Monthly Archives: January 2020

Immunology

The global plasma fractionation market was valued at $16,823 million in 2018, and is expected to reach $30,536 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of…

Global Plasma Fractionation Market by Product (Albumin, Immunoglobulins, and Coagulation Factor VIII), Application (Neurology, Hematology, Immunology, Critical Care and Others), End User (Hospitals, and Research Laboratories): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20182028

New York, Jan. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Plasma Fractionation Market by Product, Application, End User : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20182028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05836984/?utm_source=GNW

The global plasma fractionation market was valued at $16,823 million in 2018, and is expected to reach $30,536 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 6.1% from 2019 to 2026. Fractionation is a mechanical process carried out to separate a certain quantity of mixture. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood which is yellowish and holds blood cells. Plasma fractionation is carried out to separate high quality, proteinaceous products such as albumin, immunoglobulins, and others. These derived products are known as plasma derivatives obtained from fractionation. Moreover, these products are used in various medical fields such as in neurology, hematology, critical care, immunology, and others. For instance, in critical care, plasma is prescribed to prevent and stop bleeding. In addition, plasma products are widely used in clinical research laboratories and hospitals. The factors that boost the growth of the plasma fractionation market include surge in geriatric population across the globe, which is predisposed to various rare diseases that require the use of plasma derivatives. Moreover, rise in use of immunoglobulins and alpha-1-antitrypsin in areas of medicine worldwide also fuel the growth of the plasma fractionation market. Furthermore, surge in plasma collection centers worldwide is another major factor that contributes toward the growth of this market. In addition, favorable governmental support to spread awareness related to the use of plasma derived products also fuels the growth of the plasma fractionation market. However, high cost of plasma derived products restricts the growth of the market. Conversely, growth potential in emerging economies is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market growth during the forecast period. The global plasma fractionation market is segmented on the basis of product, application, end user, and region. On the basis of product, the market is divided into albumin, immunoglobulins, and coagulation factor VIII. Moreover, immunoglobulins are further divided into subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) and coagulation factor VIII. By application, the market is classified into neurology, hematology, immunology, critical care, and others. On the basis of end user, it is categorized into hospitals and clinical research laboratories. By country, it is analyzed across Russia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, China (Including Taiwan), India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, Argentina, Thailand, and Nigeria.

KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS This report entails a detailed quantitative analysis along with the current global plasma fractionation market trends from 2019 to 2026 to identify the prevailing opportunities along with the strategic assessment. The market size and estimations are based on a comprehensive analysis of key developments in the industry. A qualitative analysis based on innovative products facilitates strategic business planning. The development strategies adopted by the key market players are enlisted to understand the competitive scenario of the market

Key Market Segments By Product o Albumin o Immunoglobulins o Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) o Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) o Coagulation Factor By Application o Neurology o Hematology o Immunology o Critical Care o Others By End User o Hospitals o Clinical Research Laboratories By Country o Russia o Kazakhstan o Indonesia o China (Including Taiwan) o India o Saudi Arabia o Egypt o Vietnam o Argentina o Thailand o Nigeria o Rest of the World

List of key players profiled in the report: Grifols SA Baxter International Inc CSL LTD. Bio Product Laboratory Octapharma AG Sanquin Laboratoire Franais Du Fractionnement Et Des Kedrion Biotest Takeda Pharmaceuticals

LIST OF OTHER PLAYERS IN THE VALUE CHAIN (These players are not profiled in the report. The same will be included on request) LFB S.A. Shanghai RAAS Blood Products Co., Ltd.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05836984/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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Clare: clare@reportlinker.comUS: (339)-368-6001Intl: +1 339-368-6001

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The global plasma fractionation market was valued at $16,823 million in 2018, and is expected to reach $30,536 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of...

Immunology

Scientists Find Powerhouses That Fight Tumours From Within – New Vision

In recent years, doctors have turned to a new treatment for cancer, immunotherapy, which works by leveraging the body's immune system to fight tumours.

The new treatment for cancer, immunotherapy, works by leveraging the body's own immune system to fight tumours. Photo/AFP

In recent years, doctors have turned to a new treatment for cancer, immunotherapy, which works by leveraging the body's immune system to fight tumours.

HEALTH

Lurking deep inside some tumours are "factories" full of immune cells that help the body fight a rearguard action against cancer and are key to helping some patients recover, new research has shown.

In recent years, doctors have turned to a new treatment for cancer, immunotherapy, which works by leveraging the body's immune system to fight tumours.

The technique has largely focused on white blood cells called T-cells, which are "trained" to recognise and attack cancer cells.

But the innovative treatment only works well for around 20 percent of patients, and researchers have been trying to understand why some people respond better than others.

Three papers published on Thursday in the journal Nature point the way, identifying a key formation inside some tumours: tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS).

These structures function like "factories or schools" for immune cells that help the body fight cancer, said Wolf H. Fridman, a professor emeritus of immunology at the Cordeliers Research Centre of the Paris Descartes University medical school, who helped lead one of the studies.

"The cells need to be educated in schools, which are the tertiary lymphoid structures," where they effectively learn to recognise and attack cancer cells, Fridman told AFP.

- No longer 'innocent bystanders' -

Key to the findings is that T-cells are far from the only immune cells capable of taking the fight to cancer, with researchers finding the TLS were full of B-cells, a kind of immune cell that produces antibodies.

"We have been T-cell addicts for 15 years in cancer," Fridman said with a laugh.

"We analysed these sarcomas to see what groups they had and what's striking is that these B-cells appeared."

Beth Helmink, a fellow in surgical oncology at the University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center who worked on a second study, said the research changed perceptions of the role of B-cells in immunotherapy.

"Through these studies, we find that B-cells are not just innocent bystanders, but are themselves contributing in a meaningful way to the anti-tumour immune response," she said in a statement issued by the Center.

The discovery is something of a surprise, as an abundance of B-cells in cancer patients has sometimes been seen as a marker for poor prognosis.

But the studies found that patients with high levels of B-cells inside TLS in their tumours were more likely to respond well to immunotherapy.

"This series of studies are exciting because they represent real progress in the treatment of different types of cancer," said Louisa James, a lecturer in immunology at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.

"In the short term, these results provide a new tool to help predict which patients are likely to benefit from treatment with immunotherapy and may also pave the way for improved treatments in the future," added James, who was not involved in the studies.

Improving cancer treatment

There are still many unanswered questions, including why the structures form in some tumours and not others.

And while it now seems clear that B-cells inside the structures play a key role in the success of immunotherapy, scientists are not sure precisely how.

It may be that the B-cells are on the frontlines, producing antibodies that attack cancer cells efficiently.

Or they may be bolstering T-cells, or perhaps doing both.

And not all TLS are created equal: the researchers found three categories, but only one type was "mature" enough to churn out cancer-fighting immune cells.

The research opens several promising avenues, the authors said.

Initially, it could help doctors screen patients to see which are most likely to respond well to immunotherapy.

And eventually, the research could mean more patients are successfully treated with the technique, said Goran Jonsson, a professor of oncology and pathology at Lund University in Sweden who worked on a third study.

"If we come up with a treatment that could enhance TLS formation, we could combine this with current immunotherapy regimens," he told AFP.

"Most likely this would lead to more patients responding to immunotherapy."

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Scientists Find Powerhouses That Fight Tumours From Within - New Vision

Immunology

Board of Trustees to be created at RSPC for pediatric oncology, hematology and immunology – TVR

The Board of Trustees will monitor the development of the center: it will coordinate the work of the business and the healthcare system and will inform the population. Natalia Kochanova expressed her wish for all the senators to be involved. The chairwoman of the Upper House visited young patients and held a round table discussion on the implementation of the pilot project, housing construction for employees, improving the working conditions of young specialists with the representatives of the Ministry of Health.

Vladimir Karanik, Minister of Health of Belarus: "We are in the top twenty countries in the cure rate of the children in the world. In general, 75% of childrens oncology diseases are cured. This figure has not reached 100 percent, but we will continue to work to improve the results."

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Board of Trustees to be created at RSPC for pediatric oncology, hematology and immunology - TVR

Immunology

Probiotics: Don’t Buy the Online Hype – HealthDay

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Many people turn to the internet with health questions, but how reliable is the information you find? When it comes to probiotics, a new study urges caution.

The research found that of 150 websites that came up with a search of probiotics, most were commercial sites, hoping to sell a product. Others were news sites or health portals (providing links to other sites). Many of these sites mentioned potential benefits of probiotics, though not all had scientific evidence to back up those claims. And just 1 in 4 of the websites mentioned any potential side effects from taking probiotics.

"This study demonstrates that a number of online claims on the health benefits of probiotics are not supported by scientific evidence," said study co-author Dr. Michel Goldman, a professor of immunology at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium.

Probiotics are "good" bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods and in dietary supplements, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Some of these bacteria are also found naturally in the human body. They may help digest food, fight germs that can cause disease, or produce vitamins.

"Probiotics can clearly be helpful in the management of infectious diarrhea, in pregnant women with gestational diabetes, and as an adjunct to food allergy desensitization therapy," Goldman said. He added that probiotics might also be helpful for the skin condition eczema and for some urinary or genital infections in women.

But his team saw some broad claims online about probiotics' benefits, such as being beneficial in treating cancer. There's no scientific evidence to support those claims.

For the study, Goldman and his colleagues looked at the first 150 pages brought up by Google in response to a search for "probiotics." They reviewed the information on these pages for reliability and searched a large database of clinical trials for evidence supporting those claims.

One bright spot was that Google appears to prioritize more reliable sources of information over commercial websites.

Still, consumers should be wary of health information they get online.

"Consumers should look whether there is scientific information published in peer-reviewed medical journals supporting claims to probiotics and over-the-counter health products that are not regulated as rigorously as prescription drugs. They should discuss with their doctors, the benefits they can expect from probiotics," Goldman said.

Dr. Melinda Ring, executive director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, said she wasn't surprised by the findings.

"This is a big problem in the natural product and dietary supplement area. There's a preponderance of less reputable information from sales and commercial sources," said Ring, who wasn't part of the research.

"People really need to look at the claims websites are making. Are they promising unrealistic cures? Are they referencing scientific data?" she said.

One area where probiotics may be helpful is in maintaining the body's natural balance of beneficial bacteria -- the gut microbiome. "We know the human microbiome is incredibly important to our health and the development of disease, but we're just in the infancy of understanding how to manipulate the microbiome," Ring said.

If you're interested in improving your gut's microbiome, the first place to start is improving your diet, because what you eat is also food for your microbiome, Ring said. Focus on vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

A number of foods have probiotics, such as yogurt and fermented foods. But sometimes the probiotics that occur naturally in foods can be destroyed by processing and preserving. Ring recommended looking for "live cultures" on the packaging.

If you take probiotic supplements, she suggested sticking with reputable brands, and perhaps taking more than one product to make sure you're getting a diversity of probiotics.

Andrea Wong is senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), which represents the supplement industry. She said that research demonstrates that probiotics are safe and have health benefits.

"When it comes to reliable information on probiotics and other dietary supplements, doctors and other health care practitioners are the most trusted sources. CRN encourages consumers to be smart shoppers and do their due diligence when looking for dietary supplement information," Wong said.

The findings were published Jan. 15 in Frontiers in Medicine.

More information

Learn more about probiotics from the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

SOURCES: Michel Goldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor, immunology, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, and co-director, 13th Institute, Belgium; Melinda Ring, M.D., executive director, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago; Andrea Wong, Ph.D., senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition; Jan. 15, 2020, Frontiers in Medicine

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Probiotics: Don't Buy the Online Hype - HealthDay

Immunology

Lucid Group expands its presence in the north-west with six new hires – PMLiVE

Healthcare 21, a Lucid Group company, continues to strengthen its editorial and medical writing team with six new additions to its Macclesfield office.

Rosanna Farrell joins HealthCare 21 as a Senior Editorial Assistant. Rosanna has 7 years experience in editorial, working with TimeOut London, The Big Issue and The London 2012 Olympics programmes.

Becca Winkle joins HealthCare 21 as an Editorial Assistant. Becca has an MA in English Literary Studies, English Literature and Literary Theory as well as previous teaching and editorial experience. Becca comments I became interested in MedComms because, as someone with a passion for English Language and Literature, I recognise the importance of the style and functionality of language when conveying information about complex subjects or issues. As an Editorial Assistant at HealthCare21, Im excited to be part of a process that ultimately leads to a better experience for healthcare professionals and patients receiving care.

Alex Nicholson joins HealthCare 21 as an Editorial Assistant. Alex has a degree in English and French and a PGCE in Modern Languages and he is currently studying for his StEP Proofreading 2: Headway. Alex previously worked as a freelance transcriber for a document service company and runs a blog on popular culture, sport and current affairs.

Nicole Scullion joins HealthCare 21 as a Trainee Medical Writer. Nicole has an MRes in Biomedical Sciences and Translation Medicine from the University of Liverpool where she focussed on cancer biology and the response of uveal melanoma.

Sophie Day also joins HealthCare 21 as a Trainee Medical Writer. Sophie has a BSc in Biology from the University of Manchester where she completed her dissertation in Science Media and Communication.

Areeba Ali joins HC21 as a trainee medical writer. Originally from Ireland she moved to Manchester to pursue a Masters in Clinical Immunology. Areeba comments, Im very excited to be joining such a people-centric organisation with such a focus on transforming patients lives.

If you are interested in being part of something magical, get in touch.

Contact Dan Newbury, Talent Acquisition ManagerEmail: Daniel@lucid-group.co.ukTel: 01494 755495

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Lucid Group expands its presence in the north-west with six new hires - PMLiVE

Immunology

CIMZIA approved for use by Health Canada – Spinal News International

Syringe with Certolizumab pegol

UCB Canada has announced that CIMZIA (certolizumab pegol) for the treatment of adults with severe active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), has been approved for use by Health Canada.

The treatment is targeted at adults with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Health Canadas approval is based on data from C-AXSPAND5, a Phase 3, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled 52-week study that randomised 317 adult patients to receive either CIMZIA or placebo plus common background medications, which included NSAIDs, corticosteroids, analgesics and slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs. The study met its primary endpoint, with 47.2% of patients treated with CIMZIA demonstrating major improvement response in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS-MI) at week 52, compared to 7.0% of patients treated with placebo. Detailed findings from the study were published online in Arthritis & Rheumatology in March 2019.

Were pleased to see this important advance for the spondyloarthritis community. Greater awareness, earlier diagnosis and more treatment options will help deliver better outcomes for Canadians living with this painful disease which often falls through the cracks, and carries with it a significant burden, said Gerald Major, president, Canadian Spondylitis Association.

The approval marks the fifth indication for CIMZIA, which is the only Fc-free, PEGylated anti-TNF option available for the treatment of the disease where significant unmet need currently exists, UCB said in a press release.

The journey patients face from symptom onset to diagnosis and receiving appropriate treatment can be extremely lengthysometimes up to 10 years. So having a new and effective option for nr-axSpA is welcome news, both for those suffering and their physicians who are seeking a proven treatment to reduce the severe pain, stiffness, and other burdensome symptoms of the disease, said Walter Maksymowych, professor and medical scientist in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada).

The approval of CIMZIA for nr-axSpA is an important treatment advance which builds on more than a decade of market experience and proven efficacy and safety, said Lionel Houle, head of immunology, UCB Canada.

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CIMZIA approved for use by Health Canada - Spinal News International

Immunology

JPM, Day 3: AbbVie duo’s $20B ambitions, GSK and Pfizer’s what-next moment and Amarin’s clear runway – FiercePharma

We're not gonna lieWednesdays at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference feel a bit anticlimactic. Two days of meetings, presentations, panels and cocktail hours are past, and we can see the end in sight.

But that doesn't mean the action has come to a halt. Indeed, we picked up some unprecedented talk from AbbVie CEO Rick Gonzalez first thing Wednesday morning, and by day's end had heard some even bigger numbers from a GlaxoSmithKline vaccines exec.

Now, our JPM on-site team is dispersing, recapping and digging through notebooks for quotes that captured the whirlwind conference-in-progress. Here's what we heardand what we're thinkingafter Day 3.

Artificial Intelligence in the Pharma Industry

How far has the adoption of AI technology come in Life Sciences? Share your thoughts in this brief, 8-minute survey. Let your voice be heard.

Missed our previous roundups? Here areDay 1 and Day 2. And check out our collectedJPM coverage: FierceBiotech's here and FiercePharma's here.

GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer seem to have contradictory visions for their consumer health joint venture. During a Tuesday presentation, Pfizer chief Albert Bourla said he believes the JV is heading toward an IPO within three to four years in a move that provides the New York pharma a clear exit strategy. Maybe not, GSKs chief strategy officer David Redfern saidin an interview with Bloomberg the following day. "And its entirely our decision, Redfern said. Story

At Wednesdays first presentation, AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez talked up the potential of two thedrugmakersnew immunology launchesSkyriziandRinvoq. While only approved in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis right now, respectively, Gonzalez said he expects the meds to pick up newindications toeventually match or best Humira, AbbVies almost-$20 billionmegablockbuster. If pricing holds steady, he could envision the meds reaching $20 billion in sales or more, easily picking up where Humira leaves off as biosimilars enter the U.S.in 2023. Story

GSKsShingrixgenerated blockbuster sales quickly after its launch, but numberstouted by thedrugmakerthis weekshow the size of the remaining opportunityand how much supply constraints have held the rollout back.The company figures a massive 115 million people in the U.S. alone would be eligible for Shingrix,GSKs vaccines presidentRoger Connor toldFiercePharma at JPM. The company'slooking everywhere to increase capacity, but its started to hit a bottleneck," with true relief several years away. Story

Amarin's been revving up for Vascepa's big CVlaunch in the U.S., and now thatAstraZenecas Epanova flopped a major trial, its field is clear of competitors. In Europe, Vascepa is still awaiting its regulatory review for CV risk reduction, but that hasn't stoppedother drugmakers from sniffing around for possible licensing opportunities, CEO John Thero told investors Wednesday. Not interested, Thero saidat least not yet. Amarin sees more value in waiting out the regulatory process before considering a deal. Its still a bit premature to get too far along in these conversations as we think the value will increase as the regulatory process proceeds in Europe, he said. Story

MichaelGoettler, CEO-to-be of the newViatris, said the combination of Mylan and Upjohn will have global scale and geographic reach, and will be a partner of choice for midsizeddrugmakersseeking to reach new markets. The combination makes sense because together the companies will have a sustainable and diverse portfolio,plusstrong commercial capabilities and financialperformance,Goettlersaid.

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JPM, Day 3: AbbVie duo's $20B ambitions, GSK and Pfizer's what-next moment and Amarin's clear runway - FiercePharma

Cell Biology

Correlative three-dimensional super-resolution and block-face electron microscopy of whole vitreously frozen cells – Science Magazine

David P. Hoffman

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Gleb Shtengel

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

C. Shan Xu

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Kirby R. Campbell

Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.

Melanie Freeman

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Lei Wang

Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Daniel E. Milkie

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

H. Amalia Pasolli

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Nirmala Iyer

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

John A. Bogovic

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Daniel R. Stabley

Neuroimaging Laboratory, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.

Abbas Shirinifard

Bioimage Analysis Core, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.

Song Pang

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

David Peale

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Kathy Schaefer

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Wim Pomp

Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Chi-Lun Chang

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

Tom Kirchhausen

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

David J. Solecki

Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.

Eric Betzig

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.

Harald F. Hess

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.

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Correlative three-dimensional super-resolution and block-face electron microscopy of whole vitreously frozen cells - Science Magazine

Cell Biology

Good night’s sleep has power to turn back clock, and study could ‘unlock mysteries of ageing’ – inews

NewsScienceNow, academics have explained for the first time the mystery of why it is so replenishing to be out like a light

Wednesday, 15th January 2020, 9:39 pm

Biologists at the University of Manchester have studied mice to show how the diurnal rhythm, or body clock, can boost the ability to maintain important cell structures during the day. It is hoped the study could one day help unlock some of the mysteries of ageing.

Professor Karl Kadler, lead author of a report published in Nature Cell Biology, said: Knowing this could have implications on understanding our biology at its most fundamental level. It might give us some deeper insight into how wounds heal, or how we age.

Turning back the clock

The universitys discovery throws a light on the bodys extracellular matrix, which provides structural and biochemical support to cells in the form of connective tissue such as bone, skin, tendon and cartilage.

The researchers have discovered the body has two types of fibrils rope-like structures of collagen that are woven by the cells to form tissues.

Thicker fibrils are permanent and stay with us throughout our lives, unchanged from the age of 17. But thinner fibrils break as the body is subjected to the rigours of the day and replenishing when we get a good rest at night.

Its intuitive to think our matrix should be worn down by wear and tear, but it isnt and now we know why. Our body clock makes an element which can be replenished, Professor Kadler said.

Sleep patterns

Researchers at the same university found last year that blue light might not be as disruptive to sleep patterns as previously thought and using cooler lighting in the evening and bright warmer lights in the day may be more beneficial.

Collagen provides the body with structure and is our most abundant protein, ensuring the integrity, elasticity and strength of the bodys connective tissue, Professor Kadler said.

Its intuitive to think our matrix should be worn down by wear and tear, but it isnt and now we know why. Our body clock makes an element which can be replenished.

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Good night's sleep has power to turn back clock, and study could 'unlock mysteries of ageing' - inews

Cell Biology

Why stem cells could be the medical innovation of the century – World Economic Forum

Right now, your bodys stem cells are working hard replacing your skin every two weeks, creating new red and white blood cells and completing thousands of other tasks essential to life. They are your own personalized fountain of youth.

Scientists generally agree that a stem cell should be able to do both of the following:

One theory of ageing suggests that between the ages of 30 and 50, our stem cells reach a turning point and start to decline in number and function. This results in the typical features associated with ageing.

There does not seem to be a single discoverer of stem cells. Accounts date back to the 1800s and even further, but the first successful medical procedure was a bone marrow transfusion in 1939. Advances in immunology led to donor matching, initially via siblings and close relatives. Unrelated donor matching flourished in the 1970s, alongside donor registries.

In the 1980s, scientists identified embryonic stem cells in mice, leading to the 1997 cloning of Dolly the Sheep. This created immense interest for human and medical applications and a backlash in the US as federal R&D funding was essentially halted in 2001.

In 2012, a Nobel Prize was awarded for the earlier discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). Essentially, they return potency and self-renewal properties to mature non-stem cells, essentially making them act like stem cells again.

In the decade between 2010 and 2019, the first wave of stem cell start-ups emerged, alongside R&D programmes at many large pharmaceutical companies, leading to innovation and the first human clinical trials for iPS and other related therapies.

According to Q3 2019 data from the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, there are 959 regenerative medicine companies worldwide sponsoring 1,052 active clinical trials; 525 of these companies are in North America, 233 in Europe and Israel, and 166 in Asia. In aggregate, $7.4 billion has been invested in regenerative medicine companies in 2019; $5.6 billion of which has been dedicated to gene and gene-modified cell therapy, $3.3 billion in cell therapy, and $114 million in tissue engineering.

Overview of the cancer stem cells market

Perhaps most excitingly, curative therapies are hitting the market and the results are astonishing: 60% of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia patients taking Novartis Kymirah showed a complete response (no traces of cancer) and were declared in full remission. Meanwhile, 75% of patients with Transfusion-Dependent -Thalassaemia treated with bluebird bios Zynteglo achieved independence from transfusions. Perhaps most astonishingly, 93% of spinal muscular atrophy patients treated with Novartis Zolgensma were alive without permanent ventilation 24 months after treatment. We should expect more medical breakthroughs in the coming years.

New science, new start-ups: several companies in the sector have gone public or been acquired. These exits led to the recycling of talent and capital into new companies. Because the science and commercial systems have also advanced, the companies in the next wave are pursuing bigger challenges, driving innovation, with even greater resources.

Patients are eager: the current market for stem cell therapies is growing at 36% per year, though it will rapidly expand when a breakthrough occurs toward the treatment of a non-communicable disease (such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease) or a lifestyle factor (for example, growing hair in the correct places, expanding cognitive abilities or increasing healthy lifespan).

New R&D models: funding is flowing into the sector from large companies, VC funds, and institutions such as the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and New York State Stem Cell Science programme (NYSTEM). Some of the leading university R&D platforms include the Center for the Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine in Toronto, the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, the Oxford Stem Cell Institute, and most notably, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI).

Founded in 2004, HSCI has established a phenomenal track record. It provided the first $200,000 in funding to Derrick Rossis lab, which inspired the largest biotech IPO to date. HSCI scientists were also co-founders or principals in the three most prominent gene-editing companies (CRISPR Tx, Intellia and Editas), the combined $1.55-billion True North/iPierian acquisitions and the recent $950-million acquisition of Semma Tx, Frequency Tx, Fate Tx, Epizyme Inc., and Magenta Tx.

For the casual investor, Evercore ISI is building a Regenerative Medicine Index, which may be the simplest way to build a portfolio. For institutions and those with deeper pockets, regenerative medicine funds are forming, including the Boston-centric Hexagon Regenerative Medicine Fund, which aims to create companies out of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

Caveat emptor. Though patients needs are immediate, those seeking treatments should think very carefully about the risks. There are many dubious clinics touting expensive stem cell treatments and some patients have experienced horrifying complications. Dr. Paul Knoepfler of UC-Davis has written a practical and scientifically accurate guide, a strongly recommended read if you or a family member are considering treatment or a clinical trial.

The leading causes of death in 1900 were mostly infectious/communicable diseases. While the prevalence of most causes has diminished, the largest increases include heart disease (+40%) and cancer (+300%). Granted, this is partly due to doubling life expectancy and a lack of death from other causes. However, given time and resources, scientists and physicians may cure these challenging diseases.

Total disease burden by disease or injury

Today, six of the seven leading causes of death are non-communicable diseases (heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, cancer, Alzheimers disease and diabetes). Based on the early promise mentioned above, regenerative medicine may be our best hope to solve the great non-communicable diseases of our time, and perhaps the single most transformative medical innovation in a century.

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Why stem cells could be the medical innovation of the century - World Economic Forum