Therapeutic/Technology: Gene Therapy (All)
Pre-clinical development of gene correction therapy of hematopoietic stem cells for SCID-X1
Severe combined immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the IL2RG gene on the x-chromosome (SCID-X1 or “bubble boy disease”) is a devastating genetic disease that results in boys not being able to form an immune system. If they are exposed to the environment for even a short period of time they can get infections that a […]
A Phase I, Open-Label Study To Assess The Safety, Feasibility and Engraftment of Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFN) CCR5 Modified Autologous CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells (SB-728MR-HSPC) with Escalating Doses of Busulfan In HIV-1 (R5) Infected Sub…
The HIV-1 virus enters cells by binding to a protein called CCR5 on the cell surface. A naturally occurring mutation in CCR5, CCR5d32, has been shown to provide protection from HIV-1 infection and AIDS. All individuals carry two copies of the CCR5 gene, and those with both copies of CCR5 mutated are highly resistant to […]
Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD)results from an inherited mutation in the hemoglobin gene that causes red blood cells to “sickle” under conditions of low oxygen. It occurs with a frequency of 1/500 African-Americans, and is also common in Hispanic-Americans, who comprise up to 5% of SCD patients in California. The median survival based on 1991 national […]
A Treatment For Beta-thalassemia via High-Efficiency Targeted Genome Editing of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
β-thalassemia is a genetic disease caused by diverse mutations of the β-globin gene that lead to profoundly reduced red blood cell (RBC) development. The unmet medical need in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia is significant, with life expectancy of only ~30-50 years despite standard of care treatment of chronic blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Cardiomyopathy due to […]
Stem Cell Programming With Chimeric Antigen Receptors to Eradicate HIV Infection
The AIDS virus infects and destroys cells of the immune system such that the bodies of infected individuals cannot fight infections or some cancers. If untreated HIV infection leads to death. Current therapies to stop virus replication in the body are expensive and can have side effects. They also do not eliminate the virus from […]
Gene therapy-corrected autologous hepatocyte-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of pediatric single enzyme disorders
Liver transplantation (LT) has been used to treat a variety of liver diseases. Within hours after birth, neonates can present with disorders of the urea cycle (UCDs), the critical metabolic liver pathway needed to detoxify waste nitrogen from the diet and cellular turnover. The overall incidence of UCDs is estimated to be 1 in 8200 […]
Beta-Globin Gene Correction of Sickle Cell Disease in Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Disorders affecting the blood, including Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), are the most common genetic disorders in the world. SCD causes significant suffering and early death, despite major improvements in medical management and advances in understanding the complex disease-related biology. A bone marrow transplant (BMT) can greatly benefit patients with SCD, by providing a life-long source […]
Development of a cell and gene based therapy for hemophilia
Hemophilia B is a bleeding disorder caused by the lack of FIX in the plasma and affects 1/30,000 males. Patients suffer from recurrent bleeds in soft tissues leading to physical disability in addition to life threatening bleeds. Current treatment (based on FIX infusion) is transient and plagued by increased risk for blood-borne infections (HCV, HIV), […]
Programming Human ESC-derived Neural Stem Cells with MEF2C for Transplantation in Stroke
The goal of this project is to produce a stem cell-based therapy for stroke (also known as an ischemic cerebral infarct). Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the USA, and a leading cause of disability among adults. Currently, there are no effective treatments once a stroke has occurred (termed completed stroke). In […]
Programming Human ESC-derived Neural Stem Cells with MEF2C for Transplantation in Stroke
The goal of this project is to produce a stem cell-based therapy for stroke (also known as an ischemic cerebral infarct). Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the USA, and a leading cause of disability among adults. Currently, there are no effective treatments once a stroke has occurred (termed completed stroke). In […]