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From Scorpion to Immunotherapy: City of Hope Scientists Repurpose Nature’s Toxin for First-of-Its Kind CAR T Cell Therapy to Treat Brain Tumors -…

By Stem Cell Treatment

DUARTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--City of Hope scientists have developed and tested the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy using chlorotoxin (CLTX), a component of scorpion venom, to direct T cells to target brain tumor cells, according to a preclinical study published today in Science Translational Medicine. The institution has also opened the first in-human clinical trial to use the therapy.

CARs commonly incorporate a monoclonal antibody sequence in their targeting domain, enabling CAR T cells to recognize antigens and kill tumor cells. In contrast, the CLTX-CAR uses a 36-amino acid peptide sequence first isolated from death stalker scorpion venom and now engineered to serve as the CAR recognition domain.

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common type of brain tumor, is also among the most deadly of human cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. It is particularly difficult to treat because the tumors are disseminated throughout the brain. Efforts to develop immunotherapies, including CAR T cells, for GBM must also contend with a high degree of heterogeneity within these tumors.

For the study, City of Hope researchers used tumor cells in resection samples from a cohort of patients with GBM to compare CLTX binding with expression of antigens currently under investigation as CAR T cell targets, including IL13R2, HER2 and EGFR. They found that CLTX bound to a greater proportion of patient tumors and cells within these tumors.

CLTX binding included the GBM stem-like cells thought to seed tumor recurrence. Consistent with these observations, CLTX-CAR T cells recognized and killed broad populations of GBM cells while ignoring nontumor cells in the brain and other organs. The study team demonstrated that CLTX-directed CAR T cells are highly effective at selectively killing human GBM cells in cell-based assays and in animal models without off-tumor targeting and toxicity.

Our chlorotoxin-incorporating CAR expands the populations of solid tumors potentially targeted by CAR T cell therapy, which is particularly needed for patients with cancers that are difficult to treat such as glioblastoma, said Christine Brown, Ph.D., City of Hopes Heritage Provider Network Professor in Immunotherapy and deputy director of T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory. This is a completely new targeting strategy for CAR T therapy with CARs incorporating a recognition structure different from other CARs.

Michael Barish, Ph.D., City of Hope professor and chair of the Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, initiated the development of a CAR using chlorotoxin to target GBM cells. The peptide has been used as an imaging agent to guide GBM resection surgery, and to carry radioisotopes and other therapeutics to GBM tumors.

Much like a scorpion uses toxin components of its venom to target and kill its prey, were using chlorotoxin to direct the T cells to target the tumor cells with the added advantage that the CLTX-CAR T cells are mobile and actively surveilling the brain looking for appropriate targets, Barish said. We are not actually injecting a toxin, but exploiting CLTXs binding properties in the design of the CAR. The idea was to develop a CAR that would target T cells to a wider variety of GBM tumor cells than the other antibody-based CARs.

The notion is that the higher the proportion of tumor cells that one can kill at the beginning of treatment, the greater the probability of slowing down or stopping GBM growth and recurrence, Barish added.

Dongrui Wang, a doctoral candidate in City of Hopes Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, was the lead scientist to establish and optimize the CLTX-CAR T cell platform and to determine that cell surface protein matrix metalloprotease 2 is required for CLTX-CAR T cell activation. He added that while people might think the chlorotoxin is what kills the GBM cells, what actually eradicates them is the tumor-specific binding and activation of the CAR T cells.

Based on the promising findings of this study, the study team intends to bring this therapy to patients diagnosed with GBM with the hope of improving outcomes against this thus far intractable cancer. With recently granted Food and Drug Administration approval to proceed, the first-in-human clinical trial using the CLTX-CAR T cells is now screening potential patients.

This work was supported by the Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the clinical trial will be supported by The Marcus Foundation of Atlanta.

City of Hope, a recognized leader in CAR T cell therapies for glioblastoma and other cancers, has treated nearly 500 patients since its CAR T program started in the late 1990s. The institution continues to have one of the most comprehensive CAR T cell clinical research programs in the world it currently has 29 ongoing CAR T clinical trials, including CAR T trials for HER-2 positive breast cancer that has spread to the brain, and PSCA-positive bone metastatic prostate cancer. It was the first and only cancer center to treat GBM patients with CAR T cells targeting IL13R2, and the first to administer CAR T cell therapy locally in the brain, either by direct injection at the tumor site, through intraventricular infusion into the cerebrospinal fluid, or both. In late 2019, City of Hope opened a first-in-human clinical trial for patients with recurrent glioblastoma combining IL13R2-CAR T cells with checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab, an anti-PD1 antibody, and ipilimumab, blocking the CTLA-4 protein.

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hopes translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is the highest ranked cancer hospital in the West, according to U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospitals: Specialty Ranking. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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From Scorpion to Immunotherapy: City of Hope Scientists Repurpose Nature's Toxin for First-of-Its Kind CAR T Cell Therapy to Treat Brain Tumors -...

Fate Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Operational Progress with 2020 Outlook – GlobeNewswire

By Stem Cell Treatment

Reported Initial Clinical Data from FT500 Phase 1 Study in Advanced Solid Tumors, Supporting Safety and Tolerability of Multi-dose Treatment Paradigm for Off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK Cells

First Patients Treated with FT516, the First-ever Engineered iPSC-derived Cellular Immunotherapy, for AML and for B-cell Lymphoma in Combination with Rituximab

Initiated Enrollment of First-in-human Clinical Trial of FT596, the First-ever Cellular Immunotherapy Engineered with Three Active Anti-tumor Modalities

Ended Quarter with $261 Million in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

SAN DIEGO, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of programmed cellular immunotherapies for cancer and immune disorders, today reported business highlights and financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019.

In 2019, we made tremendous progress in pioneering the clinical development of off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived cancer immunotherapy. Our FT500 program demonstrated that multiple doses of iPSC-derived NK cells can be delivered off-the-shelf to a patient in a safe manner without patient matching. Additionally, our FT516 program provided initial clinical evidence that engineered iPSC-derived NK cells may confer anti-tumor activity and deliver clinically meaningful benefit to patients. We also showed the unmatched scalability of our proprietary iPSC product platform, having manufactured hundreds of cryopreserved, infusion-ready doses of our iPSC-derived NK cell product candidates at a low cost per dose in our new GMP manufacturing facility, said Scott Wolchko, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fate Therapeutics. In 2020, we look forward to additional clinical data from our FT500 and FT516 programs, and initial clinical data from FT596, our ground-breaking iPSC-derived CAR NK cell product candidate for the treatment of B-cell malignancies designed to overcome many of the limitations inherent in current CAR T-cell immunotherapies. We also expect to begin clinical investigation of our off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK cell programs in multiple myeloma with planned IND submissions for FT538, the first-ever CRISPR-edited, iPSC-derived cell therapy, and for FT576, our multi-antigen targeted, CAR-BCMA product candidate. Finally, under our collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering, we strive to be the first group in the world to bring off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived CAR T-cell therapy to patients.

Clinical Programs

Preclinical Pipeline

Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Today's Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will conduct a conference call today, Monday, March 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. ET to review financial and operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. In order to participate in the conference call, please dial 877-303-6229 (domestic) or 631-291-4833 (international) and refer to conference ID 9879730. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors & Media section of the Company's website at http://www.fatetherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company's website beginning approximately two hours after the event.

About Fate Therapeutics iPSC Product PlatformThe Companys proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform enables mass production of off-the-shelf, engineered, homogeneous cell products that can be administered with multiple doses to deliver more effective pharmacologic activity, including in combination with cycles of other cancer treatments. Human iPSCs possess the unique dual properties of unlimited self-renewal and differentiation potential into all cell types of the body. The Companys first-of-kind approach involves engineering human iPSCs in a one-time genetic modification event and selecting a single engineered iPSC for maintenance as a clonal master iPSC line. Analogous to master cell lines used to manufacture biopharmaceutical drug products such as monoclonal antibodies, clonal master iPSC lines are a renewable source for manufacturing cell therapy products which are well-defined and uniform in composition, can be mass produced at significant scale in a cost-effective manner, and can be delivered off-the-shelf for patient treatment. As a result, the Companys platform is uniquely capable of overcoming numerous limitations associated with the production of cell therapies using patient- or donor-sourced cells, which is logistically complex and expensive and is subject to batch-to-batch and cell-to-cell variability that can affect clinical safety and efficacy. Fate Therapeutics iPSC product platform is supported by an intellectual property portfolio of over 300 issued patents and 150 pending patent applications.

About FT500

FT500 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line. The product candidate is being investigated in an open-label, multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of advanced solid tumors (NCT03841110). The study is designed to assess the safety and tolerability of three once-weekly doses of FT500 as a monotherapy and in combination with one of three FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies nivolumab, pembrolizumab or atezolizumab in patients that have failed prior ICI therapy. Despite the clinical benefit conferred by approved ICI therapy against a variety of tumor types, these therapies are not curative and, in most cases, patients either fail to respond or their disease progresses on these agents. One common mechanism of resistance to ICI therapy is associated with loss-of-function mutations in genes critical for antigen presentation. A potential strategy to overcome resistance is through the administration of allogeneic NK cells, which have the inherent capability to recognize and directly kill tumor cells with these mutations.

About FT516

FT516 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered to express a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies. CD16 mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a potent anti-tumor mechanism by which NK cells recognize, bind and kill antibody-coated cancer cells. ADCC is dependent on NK cells maintaining stable and effective expression of CD16, which has been shown to undergo considerable down-regulation in cancer patients. In addition, CD16 occurs in two variants, 158V or 158F, that elicit high or low binding affinity, respectively, to the Fc domain of IgG1 antibodies. Numerous clinical studies with FDA-approved tumor-targeting antibodies, including rituximab, trastuzumab and cetuximab, have demonstrated that patients homozygous for the 158V variant, which is present in only about 15% of patients, have improved clinical outcomes. FT516 is being investigated in an open-label, multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial as a monotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and in combination with CD20-directed monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of advanced B-cell lymphoma (NCT04023071). Additionally, the FDA has allowed investigation of FT516 in an open-label, multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial in combination with monoclonal antibody therapy, including PDL1-, PD1-, EGFR- and HER2-targeting therapeutic antibodies, across a broad range of solid tumors.

About FT596FT596 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered with three anti-tumor functional modalities: a proprietary chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) optimized for NK cell biology, which contains a NKG2D transmembrane domain, a 2B4 co-stimulatory domain and a CD3-zeta signaling domain, that targets B-cell antigen CD19; a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies; and an IL-15 receptor fusion (IL-15RF) that promotes enhanced NK cell activity. In preclinical studies of FT596, the Company has demonstrated that dual activation of the CAR19 and hnCD16 targeting receptors, in combination with IL-15RF signaling, convey synergistic anti-tumor activity. Increased degranulation and cytokine release were observed upon dual receptor activation in lymphoma cancer cells as compared to activation of each receptor alone, indicating that multi-antigen engagement may elicit a deeper and more durable response. Additionally, in a humanized mouse model of lymphoma, FT596 in combination with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab showed enhanced killing of tumor cells in vivo as compared to rituximab alone. FT596 is being investigated in an open-label Phase 1 clinical trial as a monotherapy, and in combination with rituximab, for the treatment of advanced B-cell lymphoma and in combination with obinutuzumab for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (NCT04245722).

About Fate Therapeutics, Inc.Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of first-in-class cellular immunotherapies for cancer and immune disorders. The Company has established a leadership position in the clinical development and manufacture of universal, off-the-shelf cell products using its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform. The Companys immuno-oncology product candidates include natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell cancer immunotherapies, which are designed to synergize with well-established cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, and to target tumor-associated antigens with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). The Companys immuno-regulatory product candidates include ProTmune, a pharmacologically modulated, donor cell graft that is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease, and a myeloid-derived suppressor cell immunotherapy for promoting immune tolerance in patients with immune disorders. Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.fatetherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements regarding the Companys results of operations, financial condition and sufficiency of its cash and cash equivalents to fund its operations, as well as statements regarding the advancement of and plans related to its product candidates, clinical studies and preclinical research and development programs, the Companys progress, plans and timelines for the manufacture and clinical investigation of its product candidates, the timing for the Companys receipt of data from its clinical trials and preclinical studies, the Companys development and regulatory strategy, and the therapeutic and market potential of the Companys product candidates. These and any other forward-looking statements in this release are based on management's current expectations of future events 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 results observed in prior studies of the Companys product candidates, including preclinical studies and clinical trials, will not be observed in ongoing or future studies involving these product candidates, the risk of a delay or difficulties in the manufacturing of the Companys product candidates or in the initiation of, or enrollment of patients in, any clinical studies, the risk that the Company may cease or delay preclinical or clinical development of any of its product candidates for a variety of reasons (including requirements that may be imposed by regulatory authorities on the initiation or conduct of clinical trials or to support regulatory approval, difficulties or delays in patient enrollment in current and planned clinical trials, difficulties in manufacturing or supplying the Companys product candidates for clinical testing, and any adverse events or other negative results that may be observed during preclinical or clinical development), and the risk that the Companys expenditures may exceed current expectations for a variety of reasons. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the Companys actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risks and uncertainties detailed in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Companys most recently filed periodic report, and from time to time in the Companys press releases and other investor communications.Fate Therapeutics is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Availability of Other Information about Fate Therapeutics, Inc.

Investors and others should note that the Company routinely communicates with investors and the public using its website (www.fatetherapeutics.com) and its investor relations website (ir.fatetherapeutics.com) including, without limitation, through the posting of investor presentations, SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts on these websites. The information posted on these websites could be deemed to be material information. As a result, investors, the media, and others interested in Fate Therapeutics are encouraged to review this information on a regular basis. The contents of the Companys website, or any other website that may be accessed from the Companys website, shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss(in thousands, except share and per share data)(unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(in thousands)(unaudited)

Contact:Christina TartagliaStern Investor Relations, Inc.212.362.1200christina@sternir.com

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Fate Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Operational Progress with 2020 Outlook - GlobeNewswire

Federal government investing nearly $7 million in stem cell research – inthehammer.com

By Stell Cell Research

The federal government recently announced their intention to invest $6.9 million in stemcellresearch.

Stem cells are the building blocks of the body, and are responsible for growing and repairing tissue; they have the potential to treat myriad illnesses including heart disease--the leading cause of death inNorthAmerica.

Canada has been one of the leading countries when it comes to stem cell research, and Canadian researchers have brought stem cells from the lab into hospitals to savecountlesslives.

This funding will go towards nine translational projects and four clinical trials across the country aimed at providing new therapies and fostering continued growth in Canada's regenerativemedicinesector.

Two of the projects are being conducted by the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Quebec; one trial involves testing a promising new protocol to make blood stem cell transplants available to more patients with severe leukemia, the other is a biotechnology partnership that is advancing a stem cell-based approach tovisionloss.

"When we invest in science, we invest in better, healthier lives for everyone," Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, said in anewsrelease.

"Our government's support will help Canadian researchers further their ground-breaking work to tackle some of the most serious illnesses we face today. Congratulations to all of the recipients, and thank you for your work to keep Canada on the cutting edge of discovery and innovation,"hecontinued.

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Federal government investing nearly $7 million in stem cell research - inthehammer.com

Beating heart cells catch a ride to the International Space Station – Rockdale Newton Citizen

By Stell Cell Research

Tiny heart cells are among the new batch of science experiments heading for the International Space Station Friday night, but their potential to help patients with heart disease on Earth is exponential.

SpaceX's 20th resupply mission to the station is expected to launch Friday night at 11:50 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It includes supplies, a variety experiments and materials for ongoing research investigations. The Dragon spacecraft will also bring the European Space Agency's Bartolomeo, a commercial research platform that will be installed outside the station, according to NASA.

And nestled among the payloads are two different experiments involving cariomyocytes, or beating heart cells, grown from pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells are ideal because they can turned in multiple cell types. In this case, they could become healthy heart cells for a patient with heart disease.

The results of the experiments could be used to generate a multitude of healthy heart cells for children and adults with various heart diseases. But they could also be used to understand heart health and the aging process in a broader context. The researchers for one of the experiments believe their study could even help astronauts with the known risks they experience during long-term spaceflight, like reduced heart function and irregular heartbeat.

"Scientists already know that humans exposed to space experience changes similar to accelerated aging, so we hope the results can help us better understand and someday counteract the aging process," said Deok-Ho Kim, principal investigator for one of the experiments, and associate professor of biomedical engineering and medicine at Johns Hopkins University.

For the next month, the heart cells will undergo a unique journey to space before splashing back down in the Pacific Ocean. Here's what researchers hope to learn about the effects of zero gravity on human heart cells.

Without gravity, cells grow

Emory University School of Medicine associate professor of pediatrics Chunhui Xu first discovered that stem cells grow faster in space by simulating the lack of gravity on Earth. She studies cardiomyocytes with the hopes of improving the heart's regenerative abilities, as well as improving congenital heart disorder treatment.

Stem cell therapies to repair damaged heart cells require at least one billion cells for each patient, Xu said. But they can take time to grow on Earth. When her experiment using simulated microgravity on Earth showed promising steps toward quickly and safely producing cardiomyocytes, Xu saw space as the ultimate proving ground.

Her experiment was chosen to fly on the space station and now she and her team hope they can confirm their ground-based observation and discover new insights as well.

She and her colleagues at Emory had to learn how to cryopreserve the cells so that they can survive the launch and trip to the space station. It also means that the astronauts can unpack everything and organize their experiment schedule, without having to jump right into the experiment for fear of the cells dying.

Once the cells are thawed, the cell cultures will grow for 21 days in the Multi-use Variable-gravity Platform experiment modules built by Techshot, Inc. Then, in an ambitious goal, the cells will actually be returned live, jettisoned in a payload that will land in the Pacific Ocean. A colleague in California will then prep them and have the live cells shipped back to Emory in Atlanta so the researchers can analyze them.

Meanwhile, during the experiment in space, a control group of cells will be put in a centrifuge in a modified gravity environment on Earth.

"We've worked together for years to bring basic and clinical science together," said Dr. Kevin Maher, director of the cardiac intensive care unit at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center and professor of pediatrics at Emory University. Maher is working with Xu on the experiment.

There's a high demand on the cells themselves -- they need to be pure and high quality. Residual stem cells that don't turn into heart cells can cause tumors, according to previous research by Xu. More mature cells stand a better chance of becoming pure heart cells. During her ground-based experiment simulating a lack of gravity, Xu found that the cells were more mature and even expressed survival genes that could ensure cell survival. Overall, these factors would allow the cells to connect with the heart tissue better and cause less issues, Xu said.

The implications of their research could help develop a more efficient and cost-effective way to develop the heart cells on Earth for patients in need. Given that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, according to the CDC, the cells have great potential to treat children and adults. And the cells could also be used to test new therapies and speed up the development of safe drugs, Xu said.

'Tissue on a chip'

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences is continuing its Tissue Chips in Space initiative by funding an experiment that includes a cellphone-sized chip loaded with beating heart tissue.

It starts with a similar base as the Emory experiment: pluripotent stem cells grown into cardiomyocytes. Instead of cell cultures, these are bioengineered mini tissue chips that mimic human heart function.

This allows the cells to signal and act as they would in the body, hosted on a scaffold-like bio-structure holding the tissues together. This encourages the cells inside to grow, and ultimately, this kind of structure could be used to test drugs.

"We hope that this project will give us meaningful data that we can use to understand the heart's structure and how it functions, so that we can improve the health of both astronauts and those down here on Earth," said Kim.

The Johns Hopkins University researchers and their collaborating colleagues at other universities will get measurements of the tissues beating in real time. And after a month, the tissues will return to Earth. The team wants to analyze them and determine how they were affected by microgravity or if their gene expression changed. Heart tissues on Earth, identical to the ones sent to the station, will serve as a control at the University of Washington.

Some of the tissues sent to space will continue to be cultured on Earth for a week afterward in case any recovery efforts can be observed.

"The entire team is excited to see the results we get from this experiment. If successful, we will embark on the second phase of the study where tissues will be sent up to the ISS once again in two years, but this time, we will be able to test a variety of drugs to see which ones will best ameliorate the potentially harmful effects of microgravity on cardiac function," said Jonathan Tsui, a member of Kim's lab and a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University's department of biomedical engineering.

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Beating heart cells catch a ride to the International Space Station - Rockdale Newton Citizen

Shingles vaccine makes an impact around the world and right here in Rockford – Freeport Journal-Standard

By Stell Cell Research

Although most people are aware that the College of Medicine graduates 55 physicians each year, many of whom eventually practice in Winnebago County, the research enterprise of the campus is less well known. In particular, a remarkable breakthrough in the prevention of shingles occurred two years ago which should make every Rockfordian proud. Shingles is a painful skin rash that can cause itching and excruciating pain, and occasionally blindness.

Without a preventive vaccine it will impact 1 out of every 3 people and can be particularly serious for those who are elderly or have impaired immune systems. The exciting news is that a vaccine developed right here in Rockford is providing protection to millions of people around the world.

Two years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new vaccine to prevent herpes zoster or shingles, a painful condition caused by the chickenpox virus. After childhood chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in neurons and may reactivate in adults to cause shingles. The vaccine, marketed by GSK under the brand name ShingrixTM, is now the recommended vaccine for adults over age 50. It is not only safer, but is more effective than the existing live vaccine.

Abbas Vafai, Ph.D., the scientist who developed the Shingrix vaccine, worked on its development when he was an associate professor of microbiology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford from 1990 to 1997 and also had worked on the vaccine at the University of Colorado. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the vaccine for use in October 2017. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control has recommended Shingrix for all adults over age 50.

Because of this, its use for all adults 50 years and older is warranted the only problem has been getting enough of it made to meet the worldwide demand. Vaccine shortage have been felt in Rockford and throughout the country.

We are incredibly excited about Dr. Vafais success with vaccine development and are extremely proud that a vaccine developed on the Rockford campus of the University of Illinois College of Medicine is now impacting the health of people worldwide.

Because some of the work on the vaccine was conducted on the Rockford campus, a portion of the profits will go to the College of Medicine Rockford. The total of what the College of Medicine Rockford and its Department of Biomedical Sciences may receive in royalties over the course of the seven years is predicted to be over $10 million. These are dollars that allow us to continue to educate tomorrows scientists and physicians and support cutting-edge research.

As the UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford on Parkview Avenue continues to thrive and grow, so does the Rockford community. In fact, an economic impact study conducted in 2016 indicated the campus had an impact of over $58.2 million to the Rockford Metro Area the equivalent of 898 jobs.

For those whose doctor recommends the Shingrix vaccine, they can expect the vaccine, given in two doses, will prevent what could be a serious and painful condition. The vaccine is also extremely effective in preventing a consequence of shingles called postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs in 10% to 18% of individuals who have shingles and is characterized by a severe chronic pain condition that can last for years.

Biomedical research at the College of Medicine continues to explore new ways to improve health and prevent disease. State-of-the-art research in the areas of prostate cancer, lung cancer, eradication of parasitic infections, improving the longevity of joint replacements and stem cell treatment of severe debilitating neurologic diseases, occurs daily on campus. With the support of our community, the next major medical breakthrough could again come from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford and its team of researchers in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and other academic departments.

Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green is the regional dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.

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Shingles vaccine makes an impact around the world and right here in Rockford - Freeport Journal-Standard

Global Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market Provides An In-Depth Insight Of Sales Analysis-US STEM CELL, INC. – Fashion…

By Stell Cell Research

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Global Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market Provides An In-Depth Insight Of Sales Analysis-US STEM CELL, INC. - Fashion...

China optimises treatment for COVID-19 – The News International

By Stell Cell Research

China optimises treatment for COVID-19

BEIJING: China has expanded and optimized the utilization of drugs and therapies in the treatment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to block the conversion of mild cases to severe cases and save critically ill patients.

Tocilizumab, with the common brand name Actemra, has been included in Chinas latest version of diagnosis and treatment guidelines on COVID-19. Zhou Qi, deputy secretary-general and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said at a press conference Friday that the drug Tocilizumab has been found effective to block the inducement of the inflammatory storm.

In an initial clinical trial, Tocilizumab was used in 20 severe COVID-19 cases. And the body temperatures of all the patients dropped within one day. Nineteen of the patients were discharged from the hospital within two weeks, and one got better, according to Zhou.Currently, the drug is under clinical trials in 14 hospitals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, Zhou said.

As of March 5, a total of 272 severe patients had been treated with Tocilizumab.In addition to Tocilizumab, Chloroquine Phosphate and some traditional Chinese medicines, as well as convalescent plasma therapy, have been included in the treatment guideline. China is also pushing forward the utilization of some advanced technologies such as stem cell and monoclonal antibody technologies in the treatment of severe cases, said Wu Yuanbin, director-general of science and technology for social development of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The drug Chloroquine Phosphate has been used in treating 285 critically ill COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Wuhan, and no obvious adverse reactions have been found so far, said Sun Yanrong, deputy head of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the MOST.

Two clinical trials for Remdesivir are ongoing, and we are looking forward to seeing the results, Sun said.The combination of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medicines has shown good results in the treatment of COVID-19. Statistics show that 90 percent of the patients in Hubei Province have been treated with traditional Chinese medicines, Sun said.China has also made progress in convalescent plasma therapy. So far, 154 severe patients have received such treatment with good effect, according to Sun.

As of March 5, a total of 919 rehabilitants had donated some 294,450 ml plasma, and in Hubei Province alone, 450 convalescents had donated more than 160,000 ml, providing valuable data, materials and information for the treatment of other patients and development of antibodies and immunoglobulins, said Zhou Qi.

In addition, the clinical research of stem cell therapy has been carried out in some hospitals in Beijing and Harbin, capital of northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province, and the preliminary trials show that the therapy is safe and effective, according to Sun.

Next, Chinese researchers will strengthen the integration of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medicines, combine antiviral therapy and immunomodulatory therapy and make all efforts to cure more patients, Sun said.

In response to some reports on the variation of the novel coronavirus, Zhou Qi said further research on more cases is needed.

We are closely observing the degree of the virus mutation and conducting related research. So far the virus variation hasnt affected the development of drugs, antibodies and vaccines, Zhou added.

Excerpt from:
China optimises treatment for COVID-19 - The News International

Griffin Canning to receive biological injection in elbow, will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks – Yahoo Sports

By Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

The Angels announced that starter Griffin Canning is getting a biological injection in his ailing elbow and will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks time. Canning was recently diagnosed with both UCL and joint issues in his pitching elbow.

The phrasing of the announcement is interesting. The word biological generally leads me in two different directions with this sort of injury. Many baseball players have been treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for a variety of issues in recent years, but the Angels have also used stem cell injections to try to treat UCL woes.

Andrew Heaney, Garrett Richards and Shohei Ohtani all got stem cell treatments for their elbows. All three also eventually wound up getting Tommy John surgery. Im not willing to go as far as the LA Times article did in condemning the treatments as useless, seeing as a sample size of three is rather small. Theyre also not the only players who have ever been treated with stem cells. CC Sabathia, for instance, got a stem cell injection for his bad knee.

Regardless of what the treatment is or isnt, its a positive sign that Cannings injury wasnt deemed dire enough to immediately merit surgery. Canning isnt going to be ready for Opening Day either way, but if the injection works he may be able to pitch at some point this season. Goodness knows that the Angels rotation needs all hands on deck, even after the team signed both Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran this winter.

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Griffin Canning to receive biological injection in elbow, will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks originally appeared on NBCSports.com

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Griffin Canning to receive biological injection in elbow, will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks - Yahoo Sports

Padres notes: Tommy Pham expected to play left field soon; Fernando Tatis Jr. gaining strength – The San Diego Union-Tribune

By Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

There can be an exhale regarding one of the most important pieces to the Padres plan for success in 2020.

It appears Tommy Pham will meet the goal the Padres had all along of him playing left field by mid-March, as manager Jayce Tingler said Pham is on the verge of doing just that.

We expect him to get in a game defensively, if its not coming off (Tuesdays) off day, it could be before that, Tingler said Friday. I think in the next couple days we feel confident to get him out there.

Pham, acquired in a December trade that sent Hunter Renfroe to Tampa Bay, played the final couple months of 2019 with a partially torn UCL in his right (throwing) elbow. He underwent treatment, including stem cell and platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) injections over the offseason. He was not cleared to swing a bat until mid-December and didnt start throwing until spring training.

On Friday, Pham played catch for a third straight day. He moved up to 150 feet, which is 25 feet beyond where he was at the start of the week and 50 feet from the target distance for him to be cleared to play in left field.

Big day, said Pham, who has regularly taken part in outfield drills without throwing.

Pham was one of five major league players to hit at least 21 home runs and steal at least 25 bases in 2019. He is one of just four players in the majors to have at least a .850 OPS and 65 stolen bases since 2017.

Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. could practice full Sunday and play in a game as soon as Monday following a bout with the flu that kept him away from the teams complex for four days this week.

Tatis, who has not played in a game since Feb. 28, did some limited work (throwing and in the cage) for a second day Friday.

You never want see somebody get sick, Tingler said. If youre going to get sick, three weeks left in camp would be more ideal than with four or five days to go.

Opening day is March 26.

Greg Garcia is back to doing what he did so well for the Padres last season, his first in his hometown.

He is hitting right-handers regularly. He has four hits in his past six at-bats against righties and is 5-for-10 against them this spring, including his two-run homer Thursday.

But where the Valhalla High grad made 73 of his 74 starts against right-handed pitchers, spring training lineups are not filled out with opposing pitchers in mind. Garcias first three at-bats this spring were against lefties, against which he is a career .186 hitters (.293 OBP) compared to the .258 (.369) he hits against righties.

Its fun, Garcia said. Its just getting at-bats, trying to figure out the strike zone again. Thats what I take away from it. Im just trying to take good at-bats.

Garcia, who is battling for a roster spot as a utility infielder and part-time starter at second base, is 1-for-6 against lefties this spring.

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Padres notes: Tommy Pham expected to play left field soon; Fernando Tatis Jr. gaining strength - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Dubai is the ‘new Beverly Hills of the Middle East’: Here’s why – Gulf News

By Stem Cell Clinics

Image Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dubai: It's an industry on the rise, driven by social media before-and-after ads.

And it's ramping up the speed by which Dubai is fast becoming the "new Beverly Hills of the Middle East."

Already, cosmetic surgery has topped the list in medical tourism in Dubai. According to a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) report, the emirate has the highest number of cosmetic surgeons per capita in the region about 50 specialists for a million people.

It's a huge market.And a money-spinner: Price ranges from Dh150-250 for a filler to Dh40,000 for a detailed body sculpting procedure.

Globally, the cosmetic surgery market size is projected to reach $21.97 billion with 7.8% annual growth rate by 2023, according to a Medgadget report.

These are the most common surgery options:

To put this in perspective, we talked to several people.

Myra J., a belly dancer working at a Dubai hotel. She was unhappy. Saddle bags on her thighs were making her performance less graceful. She honestly feared she would be jobless soon.

On a weekend, she checked into a leading aesthetic clinic and the surgeon trimmed the pockets of fat around her thighs, sculpting her body back into perfect shape.

It took her a week to recover and get back to work, but she is delighted with her shapely thighs and feels happier than ever before.

'Ageing gracefully'

Nina M., (52), always loved how beautiful her eyes were and how youthful her cheeks looked.

Last year, nowever, as she got busy with her sons marriage preparations, she started to experience bouts of anxiety at the sight of slowly encroaching bags under her eyes and a slight droop in her cheeks.

I wanted to look and feel my best and thought a filler and a round of botox were harmless indulgences. It took me just an hour at the clinic and the results were amazing. I am glad I was able to stop the onslaught of aging in time.

"Its beautiful to age gracefully, but we all do use creams and gels to delay the process. I think of these minor injectibles as tools in our make-up bag.

"I have used fillers and Botox twice since last year, combined with my beauty regimen. I feel it has given me not just confidence but also psychological boost. I would recommend it to everyone.

Anna M was a physical trainer but vexed with her body shape as she had a masculine build.

- Anna M, a physical trainer

This was affecting her work. Most women were intimidated by her personality and she was losing self-confidence.

Four years ago, she went in for breast implants and her life changed.

Addiction to surgery?

People talk about getting addicted to cosmetic surgery. But that is not so. Most people approach a cosmetic surgeon only when they cannot deal with a physical issue themselves and just like one needs medicine when one is ill, cosmetic surgery acts as a solution to boost confidence and self-esteem.

"Look at how people have reclaimed their health with gastric bypass!

- Dr Sanjay Parashar, chairman, Scientific of the Emirates Plastic Surgery Society

Changing the world one person at a time and providing them with an incredible burst of confidence, aesthetic and cosmetic surgeons in the UAE have built a practice of reliability that can take as little as one hour to a day to transform your personality.

Welcome to the multi-million dirham cosmetic surgery industry in the UAE.

It is the toast of medical tourism in the region, with a high footfall of Gulf and Asian medical tourists as well as resident expatriates.

The industry has accelerated at a speed that is making Dubai be hailed as the new Beverly Hills of the Middle East.

Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery?

These are two different concepts. Cosmetic surgery refers to aesthetic surgery and revolves around enhancement of physical features of an individual and is elective.

This includes procedures such as:

Plastic surgery, on the other hand, is a surgical speciality dealing with life-saving procedures of re-construction of the face and body owing to congenital defects, disfigurement due to accident, trauma, burns, tumour removal due to diseases such as cancer.

In most cases, plastic surgery is not elective.

Dh12b Medical tourism sales in 2018

Since the time pop stars began to inundate Instagram with images of their perfect bodies, dazzling smiles, flawless skin and enviable hair volume, elective procedures have become commonplace with teenagers as young as 13 who are going in for instant fixes.

While some procedures require a couple of days of hospital stay and being out of circulation for a while, many quick fixes are carried out during lunch breaks in one-hour durations.

Highest per capita cosmetic surgeons in UAE

Dr Sanjay Parashar, chairman, Scientific of the Emirates Plastic Surgery Society, told Gulf News: Cosmetic surgery tops the list in medical tourism in Dubai and according to a 2015 report of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai has the highest number of cosmetic surgeons per capita in the region about 50 specialists for a million people.

- Dr Zuhair Al Fardan, President of the Emirates Plastic Surgery

Dr Parashar added: The field has grown beyond expectations and much of the credit goes to the development of a world-class infrastructure in this field and the corresponding health regulations.

"Today, in Dubai, most Day Care Surgery centres where most of the plastic surgery procedures are carried out have the best international accreditations.

Dr Zuhair Al Fardan, President of the Emirates Plastic Surgery, said: Much of the advancement in plastic and cosmetic surgery is work in progress as surgeons are constantly upgrading themselves with techniques, technologies.

The UAE is keeping abreast of the best that is taking place in the world. In the last five years or so, there have been tremendous advancements in cosmetic and plastic surgery in the UAE.

BEVERLY HILLS AND PLASTIC SURGERY

It's where leading practitioners are rated by customers who give feedback and grade their experience with plastic surgeons according to a five-star rating system.

In this posh district, located within 5.7 square miles and surrounded by the cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood, one of most popular procedures is breast augmentation, according to online directory and crowd-sourced review forum Yelp.

"We have the top plastic surgeons of the world come here to do surgeries and the UAE hosts two major international plastic surgery conferences each year.

Soaring revenues

With greater acceptance and broadening of scope for the discipline, it is evident that plastic surgery is a major revenue earner and places UAE as one of the leading medical tourism destinations in the region.

From a price range of Dh150-250 for a filler to Dh40,000 for a detailed body sculpting procedure, these procedures are money-spinners.

Together, the plastic and cosmetic surgery is a multimillion dirham business in the UAE. While there are no exact figures available, safe estimates can be made, say surgeons.

MULTIMILLION BUSINESS

There are 30 hospitals in Dubai, of which 70 per cent are internationally accredited. The emirate aims to build 22 hospitals by 2020 18 private and 4 public hospitals.

In Dubai, at least 50 per cent of its 30 hospital offer cosmetic and plastic surgery options.

30 number of hospitals in Dubai, of which 70 per cent are internationally accredited

Besides that there are about 150 Day Care Surgery centres and 400 aesthetic clinics in Dubai.

All of them offer a bouquet of cosmetic surgery procedures and their average annual revenue is between Dh4-6 million a year.

400 Number of aesthetic clinics in Dubai

If one were to compute that with the numbers of facilities including hospitals, the annual revenue from cosmetic surgery would run into many millions of dirhams annually.

High on medical tourism

Currently, Dubai aims to attract 500,000 medical tourists a year by end 2020.

In a short priod of time, Dubai has managed to be ranked 17 among the top 25 global destinations for medical tourism and cosmetic surgery, along with fertility, orthopaedic, dental and wellness disciplines in the list of most-billed medical procedures.

40% percentage of tourists who come to Dubai come only for medical tourism. Medical tourism sales topped Dh12 billion in 2018, a 5.5% jump in the number of medical tourists

Based on official data, about 46 per cent of the current medical tourists in Dubai come from Asian countries. About a quarter (25 per cent), come from GCC and Arab countries and 13 per cent from African countries, and the remaining 16 per cent from other countries, mainly the UK and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

In fact, 40 per cent of tourists who come to Dubai come only for medical tourism.

- Dr Francis Conroy, consultant plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon at the American Hospital, Dubai

Medical tourism sales topped Dh12 billion in 2018, with a 5.5 per cent overall increase in medical tourists.

Medical tourists

Dubai attracted a total of 640,542 international and domestic medical tourists in 2018 (51 per cent were international patients).

European tourists consisting mostly of UK, French and Italian citizens, share 16 per cent of health and wellness tourists.

A substantial medical tourism revenue, it is evident, is earned through plastic and cosmetic surgery.

Dr Francis Conroy, consultant plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon at the American Hospital, Dubai, remarked: American Hospital Dubai, is one of the few facilities offering both comprehensive reconstructive and cosmetic surgery services.

"Our plastic surgeons are fully trained in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery so we see a wide-ranging case mix, from severe trauma cases to cancer cases and of course, those opting for cosmetic surgery."

Most popular cosmetic surgery

Typically, these patients would be female, who done with having children and raising them, now wish to address the changes in their body. I also see a large number of male patients who want to correct problems associated with their chest with the help of liposuction.

Source: Dr Francis Conroy, consultant plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon at the American Hospital, Dubai

Most popular cosmetic surgery

"Typically, these patients would be female, who done with having children and raising them, now wish to address the changes in their body. I also see a large number of male patients who want to correct problems associated with their chest with the help of liposuction, said Dr Conroy.

Non-surgical treatments (neuro-modulators, fillers, etc) are still very popular and I have seen a trend in that patients are starting with such treatments at an earlier age.

Given the prestigious reputation of the hospital and the Dubai governments plan to promote medical tourism, I have noticed a huge influx of patients from Africa, Nigeria and Ghana in particular.

"These patients come mainly for cosmetic surgery, knowing that they are in the hands of a highly qualified surgeon, in a safe, luxurious facility, with standards second to none, said Dr Conroy.

Top six cosmetic surgery procedures in town

The procedures can be divided into categories:

Does health insurance cover plastic surgery?

"Reconstructive surgery such as correction of birth deformities such as a tuberous breast, cleft lip, hand deformities, skin transplant following burns, road trauma and breast augmentation and reconstruction following a mastectomy and rebuilding after a tumour resection is all covered under all leading health insurances. There is also new kinds of stem cell therapy being used to regenerate tissues and nerves especially in diabetic patients.

Know the rules:

The DHA has made it mandatory for all Day Care Surgery Centres, most of who carry out aesthetic procedures, to have one leading international accreditation from Canada, US, UK or Australia.

These accreditations were earlier mandatory for hospitals only, but from 2020, all Day Care Surgery centres compulsorily must have an international accreditation.

This ensures that an independent, international medical body enforces global health standards to grant them certification and in case of a sentinel event, conducts its independent inquiry and downgrades these places in case of a serious lapse.

DHA on its own has issued a 25-page manual on quality and regulations that is to be followed at all centres.

A close examination of the Day Care Surgery centres indicates several layers of quality control.

Pre surgery quality

This involves free consultation, especially in case of a second opinion or a first time patient seeking to enquire about a procedure based on his/her requirement. When a patient uploads a request on the website of a centre from anywhere in the world, the centre has to provide a detailed consultation free of charge.

Services available to a patient

Once the patient is convinced and comes in person to consult the doctor, quality is upheld in the pre-diagnostic tests that the patient has to undergo.

Infrastructure quality

DHA has graded Day Care Centres into A, B and C categories based on the level of medical facilities that can be accessed by a patient. Anaesthesia methods such as oral, epidural and general also help classify centres. For instance, hair transplant procedures can only be carried out in B and above grade clinics. Day Care Centres that conduct surgeries under general anaesthesia much be equipped with the Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) with their surgeons and registered nurses being certified as trained in administering ACLS to a patient.

Patient safety protocol

There are very specific guidelines for patient safety and the doctor/surgeon must explain the procedure in detail to the patient and his/her family and obtain a written consent to go ahead after ascertaining that all risks and side-effects have been clearly explained to the patient.

Originally posted here:
Dubai is the 'new Beverly Hills of the Middle East': Here's why - Gulf News

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