West China Hospital

TIANJIN, China, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The debate on MSCs, mesenchymal stromal cells versus mesenchymal stem cells, continued for more than two decades (since 2006), being the major obstacle for MSCs study and clinical application. The major issue focuses on mesenchymal stem cells could not be approved for clinical application without a thorough test for safety issue (e.g. tumor formation), but all pre-clinical studies proved the MSCs currently prepared and used are safe without the concerns relevant to stem cells, so that they are mesenchymal stromal cells, not stem cells. However, where is the approval? Continue Reading (PRNewsfoto/Tasly) A recent publication in HELIYON ends the debate. The work presented by Regenerative Medicine Research Center at West China Hospital and Tasly Stem cell Biology Laboratory, " Unveiling Distinctions Between Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Stem Cells by Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis " breaks the momentum of confusion in the development of MSC therapy both fundamentally and practically. Using advanced single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and pseudotime trajectory analysis, the research group identified that stem cells exhibit robust self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) lack the expression of these critical stemness genes. These genes include SOX2, NANOG, POU5F1, SFRP2, DPPA4, SALL4, ZFP42 and MYCN. On the other hand, there are five critical stromal cell functional genes, TMEM119, FBLN5, KCNK2, CLDN11 and DKK1, that are only expressed in the mesenchymal stromal cells, not in stem cells. The study identified that currently widely used MSCs from different tissues are mesenchymal stromal cells. But, these cells (MSCs) have been long misused as stem cells in many cases. Although the safety issue becomes ignored due to the nature of MSCs, the therapeutic efficacy of these cells has been a big drawback due to the confusion of their mechanism of action. The mechanism of action of stem cells is mediated by their capacity of differentiation to replace the damaged functional cells, but that of stromal cells is medicated by homing and excrete function leading to microenvironmental rejuvenation. Of course, these two different types of cells must be used differently for their differential function in the host. Therefore, this new breakthrough not only ends the debate on MSCs, but also and importantly, helps reorientating our effort towards effective application of MSCs in clinical practice. SOURCE Tasly WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2024 -- Patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease (CVD) have an increased subsequent risk for psychiatric disorders and suicide attempt, especially within one year, according to a study published online July 31 in the Journal of the American Heart Association . Jie Yang, M.D., from the West China Hospital at Sichuan University in Chengdu, and colleagues conducted a matched cohort study involving 63,923 patients who were first hospitalized with a CVD diagnosis between 1997 and 2020 and 127,845 matched unexposed controls to examine the subsequent risk for psychiatric disorders and suicide attempt following CVD. To explore the possible effect of genetic susceptibility on the observed associations, analyses were stratified by polygenic risk score for each studied psychiatric condition. The researchers found that compared with unexposed individuals, CVD patients had an increased risk for any psychiatric disorders and suicide attempt, especially within one year following CVD (fully adjusted hazard ratio within one year, 1.83; hazard ratio after one year, 1.24). The increased risks were seen for any psychiatric disorders and suicide attempt following most categories of CVDs. Little impact of genetic predisposition to studied psychiatric conditions was seen on observed associations in analyses stratified by polygenic risk score. "Timely assessment and psychological interventions were necessary for this vulnerable population, irrespective of the genetic susceptibility level," the authors write. "Not only is it important to focus on cardiovascular disease itself, but the role of cardiologists in the psychiatric-psychological attention of patients with cardiovascular disease is also important." Abstract/Full Text Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

JINAN, China, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Qilu Pharmaceutical presented the latest results of the single-arm, phase II pivotal clinical study for iparomlimab (QL1604), an innovative Class 1 antibody monotherapy used to treat unresectable or metastatic dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors through a poster presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Asia Congress 2023 (ESMO Asia) taken place from December 1-3. Professor Weijian Guo from the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Professor Feng Bi from the West China Hospital, Sichuan University led the study. QL1604 is a highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody that targets PD-1. The study demonstrated that iparomlimab was effective in treating unresectable or metastatic dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 45.8% (95% CI, 36.7-55.2) in total population as assessed by the Independent Imaging Review Committee (IRRC), exceeding the prespecified primary study endpoint. I. Background The presence of defective DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) or high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) signifies a unique phenotype in solid tumors [1]. Microsatellite sequences are most susceptible to mismatches during DNA replication and require mismatch repair, and dMMR can lead to code-shifting mutations causing microsatellite instability (MSI). Immune checkpoint inhibitors have proven to be effective in treating dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors. Treatment of dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors with programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors results in a high objective response rate (ORR) and a long duration of response [2-3]. Phase I study showed that iparomlimab has demonstrated good safety and anti-tumor activity when treating advanced solid tumors, with an ORR of 20% in all patients who received iparomlimab (0.3-3 mg/kg Q3W) [4]. The objectives of this pivotal study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iparomlimab in the treatment of unresectable or metastatic dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors. II. Study Design and Methods This single-arm, phase II pivotal clinical study enrolled patients with unresectable or metastatic histopathologically or cytologically confirmed dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors. Iparomlimab was administered intravenously at a fixed dose of 200mg (or 3mg/kg for patients under 40kg) every three weeks. Treatment continued until disease progression, intolerable toxicities, initiation of new anti-tumor treatment, death, withdrawal of informed consent, or other reasons, with a maximum treatment duration of 2 years. At the end of treatment, patients were followed up for survival. The primary endpoint of the study was ORR as assessed by IRRC according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) (Version 1.1). III. Results From June 2020 to January 2023, 120 patients with dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors were enrolled, including 80 (66.7%) with colorectal cancer, 18 (15.0%) with gastric cancer, and 22 (18.3%) with other solid tumors. The majority (97.5%) were stage IV at enrollment. The median number of treatment lines was 2.0 (range 0-6). As of 20 July 2023, after a median follow-up of 13.6 months, 11 patients achieved complete response (CR) and 44 patients achieved partial response (PR), resulting in an ORR of 45.8% (95% CI: 36.7%-55.2%) and a disease control rate (DCR) of 77.5% (95% CI. 69.0%-84.6%). In patients with colorectal cancer, the ORR and DCR were 42.5% (95% CI: 31.5%-54.1%) and 77.5% (95% CI: 31.5%-54.1%), respectively. Median duration of response (DoR) was not yet reached, with 6- and 12-month DoR rates of 100% and 97.4%, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) were yet to be reached. IV. Summary Iparomlimab monotherapy showed good efficacy and safety in treating unresectable or metastatic dMMR/MSI-H solid tumors. The new drug application of iparomlimab was accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in September 2023. SOURCE Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.