Human Stem Cell Use: Adult or Tissue Stem Cell
Preclinical Development of An HSC-Engineered Off-The-Shelf iNKT Cell Therapy for Cancer
Research Objective The expected outcome is a therapeutic candidate, allogeneic HSC-engineered HLA-I/II-negative human iNKT cells, that can potentially be used as an off-the-shelf cellular therapy for treating cancer. Impact The proposed off-the-shelf HSC-engineered iNKT therapy has the potential to become a general cancer immunotherapy for treating multiple cancers and a large population of cancer patients. […]
Genetically Modified Hematopoietic Stem Cells for the Treatment of Danon Disease
Research Objective We propose to discover a novel, genetically modified hematopoietic stem cell based treatment for Danon disease, a rare lysosomal storage disease that affects the heart. Impact As the only existing treatment for Danon disease is cardiac transplant, this therapy would significantly meet an unmet need. It also may help many other similar diseases. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Generation and in vitro profiling of neural stem cell lines to predict in vivo efficacy for chronic cervical spinal cord injury.
Research Objective This project generates new cGMP compliant tissue educated human neural stem cell lines, paired with in vivo pre-clinical proof of concept testing, and development of a predictive in vitro profile. Impact Identification of new cell lines with in vivo efficacy testing to enable efficient translation to chronic cervical spinal cord injury, an area […]
Engineering Lifelong Cellular Immunity to HIV
Research Objective We aim to uncover a therapeutic approach to attempt to treat and potentially cure HIV infection using gene modified blood forming stem cells to enhance the immune response against HIV. Impact The study will allow a potentially curative treatment for HIV infection, which currently doesn’t exist. This will eliminate the need to administer […]
Stimulating endogenous muscle stem cells to counter muscle atrophy
Research Objective Intramuscular delivery of two repurposed FDA approved drugs will activate resident muscle stem cells. This therapeutic strategy will augment regeneration and restore strength to atrophied muscles. Impact Currently effective treatments are lacking for localized muscle atrophy due to nerve injury (eg., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) or immobilization after trauma or surgery (eg., hip or […]
Genome Editing of Sinusoidal Endothelial Stem Cells for Permanent Correction of Hemophilia A
Research Objective Therapeutic candidate to cure hemophilia A is AAV-based genome editing vector that corrects the disease-causing mutation in the factor VIII gene in patient stem cells to develop a permanent cure. Impact Permanent correction of hemophilia A by editing mutations in the FVIII gene in stem cells. Develop a precise and efficient non-nuclease genome […]
Immunization strategies to prevent Zika viral congenital eye and brain disease
Research Objective Our objective is to utilize human iPSC-derived neural and ocular cells to identify growth attenuated and non-pathogenic Zika virus vaccine candidates that can prevent congenital ZIKV disease. Impact Currently, there are no therapies or vaccines available against ZIKV for human use. The human iPSC technology provides a unique opportunity to test the growth […]
Targeted Gene Editing in the Treatment of X-Linked Hyper-IgM Syndrome
Research Objective We are seeking to develop site-specific hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy with autologous transplant as a definitive treatment option for X-linked Hyper-IgM Syndrome. Impact These studies would bring stem cell gene therapy for X-HIGM closer to the clinic, as there are currently no options for those without an HLA match or with infections […]