HIV Vector Licks Leukemia

Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News ^ | Dec 10, 2012 | NA

[Slyfox]

What a wonderful day for the memory of Janis Babson

[Gene Eric]

>> to produce cytokines that trigger other T cells to multiply until all target cells in the tumor are destroyed.

The perfect cytokine storm...

>> using a HIV-derived lentivirus vector.

Lentivirus: any of a group of retroviruses producing illnesses characterized by a delay in the onset of symptoms after infection. /oxford

[southland]

bookmark

[KarlInOhio]

This looks like the same story XKCD had a little fun with last year.

[neverdem]

The technique employs a disabled form of HIV because it is very good at carrying genetic material into T-cells. The new genes program the T-cells to attack B-cells, a normal part of the immune system that turns malignant in leukemia.

The Globe and Mail reposted this NY Times story. I wanted to know how they disabled HIV. HIV and CD-19 and leukemia got nothing at PubMed.

Attenuated HIV and disabled HIV was just as useless as an effective search strategy.

[Irish Eyes]

Have a lot of questions about this one.

[Smokin' Joe]

Ultimately, the modified T-cell treatment eradicated large amounts of tumors in these patients, as well as normal B cells used by the body's immune system to fight infection. Patients were given regular gamma globulin treatments as a preventive measure.

Ohhhh kay.

If the immune system is wiped out by the modified T-cells, doesn't that leave the patient with an acquired immunodeficiency?

How is that addressed over the long term?

Or have they just not got that far...

[Smokin' Joe]

Ping... (Thanks, neverdem!)

[Smokin' Joe]

Ping... (Thanks, neverdem!)

[redgolum]

Hmm...

Something smells bad.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

**************************************EXCERPTS**************************************

Each of these patients developed a cytokine release syndrome—marked by fever, nausea, hypoxia, and low blood pressure—which doctors treated with tocilizumab.

********************************************************

and

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..... as well as normal B cells used by the body's immune system to fight infection. Patients were given regular gamma globulin treatments as a preventive measure.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the linked article:

**************************************EXCERPT*****************************************

A major drug company, Novartis, is betting on the Pennsylvania team and has committed $20-million to building a research centre on the university’s campus to bring the treatment to market.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Why?

[Smokin' Joe]

What I am asking is: Does the Gamma Globulin treatment restore (or does the body recover) B cell production/levels, or does the change persist?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here is the snippet I am looking for.....

************************************EXCERPT******************************************

Researchers say the same approach, reprogramming the patient’s immune system, may also be used eventually against tumours like breast and prostate cancer.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Oh,...damn good question.

[Jewbacca]

Mrs. (Dr.) Jewbacca always has told me that the true secret to all cancers is getting the body to attack the cancer cells.

This is both “hugh” and “series.”

Unfortunate that it is a “T-Virus.” Sounds like that movie where everyone turns into zombies.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Novartis: Broad healthcare portfolio for changing patient needs

www.novartis.com/Cached - Similar

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[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Novartis may be a company to watch.....some news:

Novartis to start construction of new biotechnology facility in Singapore with an investment of over USD 500 million