I just noticed this press release in the Beacon's press release section:
"MolMed And Genenta Science Sign A Collaboration Agreement In The Field Of Gene Therapy For The Treatment Of Tumors," MolMed press release, March 21, 2016
Excerpt:
MolMed S.p.A. (MLM.MI) and Genenta Science (Genenta) signed an agreement on a multi-year cooperation to develop and manufacture a gene therapy product for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
In accordance to this agreement, MolMed will develop and validate the manufacturing and analytical methods of the Genenta product that constitute part of the preparatory activities to enter in the clinical trials. Furthermore, MolMed will support Genenta to file the application dossier required for the authorisation to proceed with trials.
I was wondering if anyone knows anything more about the treatment.
From the little bit of searching that I've done, it looks like it may be some sort of CAR T-cell therapy. But, honestly, I've done only a tiny amount of searching related to the therapy.
Thanks!
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Re: MolMed / Genenta multiple myeloma gene therapy
Hello Cheryl:
Here is a link to a study led by Dr. Ivan Borello out of John Hopkins marrow infiltrating lymphocytes.
K Noonan et al, "Activated marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes effectively target plasma cells and their clonogenic precursors," Cancer Research, 2005 (full text of article)
I believe Dr. Borello is doing this therapy at present post autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), but down the road, in the future, he thought that it could be done outside of the context of an ASCT.
Based on the Beacon article, the Molmed development seems to be related to, but maybe not the same, as the approach used at Hopkins.
Have a great day.
Here is a link to a study led by Dr. Ivan Borello out of John Hopkins marrow infiltrating lymphocytes.
K Noonan et al, "Activated marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes effectively target plasma cells and their clonogenic precursors," Cancer Research, 2005 (full text of article)
I believe Dr. Borello is doing this therapy at present post autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), but down the road, in the future, he thought that it could be done outside of the context of an ASCT.
Based on the Beacon article, the Molmed development seems to be related to, but maybe not the same, as the approach used at Hopkins.
Have a great day.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: MolMed / Genenta multiple myeloma gene therapy
Thanks JPC. I'll look at the article by Dr. Borrello and his colleagues. I didn't think it's the same technology as is being used by the Italian companies, but I may be missing something.
I looked closer at the press release, and it appears that the technology relies on genetically reprogramming selected white cells so that they produce interferon alpha, but they deliver the interferon alpha more selectively to tumor cells, rather than all body cells.
The technology creates "tumor-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages to selectively express interferon-α limited to the tumor area, thus reducing its toxicity".
I looked closer at the press release, and it appears that the technology relies on genetically reprogramming selected white cells so that they produce interferon alpha, but they deliver the interferon alpha more selectively to tumor cells, rather than all body cells.
The technology creates "tumor-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages to selectively express interferon-α limited to the tumor area, thus reducing its toxicity".
Re: MolMed / Genenta multiple myeloma gene therapy
Cheryl:
Yes, not exactly the same (the two lines of research), but related I think. Here is an excerpt on the MIL's from the NIH page:
"MILs are harvested from autologous bone marrow from multiple myeloma patients and, in vitro, are exposed to and activated by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies covalently attached to super-paramagnetic microbeads. After removal of the beads and expansion of the cells in culture, the activated MILs (aMILs) are re-introduced into the patient. The aMILs possess enhanced myeloma specificity, and are able to infiltrate the tumor microenvironment and initiate tumor cell lysis. CD3 and CD28, co-stimulatory molecules expressed on the surface of T-lymphocytes, play a key role in the activation of T-cells."
The general idea, I think, is that once these cells make their way into the marrow, they are more effective than other modes. I think that we might get preliminary results from Dr. Borello's study late this year. Actually, as I recall, Dr. Borello's approach is more closely related to the CAR-T approach, I think, with respect to the modifications to the harvested bone marrow. At this point, I am thinking that the MolMed approach is also harvesting marrow and making MIL's, however with a different process, using interferon, acting in its creation. Interferon, actually also has an interesting story in terms of a treatment that some have hypothesized in the past as having anti-myeloma effect, but that has not yet panned out.
Yes, not exactly the same (the two lines of research), but related I think. Here is an excerpt on the MIL's from the NIH page:
"MILs are harvested from autologous bone marrow from multiple myeloma patients and, in vitro, are exposed to and activated by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies covalently attached to super-paramagnetic microbeads. After removal of the beads and expansion of the cells in culture, the activated MILs (aMILs) are re-introduced into the patient. The aMILs possess enhanced myeloma specificity, and are able to infiltrate the tumor microenvironment and initiate tumor cell lysis. CD3 and CD28, co-stimulatory molecules expressed on the surface of T-lymphocytes, play a key role in the activation of T-cells."
The general idea, I think, is that once these cells make their way into the marrow, they are more effective than other modes. I think that we might get preliminary results from Dr. Borello's study late this year. Actually, as I recall, Dr. Borello's approach is more closely related to the CAR-T approach, I think, with respect to the modifications to the harvested bone marrow. At this point, I am thinking that the MolMed approach is also harvesting marrow and making MIL's, however with a different process, using interferon, acting in its creation. Interferon, actually also has an interesting story in terms of a treatment that some have hypothesized in the past as having anti-myeloma effect, but that has not yet panned out.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: MolMed / Genenta multiple myeloma gene therapy
Thanks JPC.
As you said, I think the Johns Hopkins technology is closer to CAR T-cell therapy in terms of what it involves.
You mentioned interferon. It was once used very regularly as a myeloma treatment, and there is a decent amount of evidence indicating that it has anti-myeloma activity. It just isn't the sparkling new drug any longer.
Personally, I think there's a good case in favor of it being used more often. I'll post a link in a new thread with some interesting data on the subject.
Take care,
Cheryl
As you said, I think the Johns Hopkins technology is closer to CAR T-cell therapy in terms of what it involves.
You mentioned interferon. It was once used very regularly as a myeloma treatment, and there is a decent amount of evidence indicating that it has anti-myeloma activity. It just isn't the sparkling new drug any longer.
Personally, I think there's a good case in favor of it being used more often. I'll post a link in a new thread with some interesting data on the subject.
Take care,
Cheryl
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