Oxford BioMedica PLC (OXBDF)

[marcusl2]

Overlooked molecule might be key to how well cancer-fighting CAR-T cells work
By Sharon Begley @sxbegle August 21, 2018

The new findings add to emerging evidence in favor of 4-1BB over CD28 presented at this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. There, scientists from the Beijing-based biotech startup ImmunoChina Pharmaceutical Co. reported results from a clinical trial of 47 patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They received either CD28 CAR-Ts or 4-1BB CAR-Ts.

All 28 patients receiving 4-1BB CAR-Ts had an “objective response,” meaning fewer malignant cells after treatment; 15 of the 17 patients receiving CD28 CAR-Ts did. In addition, blood levels of CAR-Ts in the 4-1BB patients were “significantly higher” than in the CD28 patients, which might bode well for continued efficacy and therefore, for staying cancer-free longer. Almost all the patients (45) suffered cytokine release syndrome, but the five with the most severe form were in the CD28 group. The ImmunoChina scientists wrote, “4-1BB CAR-T cells show enhanced safety, efficacy, and expansion” compared to CD28 CAR-Ts, suggesting they would be a “superior therapeutic strategy.”

When Novartis began collaborating with the University of Pennsylvania to develop CAR-T therapy, Brogdon said, the academic scientists were testing both CD28 CAR-Ts and 4-1BB CAR-Ts in lab animals. “They observed enhanced persistence of CAR-Ts with the 4-1BB,” she said, and those eventually became Kymriah.

And less toxic. hTTps://www.statnews.com/2018/08/21/car-t-cancer-costimulatory-domain-molecule/

So many new posts!
hTTps://apply.iintegra.com/vacancy/preview?id=15234&jbid=1052

The VPR team will have two over-arching aims: [1] transition early commercially relevant research-level technologies into the Rrocess Research and Development group, and [2] work closely with the Vector Service Team in generating vector preparations for collaborators and pre-clinical studies.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the VPR team. The successful candidate will be taking a lead in:

Testing new chromatography approaches in relation to lentiviral vector purification
Cross-group activities within Platform Research; transitioning novel technologies from concept/proof-of-principle into downstream purification paradigms
Vector preparations for collaborative studies
Early product feasibility studies for external clients
Other activities within the Research Department e.g. MAb/protein purification