These are definitely strange, unusual and challenging times. Every day seems to bring new restrictions on what we can and should do. All, of course, in the name of protecting us and helping us avoid a potentially deadly virus. We all hope this will soon pass but we also know the bigger impact of the … Continue reading Why “Ask the Stem Cell Team” Remains Important
Stem cell research
You can bank on CIRM
Way back in 2013, the CIRM Board invested $32 million in a project to create an iPSC Bank. The goal was simple; to collect tissue samples from people who have different diseases, turn those samples into high quality stem cell lines - the kind known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) - and create a … Continue reading You can bank on CIRM
CIRM-funded trial for blood cancer releases promising new data
A CIRM-funded trial conducted by Oncternal Therapeutics in collaboration with UC San Diego released an interim clinical data update for patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a type of blood cancer. The treatment being developed involves an antibody called cirmtuzumab (named after yours truly) being used with a cancer fighting drug called ibrutinib. The antibody … Continue reading CIRM-funded trial for blood cancer releases promising new data
CIRM-funded treatment for Cystinosis receives orphan drug designation
Dr. Stephanie Cherqui, UC San Diego Orphan drug designation is a special status given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for potential treatments of rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 in the U.S. This type of status can significantly help advance treatments for rare diseases by providing financial incentives in the form of … Continue reading CIRM-funded treatment for Cystinosis receives orphan drug designation
New CAR-T cell therapy using scorpion venom developed to treat brain tumors
Contributed by Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain) Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive form of cancer that begins in the brain and results in tumors that can be very difficult to treat. This condition has claimed the lives of Beau Biden, former Vice President Joe Biden's son, and John McCain, former Senator of Arizona. However, a new … Continue reading New CAR-T cell therapy using scorpion venom developed to treat brain tumors
Ask the Stem Cell Team About Autism
Do an online search for “autism stem cells” and you quickly come up with numerous websites offering stem cell therapies for autism. They offer encouraging phrases like “new and effective approach” and “a real, lasting treatment.” They even include dense scientific videos featuring people like Dr. Arnold Caplan, a professor at Case Western Reserve University … Continue reading Ask the Stem Cell Team About Autism
Big time validation for early support
It’s not every day that a company and a concept that you helped support from the very beginning gets snapped up for $4.9 billion. But that’s what is happening with Forty Seven Inc. and their anti-cancer therapies. Gilead, another California company by the way, has announced it is buying Forty Seven Inc. for almost $5 … Continue reading Big time validation for early support
Stem cell transplant in utero offers potential treatment for congenital diseases
Dr. Tippi Mackenzie, UCSFImage Credit: UCSF Each year, around 24,000 women in the US lose a pregnancy. One reason for this unfortunate occurrence are metabolic disorders, one of which is known as Sly syndrome and is caused by a single genetic mutation. In Sly syndrome, the body's cells lack an enzyme necessary for proper cell … Continue reading Stem cell transplant in utero offers potential treatment for congenital diseases
How developing a treatment for a rare disease could lead to therapies for other, not-so-rare conditions
Logan Lacy, a child with AADC Deficiency: Photo courtesy Chambersburg Public Opinion Tomorrow, the last day in February, is Rare Disease Day. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about rare diseases and the impact they have on patients and their families. But the truth is rare diseases are not so rare. There are around … Continue reading How developing a treatment for a rare disease could lead to therapies for other, not-so-rare conditions
Overcoming obstacles in blood stem cell therapies
Photo Credit: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Today, we here at CIRM wanted to provide an update on the fascinating world of hematopoietic (blood) stem cell-based therapies. What is the current status of this promising field and what are some of the challenges that need to be overcome? Dr. Kelly Shepard, Associate Director of Discovery and … Continue reading Overcoming obstacles in blood stem cell therapies
The Stem Cellar 