CRISPR/Cas9 and AAV mediated insertion of β2 microglobulin-HLA-G fusion gene protects mesenchymal stromal cells from allogeneic rejection and potentiates the use for off-the-shelf cell therapy.

Introduction: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold the potential for application as cellular therapy products; however, there are many problems that need to be addressed before the use in clinical settings, these include the heterogeneity of MSCs, scalability in MSC production, timing and techniques for MSC administration, and engraftment efficiency and persistency of administered MSCs. In this study, problems regarding immune rejection caused by (HLA) mismatches were addressed.

Methods: Umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) were gene-edited to avoid allogeneic immunity.

Phase 2 trial of daily, oral epigallocatechin gallate in patients with light-chain amyloidosis.

Previous studies have suggested that an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species may cause organ damage in patients with light-chain (AL) amyloidosis; however, this damage can be decreased by antioxidant-agent treatment. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major natural catechin in green tea, has potent antioxidant activity. Because EGCG has recently been reported to have a favorable toxicity profile for treating amyloidosis, we sought to examine the clinical efficacy and toxicity of EGCG in patients with AL amyloidosis.

High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation for systemic light-chain amyloidosis: a single institution retrospective analysis of 40 cases.

We report our retrospective analysis of 40 patients who received high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation for systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. Between 2006 and 2013, 40 patients with AL amyloidosis were transplanted at our medical center. Their median age was 54 years (range 32-70 years): 18 were male.

[Induction treatment with bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (CyBorD) for newly diagnosed transplant-eligible patients with multiple myeloma].

Twenty-nine transplant eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients have received Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone (CyBorD) as induction treatment in our institute since November 2011. CyBorD is composed of CPA 300 mg/m2 p.o.

[Graft-versus-host disease associated with lenalidomide maintenance after allogeneic transplantation for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma].

Although allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is a potentially curative treatment option for multiple myeloma (MM), it is not recognized as a standard of care because of the high associated incidences of both treatment related mortality and relapse. We administered lenalidomide (Len) as maintenance therapy for patients with MM undergoing allo-SCT who were at high risk of disease relapse. Graft-versus-host disease was induced by Len administration in two patients, but was manageable with dose reduction.

[Brentuximab vedotin and cord blood transplantation for primary refractory Hodgkin lymphoma following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

We report a 26-year-old man with primary refractory nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma against ABVD, ICE and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT), presenting with multiple epidural spinal cord compressions, paraplegia, and generalized lymphadenopathy. We administrated four cycles of brentuximab vedotin to achieve a complete response, and then conducted cord blood transplantation. This case raises the possibility of a new strategy for refractory Hodgkin lymphoma showing residual lesions after auto-PBSCT.