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3D-Printed Human Embryonic Stem Cells Created for First Time

By Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers have developed a 3D printer that prints human embryonic stem cells.

Imagine if you could take living cells, load them into a printer, and squirt out a 3D tissue that could develop into a kidney or a heart. Scientists are one step closer to that reality, now that they have developed the first printer for embryonic human stem cells.

In a new study, researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh have created a cell printer that spits out living embryonic stem cells. The printer was capable of printing uniform-size droplets of cells gently enough to keep the cells alive and maintain their ability to develop into different cell types. The new printing method could be used to make 3D human tissues for testing new drugs, grow organs, or ultimately print cells directly inside the body.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from human embryos and can develop into any cell type in an adult person, from brain tissue to muscle to bone. This attribute makes them ideal for use in regenerative medicine repairing, replacing and regenerating damaged cells, tissues or organs. [Stem Cells: 5 Fascinating Findings]

In a lab dish, hESCs can be placed in a solution that contains the biological cues that tell the cells to develop into specific tissue types, a process called differentiation. The process starts with the cells forming what are called "embryoid bodies." Cell printers offer a means of producing embryoid bodies of a defined size and shape.

The new 3D cell printer used compressed air to squirt out "bio-inks" containing cells and nutrient-rich fluid.

In the new study, the cell printer was made from a modified CNC machine (a computer-controlled machining tool) outfitted with two "bio-ink" dispensers: one containing stem cells in a nutrient-rich soup called cell medium and another containing just the medium. These embryonic stem cells were dispensed through computer-operated valves, while a microscope mounted to the printer provided a close-up view of what was being printed.

The two inks were dispensed in layers, one on top of the other to create cell droplets of varying concentration. The smallest droplets were only two nanoliters, containing roughly five cells.

The cells were printed onto a dish containing many small wells. The dish was then flipped over so the droplets now hung from them, allowing the stem cells to form clumps inside each well. (The printer lays down the cells in precisely sized droplets and in a certain pattern that is optimal for differentiation.)

Tests revealed that more than 95 percent of the cells were still alive 24 hours after being printed, suggesting they had not been killed by the printing process. More than 89 percent of the cells were still alive three days later, and also tested positive for a marker of their pluripotency their potential to develop into different cell types.

Biomedical engineer Utkan Demirci, of Harvard University Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, has done pioneering work in printing cells, and thinks the new study is taking it in an exciting direction. "This technology could be really good for high-throughput drug testing," Demirci told LiveScience. One can build mini-tissues from the bottom up, using a repeatable, reliable method, he said. Building whole organs is the long-term goal, Demirci said, though he cautioned that it "may be quite far from where we are today."

Others have created printers for other types of cells. Demirci and colleagues made one that printed embryonic stem cells from mice. Others have printed a kind of human stem cells from connective tissues, which aren't able to develop into as many cell types as embryonic stem cells. The current study is the first to print embryonic stem cells from humans, researchers report in the Feb. 5 issue of the journal Biofabrication.

Editor's Note:This article was corrected at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time, April 3 to correct the researchers' affiliation.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook& Google+.

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3D-Printed Human Embryonic Stem Cells Created for First Time

Cell Medica Acquires Catapult Therapy for Lead WT1-TCR T-Cell … – Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (blog)

By Uncategorized

Cell Medica is buying Catapult Therapy TCR and the firm's gene-modified WT1-TCR (Wilms' tumor 1 proteinT-cell receptor) T-cell therapy candidate. The treatment is currently in Phase I/II development for the potential treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Catapult Therapy TCR is a special purpose vehicle established by The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), UCL Business (UCLB), and Imperial lnnovations to develop the WT1-TCR T-cell therapy, which was originally discovered by researchers at University College London (UCL) and Imperial College London. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Cell Medical says it plans to apply its Dominant TCR platform to generate a more effective WT1-TCR product that could also feasibly be used to treat challenging solid tumors, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The firm acquired the Dominant TCR technology from UCLB in 2016.

London, U.K.-based Cell Medica and CGT Catapult will carry out further development of the next generation of T cells, and manufacturing process, at the latters recently built large-scale cell and gene therapy manufacturing center at the Stevenage BioScience Catalyst, U.K.A Phase I/II study with the enhanced Dominant WT1-TCR candidate is projected to start during late 2018.

The acquisition of the WT1-TCR cell therapy leverages the investment we made in 2016 for exclusive rights to the Dominant TCR technology, said Gregg Sando, CEO of Cell Medica. Our objective is to show how we can enhance any existing TCR cell therapy with the Dominant TCR technology to create a more effective treatment for patients with solid tumors who otherwise have a very poor prognosis. We are also looking forward to an important collaboration with CGT Catapult to initiate manufacturing at the Stevenage GMP facility, where we will work together on scale-up strategies for commercial production.

With support from Innovate UK, CGT Catapult operates as a Centre of Excellence for Innovation to help drive growth of the U.K.s cell and gene therapy industry and translate early-stage research into new therapies. "We are pleased that Cell Medica has acquired the WT1 T-cell immunotherapy," added Keith Thompson, CEO at CGT Catapult. "With their complementary technologies, they will take over the development of this exciting new therapy. The next-generation product developed in our manufacturing center underlines our ability to support the localization of cell manufacturing processes in the U.K.

Cell Medica is exploiting its proprietary activated T-cell chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and engineered TCR platforms to develop cellular immunotherapies targeting cancer. Lead product CMD-003 (baltaleucel-T) is being evaluated in the Phase II CITADEL study as a treatment for advanced lymphomas associated with the oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus.In March, Cell Medica raised 60 million (approximately $76 million) in a Series C investment roundto support development of its pipeline.

The firm has an ongoing CAR development partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and is working with UCL to leverage the Dominant TCR technology. Cell Medicas acquisition of Delenex Therapeutics in mid-2016 gave the firm an antibody fragment platform for use in developing anticancer CAR-NKT (natural killer T cells) products, and additional immune cell engineering expertise.

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Cell Medica Acquires Catapult Therapy for Lead WT1-TCR T-Cell ... - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (blog)

Cell Medica buys clinical-phase WT1-TCR cell therapy – FierceBiotech

By Uncategorized

Cell Medica has bought Catapult Therapy TCR for its clinical-phase WT1 T-cell receptor (TCR) cell therapy. Catapult Therapy TCR developed the therapy as a treatment for blood cancers, but Cell Medica thinks it can retool it to take out solid tumors.

Production of the cell therapy entails modifying a patients own T cells to identify and destroy cells that express the WT1 protein, which is associated with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. But early development of the WT1-TCR cell therapy has eschewed these solid tumors in favor of going after acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

That is set to change under the ownership of Cell Medica. The British biotech plans to apply the Dominant TCR technology it licensed from UCL last year to the cell therapy to equip it to treat solid tumors. The technology is designed to increase the efficacy of engineered T cells by dialing up the expression of TCRs.

Our objective is to show how we can enhance any existing TCR cell therapy with the Dominant TCR technology to create a more effective treatment for patients with solid tumors who otherwise have a very poor prognosis, Cell Medica CEO Gregg Sando said in a statement.

Cell Medica plans to work on the therapy over the next year or so with a view to starting a phase 1/2 trial late in 2018. Catapult Therapy TCR has already tested the cell therapy in a small number of patients. But those studies looked at the unenhanced version of the candidate in blood cancers.

The earlier trials were sponsored by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, which set up Catapult Therapy TCR in collaboration with UCL Business and Imperial Innovationsnow called Touchstone Innovationsin 2014. CGT Catapult committed 10 million to the subsidiary. Financial details of the takeover by Cell Medica werent disclosed.

CGT Catapult will remain involved in advancing the cell therapy. Cell Medica is setting up a cell therapy manufacturing operation at CGT Catapults site in Stevenage. That operation will produce the WT1-TCR cell therapy and potentially other candidates. Cell Medica plans to transfer the WT1-TCR cell therapy to the site over the next 12 months while working with CGT Catapult to develop a commercial-scale production process.

The agreement continues a busy period for Cell Medica. Over the past 12 months the biotech has built out its technology base through the UCL licensing pact, agreements with Baylor College of Medicine and the acquisition of Delenex Therapeutics. Cell Medica followed up on these deals by raising 60 million to expand its clinical-phase pipeline.

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Cell Medica buys clinical-phase WT1-TCR cell therapy - FierceBiotech

Apollo Hospitals bring innovative cell therapy to treat joint pain … – Hindustan Times

By Uncategorized

Making uses of the advances in cell therapy, Apollo Hospitals on Tuesday announced partnership with RMS REGROW, to offer new regenerative medicine cell therapy products that will be a boon for patients suffering from bone and cartilage damage.

The two products- Ossron and Chondron, will address unmet clinical needs in the orthopaedic market with respect to sports injuries, accidents and alternate to hip replacements and knee replacements for a young arthritic knee.

In an exclusive tie up between Apollo Hospitals and RMS Regrow, the treatment therapy will be made available across all Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Spectra Hospitals and Apollo clinics in India.

Through several clinical trials and evaluation studies that spanned around 8 years, the company has achieved the market authorization for the two cell therapy products.

Doctors will be trained in using the products by conducting live surgical workshops and conferences etc. both nationally and internationally.

Apollo Group wants to encourage research and innovation within India for the people of India. Our association with RMS Regrow is a step to inspire talent in India to further the advancement in developing innovative healthcare treatments to reduce the growing disease burden in India, said Dr Prathap C Reddy, founder-chairman, Apollo Hospitals.

Yash Sanghavi, founder and CEO- RMS REGROW, said, It has taken 8 years of dedicated effort and innovative research to develop the two revolutionary products that will change the modalities for bone and cartilage treatment in India.

Since last 70 years, only a handful of New Chemical Entities (NCE) have been developed in India, which demonstrates a dearth of innovator drugs and new medical technologies to address a large market of bone and joint disorders.

In India, more than 15 lakh orthopaedic procedures are performed each year and Regenerative Cell Therapy is a revolutionary treatment methodology which has immense potential to liberate consumers from Joint pain.

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Apollo Hospitals bring innovative cell therapy to treat joint pain ... - Hindustan Times

Swedish Biotech publishes Long-Term Data on a Dendritic Cell Therapy for Cancer – Labiotech.eu (blog)

By Uncategorized

Immunicum has reported new data on long-term follow-up of patients treated with ilixadencel, a unique dendritic cell therapy against cancer.

Immunicum is a Swedish biotech developing a cell-based therapy against cancer. The company has just published detailed results of aPhase I/II trial evaluating its lead candidate ilixadencel, which is currently in Phase II to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC),for which no effective treatments are available.

The experimental therapy was administered in combination with Pfizers sunitinib, approved for the treatment of RCC, and Immunicum has kept monitoring the 11 patients after officially completing the study in 2014. As of 2017, five patients are still alive and the mean overall survival has reached 48 months, which is a huge improvement when compared to the approximately 15 months expected with standard therapies.

CT scans of the brain of a patient that showed a complete disappearance of all brain and liver metastases (a) before and (b) 6 months aftercompleting the treatment

Ilixadencel, previously known as Intuvax, is composed ofactivated dendritic cellsderived from healthy donors that are injected into the tumor, where theyrecruit the patients own immune system. Its an off-the-shelf cell therapyobtained from healthy donors, which would result in easier manufacturing and lower costs as compared to patient-derived cells.

In theory, this strategy could be applied toany injectable solid tumor,whichis particularly exciting given that targetingsolid tumors is still a huge challenge. We believe that the future of cancer treatment lies in the rapidly evolving landscape of combination therapies and ilixadencel is uniquely positioned to become an integral part of modern combination regimens, saidAlex Karlsson-Parra, CSO of Immunicum, in a statement.

According to Carlos de Sousa, CEO of the company, the effort to publish the results is part of the companys strategy to communicate its data and build validation for its technology. As he commented during an oncology panel at Labiotech Refresh, the regulatory authorities in Europe are struggling to keep up with the rapid advances in the field.

Immunicum is not the only developing cell-based therapies for cancer. The French PDC*line Pharma is also focusing on dendritic cells, while many others compete to bring the promising CAR-T cell technology to the market.Ensuring the data is available is a great initiative to help build laws that will adequately regulate these novel technologies.

Images via xrender / Shutterstock;Laurell et al., Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2017 5:52

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Swedish Biotech publishes Long-Term Data on a Dendritic Cell Therapy for Cancer - Labiotech.eu (blog)

Vineti to fast-track cell and gene therapy tech with $14 million first funding round – Healthcare IT News

By Uncategorized

San Francisco-based Vineti, a cell and gene therapy software and analytics company, has closed on Series A funding round that pulled together nearly $14 million.

Backing came from General Electric Ventures, Mayo Clinic and new investor Draper Fisher Jurvetson.

The company will use the funds to continue growing its team and to deliver cloud-based software to improve patient access. It also plans to speed its work on life-saving treatment delivery and to promote safety and FDA compliance for individualized cell therapies.

The Vineti platform integrates logistics, manufacturing and clinical data.

Physicians, medical researchers and pharmaceutical companies are working together to develop successful therapies, transitioning from a one-size-fits-all model to individualized treatments for each patient, Vineti CEO Amy DuRoss said in a statement. But, the process for administering these treatments is broken and outdated, restricting access to terminal patients and creating unnecessary risk.

DuRoss added that Vineti developed the platform to ensure treatments reach the patients who need them the most. She added that many patients who are excellent candidates dont have access to the most innovative therapies and discovery timelines are more challenging than necessary.

GE Ventures formed Vineti based on customer requests to bridge the technology gap between individualized cell therapies and production.

Modern technology solutions to address complex production and delivery processes are lacking. GE Ventures, Mayo Clinic and DFJ have invested in Vineti to rectify these problems.

Vineti is led by DuRoss, Chief Strategy Officer Heidi Hagen and CTO Razmik Abnous.

Twitter: @Bernie_HITN Email the writer: bernie.monegain@himssmedia.com

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Vineti to fast-track cell and gene therapy tech with $14 million first funding round - Healthcare IT News

He broke ground in stem-cell research. Now he’s running for Congress. – Washington Post

By Stell Cell Research

The small pack of scientists running for political office has grown by one.

Stem-cell researcher Hans Keirstead, 50, announced last week that he will try to unseat Californias Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R). Keirstead, a Democrat with a PhD in neuroscience from the University of British Columbia, was a professor at the University of California at Irvinebefore launching and selling several biotech companies.

Rohrabacher, who represents the 48th District in Southern California, has been in Congress since 1988. Democrats there see 2018 asa vulnerable year for the incumbent. Although Republicans outnumber Democrats in thedistrict, Hillary Clinton swung it in the 2016 election. And Rohrabacher has come under scrutiny for his support of acloser relationship with Russia. In May, the chair of Orange County Democrats toldThe Washington Post that challengers were coming out the woodwork to oppose him. Five candidatesbesides Keirstead have declared they are running for the seat.

Keirstead emerged from academic and entrepreneurial fields. Hepioneered a technique to purify stem cells You cant go putting toenails into the spinal cord, he said and applied this method to spinal-cord injuries and diseases such ascancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. In 2014,he sold a stem-cell company in a deal reportedly worth more than $100 million. (He will not fundhis own campaign, he told the Los Angeles Times.) Keirstead has thesupportof314 Action, a nonprofit group that encourages scientists to seek public office.

The Post spoke by phone with the first-time candidate. The following is lightly edited for space and clarity.

TWP: Your opponent, who is a member of the House Science Committee, told Science magazine in 2012 that he loved science. How would you compare your approaches to science?

Keirstead:Im delighted that Dana Rohrabacher loves science. Thats fabulous. But Im also very convinced that he doesnt understand science. Theres a real big difference. If you love science, thats one thing. If you dont understand it, you cant effect change, and you make wrong decisions.

Dana Rohrabacher does not understand global warming. He actually attributed it to the flatulence of dinosaurs, in a serious manner, a while back. [Rohrabacher hassaid this wasa joketo make fun of scientists who study cow methane.]

His inaction and lack of understanding has tremendous detriment on the scientific community. Likewise is the funding to health care and how to fix the health-care system that [former president Barack] Obama put in place. That was not a perfect system by any means; its got problems.But it has also bettered our system. It needs to be worked with in order to further better our system.

TWP: Has your career in stem-cell research influenced your politics?

Keirstead:I was front and center in the national and international debate on stem cells. I was the first scientist in the world to have developed a treatment for spinal-cord injury using stem cells. The dramatic nature of the recovery we saw in rodents, going from paralyzed to walking, drew a great deal of attention and really put me at the center of this issue as it was just coming to light in the public forums.

I did a lot of advising of senators and congressmen all throughout those years and periodically since that time. . . . I was one of the key scientific advisers to Proposition 71 that turned into the $3 billion California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, a not-for-profit that distributes $300 million every year for regenerative medicine in a broad sense.

That was a very good example of how medical breakthroughs and discoveries and advancement are not at odds with economic development. You do not have to cut medical budgets to stimulate the economy. Any scientist and medical doctor will tell you: Give me some time, and I will generate a treatment. And most of the time they are right. What happens with that treatment is small companies are born, people stop dying, quality of life improves.

I see what the governments doing right now as very much opposite that. Frankly, when I look at the deficits of Congress, I see why. When I look at who is in the administration, the types of individuals that we have in Congress, I see very hard-working people doing what they feel is a terrific job. But there is just not the broad and deep field experience in the medical and health-care sectors.

TWP: Was it this perceived deficit that motivated you to run for Congress?

Keirstead:First and foremost, I see it as a continuation of my lifelong pursuits of trying to help people.

I see Congress as a larger stage to effect positive change. If I could have some positive influence in Congress, I could aid [those] that are trying to do good in the world but are having difficulty.

Let me give you an example: Im now expanding into brain cancer. Im running a Phase 2clinical trial with my team.I will not be able to do that if these policy changes of Trumps are instituted and a small company like mine is faced with double user fees. Its not in the budget. I cant ask an investor for another half of a million dollars for an administrative fee.

I see the administration putting insurmountable challenges in front of small businesses. Im about generating treatments to help people, putting medicines in peoples homes. And Im looking to the future and seeing that tap shut off.

Read more:

As scientists erupt in protest, a volcanologist runs for Congress

This group wants to fight anti-science rhetoric by getting scientists to run for office

Tens of thousands marched for science. Now what?

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He broke ground in stem-cell research. Now he's running for Congress. - Washington Post

Hull boy Jack Christmas, 8, flies to America for vital stem cell research – Hull Daily Mail

By Stell Cell Research

A little boy who cannot walk or talk has set off for a potentially life-changing trip to America.

Jack Christmas, 8, is one of just 171 children in the world to have been diagnosed with Mowat Wilson Syndrome, caused by a gene deficiency or mutation, which also causes dangerous seizures.

He and his family have been overwhelmed with donations to help them raise nearly 20,000 so he can be one of five people to contribute to vital research, and at 11.15am on Tuesday flew from Heathrow to Washington DC to take part.

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Speaking before they left for London on Monday, mum Dawn, 43, said: I am nervous, more about the flight than anything else.

I believe its a nine hour flight and Jack had three seizures last Monday and two on the Tuesday, and Im just worried about what might happen when were in the air. They are aware of jack but theres a lot of what if.

Were travelling down to London on Monday because the flight is at 11.15am, and Jack couldnt do the whole journey from Hull in one go.

Tony is very excited, its something he researched and it could make a big difference to Jacks life. Im just worried, as you might expect, its just the unknown.

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Little Jack, whos mum will be posting updates on Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lifeforakid2008, will celebrate his ninth birthday on July 9 while undergoing the research in the next three weeks.

Meanwhile, Mrs Christmas, who lives with her family in Gainford Grove, east Hull, will also celebrate her birthday on the first day of his treatment on Thursday.

She said: Its my birthday on the day we first go into The Childrens National Hospital, and Jack will be nine while were out there.

Im planning on taking pictures and keeping everyone updated while were over there.

Mrs Christmas said all the money donated to his cause has gone towards taking part in the research, with the family footing the cost of flights with what they would spend on a holiday.

However, the budget has not stretched to cover any unforeseen costs, such as an extra night in the hospital or further, last minute treatment.

So, they are planning more fundraisers to help support Jacks treatment for when they return next month.

Mrs Christmas said: We had the Ladies Ball recently which was just a fantastic night. Weve still got to count up what we got from the auction but at the moment its at the 1183 mark.

Its just been overwhelming the number of people, total strangers, who have donated to help Jack.

The treatment itself was 20,000, and because we requested an MRI that was another 8,300. There could also be other costs, too. We will be holding other fundraisers as well.

I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us, and to Dean Haggard, who let us use Life for a Kid to help raise the money. Without him we wouldnt have been able to have a charity number and do the fundraising we have.

To donate to Jacks fund, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/tonychristmas.

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Hull boy Jack Christmas, 8, flies to America for vital stem cell research - Hull Daily Mail

Two Notable Announcements in a Week for US Stem Cell Inc … – Street Register

By Stem Cell Clinic

Weve talked about US Stem Cell Inc (OTCMKTS:USRM) quite a bit here on Street Register in the past, and we wanted to swing back around and catch it again today on the heels of an important press release.

In fact, there have been two notable announcements in just the past week, one of which referring to aggressive clinical expansion plans, and the other, to accolades received by a member of USRM management.

Starting with the new news and working our way back, US Stem Cell Inc (OTCMKTS:USRM) has just announced an aggressive plan to expand an additional 12 stem cell treatment centers and clinics in the US. U.S. Stem Cell has been in discussions with the FDA regarding Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) Designation for the Myocell product and at this time, the company has decided not to further invest in RMAT Designation and instead invest and focus on our in-clinic therapies for patients.

According to the 21st Century Cures Act, within one year of enactment, the FDA must issue draft guidance clarifying how the FDA will evaluate devices used in the recovery, isolation, or delivery of regenerative advanced therapies. Until this guidance document is published, it is unclear how this regulation will affect the MyoCell program. Until then, U.S. Stem Cell will focus on opening new clinics around the country to better serve patients in need.

In addition to the original Sunrise clinic (that has successfully treated hundreds of patients and generated over $2m in revenues in the past 12 months alone), recent clinic openings include Miami and Palm Beach, Florida. Upcoming openings include Dallas, Texas (thanks in part to the early adoption of patient rights by the State of Texas), Chicago, Atlanta, and Denver as well as other clinics in the northeast and the west coast.

To be clear, U.S. Stem Cell will focus on revenue generating programs that are treating patients NOWwhich have successfully helped over 7000 patients thus far. The company was founded in 1999 and has completed more clinical treatments (for both humans and animals) than any other regenerative medicine company in the world. In addition to efforts at US Stem Cell Training and VetBiologics, the companys focus will be expanding and opening additional clinics throughout the U.S. to offer these cutting-edge technologies to more patients. (Source: Accesswire via OTC Disclosure & News Service)

We also mentioned another bit of press concerning a member of the USRM management team. A scientific paper about intramyocardial implantation co-authored by Kristin Comella, Chief Science Officer at USRM, has been recognized as one of the most influential articles of 2016 for the Journal of Translational Medicine, according to Altmetric.com.

Comella is a world-renowned expert on regenerative medicine with a focus on adipose derived stem cells. She was named number 24 on Terrapins list of the Top 50 Global Stem Cell Influencers and number 1 on the Academy of Regenerative Practices list of Top 10 Stem Cell Innovators. Comella has pioneered stem cell therapies from various sources including cord blood, bone marrow, muscle, and adipose. She led the team that gained the first ever FDA approval for a clinical trial using a combined cell and gene therapy product in the heart. (Source: Accesswire via OTC Disclosure & News Service)

In terms of USRM stock itself, it has actually gotten hammered recently, and there seems a very good chance of seeing a rebound play at some point so we will want to keep our eyes peeled for that. Want to follow along USRMs progress with us? Just stay locked to Street Register for updates, and well deliver important developments on USRM as they unfold. In the meantime, if youve yet to sign up for our 100% free newsletter, do so now! Just enter your active email address into the box below and submit!

Disclosure: No one at Street Register has been compensated in any way for the publishing of this article, nor do we hold any position in USRM stock, short or long.

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Two Notable Announcements in a Week for US Stem Cell Inc ... - Street Register

Grape-based compounds kill colon cancer stem cells in mice – Medical Xpress

By Uncategorized

June 19, 2017 A cancer stem cell before and after treatment with grape seed compounds. Credit: Patrick Mansell

Compounds from grapes may kill colon cancer stem cells both in a petri dish and in mice, according to a team of researchers.

The compoundsresveratrol which are found in grape skins and seeds, could also eventually lead to treatments to help prevent colon cancer, said Jairam K.P. Vanamala, associate professor of food sciences, Penn State. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society.

"The combination of resveratrol and grape seed extract is very effective at killing colon cancer cells," said Vanamala, who is also a faculty member at the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute. "And what we're learning is the combination of these compounds is not toxic to healthy cells."

The researchers, who reported their findings in a recent issue of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, suggest that the findings could pave the way for clinical testing of the compounds on human colon cancer, which is the second most common cancer in women and the third in men. If successful, the compounds could then be used in a pill to help prevent colon cancer and lessen the recurrence of the disease in colon cancer survivors.

"We are particularly interested in targeting stem cells because, according to cancer stem-cell theory, cancerous tumors are driven by cancer stem cells," said Vanamala. "Cancer stem cells are capable of self-renewal, cellular differentiation and maintain their stem cell-like characteristics even after invasion and metastasis."

When taken separately in low doses, resveratrol and grape seed extract are not as effective against cancer stem-cell suppression as when they are combined together, according to the researchers.

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The combined effect of grape seed extract and resveratrol may offer clues as to why cultures with a plant-based diet tend to have lower colon cancer rates, said Vanamala. These diets may naturally be providing a shotgun approach to cancer prevention by using a wide variety of beneficial compounds to target multiple pathways that cancer stem cells use to survive.

"This also connects well with a plant-based diet that is structured so that the person is getting a little bit of different types of plants, of different parts of the plant and different colors of the plant," said Vanamala. "This seems to be beneficial for not only promoting bacterial diversity, but also preventing chronic diseases and eliminating the colon cancer stem cells."

If successful in human trials, the compounds could be taken in low doses using currently available supplements for grape seed extract and resveratrol, which are also found in wine.

However, he added that there is still more work to do to understand the mechanism behind the anti-cancer properties of the grape extract, as well as other colorful fruits and vegetables. Further research would be aimed at finding specific anti-cancer compounds and better understanding how those compounds work synergistically to create more effective colon-cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

For the animal study, the researchers separated 52 mice with colon cancer tumors into three groups, including a control group and groups that were fed either the grape compounds or sulindac, an anti-inflammatory drug, which was chosen because a previous study showed it significantly reduced the number of tumors in humans.

The incidence of tumors was suppressed in the mice consuming the grape compounds alone by 50 percent, similar to the rate in the group consuming the diet with sulindac.

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Compounds from grapes may kill colon cancer stem cells both in a petri dish and in mice, according to a team of researchers.

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