OSAKA UNIVERSITY

Osaka University Develops Promising Immune Cell Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

13 days ago

• Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel immune cell therapy specifically targeting acute myeloid leukemia (AML), potentially offering hope for patients who experience cancer recurrence after conventional treatments. • The therapy involves extracting immune cells from patients or umbilical cord blood, genetically modifying them to target only AML cells, multiplying them outside the body, and then administering them back to patients. • In preclinical studies, all six mice treated with the therapy survived for 140 days, and researchers are now preparing for clinical trials that could potentially cover approximately 150 cases annually.

First Patients Receive Groundbreaking Autologous Stem Cell Treatment for Parkinson's Disease in Phase 1 Trial

3 months ago

• Mass General Brigham launches pioneering Phase 1 trial using patients' own reprogrammed stem cells to replace damaged dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease, with three of six participants treated successfully. • The innovative treatment converts patients' blood cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are then transformed into dopamine neurons, eliminating the need for immunosuppression. • The FDA-approved trial, based on three decades of research at McLean Hospital, will monitor patients for 12 months to assess safety and potential improvements in Parkinson's symptoms.

Celltrion's Avtozma (Tocilizumab Biosimilar) Receives Korean Approval in Subcutaneous Formulation

5 months ago

• Celltrion's Avtozma, a biosimilar to Actemra (tocilizumab), has been approved in Korea in subcutaneous form for autoimmune disease treatment. • The approval by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) was based on global Phase 3 clinical trial results. • Celltrion also expanded its intravenous formulation offerings with a new 80mg/4ml dosage, enhancing treatment options. • With approvals in Korea and the U.S., Celltrion aims to strengthen its autoimmune disease portfolio and global market presence.

L-Arginine Shows Promise but Falls Short of Statistical Significance in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6 Trial

6 months ago

• A Phase 2 trial of L-arginine in Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 6 (SCA6) showed a trend toward symptom improvement, but the results did not reach statistical significance. • The L-arginine group experienced a 0.96-point improvement in SARA scores, while the placebo group worsened by 0.56 points over 48 weeks. • Two serious adverse events potentially linked to L-arginine were reported, including one fatality due to pneumonia and one case of reversible liver impairment. • Further Phase 3 trials with larger cohorts are needed to confirm L-arginine's efficacy and safety in treating SCA6, a neurodegenerative disorder.

Fate Therapeutics' FT825 Shows Promise in HER2-Targeting CAR T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors

6 months ago

• Fate Therapeutics presented initial Phase 1 data for FT825 / ONO-8250, a HER2-targeting CAR T-cell therapy, showing a favorable safety profile in advanced solid tumors. • Preclinical data highlights FT825's cancer-selective HER2 recognition, potentially reducing off-target toxicities compared to existing HER2-directed therapies. • The Phase 1 study observed CAR T-cell expansion and activation in patients' peripheral blood, indicating potential for effective tumor targeting. • FT825 incorporates novel synthetic controls designed to enhance safety and efficacy in treating solid tumors, addressing limitations of current CAR T-cell therapies.

iPS Cell-Derived Corneal Transplants Restore Vision in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency Patients

6 months ago

• Researchers successfully restored vision in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency using corneal tissue derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). • The iPS cells were reprogrammed from healthy donors' blood cells and cultivated into corneal tissue for transplantation. • Clinical trials involving four patients demonstrated the efficacy of iPS cell-derived corneal transplants, offering a potential solution to donor cornea shortages. • The innovative approach reduces the risk of immune rejection, marking a significant advancement in treating corneal blindness.

Fate Therapeutics Presents Promising Early Data for FT825/ONO-8250 CAR-T Therapy in Solid Tumors

6 months ago

• Fate Therapeutics' FT825/ONO-8250, a HER2-targeting CAR-T cell therapy, shows a favorable safety profile in an early-stage trial for advanced solid tumors. • Preclinical data highlights the therapy's cancer-selective HER2 targeting, reducing off-tumor toxicities compared to traditional HER2-directed treatments. • Initial results from the Phase 1 study indicate CAR T-cell expansion and activation in patients, suggesting potential for clinical efficacy. • The FT825 / ONO-8250 incorporates seven novel synthetic controls of CAR T-cell function designed to overcome multiple mechanisms.

Aspirin and Heparin Combination Significantly Improves Live Birth Rates in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

8 months ago

• A Kobe University-led study reveals that low-dose aspirin or heparin treatment significantly increases live birth rates in women with recurrent pregnancy loss who test positive for specific self-targeting antibodies. • The research indicates that treatment with aspirin or heparin led to an 87% live birth rate, compared to 50% in untreated women, showcasing a substantial improvement in pregnancy outcomes. • The study also found that the treatment reduced pregnancy complications from 50% to 6% among live births, highlighting the potential of these drugs to improve maternal and fetal health. • Women with only the newly discovered antibodies who received the treatment had a 93% live birth rate with no pregnancy complications, suggesting a targeted and highly effective approach.

Diabetes Medications Show Promise in Easing Gum Disease

8 months ago

• A new study indicates that diabetes medications may help reverse gum damage associated with the disease, offering a potential dual benefit for patients. • Researchers in Japan observed improvements in gum health markers among type 2 diabetes patients undergoing intensive drug therapy, without any professional dental care. • The study highlights the importance of early diabetes management in preventing the onset and progression of periodontal disease, advocating for collaboration between medical and dental care. • Improvements in gum health, measured by reduced Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA) scores, correlated with improvements in overall health markers, such as blood flow and neuropathy.

COVID-19 Vaccine Landscape: mRNA and DNA Vaccine Efficacy and Development

2 years ago

• mRNA vaccines like Pfizer-BioNTech's BNT162b2 and Moderna's mRNA-1273 have demonstrated high efficacy (72-95%) against moderate-to-severe COVID-19 in adults, with ongoing studies evaluating their effectiveness against emerging variants. • DNA vaccines, including Zydus Cadila's ZyCov-D, have shown promise with good safety profiles and the ability to induce neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses, offering a cost-effective alternative, especially in developing countries. • Studies indicate that extending the interval between doses of mRNA vaccines may enhance immune responses, particularly in previously uninfected individuals, although the recognition of variants like Omicron may decline more rapidly. • Booster doses of mRNA vaccines, such as BNT162b2, have been shown to significantly improve neutralizing titers against Omicron variants, supporting a three-dose regimen for enhanced protection.