infiltration (Figure 3). Chemotherapy with methotrexate and L-asparaginase in addition to radiotherapy to the testes (24 Gy in 12 fractions) was given without complications.

One year after initial CNS iEMR, the patient developed overt bone marrow relapse (BMR), as evidenced by development of bone pain throughout the lumbosacral region, and the appearance of multiple blastic and lytic lesions throughout the appendicular and axial skeleton. A positron emission tomography-CT scan documented abdominal lymphadenopathy (Figure 4). With this rapidly progressive picture, the patient was transitioned to supportive care and died 2 months later.

Is the risk of iEMR following HSCT modified by the choice of conditioning regimen? If so, which of the following approaches would have been the best choice to prevent iEMR in this patient?

A. There is no role of conditioning therapy in preventing iEMRB. Reduced intensity of regimen to favor graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effectC. Nonmieloablative regimens including fludarabineD. Mieloablative regimens including total body irradiation (TBI)

CORRECT ANSWER: D. Mieloablative regimens including total body irradiation (TBI).

Allogeneic HSCT is an effective treatment for ALL, which can achieve long-term remission and even a potential cure.1 Antineoplastic activity is dependent on both high-dose chemotherapy and graft alloreactivity, with the latter manifested in the GVL effect, and undesirably yet inherently, in GVHD.2 Despite recent advances in allogeneic HSCT strategies, disease relapse is common and remains the most important cause of death in this population. Relapse is reported in 30% to 40% of patients but can increase to 60% in patients who are in a second complete remission (CR) at time of HSCT.2,3

Risk factors for relapse in patients with ALL who have undergone HSCT include disease- and transplant-related features. Reported high-risk disease characteristics include: hyperleukocytosis at diagnosis (white blood cell count >30 x109/L for B-lineage ALL and >100 x109/L for T-lineage ALL); cytogenetics associated with poor outcomes, including chromosome 11 translocations and t(9;22); a short remission timespan; more than a first CR; and a failed or delayed remission after induction therapy.4 In the HSCT population, transplant-related factors should be considered, including alternative donors other than those who are matched related and matched unrelated, the type of conditioning regimen, and the development of GVHD.2

ALL relapse following HSCT most commonly involves the medullary compartment, with a cumulative incidence of 41% at 5 years. Conversely, extramedullary relapse (EMR) is uncommon, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 11.0% and 5.8% for EMR and iEMR, respectively.5 Due to the rarity of EMR, its prognostic impact remains controversial and the ideal management strategies are a subject of active study.

EMR is associated with poor clinical outcomes; however, the subgroup of patients with iEMR (as presented in this patient case) is gaining attention due to its increasing frequency, its role heralding a systemic relapse, and its clinical behavior showing better survival outcomes compared with BMR and EMR.6-8

Isolated EMR is defined as the presence of clonal blasts in any tissue other than the medullary compartment; bone marrow evaluation must show less than 5% of clonal blasts and a full donor chimerism. Most commonly affected sites include the skin, soft tissues, lymph nodes, and immune sanctuaries including the CNS and testes.1,5,9 Because prevention rather than treatment of relapse is related to improved survival outcomes, it is important to define subgroups of patients who may benefit fromearly intervention with a personalized transplant strategy.

Higher rates of iEMR have been linked to patients of younger age. This is thought to be secondary to: (1) a higher incidence of ALL compared with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in this age subgroup, the former of which is most associated with EMR; (2) the relative overrepresentation of myelomonocytic/monocytic phenotypes in AML presenting in young individuals; and (3) the higher likelihood of a history of EMR in children compared with adults.1,10

A history of extramedullary (EM) disease, which has consistently been found to impact the development of iEMR, is preexistent in up to half of patients. In 2 out of 3 cases of EMR, disease affects the site of original EM involvement, possibly due to low efficacy of both high-dose chemotherapy and the GVL effect.1,5 An exception to this is CNS involvement, despite being a risk factor for subsequent CNS iEMR, which is commonly reported de novo, reflecting the protective effect of regularly administered prophylaxis to patients at high risk of CNS infiltration.11

The effect of GVHD on risk of iEMR is highly nuanced. Despite its well-known role as a protective factor for BMR, the same effect does not appear to hold true for iEMR.12 Initial reports in this population showed no differences in relapse-free survival regardless of acute or chronic GVHD (cGVHD) or a positive association between extensive cGVHD and iEMR development.10,13 This has led to investigators to postulate that the underlying physiopathology differs among different types of relapse, with decreased expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) minor histocompatibility antigens and adhesion molecules and decreased penetration of both immune cells and high-dose chemotherapy to EM sites.14 These mechanisms lead to decreased effectivness of T-cell dependent cytotoxicity of donor lymphocytes as compared with the medullary compartment, with subsequent clone selection and escape, enabling the development of iEMR.6

With the increased use of alternative donors, this has been contested in the haploidentical setting, with a recent report showing significantly increased rates of iEMR in patients who do not develop cGVHD. It is suggested that the role of GVL, coupled with GVHD, in this HLA-mismatched setting could partially explain the added benefit of GVHD in this subgroup. This report also evidenced increased tumor chemosensitivity in patients with EMR compared with BMR, possibly explained by reduced concentrations of conditioning therapy at EM sites.9

Cytogenetics associated with poor outcomes and advanced disease at the time of HSCT were described as risk factors for iEMR in initial cohort studies.1,5,10,15,16 However, recent publications that include alternative-donor HSCT recipients have reported that a haploidentical source could overcome this negative impact.9

The influence of type of conditioning regimen on likelihood of iEMR has been studied only retrospectively, mainly comparing TBI-based versus chemotherapy-based approaches. The landmark paper by Simpson et al showed a significantly elevated rate of iEMR in patients receiving busulfan-based conditioning. This finding has been related to the lack of penetration of drugs into the immune sanctuaries with chemotherapy-only regimens.17

Multiple approaches, including combination and single treatment for iEMR, have been described. Combination therapy including systemic chemotherapy plus local radiotherapy (or in CNS disease, radiation to the craniospinal axis, intrathecal chemotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy) has been associated with higher response rates than single-treatment strategies.9 Nonetheless, the best responses have been observed when combination therapy is followed by a cellular therapy (eg, second allogeneic HSCT, donor leukocyte infusion, and donor stem cell infusion), leading to CR rates of greater than 80%.5,13 Whether this increase in CR rate translates to an increase in survival outcomes remains debatable due to conflicting results in the current literature for iEMR.

Financial Disclosure: The authors have no significant financial interest in or other relationship with the manufacturer of any product or provider of any service mentioned in this article.

Corresponding author:

Christianne Bourlon, MD, MHScVasco de Quiroga No. 15.Belisario Domnguez Seccin XVI

Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Ciudad de Mxico, Mxico

E-mail: chrisbourlon@hotmail.com

References:

1. Ge L, Ye F, Mao X, et al. Extramedullary relapse of acute leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: different characteristics between acute myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2014;20(7):1040-1047. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.03.030.

2. Pavletic SZ, Kumar S, Mohty M, et al. NCI First International Workshop on the Biology, Prevention, and Treatment of Relapse after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: report from the Committee on the Epidemiology and Natural History of Relapse following Allogeneic Cell Transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2010;16(7):871-890. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2010.04.004.

3. Devillier R, Crocchiolo R, Etienne A, et al. Outcome of relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplant in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma. 2013;54(6):1228-1234. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2012.741230.

4. Hoelzer D, Bassan R, Dombret H, Fielding A, Ribera JM, Buske C; ESMO Guidelines Committee. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in adult patients: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2016;27(suppl 5):v69-v82. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdw025.

5. Shem-Tov N, Saraceni F, Danylesko I, et al. Isolated extramedullary relapse of acute leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: different kinetics and better prognosis than systemic relapse. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2017;23(7):1087-1094. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.03.023.

6. Lee JH, Choi SJ, Lee JH, et al. Anti-leukemic effect of graft-versus-host disease on bone marrow and extramedullary relapses in acute leukemia. Haematologica. 2005;90(10):1380-1388.

7. Xie N, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Yu F, Song Y. Extramedullary relapse of leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(19):e15584. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015584.

8. Shi JM, Meng XJ, Luo Y, et al. Clinical characteristics and outcome of isolated extramedullary relapse in acute leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a single-center analysis. Leuk Res. 2013;37(4):372-377. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2012.12.002.

9. Mo XD, Kong J, Zhao T, et al. Extramedullary relapse of acute leukemia after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence, risk factors, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2014;20(12):2023-2028. doi:10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.08.023.

10. Harris AC, Kitko CL, Couriel DR, et al. Extramedullary relapse of acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence, risk factors and outcomes. Haematologica. 2013;98(2):179-184. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2012.073189.

11. Hamdi A, Mawad R, Bassett R, et al. Central nervous system relapse in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2014;20(11):1767-1771. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.07.005.

12. Giralt SA, Champlin RE. Leukemia relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: a review. Blood. 1994;84(11):3603-3612.

13. Solh M, DeFor TE, Weisdorf DJ, Kaufman DS. Extramedullary relapse of acute myelogenous leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: better prognosis than systemic relapse. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2012;18(1):106-112. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2011.05.023.

14. Kolb HJ. Graft-versus-leukemia effects of transplantation and donor lymphocytes. Blood. 2008;112(12):4371-4383. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-03-077974.

15. Lee KH, Lee JH, Choi SJ, et al. Bone marrow vs extramedullary relapse of acute leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: risk factors and clinical course. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2003;32(8):835-842. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704223.

16. Clark WB, Strickland SA, Barrett AJ, Savani BN. Extramedullary relapses after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Haematologica. 2010;95(6):860-863.

17. Simpson DR, Nevill T, Shepherd JD, et al. High incidence of extramedullary relapse of AML after busulfan/cyclophosphamide conditioning and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant. 1998;22(3):259-264. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701319.

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Isolated Extramedullary Relapse in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: What Can We Do Before and After Transplant? - Cancer Network

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Isolated Extramedullary Relapse in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: What Can We Do Before and After Transplant? – Cancer Network | February 14th, 2020

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM) ("Actinium") announced today that presentations from its targeted conditioning portfolio have been accepted for presentation at the 2020 Transplantation & Cellular Therapy (TCT) Meetings, which brings together thousands of transplant professionals from over 500 transplant centers worldwide. TCT is being held February 19-23, 2020 at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida. Notably, data from the pivotal Phase 3 SIERRA trial of Iomab-B have been selected for an oral presentation.

"We are excited that Iomab-B and the SIERRA trial have once again been selected as an oral presentation at TCT," said Dr. Mark Berger, Chief Medical Officer of Actinium. "We look forward to highlighting the potential benefit that Iomab-B can provide to a patient population with active disease who are otherwise ineligible for BMT. We are confident these findings will be received with great enthusiasm. TCT, which assembles leading transplant physicians from top centers in the United States and worldwide, is the ideal venue to showcase the extremely encouraging findings from the SIERRA trial thus far. In addition, our other conference activities are expected to provide significant exposure for this important trial and invaluable interactions with BMT thought leaders. Through the SIERRA trial, we aspire to change the treatment paradigm for older patients with relapsed or refractory AML to make potentially curative BMT via Iomab-B the standard of care for this patient population that continues to have poor outcomes."

Actinium's TCT Presentations:

Late Breaking Oral Presentation:

Poster Presentation:

About the SIERRA TrialThe SIERRA trial (Study ofIomab-B inElderlyRelapse/RefractoryAcute Myeloid Leukemia) is the only randomized Phase 3 trial that offers BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) as an option for older patients with active, relapsed or refractory AML or acute myeloid leukemia. BMT is the only potentially curative treatment option for older patients with active relapsed or refractory AML and there is no standard of care for this indication other than salvage therapies. Iomab-B is an ARC (Antibody Radiation-Conjugate) comprised of the anti-CD45 antibody apamistamab and the radioisotope I-131 (Iodine-131). The 20 active SIERRA trial sites in the U.S. and Canada represent many of the leading bone marrow transplant centers by volume. For more information, visit http://www.sierratrial.com.

About Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings (TCT) TCT, formerly known as the BMT Tandem Meetings, are the combined annual meetings of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) and the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR).Each year the conference brings together several thousand investigators, clinicians, researchers, nurses and other allied health professionals from over 500 transplant centers from over 50 countries around a full scientific program focused on bone marrow transplant and cellular therapies.

About Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: ATNM)Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ARCs or Antibody Radiation-Conjugates, which combine the targeting ability of antibodies with the cell killing ability of radiation. Actinium's lead application for our ARCs is targeted conditioning, which is intended to selectively deplete a patient's disease or cancer cells and certain immune cells prior to a BMT or Bone Marrow Transplant, Gene Therapy or Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) such as CAR-T to enable engraftment of these transplanted cells with minimal toxicities. With our ARC approach, we seek to improve patient outcomes and access to these potentially curative treatments by eliminating or reducing the non-targeted chemotherapy that is used for conditioning in standard practice currently. Our lead product candidate, I-131 apamistamab (Iomab-B) is being studied in the ongoing pivotal Phase 3Study ofIomab-B inElderlyRelapsed orRefractoryAcute Myeloid Leukemia (SIERRA) trial for BMT conditioning. The SIERRA trial is over fifty percent enrolled and promising single-agent, feasibility and safety data has been highlighted at ASH, TCT, ASCO and SOHO annual meetings. I-131 apamistamab will also be studied as a targeted conditioning agent in a Phase 1/2 anti-HIV stem cell gene therapy with UC Davis and is expected to be studied with a CAR-T therapy in 2020. In addition, we are developing a multi-disease, multi-target pipeline of clinical-stage ARCs targeting the antigens CD45 and CD33 for targeted conditioning and as a therapeutic either in combination with other therapeutic modalities or as a single agent for patients with a broad range of hematologic malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and multiple myeloma. Ongoing combination trials include our CD33 alpha ARC, Actimab-A, in combination with the salvage chemotherapy CLAG-M and the Bcl-2 targeted therapy venetoclax. Underpinning our clinical programs is our proprietary AWE (Antibody Warhead Enabling) technology platform. This is where our intellectual property portfolio of over 100 patents, know-how, collective research and expertise in the field are being leveraged to construct and study novel ARCs and ARC combinations to bolster our pipeline for strategic purposes. Our AWE technology platform is currently being utilized in a collaborative research partnership with Astellas Pharma, Inc. Website: https://www.actiniumpharma.com/

Forward-Looking Statements for Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This press release may contain projections or other "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe-harbor" provisions of the private securities litigation reform act of 1995 regarding future events or the future financial performance of the Company which the Company undertakes no obligation to update. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or estimated future results, including the risks and uncertainties associated with preliminary study results varying from final results, estimates of potential markets for drugs under development, clinical trials, actions by the FDA and other governmental agencies, regulatory clearances, responses to regulatory matters, the market demand for and acceptance of Actinium's products and services, performance of clinical research organizations and other risks detailed from time to time in Actinium's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including without limitation its most recent annual report on form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.

Contacts:

Investors:Hans Vitzthum LifeSci Advisors, LLCHans@LifeSciAdvisors.com(617) 535-7743

Media:Alisa Steinberg, Director, IR & Corp Commsasteinberg@actiniumpharma.com(646) 237-4087

SOURCE Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

http://www.actiniumpharma.com/

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Actinium to Highlight Targeted Conditioning Portfolio at 2020 Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Annual Meeting; Phase 3 SIERRA Trial Preliminary...

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Actinium to Highlight Targeted Conditioning Portfolio at 2020 Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Annual Meeting; Phase 3 SIERRA Trial Preliminary… | February 14th, 2020

VANCOUVER, Washington, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytoDyn Inc. (OTC.QB: CYDY), (CytoDyn or the Company"), a late-stage biotechnology company developing leronlimab (PRO 140), a CCR5 antagonist with the potential for multiple therapeutic indications, announced today continued positive data for its mTNBC and MBC patients.

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), an aggressive histological subtype, has a poor prognosis. In addition, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast and lymph nodes to other organs in the body (typically the bones, liver, lungs, or brain). Both types of cancer pose significant challenges for patients due to their aggressiveness and limited treatment options. An integral part of CytoDyns mission and purpose is to provide effective therapeutic solutions to these patients. Results of the first five patients are as follows:

Patient #1: Enrolled in mTNBC Phase 1b/2 - Injected on 9/27/2019. CTC (circulating tumor cells) dropped to zero in two weeks on 10/11/2019. Total CTC and EMT (Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Tumor Metastasis) dropped to zero after about one month of treatment with leronlimab (once-a-week 350 mg dose). After approximately four months of treatment with leronlimab and Carboplatin, the patient had zero CTC+EMT. Furthermore, the patients CT scan indicated a 20% tumor shrinkage within the first few weeks of treatment with leronlimab.

Patient #2: Enrolled in single IND. Patient is MBC with HER2+ stage 4 metastasis to lung, liver, and brain. Patients radiologist cancelled 2nd round of treatment due to leronlimabs effect on shrinking the largest tumor in the brain by 56% and other lesions being stable. Leronlimab has, and continues to be, the only treatment in place since the measurement of brain tumor shrinkage was initiated. Patient was permitted to obtain CTC+EMT test results. After 10 weeks of treatment with leronlimab, this patients CTC+EMT results were zero (results reported on 2/12/2020).

Patient #3: Enrolled on 1/3/2020. This patients CAML counts went down from 45 to 30. CTC+EMT are stable and there has been no change in the total number.

Patient #4: Enrolled on 1/7/2020. This patients total CTC+EMT dropped by 75% in the first two weeks of treatment with leronlimab.

Patient #5: Enrolled on 2/4/2020. This patients CTC+EMT have been recorded upon enrollment and the first results are expected on 2/25/2020.

In addition to the first five patients, enrollment and treatment updates in CytoDyns Phase 2 protocol basket trial under its cancer IND are as follows:

Patient #6: Injected on 2/8/2020 and the first results since enrollment are due by end of February.

Patient #7: Injected on 2/13/2020.

Patients #8, 9 and 10: Completed screening for enrollment.

The patients enrolled in the mTNBC Phase 1b/2 trial continue to demonstrate meaningful results that support the hypothesis regarding leronlimabs mechanism of action, said Bruce Patterson, M.D., chief executive officer and founder of IncellDx, a diagnostic partner and an advisor to CytoDyn. In the four patients (1 with MBC, 3 with TNBC) now with results from leronlimab therapy, patients #1-3 have zero CTCs and zero EMTs and Patient #4, who has been treated with leronlimab for 2 weeks showed a decrease of CTCs and EMTs from 8 to 2. New data from Patient #2 with Stage 4 MBC and who has been treated with 10 weekly doses of leronlimab showed zero CTCs and zero EMTs, in addition to the shrinkage or disappearance of some brain metastases as previously reported.

Nader Pourhassan, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of CytoDyn, added: These findings are extremely promising in light of the success rate of other treatment options. Therapeutic options for patients suffering from breast cancer are highly limited and we look forward to continuing enrollment and exploring leronlimabs potential to treat this devastating disease. Since our basket trial for all solid tumor cancers has been initiated, we are currently screening a prostate cancer patient, and if continued positive clinical results are forthcoming from this patient, we are hopeful that this will clear the path for CytoDyn to file for Breakthrough Therapy designation for all solid tumor cancers. Our mechanism of action is not only focused on the inhibition of metastasis of solid tumor cancers, but also targets the tumor itself through macrophages, angiogenesis and T-reg.

About Triple-Negative Breast CancerTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer characterized by the absence of the three most common types of receptors in the cancer tumor known to fuel most breast cancer growthestrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and the hormone epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) gene. TNBC cancer occurs in about 10 to 20 percent of diagnosed breast cancers and can be more aggressive and more likely to spread and recur. Since the triple-negative tumor cells lack these receptors, common treatments for breast cancer such as hormone therapy and drugs that target estrogen, progesterone, and HER-2 are ineffective.

About Leronlimab (PRO 140)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have granted a Fast Track designation to CytoDyn for two potential indications of leronlimab for deadly diseases. The first as a combination therapy with HAART for HIV-infected patients and the second is for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Leronlimab is an investigational humanized IgG4 mAb that blocks CCR5, a cellular receptor that is important in HIV infection, tumor metastases, and other diseases including NASH. Leronlimab has successfully completed nine clinical trials in over 800 people, including meeting its primary endpoints in a pivotal Phase 3 trial (leronlimab in combination with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected treatment-experienced patients).

In the setting of HIV/AIDS, leronlimab is a viral-entry inhibitor; it masks CCR5, thus protecting healthy T cells from viral infection by blocking the predominant HIV (R5) subtype from entering those cells. Leronlimab has been the subject of nine clinical trials, each of which demonstrated that leronlimab can significantly reduce or control HIV viral load in humans. The leronlimab antibody appears to be a powerful antiviral agent leading to potentially fewer side effects and less frequent dosing requirements compared with daily drug therapies currently in use.

In the setting of cancer, research has shown that CCR5 plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Increased CCR5 expression is an indicator of disease status in several cancers. Published studies have shown that blocking CCR5 can reduce tumor metastases in laboratory and animal models of aggressive breast and prostate cancer. Leronlimab reduced human breast cancer metastasis by more than 98% in a murine xenograft model. CytoDyn is therefore conducting a Phase 1b/2 human clinical trial in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and was granted Fast Track designation in May 2019. Additional research is being conducted with leronlimab in the setting of cancer and NASH with plans to conduct additional clinical studies when appropriate.

The CCR5 receptor appears to play a central role in modulating immune cell trafficking to sites of inflammation and may be important in the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and other inflammatory conditions. Clinical studies by others further support the concept that blocking CCR5 using a chemical inhibitor can reduce the clinical impact of acute GvHD without significantly affecting the engraftment of transplanted bone marrow stem cells. CytoDyn is currently conducting a Phase 2 clinical study with leronlimab to further support the concept that the CCR5 receptor on engrafted cells is critical for the development of acute GvHD and that blocking this receptor from recognizing certain immune signaling molecules is a viable approach to mitigating acute GvHD. The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to leronlimab for the prevention of GvHD.

About CytoDynCytoDyn is a biotechnology company developing innovative treatments for multiple therapeutic indications based on leronlimab, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CCR5 receptor. CCR5 appears to play a key role in the ability of HIV to enter and infect healthy T-cells. The CCR5 receptor also appears to be implicated in tumor metastasis and in immune-mediated illnesses, such as GvHD and NASH. CytoDyn has successfully completed a Phase 3 pivotal trial with leronlimab in combination with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected treatment-experienced patients. CytoDyn plans to seek FDA approval for leronlimab in combination therapy and plans to complete the filing of a Biologics License Application (BLA) in the first quarter of 2020 for that indication. CytoDyn is also conducting a Phase 3 investigative trial with leronlimab as a once-weekly monotherapy for HIV-infected patients and plans to initiate a registration-directed study of leronlimab monotherapy indication, which if successful, could support a label extension. Clinical results to date from multiple trials have shown that leronlimab can significantly reduce viral burden in people infected with HIV with no reported drug-related serious adverse events (SAEs). Moreover, results from a Phase 2b clinical trial demonstrated that leronlimab monotherapy can prevent viral escape in HIV-infected patients, with some patients on leronlimab monotherapy remaining virally suppressed for more than five years. CytoDyn is also conducting a Phase 2 trial to evaluate leronlimab for the prevention of GvHD and a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial with leronlimab in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. More information is at http://www.cytodyn.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as believes, hopes, intends, estimates, expects, projects, plans, anticipates and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The Companys forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks and uncertainties including: (i) the sufficiency of the Companys cash position, (ii) the Companys ability to raise additional capital to fund its operations, (iii) the Companys ability to meet its debt obligations, if any, (iv) the Companys ability to enter into partnership or licensing arrangements with third parties, (v) the Companys ability to identify patients to enroll in its clinical trials in a timely fashion, (vi) the Companys ability to achieve approval of a marketable product, (vii) the design, implementation and conduct of the Companys clinical trials, (viii) the results of the Companys clinical trials, including the possibility of unfavorable clinical trial results, (ix) the market for, and marketability of, any product that is approved, (x) the existence or development of vaccines, drugs, or other treatments that are viewed by medical professionals or patients as superior to the Companys products, (xi) regulatory initiatives, compliance with governmental regulations and the regulatory approval process, (xii) general economic and business conditions, (xiii) changes in foreign, political, and social conditions, and (xiv) various other matters, many of which are beyond the Companys control. The Company urges investors to consider specifically the various risk factors identified in its most recent Form 10-K, and any risk factors or cautionary statements included in any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.

CYTODYN CONTACTSMedia:Grace FotiadesLifeSci Communications[emailprotected](646) 876-5026

Investors: Dave Gentry, CEORedChip CompaniesOffice: 1.800.RED.CHIP (733.2447)Cell: 407.491.4498[emailprotected]

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CytoDyn Reports Continued Positive Clinical Data on its Phase 1b/2 mTNBC and Expanded Access Studies for MBC Ahead of Breakthrough Therapy Designation...

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on CytoDyn Reports Continued Positive Clinical Data on its Phase 1b/2 mTNBC and Expanded Access Studies for MBC Ahead of Breakthrough Therapy Designation… | February 14th, 2020

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Delaware have been awarded funding and support to accelerate their search for new medicines through an ongoing partnership between global biotechnology leader CSL Behring and the University City Science Center.

CSL Behring awarded Cecelia Yates, Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, and Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis, Ph.D., from the University of Delaware, $250,000 each and an opportunity to work alongside the plasma-based biotech's own experts in an effort to help transform their ideas into groundbreaking therapies to improve patients' health.

CSL Behring, a global leader in treating rare and serious diseases which has its global operational headquarters in King of Prussia, PA, identified the medical researchers utilizing the Science Center's, sourcing innovation framework for technology commercialization, support and infrastructure to efficiently evaluate technologies from multiple institutions.

"Congratulations Drs. Yates and Papoutsakis on being the first recipients of the CSL Behring-Science Center Research Acceleration Initiative," said Bill Mezzanotte, MD, Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development for CSL Behring. "This initiative is another example of the strength of our partnership with the Philadelphia-based University City Science Center as we look in our 'backyard' for innovative scientific advancements that have the potential to help rare disease patients lead full lives. Our growing R&D organization looks forward to working with Dr. Yates and Dr. Papoutsakis in the years ahead to advance their scientific research."

"The Science Center couldn't be more excited about facilitating the introduction between these talented investigators and CSL Behring," says John Younger, MD, Vice President of Science & Technology at the Science Center. "Our network of universities, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies was built exactly for making these connections not just possible but easy. Supporting the development of new biologics, and new drug and gene delivery systems like those developed by Drs. Papoutsakis and Yates will continue to be an important focus of our team."

The investigators and technologies selected in this inaugural round of the program include:

Cecelia Yates, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, for the use of FibroKine biomimetic peptides as potential targeted therapeutic treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Fibrotic diseases constitute a significant health problem in the US with the ability to impact any organ that is scarred from chronic disease, including the heart, lung, liver, arteries, and skin. In some cases, progressive and life-threatening diseases follow, but effective therapies don't yet exist. In response, Dr. Yates has developed FibroKine, a chemokine-based class of biomimetic peptides that are potential therapeutic agents for the targeted treatment of tissue fibrosis. Support from CSL Behring will allow the Yates group to test FibroKine peptide ability to effectively treat and halt the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.

Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis, Ph.D., University of Delaware, for exploring the use of cell derived micro-particles and vesicles (MkMPs) for the treatment of thrombocytopenias and in stem-cell targeted gene therapies

Gene delivery to or editing of Hematopoietic (blood) Stem and Progenitor Cells (HSPCs) can provide therapeutic benefit to patients for a variety of genetic hematological disorders, ranging from low platelet count diseases to primary immune deficiencies like Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. With the support of CSL Behring, Dr. Papoutsakis will investigate the use of human MkMPs: 1) to promote in vivo platelet biogenesis as a potential treatment for thrombocytopenias, and 2) for the in vivo delivery of DNA, RNA, and proteins to HSPCs in gene therapy applications.

In October 2018, the Science Center and CSL Behring joined forces to identify promising technologies and support the commercialization pathways of potential new discoveries. Researchers at academic and research institutions throughout the region were invited to submit proposals for projects with a focus on therapeutics that fit within CSL Behring's five therapeutic areas of expertise: immunology and neurology; hematology and thrombosis; respiratory; cardiovascular and metabolic; and transplant.

Following the success of the initial pilot, the CSL Behring Science Center Research Initiative has expanded and is currently accepting applicationsfrom researchers at 28 institutions across six states with awardees to receive up to $400,000 each.

About CSL BehringCSL Behringis a global biotherapeutics leader driven by its promise to save lives. Focused on serving patients' needs by using the latest technologies, we develop and deliver innovative therapies that are used to treat coagulation disorders, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema, inherited respiratory disease, and neurological disorders. The company's products are also used in cardiac surgery, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn. CSL Behring operates one of the world's largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. The parent company, CSL Limited(ASX: CSL; USOTC: CSLLY), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs more than 25,000 people, and delivers its life-saving therapies to people in more than 70 countries. For inspiring stories about the promise of biotechnology, visit Vita CSLBehring.com/vitaand follow us on Twitter.com/CSLBehring.

About the Science CenterLocated in the heart ofuCitySquare, the Science Center is a mission-driven nonprofit that commercializes promising technology, cultivates talent and convenes people to inspire action. For over 50 years, the Science Center has supported startups, research, and economic development across the emerging technology sectors. As a result, Science Center-supported companies account for one out of every 100 jobs in the Greater Philadelphia region and drive $13 billion in economic activity in the region annually. By providing the right help at the right time, the Science Center is turning bright ideas into businesses and nurturing a workforce to support our 21st century economy. For more information about the Science Center, go towww.sciencecenter.org

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University City Science Center partnership with CSL Behring accelerates the search for new biotherapies at the University of Pittsburgh and the...

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on University City Science Center partnership with CSL Behring accelerates the search for new biotherapies at the University of Pittsburgh and the… | February 14th, 2020

Technological innovations in the area of stem cell therapy and tissue engineering has led to rapid growth of the regenerative medicine market size.

Regenerative medicine is a comparatively new area of science that involves the restoration of damaged cells, tissues or organs by applying cell therapy, tissue engineering, immunotherapy or gene therapy techniques. On contrary to the present clinical therapeutics that act on slowing the disease progression or relieve symptoms, regenerative medication has a promising therapeutic approach of restoring the function and structure of damaged organs and tissues.

The global regenerative medicine market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period,due to the increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, orthopaedic injuries, genetic disorders, growing aging population, increasing government funding along with the private funding in the research & development of regenerative medicines with the advancement in nanotechnology based drug delivery system, and moderate healthcare reforms. Currently, major breakthrough in the area is the development of tissue engineered trachea, transplantation of retinal pigment differentiated by stem cell based therapy to treat age-related macular degeneration.

However, recently research labs have started to focus on regenerating solid organs such as heart, kidney, lungs and other organs to curb the problems associated with organ transplantation.

The rise in number of regulatory approvals of regenerative medications is expected to further drive the regenerative medicine market during the forecast period. Moreover, there has been strategic partnership between many companies that has encouraged increased involvement of these companies in the global market.

Improvised drug delivery systems for regenerative medicines is also expected to contribute to the growth of the global market.

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The key factors which drive the growth of the global market include increase in the demand of orthopaedic surgeries, government healthcare reforms in certain countries such as the U.S. and Canada, aging population, rise in chronic diseases, increasing prevalence of bone and joint diseases, and innovations in nanotechnology that aids in drug delivery mechanism.

Globally, North America is the largest market for regenerative medicine followed by Europe. The largest regenerative medicine market size of North America is attributed to the high rate of incidence of cardiac disorders, autoimmune diseases, and increasing prevalence of cancer patients among the American population.

Additionally, the involvement of government organization for funding in the area of R&D of regenerative medicines, technological advancement and other policies are driving the growth of the North American market.

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Regenerative Medicine Market trends, leaders, segment analysis and forecast to 2030 described in a new market report - WhaTech Technology and Markets...

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Regenerative Medicine Market trends, leaders, segment analysis and forecast to 2030 described in a new market report – WhaTech Technology and Markets… | February 14th, 2020

Regenerative Medicine Market: Snapshot

Regenerative medicine is a part of translational research in the fields of molecular biology and tissue engineering. This type of medicine involves replacing and regenerating human cells, organs, and tissues with the help of specific processes. Doing this may involve a partial or complete reengineering of human cells so that they start to function normally.

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Regenerative medicine also involves the attempts to grow tissues and organs in a laboratory environment, wherein they can be put in a body that cannot heal a particular part. Such implants are mainly preferred to be derived from the patients own tissues and cells, particularly stem cells. Looking at the promising nature of stem cells to heal and regenerative various parts of the body, this field is certainly expected to see a bright future. Doing this can help avoid opting for organ donation, thus saving costs. Some healthcare centers might showcase a shortage of organ donations, and this is where tissues regenerated using patients own cells are highly helpful.

There are several source materials from which regeneration can be facilitated. Extracellular matrix materials are commonly used source substances all over the globe. They are mainly used for reconstructive surgery, chronic wound healing, and orthopedic surgeries. In recent times, these materials have also been used in heart surgeries, specifically aimed at repairing damaged portions.

Cells derived from the umbilical cord also have the potential to be used as source material for bringing about regeneration in a patient. A vast research has also been conducted in this context. Treatment of diabetes, organ failure, and other chronic diseases is highly possible by using cord blood cells. Apart from these cells, Whartons jelly and cord lining have also been shortlisted as possible sources for mesenchymal stem cells. Extensive research has conducted to study how these cells can be used to treat lung diseases, lung injury, leukemia, liver diseases, diabetes, and immunity-based disorders, among others.

Global Regenerative Medicine Market: Overview

The global market for regenerative medicine market is expected to grow at a significant pace throughout the forecast period. The rising preference of patients for personalized medicines and the advancements in technology are estimated to accelerate the growth of the global regenerative medicine market in the next few years. As a result, this market is likely to witness a healthy growth and attract a large number of players in the next few years. The development of novel regenerative medicine is estimated to benefit the key players and supplement the markets growth in the near future.

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Global Regenerative Medicine Market: Key Trends

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the rising focus on cell therapy products are the key factors that are estimated to fuel the growth of the global regenerative medicine market in the next few years. In addition, the increasing funding by government bodies and development of new and innovative products are anticipated to supplement the growth of the overall market in the next few years.

On the flip side, the ethical challenges in the stem cell research are likely to restrict the growth of the global regenerative medicine market throughout the forecast period. In addition, the stringent regulatory rules and regulations are predicted to impact the approvals of new products, thus hampering the growth of the overall market in the near future.

Global Regenerative Medicine Market: Market Potential

The growing demand for organ transplantation across the globe is anticipated to boost the demand for regenerative medicines in the next few years. In addition, the rapid growth in the geriatric population and the significant rise in the global healthcare expenditure is predicted to encourage the growth of the market. The presence of a strong pipeline is likely to contribute towards the markets growth in the near future.

Global Regenerative Medicine Market: Regional Outlook

In the past few years, North America led the global regenerative medicine market and is likely to remain in the topmost position throughout the forecast period. This region is expected to account for a massive share of the global market, owing to the rising prevalence of cancer, cardiac diseases, and autoimmunity. In addition, the rising demand for regenerative medicines from the U.S. and the rising government funding are some of the other key aspects that are likely to fuel the growth of the North America market in the near future.

Furthermore, Asia Pacific is expected to register a substantial growth rate in the next few years. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the availability of funding for research and the development of research centers. In addition, the increasing contribution from India, China, and Japan is likely to supplement the growth of the market in the near future.

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Global Regenerative Medicine Market: Competitive Analysis

The global market for regenerative medicines is extremely fragmented and competitive in nature, thanks to the presence of a large number of players operating in it. In order to gain a competitive edge in the global market, the key players in the market are focusing on technological developments and research and development activities. In addition, the rising number of mergers and acquisitions and collaborations is likely to benefit the prominent players in the market and encourage the overall growth in the next few years.

Some of the key players operating in the regenerative medicine market across the globe are Vericel Corporation, Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd., Stryker Corporation, Acelity L.P. Inc. (KCI Licensing), Organogenesis Inc., Medtronic PLC, Cook Biotech Incorporated, Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., Integra Lifesciences Corporation, and Nuvasive, Inc. A large number of players are anticipated to enter the global market throughout the forecast period.

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Regenerative Medicine Market Projected to Hit at a Strong CAGR Between Forecast Period 2017-2025 - Redhill Local Councillors

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Regenerative Medicine Market Projected to Hit at a Strong CAGR Between Forecast Period 2017-2025 – Redhill Local Councillors | February 14th, 2020