Cell therapy weekly: ISSCR to issue updated statement on the ethics of stem cell-based embryo models
This week: CAR-T cell therapy development could be enhanced by CRISPR and the world’s largest cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization to be launched by the Center for Breakthrough Medicines (PA, USA).
The news highlights:
ISSCR to issue updated statement on the ethics of stem cell-based embryo models
CRISPR could enhance development of CAR-T therapies, study suggests
Launching the world’s largest cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization
ISSCR to issue updated statement on the ethics of stem cell-based embryo models
Following recent scientific advances employing pluripotent stem cells to create human embryo models for the study of embryonic development, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR; IL, USA) has announced it is to update its guidelines pertaining to Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation.
Fully updated guidelines are to be released in 2021; until then, the ISSCR urges investigators to observe current recommendations when considering research in this area. The guidelines revision is an international effort being undertaken by field leaders from the UK, Europe, the USA, China, Canada and Japan.
CRISPR could enhance development of CAR-T therapies, study suggests
New research, published in Blood, conducted by investigators from the University of Helsinki and Finnish Red Cross (both Helsinki, Finland) suggests that utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 and performing drug profiling may enhance the development and success of CAR-T cell therapies for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. Researchers employed CRISPR to investigate mechanisms which may impact the sensitivity of cancer cells to CAR-T cells, as well as to elucidate the mechanism a certain anti-cancer drug class.
Lead study author Olli Dufva (University of Helsinki) commented: “The study provides an extensive dataset on the effect of cancer drugs on the function of T cells, which are essential to immunotherapies. [These] data can be put to use when planning the combination of cancer drugs with therapies activating the immune system.”
Launching the world’s largest cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization
The Center for Breakthrough Medicines (PA, USA) has signed a long-term lease for a 680,000 square foot space at The Discovery Labs (PA, USA). This will be the world’s largest cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization. The facility, which plans to hire 2000 scientists, manufacturing experts, lab technicians and support staff, aims to relieve current restraints pertaining to cell and gene therapy production and, ultimately, improve patient access to potentially revolutionary treatments.
Audrey Greenberg, Executive Managing Director for The Discovery Labs (PA, USA), stated: “The Center for Breakthrough Medicines will be serving companies from the earliest stages through commercialization. Its exceptional scale and offering will quickly relieve the production bottleneck for advanced therapies by reducing the time, complexity, and cost of commercializing vitally needed gene and cell therapies.”
For more weekly cell therapy news, read previous editions of the cell therapy weekly.
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