Disease Focus: Cancer
Novel Rejuvenated T Cell Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Research Objective Through this project, we would like to evaluate how this T-iPSC-based immunotherapy that we have developed can eliminate lung cancer cells effectively in vivo using xenografted SCID mice. Impact This novel T-iPSC-based immunotherapy will provide another effective treatment for lung cancer and possible other malignancies by supplying unlimited number of young and active […]
Bone Marrow Targeting of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Engineered to Overexpress 25-OH-VD3 1-α-hydroxylase for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Therapy
Research Objective We propose a new approach to differentiation therapy for acute myeloid leukemia by producing local level of high-dose vitamin D in bone marrow via cell therapy with engineered hematopoietic stem cells Impact If proven successful, the proposed research can serve as a major breakthrough in the treatment of multiple subtypes of AML and […]
Targeting cancer stem cells with nanoparticle RNAi delivery to prevent recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer
Research Objective Our objective is to develop novel treatments for women with ovarian cancer, specifically treatments that target stem cells to reverse drug resistance. These will treat recurrent metastatic disease. Impact We aim to use nanoparticles to make ovarian cancer stem cells more drug sensitive, less invasive, and less likely to regrow tumors and metastasize. […]
Human Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells: Developing a Novel Drug for Cancer Eradication
Research Objective We will use human pancreatic cancer (PC) stem cells to show 1 inhibits proliferation, self-renewal and cell viability. This paradigm is transformational for anti-cancer drug discovery for patients. Impact Pancreatic cancer (PC) kills >40,000/yr in the US. PC is a major unmet medical need. Use of PC stem cells in development of 1 […]
Identification of stem cell surface markers as potential therapeutic targets for advanced prostate cancer
Research Objective The goal of this proposal is to identify proteins found on the surface of both human prostate stem cells and cancer cells that could be used as potential targets for treating advanced prostate cancer. Impact There is no cure for advanced prostate cancer. This combined with the success of treating other cancers by […]
Genome editing for causation and reversion of MPN-associated mutations in human hematopoietic stem cells
Research Objective Use gene editing to create tools for the study of mechanisms by which patient-observed mutations lead to myeloproliferative neoplasms. Impact Editing reagents will yield new insight into how acquired MPN-associated mutations cause disease by overproduction of various cell types and pave the way for gene editing therapies to reverse MPNs. Major Proposed Activities […]
Curing bladder cancer by replacing corrupted urothelium with differentiated hES cells
Research Objective The goal of the proposed research is to use human embryonic stem cells to generate bladder epithelial progenitor cells that can be used to replace a cancerous bladder epithelium in vivo. Impact The long-term goal of the proposed research is to cure bladder cancer. Successful completion of this work may indicate that transplantation […]
Purification of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) for Clinical Stem Cell Transplantation
Translational Candidate Two new monoclonal antibodies anti-CD34 and anti-CD90, and protocols to purify cancer-free and/or T cell free human HSC for clinical transplantation. Area of Impact The development of hematopoietic stem cell-based therapies, starting with rescue of metastatic breast cancer patients with their own cancer-free HSC Mechanism of Action The mechanism is using highly purified […]
A Rapid Clinical Digital Patient-derived Organoid to Guide Breast Cancer Treatment Decision
Translational Candidate The digital patient organoid (DPO) assay is a microfluidic miniature organoid technology that allows high-throughput drug testing. Area of Impact Our functional DPO assay will guide personalized therapy in patients with MBC and fulfill a gap of huge unmet need Mechanism of Action DPO is a microfluidic miniature organoid technology that enables breast […]
Targeting pancreatic cancer with Allogeneic Off-the-Shelf PSCA-CAR NK cells
Translational Candidate PSCA-CAR_sIL15 NK cells derived from CD34(+) umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells Area of Impact patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer or other cancers that also highly express PSCA Mechanism of Action PSCA-CAR_sIL15 NK cells are umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ HSCs that are engineered to target PSCA and express soluble IL-15, and then are […]