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Researchers have submitted a patent application for a method to generate genetically modified natural killer (NK) cells for cancer therapy. The method involves enriching NK cells from a sample, introducing genetic modifiers through electroporation and transduction, and expanding the modified NK cells. This approach aims to enhance the therapeutic potential of NK cells in clinical applications by introducing transgenes into their genome. The patent application highlights the importance of optimizing the timing and methods of genetic modification to improve the efficiency and functionality of gene-modified NK cells. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center examined the impact of patient distance from the center on outcomes and costs for individuals undergoing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for B-Cell Lymphoma. The study found that longer distances from CAR-T centers may be associated with inferior infection and survival outcomes. Patients who lived more than 90 miles from the center experienced higher non-relapsed mortality and infection-related deaths. The research suggests the need for future multicenter studies to address barriers to access and supportive care for patients undergoing CAR-T therapy. [Extracted from the article]

The research from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel focuses on using single-cell analysis to predict outcomes of CAR-T cell therapy in patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. By analyzing peripheral blood samples, researchers identified specific cellular and molecular features associated with treatment response. The study found that patients with high B-cells in their blood at the time of leukapheresis achieved complete remission, while non-responders showed enrichment of specific myeloid cell populations. The findings suggest potential biomarkers for predicting treatment response and improving personalized therapy for high-risk patients. [Extracted from the article]

Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC has been issued a patent for an apparatus for fluid line management in a bioprocessing system. The invention relates to the production of cellular immunotherapies, specifically chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. The system aims to reduce contamination risk by increasing automation and decreasing human handling, while also providing flexibility and consistency in volume production. The patent describes the components and features of the system, including a tray, pump assembly, pinch valve array, and tubing module. [Extracted from the article]

The patent application titled "Expedited Administration of Engineered Lymphocytes" outlines a method for manufacturing and administering engineered lymphocytes to treat cancer. The process involves obtaining lymphocytes from a patient, modifying them with a polynucleotide vector, culturing the modified lymphocytes, and reintroducing them into the patient within 28 days. This method aims to reduce the risk of thrombocytopenia and has shown promising response rates. Additionally, the application discusses methods for predicting treatment outcomes and the likelihood of thrombocytopenia in patients receiving immunotherapy. The patent application specifically focuses on preventing and reducing thrombocytopenia in patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis investigated the impact of bridging therapy (BT) on the outcome of patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma who received antilymphoma treatment between leukapheresis and axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) infusion. The study analyzed data from the multicenter US Lymphoma CAR-T Consortium and found that patients who received BT had similar outcomes to those who did not receive BT in terms of overall response rate, complete response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The study also found that radiation-based BT did not provide clear advantages over nonradiation-based BT. These findings suggest that BT may be safe without significantly impacting long-term survival for patients who require disease stabilization during the manufacturing period. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued for a bioprocessing system and methods for the production of cellular immunotherapies. The system aims to reduce contamination risk by increasing automation and decreasing human handling. It consists of three modules: one for enriching and isolating cells, one for activating and genetically modifying the cells, and one for harvesting the expanded cells. The system allows for parallel and asynchronous processing of multiple populations of cells and is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different customer processes. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted in Milan, Italy, has found that CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy can induce durable remissions in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphomas (R/R LBCL), but 60% of patients do not respond or relapse. The researchers performed transcriptomic and functional evaluations of leukapheresis products in 95 R/R LBCL patients and identified a signature composed of 4 myeloid genes expressed by T cells isolated from leukapheresis products that can predict patients with a very short progression-free survival. The study also found that high circulating absolute monocyte counts at the time of leukapheresis negatively influenced response and progression-free survival. This research highlights the need to incorporate monocyte depletion strategies for better CAR T production and could be used to plan trials evaluating CAR T cells versus other novel treatments or allogeneic CAR T cells. [Extracted from the article]

A patent application titled "Methods Of Making Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Cells" has been published online. The application describes methods for producing immune effector cells, such as T cells, that can be engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The methods involve using techniques like elutriation or density gradient centrifugation to purify the desired immune effector cells and remove impurities. These methods aim to simplify the manufacturing process, improve the quality of the final product, and enhance the effectiveness of CAR-expressing cell therapy products. The application suggests that this method could have potential applications in cancer treatment and gene therapy. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center examined the impact of the time from referral to treatment on outcomes and cost for patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for B-cell lymphoma. The study found that the time from referral to CAR-T infusion was longer than expected but did not affect survival outcomes. However, the cost of therapies prior to CAR-T was high, highlighting the need to minimize logistical barriers to reduce costs and improve patient quality of life. The researchers recommend further multicenter studies to better understand the impact of time from referral to treatment on costs, outcomes, and quality of life. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Tel Aviv University in Israel has found that point-of-care anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy has shown high response rates in adults with relapsed/refractory acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). The study involved a phase 1b/2 clinical trial with 28 patients, and the results showed an overall response rate of 88% at one month. The therapy was well-tolerated, with manageable side effects. The researchers concluded that point-of-care CAR T-cell therapy can be an effective treatment option for adults with R/R B-ALL, offering high response and survival rates comparable to FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from Vanderbilt University Medical Center discusses the use and impact of post-referral and bridging therapy on outcomes in patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell lymphoma. The study analyzed data from 60 patients who received commercial CAR-T cell therapy at the medical center. The researchers found that the use of post-referral therapy did not affect the 30-day complete remission rate, but patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy as their first post-referral therapy had higher odds of achieving complete remission. Further research is needed to explore this trend and determine optimal treatment choices. [Extracted from the article]