Disease Focus: Solid Tumors
Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to reverse radiation-induced brain injury
Research Objective These preclinical studies will discover the efficacy of stem cell-derived, nanoscale, extracellular vesicles (candidate) to treat adverse effects of cancer therapy on brain function and cognition. Impact Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles will address the confounders of stem cells (tumors, immunorejection, immunosuppression) & mitigate debilitating side-effects of cancer therapy on the brain. Major Proposed […]
Targeting Critical Regulators of Cancer Stem Cells
Research Objective We will develop a small molecule inhibitor that blocks the growth of human pancreatic cancer and AML cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo. Impact This work will lead to a new treatment for cancer stem cell driven diseases such as AML and pancreatic cancer. In addition, it will improve the prognosis […]
Human iPSC-derived chimeric antigen receptor-expressing macrophages for cancer treatment
Research Objective These studies will produce a new CAR-targeted iPSC-derived macrophage-based cell therapy product for treatment of refractory malignancies such as ovarian cancer. Impact These studies eliminate a bottleneck in macrophage production and enable these cells to be engineered and manufactured in a standardized, off-the-shelf manner, rather than on a patient-specific basis. Major Proposed Activities […]
Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered Stem/Memory T Cells for the Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
Research Objective We are developing a tumor-associated glycan-targeting CAR T cell with inducible cytokine production that drives T cell stem/memory phenotype and persistence for effective treatment of ovarian cancer. Impact 25% of ovarian cancer patients recur within 6 months. Targeting cancer stem cells with a persistent progenitor CAR T cell product offers a potent strategy […]
Pluripotent stem cell-derived bladder epithelial progenitors for definitive cell replacement therapy of bladder cancer
Research Objective We will 1) identify non-invasive bladder cancer patients with (pre)cancerous urothelium by single-cell RNA-seq and 2) replace this dangerous lesion with normal hESC-derived bladder progenitors. Impact Replacement of corrupted (pre)cancerous urothelium with pluripotent cell-derived normal bladder progenitors will provide a definitive treatment for bladder cancer, expected to eliminate recurrence. Major Proposed Activities To […]
Non-viral reprogramming of the endogenous TCRα locus to direct stem memory T cells against shared neoantigens in malignant gliomas
Research Objective We will develop a non-viral gene editing technology to replace the endogenous TCRα locus of stem memory T cells with transgene TCRs that are specific to brain cancer neoantigens. Impact Gliomas are lethal tumors often affecting children and young adults. Therapy using Tscm directed to attack truncal neoantigens in these tumors may provide […]
A Novel Approach to Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells
Research Objective The outcome is a therapeutic candidate ready for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies to target a central hub of stemness pathways of cancer stem cells (CSC) maintenance and self-renewal Impact To date, the majority of metastatic cancers remain incurable, because CSCs that can grow new tumors evades current therapy. The proposed studies aim […]
A Novel Approach to Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells
Research Objective The outcome is a therapeutic candidate ready for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies to target a central hub of stemness pathways of cancer stem cells (CSC) maintenance and self-renewal Impact To date, the majority of metastatic cancers remain incurable, because CSCs that can grow new tumors evades current therapy. The proposed studies aim […]
Targeted off-the-shelf immunotherapy to treat refractory cancers
Research Objective This project will use human pluripotent stem cells to produce a standardized, off-the-shelf immunotherapy using novel immune cells that are specifically targeted to cure otherwise lethal cancers. Impact Unlike current immunotherapies produced on a patient-specific basis, iPSC-derived immune cells are targeted to tumors with high specificity, no off-target effects and without need for […]
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 […]