ACT Set To Launch Stem-Cell Trial Without Embryo Destruction.

The Wall Street Journal (12/14, B2, Rockoff, Subscription Publication) reports Marlborough, Massachusetts-based Advanced Cell Technology Inc. (ACT) says it is ready to undergo the steps it needs to take towards obtaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration to launch what would be first human study involving stem cells that were developed by reprogramming adult cells to return to an embryonic-like condition. The Journal notes that ACT's Chief Scientific Officer Robert Lanza said that the company presently has the capability to produce enough platelets for the initial clinical studies. However, the FDA declined to comment on the pending trials because it is prohibited under Federal law from discussing potential therapies under development. The Journal adds that earlier this year, the two researchers who designed the mature cell reprogramming process, which would cancel the need to use embryos, were awarded a Nobel Prize for their work.

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Cancer Stem Cell Therapy: Real Or Just Hype?

Cancer Stem Cell Therapy: Real Or Just Hype?

from BIOtechNow by biotechnow@bio.org (Biotechnology Industry Organization)

Also known as tumor-initiating cells, cancer stem cells (CSC) have unique capability endemic to stem cells of self-renewal and differentiation, thereby causing tumor relapse and/or metastatis. While traditional cancer treatments focus on tumor shrinkage, it’s a distinct possibility that these agents do not effectively destroy all of the CSCs, causing the tumor to reappear.

The CSC theory is relatively new, so the treatment pipeline is still in its early stages.

Nathan Sadeghi-Nejad, a contributor to Forbes and TheStreet, moderated a panel of scientific experts at the forefront of developing treatments targeting CSCs during the 2012 BIO Investor Forum. In an article for Forbes, he provides his thoughts on how CSCs will affect oncology drug development:
“Bulls believe CSC-based therapies will revolutionize oncology drug development and dramatically improve patient outcomes. Bears argue the data are inconclusive or that expectations are unreasonably high. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle…”