Cancer-Sensing MicroChip to help Real Time Treatment Decisions

 

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells from solid tumors that circulate in the bloodstream at a rate of approximately one in a billion.  As such, these cells are extremely hard to acquire and require large quantities of blood.  A new microchip technology, relying on a novel geometric shape at the nano-scale, is able to detect, capture and analyze CTCs with a 99% rate and using less than one-thousandth the volume of blood.  This test is invaluable for providing real-time information for treatment decisions, assessing treatment response, identifying risk factors and early detection of cancers.  As of yet this chip has successfully isolated CTCs from lung, colorectal, pancreatic, breast, prostate and esophageal cancers. Find more in Mass General’s press release.

Posted by Milly Ray, PhD candidate, Harvard Medical School

Breakthrough in Stem Cell Research Provides Means for a Novel Form of Gene Therapy

Recently, scientists have discovered a technique to “reprogram” adult human and mouse cells to revert into induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells. These cells exhibit the defining characteristics of ES cells and are essentially indistinguishable by all standard tests used to verify developmental stage in cells. The technique employs a retrovirus to insert four inappropriately active genes into the adult genome, initiating massive nuclear reprogramming into an ES cell-like state. Former techniques, such as nuclear transfer employed to create Dolly, ubiquitously failed because the adult DNA (chromatin) structure was not reprogrammed to resemble the structure of embryonic chromatin, resulting in improper gene expression.

This innovative and new technique must undergo significant testing before it can be used in any form of clinical trial: in particular, the use of a retrovirus causes a high risk of cancer, since the virus integrates randomly into the genome. However, this technique provides a novel vector for gene therapy which has the potential to be developed into treatments not limited to: cancer treatment, replacement therapy in degenerative diseases and organ replacement without donor-rejection complications. In mice, Rudolf Jaensich of MIT has already harnessed this technology to physiologically cure sickle-celled mice free of any initially discernible side effects.

Posted by Milly Ray, PhD candidate, Harvard Medical School

JP Morgan Update: Scandinavian company BioVitrum develops long lasting Hemophilia Treatment

At the JP Morgan Conference in San Francisco, former executive director of Astra Zeneca, newly appointed CEO of BioVitrum, Martin Nicklasson announces launching of clinical trials for a fusion Factor IX Fc molecule with extended product life time allowing a one a week drug administration, thus improving considerably patient quality of life. Phase I & II clinical trials are due to being launched in the US early 2008.

BioVitrum (BVT:SS) is a $536 million market cap biopharmaceutical company.

BioVitrum is currently awaiting results for two Phase II clinical trials for primary care products for the treatment of Glaucoma (retinal hypotension inducer) and for the treatment of Diabetic Neuropathic Pain, for which it claims to be the sole player involved. 

The outcome of these trials will determine the future development of the company and surely deserves undivided attention…