Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick In 2023, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) funded a clinical trial led by Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall, MD, to investigate a possible therapy for rare brain and spinal tumors. Devastating cancers These cancers, that arise from a specific genetic mutation, known as H3K27M, are devastating. Each year, about … Continue reading Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall discusses progress on rare cancers clinical trials
cancer
A Step Forward in the Fight Against Advanced Kidney Cancer
Photo Courtesy: Allogene Therapeutics Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an advanced kidney cancer with limited treatment options and a five‑year survival rate below 17%. With CIRM’s support, Allogene Therapeutics is developing ALLO‑316, an allogeneic CAR‑T cell therapy that targets CD70, a protein highly expressed on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumors. The approach … Continue reading A Step Forward in the Fight Against Advanced Kidney Cancer
Two CIRM-funded research projects receive RMAT designation from FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to two research projects funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). RMAT is a fast‑track designation that speeds the development, review, and potential approval of treatments for serious or life‑threatening diseases. The first RMAT designation went to a … Continue reading Two CIRM-funded research projects receive RMAT designation from FDA
Gene therapy trial tests cancer-killing virus in brain tumors
Dr. Noriyuki Kasahara of UCSF has received $11.8 million from CIRM to target newly diagnosed high‑grade gliomas. These aggressive brain and spinal cord cancers are extremely hard to treat. The grant supports research on DB107, formerly Toca 511, an innovative gene therapy that selectively targets tumor cells. The therapy delivers an enzyme that converts a … Continue reading Gene therapy trial tests cancer-killing virus in brain tumors
Supporting a CAR T-cell trial for kidney cancer
Photo Credit: Allogene Therapeutics. Image of the ALLO-316 allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $15 million to Dr. John Le Gall and his team at Allogene Therapeutics. This funding supports ALLO‑316, an anti‑CD70 CAR‑T therapy for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common kidney cancer. Looking for … Continue reading Supporting a CAR T-cell trial for kidney cancer
CIRM Joins GoGold Childhood Cancer Awareness Campaign
Photo courtesy of Stanford Medicine September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is joining the campaign to #GoGold to raise awareness about childhood cancers and highlight our commitment to funding childhood cancer research. The Impact of Childhood Cancer Cancer remains the number one cause of death by disease for … Continue reading CIRM Joins GoGold Childhood Cancer Awareness Campaign
Investing in CAR T-cell therapy to treat cancer
Photo credit: UC Regents The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is investing $4 million to support Dr. William Murphy and UC Davis researchers to develop and test a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to treat various B-cell malignancies, ranging from lymphomas to leukemias. In this Q&A—courtesy of UC Davis Health—Dr. Murphy discusses the importance of T-cell therapy and its implications … Continue reading Investing in CAR T-cell therapy to treat cancer
Funding development of a vaccine for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Dr. Karin Gaensler. Photo credit: Steve Babuljak/UCSF Adult acute myelogenous leukemia—also known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—is a blood cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells. About 20,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed each year in the US with a 5-year survival rate of around 29%. In … Continue reading Funding development of a vaccine for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
CIRM funds clinical trial to make cancer therapy safer, less toxic
Blood stem cell transplantation following high dose chemotherapy is standard of care and potentially curative for aggressive forms of lymphoma. However, this treatment regimen is limited by severe toxicity and life-threatening complications due to delayed recovery of the blood system and vascular related damage of multiple organs. Today the governing Board of the California Institute … Continue reading CIRM funds clinical trial to make cancer therapy safer, less toxic
Making transplants easier for kids, and charting a new approach to fighting solid tumors.
Every year California performs around 100 kidney transplants in children but, on average, around 50 of these patients will have their body reject the transplant. These children then have to undergo regular dialysis while waiting for a new organ. Even the successful transplants require a lifetime of immunosuppression medications. These medications can prevent rejection but … Continue reading Making transplants easier for kids, and charting a new approach to fighting solid tumors.