Clinical trial studies vaccine targeting cancer stem cells in brain cancers

An early-phase clinical trial of an experimental vaccine that targets cancer stem cells in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor, has been launched by researchers at Cedars-Sinai's Department of Neurosurgery, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Brain Tumor Center and Department of Neurology.

Like normal stem cells, cancer stem cells have the ability to self-renew and generate new cells, but instead of producing healthy cells, they create cancer cells. In theory, if the cancer stem cells can be destroyed, a tumor may not be able to sustain itself, but if the cancer originators are not removed or destroyed, a tumor will continue to return despite the use of existing cancer-killing therapies.

The Phase I study, which will enroll about 45 patients and last two years, evaluates safety and dosing of a vaccine created individually for each participant and designed to boost the immune system's natural ability to protect the body against foreign invaders called antigens. The drug targets a protein, CD133, found on cancer stem cells of some brain tumors and other cancers.

Immune system cells called dendritic cells will be derived from each patient's blood, combined with commercially prepared glioblastoma proteins and grown in the laboratory before being injected under the skin as a vaccine weekly for four weeks and then once every two months, according to Jeremy Rudnick, MD, neuro-oncologist in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Neurology, the study's principal investigator.

Dendritic cells are the immune system's most powerful antigen-presenting cells -- those responsible for helping the immune system recognize invaders. By being loaded with specific protein fragments of CD133, the dendritic cells become "trained" to recognize the antigen as a target and stimulate an immune response when they come in contact.

The cancer stem cell study is the latest evolution in Cedars-Sinai's history of dendritic cell vaccine research, which was introduced experimentally in patient trials in 1998.

Cedars-Sinai's brain cancer stem cell study is open to patients whose glioblastoma multiforme has returned following surgical removal. Potential participants will be screened for eligibility requirements and undergo evaluations and medical tests at regular intervals. The vaccine and study-related tests and follow-up care will be provided at no cost to patients. For more information, call 1-800-CEDARS-1 or contact Cherry Sanchez by phone at 310-423-8100 or email cherry.sanchez@cshs.org.

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Clinical trial studies vaccine targeting cancer stem cells in brain cancers

Cedars-Sinai clinical trial studies vaccine targeting cancer stem cells in brain cancers

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

24-Jan-2014

Contact: Sandy Van sandy@prpacific.com 808-526-1708 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 24, 2014) An early-phase clinical trial of an experimental vaccine that targets cancer stem cells in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor, has been launched by researchers at Cedars-Sinai's Department of Neurosurgery, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Brain Tumor Center and Department of Neurology.

Like normal stem cells, cancer stem cells have the ability to self-renew and generate new cells, but instead of producing healthy cells, they create cancer cells. In theory, if the cancer stem cells can be destroyed, a tumor may not be able to sustain itself, but if the cancer originators are not removed or destroyed, a tumor will continue to return despite the use of existing cancer-killing therapies.

The Phase I study, which will enroll about 45 patients and last two years, evaluates safety and dosing of a vaccine created individually for each participant and designed to boost the immune system's natural ability to protect the body against foreign invaders called antigens. The drug targets a protein, CD133, found on cancer stem cells of some brain tumors and other cancers.

Immune system cells called dendritic cells will be derived from each patient's blood, combined with commercially prepared glioblastoma proteins and grown in the laboratory before being injected under the skin as a vaccine weekly for four weeks and then once every two months, according to Jeremy Rudnick, MD, neuro-oncologist in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Neurology, the study's principal investigator.

Dendritic cells are the immune system's most powerful antigen-presenting cells those responsible for helping the immune system recognize invaders. By being loaded with specific protein fragments of CD133, the dendritic cells become "trained" to recognize the antigen as a target and stimulate an immune response when they come in contact.

The cancer stem cell study is the latest evolution in Cedars-Sinai's history of dendritic cell vaccine research, which was introduced experimentally in patient trials in 1998.

Cedars-Sinai's brain cancer stem cell study is open to patients whose glioblastoma multiforme has returned following surgical removal. Potential participants will be screened for eligibility requirements and undergo evaluations and medical tests at regular intervals. The vaccine and study-related tests and follow-up care will be provided at no cost to patients. For more information, call 1-800-CEDARS-1 or contact Cherry Sanchez by phone at 310-423-8100 or email cherry.sanchez@cshs.org.

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Cedars-Sinai clinical trial studies vaccine targeting cancer stem cells in brain cancers

Insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

23-Jan-2014

Contact: Heiko Lickert heiko.lickert@helmholtz-muenchen.de 49-893-187-3760 Helmholtz Zentrum Mnchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health

The findings of the scientists of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research (IDR) at Helmholtz Zentrum Mnchen (HMGU) provide new insights into the molecular regulation of stem cell differentiation. These results reveal important target structures for regenerative therapy approaches to chronic diseases such as diabetes.

During embryonic development, organ-specific cell types are formed from pluripotent stem cells, which can differentiate into all cell types of the human body. The pluripotent cells of the embryo organize themselves at an early stage in germ layers: the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. From these three cell populations different functional tissue cells arise, such as skin cells, muscle cells, and specific organ cells.

Various signaling pathways are important for this germ layer organization, including the Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway. The cells of the pancreas, such as the beta cells, originate from the endoderm, the germ layer from which the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and the lungs also arise. Professor Heiko Lickert, director of the IDR, in collaboration with Professor Gunnar Schotta of LMU Mnchen, showed that the Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway regulates Sox17, which in turn regulates molecular programs that assign pluripotent cells to the endoderm, thus inducing an initial differentiation of the stem cells.

In another project Professor Lickert and his colleague Professor Fabian Theis, director of the Institute of Computational Biology (ICB) at Helmholtz Zentrum Mnchen, discovered an additional mechanism that influences the progenitor cells. miRNA-335, a messenger nucleic acid, regulates the endodermal transcription factors Sox17 and Foxa2 and is essential for the differentiation of cells within this germ layer and their demarcation from the adjacent mesoderm. The concentrations of the transcription factors determine here whether these cells develop into lung, liver or pancreas cells. To achieve these results, the scientists combined their expertise in experimental research with mathematical modeling.

"Our findings represent two key processes of stem cell differentiation," said Lickert. "With an improved understanding of cell formation we can succeed in generating functional specialized cells from stem cells. These could be used for a variety of therapeutic approaches. In diabetes, we may be able to replace the defective beta cells, but regenerative medicine also offers new therapeutic options for other organ defects and diseases."

Diabetes is characterized by a dysfunction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Regenerative treatment approaches aim to renew or replace these cells. An EU-funded research project ('HumEn'), in which Lickert and his team are participating, shall provide further insights in the field of beta-cell replacement therapy.

The aim of research at Helmholtz Zentrum Mnchen, a partner in the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), is to develop new approaches for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of major common diseases such as diabetes mellitus.

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Insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells

Number of cancer stem cells might not predict outcome in HPV-related oral cancers

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

22-Jan-2014

Contact: Amanda J. Harper amanda.harper2@osumc.edu 614-685-5420 Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio New research from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC James) suggests that it may be the quality of cancer stem cells rather than their quantity that leads to better survival in certain patients with oral cancer.

The researchers investigated cancer stem cell numbers in oral cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) and in oral cancers not associated with the virus. Typically, patients with HPV-positive oral cancer respond better to therapy and have a more promising prognosis than patients with HPV-negative tumors. The latter are usually associated with tobacco and alcohol use.

The OSUCCC James team's findings, published in the journal Cancer, suggest that relying on the number of cancer stem cells in a tumor might inaccurately estimate the potential for the tumor's recurrence or progression.

"We show that high levels of cancer stem cells are not necessarily associated with a worse prognosis in head and neck cancer, a finding that could have far-reaching implications for patient care," says principal investigator Quintin Pan, PhD, associate professor of otolaryngology and scientist with the OSUCCC James Experimental Therapeutics Program.

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with an estimated 600,000 cases diagnosed annually. Although the disease is often linked to alcohol and tobacco use, cancer-causing types of HPV are a major risk factor for the malignancy, and cases of HPV-associated oral cancers have tripled in the past 30 years.

Cancer stem cells make up only a small percent of the malignant cells within a tumor. When these cells divide, they can produce either more cancer stem cells or the nondividing malignant cells that constitute the bulk of a tumor.

Research has shown that cancer stem cells are highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiation and those cancer stem cells that survive treatment cause tumor recurrence. For these reasons, it is thought that tumors with high numbers of cancer stem cells are more likely to recur.

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Number of cancer stem cells might not predict outcome in HPV-related oral cancers

January Tipsheet From Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

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World Health Organization Study: Atrial Fibrillation is a Growing Global Health Concern Atrial fibrillation, long considered the most common condition leading to an irregular heartbeat, is a growing and serious global health problem, according to the first study ever to estimate the conditions worldwide prevalence, death rates and societal costs. The World Health Organization data analysis, led by Sumeet Chugh, MD, shows that 33.5 million people worldwide or .5% of the worlds population have the condition. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

Clinical Trial Aims to Identify Why Some Breast Cancer Patients Are at High Risk for Post-Treatment Fatigue Although the prevalence and impact of cancer-related fatigue has been well established, very little is known about its predictors, mechanisms for development, and persistence post-treatment. A new research study at the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, in partnership with UCLA, is aimed at identifying breast cancer patients most susceptible to post-treatment fatigue by measuring biological, behavioral and social risk factors. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

Rose Parade Offers Kidney Donor Opportunity to Honor Her Brother-In-Law Terie Cota, an elementary school administrator from Santa Maria, Calif., describes herself as an average 56-year-old woman. She has been married 34 years, is the mother of four sons and grandmother of two little girls. But there is nothing average about Terie Cota because she chose to do something few others would think to do: She donated one of her healthy kidneys to a total stranger. CONTACT: Laura Coverson, 310-423-5215; Email laura.coverson@cshs.org

Cedars-Sinai Researchers Target Cancer Stem Cells in Malignant Brain Tumors Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute identified immune system targets on cancer stem cells cells from which malignant brain tumors are believed to originate and regenerate and created an experimental vaccine to attack them. Results of laboratory and animal studies are published in the online edition of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, and will appear in the March 2014 print edition. CONTACT: Sandy Van, 808-526-1708; Email sandy@prpacific.com

Physicians Now Analyze Mothers Milk to Determine if Premature Babies Are Getting Correct Dosages of Nutrients Physicians in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Maxine Dunitz Childrens Health Center launched a pilot study in which mothers breast milk is analyzed to determine whether premature infants are receiving the correct amounts of nutrients they need to thrive. The study could lead to a new innovation in personalized medicine: individually optimized nutrition for the smallest patients. CONTACT: Soshea Leibler, 213-215-8000; Email Soshea.leibler@cshs.org

Researchers Identify Key Proteins Responsible for Electrical Communication in the Heart Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute researchers have found that six proteins five more than previously thought are responsible for cell-to-cell communication that regulates the heart and plays a role in limiting the size of heart attacks and strokes. The smallest of these proteins directs the largest in performing its role of coordinating billions of heart cells during each heartbeat. Together, the proteins synchronize the beating heart, the researchers determined. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

Research Advancements Made in Diabetes-Induced Blindness Investigators at the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute have identified new molecular abnormalities in the diabetic cornea that could contribute to eye problems in affected patients. With this new knowledge, investigators aim to accelerate the process of healing and repair in damaged corneas to ultimately reverse the effects of diabetes-induced eye complications. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

Research for Her TM, an Online Clinical Research Registry, Honored With Distinguished National Award Research for HerTM , a Cedars-Sinai online medical research database aimed at increasing womens participation in clinical studies, received the 2013 Award for Excellence from the Health Improvement Institute for its user-friendly electronic consent form. The Research for Her registry allows women to register for potential participation in clinical trials through an online, verified consent process that is just two pages long and written in nontechnical, easy-to-understand language. In comparison, a typical clinical trial consent form, even for low-risk clinical trials, is a printed document ranging from eight to 15 pages and includes complex medical and legal terminology. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

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January Tipsheet From Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Wu Stem Cells Medical Center – A Leading Medical Center …

2.(June 6, 2010)

3.(January21, 2010)

4.(December19, 2013)

5.(December11, 2013)

6.(October10, 2013)

Wu Stem Cells Medical Center (WSCMC) was named after Dr. Like Wu, the co-Founder, Chief Neurologist and Managing Director of the center. Using the unique stem cell technologies innovated by Dr. Wu, since 2005, he and his medical team have successfully treated over 2,000 patients from all over the world suffering from various neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries including Parkinson's disease, post-stroke, Batten's disease, ALS, MS, MSA, PSP, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, etc. This has laid a solid foundation for the application of stem cell technologies to treat these previously untreatable neurological diseases.

To make a world of difference in the lives of patients and their families by integrating new medical technologies, care, education and research to provide the highest quality care and service to our diverse community.

WSCMC will be one of the best stem cells medical centers in the world, known for advancing research and providing definitive diagnosis and treatment for our diverse community of patients with complex neurological diseases.

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Cerebral palsy

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Lady’s own stem cells heal knee

Drought prompts rain dances in California Drought prompts rain dances in California

Updated: Tuesday, January 21 2014 12:03 AM EST2014-01-21 05:03:34 GMT

Updated: Monday, January 20 2014 2:36 AM EST2014-01-20 07:36:02 GMT

Updated: Sunday, January 19 2014 5:00 PM EST2014-01-19 22:00:19 GMT

Updated: Sunday, January 19 2014 9:00 AM EST2014-01-19 14:00:13 GMT

Updated: Saturday, January 18 2014 11:00 AM EST2014-01-18 16:00:12 GMT

CLEARWATER, FL (WFLA/NBC) - When Judy Loar, 68, could not bear to walk any longer due to excruciating pain in both of her knees from degenerative joint disease, she did what most people in her condition do, she went in for a surgical knee replacement.

After being released, Loar found out her knee cap had been set incorrectly.

Going through surgery again to fix her other knee was not an option, so Loar started researching other alternatives to ease the agony of bone-on-bone friction caused by her condition.

"I really did my research, because I knew I could go through another major surgery," said Loar, who became a patient of Dr. Dennis Lox.

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Lady's own stem cells heal knee

Art imitating life: Cancer center fetes sculptor whose work is now permanently featured

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A sculpture by Jan Martin Bopp sits center-stage at its unveiling party in the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center Wednesday. Bopp, a volunteer and cancer survivor, created the sculpture to symbolize his battle with myeloma. (Derek Carson)

A sculpture by Jan Martin Bopp sits center-stage at its unveiling party in the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center Wednesday. Bopp, a volunteer and cancer survivor, created the sculpture to symbolize his battle with myeloma. (Derek Carson)

BENNINGTON - The Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center honored and celebrated local educator, sculptor, and volunteer Jan Martin Bopp on Wednesday.

Bopp was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in which collections of abnormal plasma cells accumulate in bone marrow, where they interfere with the production of normal blood cells. Throughout his battle with cancer, he was also challenged with cardiovascular dysfunctions, a stem-cell transplant, chemotherapy, coronary artery stent implants, a carotid endarterectomy, a pacemaker implant, and what one speaker called the worst case of shingles he had ever seen.

Yet Bopp persevered through everything, and eventually decided to create a sculpture to symbolize his battle with myeloma. The result was "My Medical Journey: Trauma to Transcendence," a 17-inch wide, 16-inch tall, and 10-inch deep ceramic sculpture, which is on permanent display in the atrium of the cancer center.

The sculpture, which was completed in 2009, "embodies the story of my journey through extensive medical trauma and treatment to better health and a life coping with chronic illness," said Bopp in a written description that was displayed next to the sculpture. "It is a story of some of my physiological ambushes and health challenges and how I have responded, with much professional help, medicine and procedures, fortitude, and good fortune."

Bopp was born and raised near Lansing, Mich., completed his undergraduate studies at Hope College in Holland, Mich., and worked toward a graduate degree at Miami University of Ohio. In the 1970s he began teaching at Mount Greylock High School in Williamstown, Mass.

"My sculpture is a therapeutic expression of my resilience, positive energy and spirit, and eternal optimism. It has been given to the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center to symbolize my deep gratitude for the profound help of expert health care providers and to inspire others afflicted with cancer," said Bopp.

While 92 people officially RSVP'd to Wednesday's reception, the total number of attendees may very well have been higher. "Certainly tonight's turnout is a reflection of the impact Jan has made on all of us, on our lives," said Thomas Dee, CEO of Southwestern Vermont Health Care.

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Art imitating life: Cancer center fetes sculptor whose work is now permanently featured

Quitting top medical researcher lambasted by authorities

Both the Catalan and central governments have vigorously defended their commitment to the Barcelona Regenerative Medicine Center (CMRB) in the wake of the decision of its director, Juan Carlos Izpisa, to resign.

Izpisa, one of the worlds pre-eminent stem cell researchers, handed in his notice due to government cutbacks in the sciences - the CMRB has lost 16.8 percent of its budget in the last four years. But the Catalonia regional economy chief, Andreu Mas-Colell, told EL PAS that the budget, which is 1.7 million euros annually, will be maintained in 2014 and for the foreseeable future.

Both administrations coincided in accusing Izpisa of lacking dedication to the CMRB in favor of his post at the Salk Institute in California, where all the researchers patents are held.

Government lawyers have been mobilized to examine the intellectual property of the CMRB. Izpisa intends to take 18 of the 21 projects running at the CMRB with him to California, as he considers them his own ideas and initiatives. The administrations will play all their legal cards to prevent this emptying of the Barcelona center, which will, in any case, remain open.

Mas-Colell, who was one of the prime movers in setting up the CMRB, admitted that Izpisa was a great scientist and a key figure in the beginnings of regenerative medicine in Spain. But he underlined two reasons that led the board to withdraw its support. It is not quite correct to say that Spain has lost a great scientist, because the truth is he wasnt in Spain very much; Izipisa first link was with the Salk and the Barcelona center was a research group linked to the Salk.

In the current circumstances a research center in Spain requires a commitment of 100 percent from the director, with both feet rooted in the center, he continued.

The board has chosen ngel Raya, a former postdoctoral researcher for Izpisa, to replace the outgoing director. Raya is a notable researcher in the field [and] he is going to fulfill the condition we require, Mas-Colell said.

The second issue concerns the intellectual property rights relating to the investigations. The mere fact that Izipisa is going to take 18 of the 21 research projects at the CMRB reveals what I said before: that this was not a strong center for Spanish science.

Regarding the patents, Izipisa said: They insinuated that I was benefiting the Salk, but it was more like the other way around, since the Salk had to do all the administration work and pay for the management and the application for the patents, and even like that it shares them with the CMRB in proportion to the scientific contribution of each center. So where is the benefit for the Salk?

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Quitting top medical researcher lambasted by authorities

Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine …

One of the primary missions of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine is to help translate laboratory findings into clinically useful cancer therapies.

Michael Clarke, MD (left), Deputy Director of the Ludwig Center and Karel H. and Avice N. Beekhuis Professor in Cancer Biology, and his team are applying their discoveries of cancer stem cells in human breast, colon, and head and neck tumors to improve patient diagnosis and treatment. His laboratory has discovered how cancer stem cells resist treatment by radiation or chemotherapy.

Ravindra Majeti, MD (center) has been spearheading preclinical studies of anti-CD47 antibodies, which seem to promote the ingestion of cancer cells by the body's macrophages.

Phil Beachy, PhD (right) and Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, have isolated the stem cell for a deadly childhood brain cancer, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Understanding the behavior of this cancer stem cell may lead to insights about how to treat it. Beachy has long been studying how cancer is related to the repair mechanisms of normal cells. By tracing such repair pathways he has found that common compounds like an antifungal medication or arsenic have anti-cancer properties.

Researchers at the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine are engaged in active collaborations with other Ludwig Centers in Seattle, Boston and New York.

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Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine ...