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Cellectis Announces Participation in Five Investor Conferences – Yahoo Finance

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:25 am

NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellectis S.A. (NASDAQ: CLLS EURONEXT GROWTH: ALCLS) (the Company), a gene-editing platform company with clinical-stage immuno-oncology programs using allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and gene therapy programs for monogenic diseases, today announced that management plans to participate in five virtual investor conferences.

11th Annual Biotech Symposium (Goldman Sachs) Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2021Time: 8AM-6PM (GMT)

Citis 16th Annual Biopharma Conference 2021Date: Thursday, September 9, 2021Time: 10:40AM ET

Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference Date: Friday, September 10, 2021Time: 9:20AM ET

H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference Date: Monday, September 13, 2021Time: 7AM ET

Baird 2021 Global Healthcare Conference Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2021Time: 9:05 AM ET

Live webcasts of these events and a replay of these webcasts will be available under the Events and Webcasts section on the Investor page of the of the Companys at website: https://www.cellectis.com/en/investors/events-and-webcasts/

About CellectisCellectis is a gene editing company, developing first of its kind therapeutic product candidates. Cellecties utilizes an allogeneic approach for CAR-T immunotherapies in oncology, pioneering the concept of off-the-shelf and ready-to-use gene-edited CAR T-cells to treat cancer patients, and a platform to make therapeutic gene editing in hematopeitic stem cells for various diseases. As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with over 21 years of expertise in gene editing, Cellectis is developing life-changing product candidates utilizing TALEN, its gene editing technology, and PulseAgile, its pioneering electroporation system to harness the power of the immune system in order to treat diseases with unmet medical needs.

As part of its commitment to a cure, Cellectis remains dedicated to its goal of providing life-saving UCART product candidates for multiple cancers including r/r AML), r/r B-ALL and r/r MM. .HEAL is a new platform focusing on hematopeitic stem cells to treat blood disorders, immunodeficiencies and lysosomial storage diseases.

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Cellectis headquarters are in Paris, France, with locations in New York, New York and Raleigh, North Carolina. Cellectis is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (ticker: CLLS) and on Euronext Growth (ticker: ALCLS). For more information, visit http://www.cellectis.com. Follow Cellectis on social media: @cellectis, LinkedIn and YouTube.TALEN is a registered trademark owned by Cellectis.

For further information, please contact:

Media contacts:Pascalyne Wilson, Director, Communications, +33 7 76 99 14 33, pascalyne.wilson@cellectis.com Margaret Gandolfo, Senior Manager, Communications, 646-628-0300, margaret.gandolfo@cellectis.com Sheryl Seapy, Real Chemistry, 213-262-9390, sseapy@realchemistry.com

IR contact:Eric Dutang, Chief Financial Officer, 646-630-1748, eric.dutang@cellectis.com

DisclaimerThis presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as believe, expect, plan, designed to, foresee, look forward, will, could, would or the negative of these and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements, which are based on our managements current expectations and assumptions and on information currently available to management, include statements about our research and development projects and priorities, our pre-clinical project development efforts, the timing and progress of clinical trials (including with respect to patient enrollment and follow-up), the timing of our presentation of clinical data, the adequacy of our supply of clinical vials, the timing of completion of construction of our Raleigh, North Carolina manufacturing facility, operational capabilities at our manufacturing facilities, the sufficiency of cash to fund our operations. These forward-looking statements are made in light of information currently available to us and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including with respect to the numerous risks associated with biopharmaceutical product candidate development as well as the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental and regulatory measures implemented in response to the evolving situation. With respect to our cash runway, our operating plans, including product development plans, may change as a result of various factors, including factors currently unknown to us. Furthermore, many other important factors, including those described in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and the financial report (including the management report) for the year ended December 31, 2020 and subsequent filings Cellectis makes with the Securities Exchange Commission from time to time, as well as other known and unknown risks and uncertainties may adversely affect such forward-looking statements and cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

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What it means to be the worlds first IVF baby – THE WEEK

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:25 am

She grew in a glass jar as an embryo and was later placed in her mothers womb.

Louise Brown, the worlds first baby conceived outside of the human body, celebrated her 43rd birthday this July 25. I was subjected to more than 100 tests after my birth to ensure I was a normal child, she told THE WEEK.

Louise was a child of perseverance and relentless hope. Her parentsGilbert John Brown, a truck driver, and Lesleydesperately wanted a baby. The couple, who lived in Whitchurch, England, tried to conceive for nine years without success. Lesley had fallopian tube blockages that made natural conception impossible. She had undergone failed operations in the past to clear her blocked tubes and was prepared to put up with anything to have a baby.

On November 10, 1978, the couple underwent a procedure, wherein a mature egg extracted from one of Lesleys ovaries was fused with Johns sperm in a laboratory under the direction of physiologist Sir Robert Geoffrey Edwards and gynaecologist Patrick Christopher Steptoe. Lesley was warned that there was only a one in a million chance of having a baby, but she clung to hope.

The egg was fertilised and divided into two, four and then eight cells. Lesley got pregnant after the eight-celled embryo was implanted in her womb. Being the first woman to have conceived via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and have a pregnancy that went beyond a few weeks, Lesley attracted a lot of media attention. Edwards and Steptoe found it hard to shield her from the media frenzy. She was hounded by the press so much that Steptoe hid her in his car and drove her to his mothers place in Lincoln. Later, when Lesley was admitted to Oldham hospital for delivery, reporters entered her room posing as housekeeping staff.

Louise Joy Brown, weighing five pounds 12 ounces, was born by C-section at 11.47pm on July 25, 1978. The Joy in her name was a suggestion from the two doctors. Her birth marked a milestone in modern medical science. It was described by TIME as the most awaited birth in perhaps 2,000 years. The baby offered a ray of hope to millions of childless couples across the world. Until then, for women with damaged fallopian tubes, it was impossible to conceive. Edwards won the Nobel Prize in 2010 for the development of IVF therapy, considered one of the most remarkable medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. Around eight million babies have been born in the last four decades through assisted reproduction technologies, including IVF.

Louise realised she was an IVF baby only when she started going to school. Lesley showed her a video footage of her birth. IVF was unheard of in those days and people were curious about her unique birth. She had always been big-bodied and some would ask her how she managed to fit in the test tube.

The Browns were in the spotlight for many years after Louises birth. They were criticised for allowing the doctors to film the birth. Soon after Louises birth, Lesley received a post bag full of letters splattered in red. Once, she received a box from the US that contained a broken test tube and a plastic foetus. Louise defended her mother, saying that letting the doctors film the birth was an act of gratitude for her.

Things were no different for Edwards and Steptoe. They had a hard time breaking the taboo and stereotypes around IVF. The idea of fertilising an egg outside the body has always been controversial. The first such successful experiment was done at Boston in 1944 by Miriam Menkin, essentially a scientist at heart and mind but often relegated to a lab technician or research assistant to the better-known fertility specialist and contraceptive pill co-developer John Rock. The research got derailed with Menkins move to North Carolina, where IVF was considered scandalous, following her husbands job loss. But it was Menkins initial research that eventually led to Louises birth through IVF.

Edwards, Steptoe and nurse Jean Purdy, whose contribution was forgotten till recently, feared criticism from the church and the public and they kept their work under wraps. Only five of the 282 women who underwent IVF could get clinically pregnant and none of them had delivered a live baby. Many embryos died during the process. Unsurprisingly, the medical community refused them support for research. The UK Medical Research Council feared children born through IVF would run a risk of fatal abnormalities. IVF children, Louise said, are no different from normal children. The only difference is the process of conception, she said. It is impossible to distinguish between an IVF baby and other children born naturally.

John and Lesley went for IVF again and had a second childNatalie. The couple wanted a third child, but their attempts failed. Natalie was the 40th child to be born through IVF. She became the first IVF child to conceive naturally, easing concerns that women born through IVF cannot conceive naturally. Natalie now has five children.For the Browns, IVF changed their life in more ways than one. Lesley was Johns second wife; he had two daughters from a previous marriage. John and Lesley, who stayed in an abandoned railway carriage on the first night of their elopement, had a hard life. Homeless, penniless and unemployed, they struggled a lot until John got a job as a bus conductor.

Infertility was an extremely frustrating experience for Lesley. In an interview to Daily Mail later, she said, You feel you are not the same as ordinary wives. You dont feel normal. You feel you are not a real woman. I said to John, Go and find a proper wife.

The couple couldnt afford IVF until 1977, when John won 750, by betting on the outcome of a football match. That helped him pay for the IVF treatment.After Louise was born, the Browns earned money by doing exclusives. Louises birth was reported exclusively by Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Ltd, the parent company of Daily Mail, secured exclusive rights to the story and pictures reportedly by paying $600,000. Lesley and John stayed positive amid the negativity that was directed at them. They went on speaking assignments around the world as advocates for IVF.

Louise now lives in Oldham with her husband Wesley Mullinder, a nightclub bouncer. Interestingly, Mullinder first met Louise when she was just a few days old. Eight-year-old Mullinder lived across the street from the Browns and was among the crowd gathered to see the extraordinary baby. The duo later met when Louise was 24. Two years later, they were married. They have two boysCameron and Aiden. Cameron is 14 and has just begun with his General Certificate of Secondary Education exams; he will be applying for college in another two years. Aiden turned eight this August.

All her life, Louise received media attention. And now she is consciously using the media glare on her to break the stigma associated with infertility and IVF treatments. Couples suffer through a lot of emotional and psychological stress. I think no couple should be deprived of parenthood, said Louise, who has shared the story of her extraordinary birth and its impact on her life in her memoir My Life As The Worlds First Test Tube Baby. Through my association with ART Fertility Clinics India, I will be working towards the mission of making IVF the wise choice of treatment, enabling couples to realise the dream of parenthood. Another purpose is to assert that all those who need IVF should have access to it.

IVF has come a long way. Scientists now pin their hopes on IVG (in vitro gametogenesis), which could make it possible to produce babies from skin cells. IVG seemed promising when tested in mice. In 2016, a group of researchers in Japan created embryos using skin cells from mice. The embryos wereimplanted, and eight healthy mice were born.

Scientists are now exploring the possibility of making human babies in the lab using skin cells. Imagine a couple wanting to have a baby walking in to a lab to give their skin biopsy samples. The cells from these samples will be transformed into stem cells, which, in turn, will be reprogrammed into sperms and eggs. The process involves creating embryos outside the womb and then transferring them into the womans womb for implantation, as in IVF. IVG holds much promise for people who cannot conceive naturally, especially menopausal women, gay and lesbian couples and men with abnormal sperm function or low sperm production.

Dr Henry T. Greely, author of The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction, said that in future, sex will no longer be a popular means of reproduction for people in developed countries. People will continue to have sex. But those who want to have a baby would prefer to go to a lab, said the Stanford professor of law and genetics. IVG for humans will be a reality within our lifetime, said Greely.

Every woman has the right to have a child, said Louise. Treatment for fertility problems is a right that should be made available to all women, she said. IVF not only creates a child, but a family, she added. Despite her extraordinary birth, Louise lives an ordinary life. She worked in a nursery in her early 20s. Currently, she works for a freight company in Bristol. Her days begin with planning meetings with her team at National Fertility Society; her evenings are dedicated to her family. Home means a lot to Louise, who was a much loved and much longed for child. Her mother had carefully kept everything concerned with her birth, from hospital appointment cards and correspondence to letters from journalists and well-wishers and even a movie script by Carl Foreman, Oscar-winning Hollywood film producer. Louise donated them to the Bristol Archives. Among them is a letter from Edwards to Lesley, dated December 6, 1977, which reads:

Dear Mrs Brown,

Just a short note to let you know that the early results on your blood and urine samples are very encouraging, and indicate that you might be in early pregnancy.

So please take things quietlyno skiing, climbing, or anything too strenuous including Xmas shopping!

If you should wish to get in touch with me for any reason before seeing Mr Steptoe next week, my laboratory number is 0223 65069, and my home number is 0223 54019. Best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Dr R.G. Edwards

All these mementos were found in Lesleys wardrobe following her death. She died due to complications of a gallbladder infection on June 6, 2012. She never regretted her choices.

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UC Davis and the School of Medicine set new records in research funding – UC Davis Health

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:22 am

The University of California, Davis, set a new record for external research funding, receiving $968 million in awards in the fiscal year 2020-21, up $27 million from the previous record set last year. A major reason for this years growth was increased funding related to medicine and public health.

Professors Diana Farmer and Aijun Wang are collaborating to develop a stem cell treatment for spina bifida. (2019)

The School of Medicine received the largest increase in funding, up $92 million from the previous year, for a total of $368 million. Funding related to COVID-19 research totaled $42 million for the year. Studies in this area are providing critical insight into testing, vaccines, treatments and social impacts.

We are very proud of our researchers at the School of Medicine who rose to the challenge and expanded their groundbreaking work in the face of the pandemic, said Allison Brashear, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine. All our research teams have shown great agility and collaboration across disciplines, quickly responding to emerging needs to prevent transmission and find treatments and vaccines to combat COVID-19, while also offering patients life-saving clinical trials in areas involving stem cell treatments, cancer and neuroscience, among many others.

Brashear noted that the School of Medicines clinical trials grew by 63% in the last year to $98 million.

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences ($153 million), School of Veterinary Medicine ($83 million), College of Engineering ($80 million) and College of Biological Sciences ($58 million) rounded out the top five recipients.

This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of our research community and their passion to address important societal needs during a year when operations were constrained due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chancellor Gary S. May said. The societal impact of UC Davis research is far-reaching, spanning geographical boundaries and catering to diverse populations and needs.

The awards enable a broad range of research on topics including advancing human and animal health, protecting our planet and food supply and enabling a more resilient society.

The largest award, $51 million from the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, went to Marc Schenker, distinguished professor of Public Health Sciences, to improve public health outcomes for all Californians by providing proper disease surveillance and prevention.

The federal government remains the largest provider of funding at $514 million, up $37 million from last year. The second leading source came from the state of California at $164 million, up $32 million. Funding from industry made up the third highest source, totaling $116 million, up $31 million.

UC Davis researchers received a total of 18 NSF CAREER Awards, a record for the university. These prestigious grants are offered to early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.

Collaborative research bringing experts together from different fields of study continues to attract significant funding. These joint efforts often focus on addressing complex, large-scale challenges that require expertise from many perspectives.

We continue to see how multidisciplinary research provides a distinct advantage in tackling multifaceted issues, said Prasant Mohapatra, vice chancellor for Research at UC Davis. As one of the most academically comprehensive universities in the world, UC Davis offers a unique environment to solve these complex issues by bringing together experts from across our campuses.

Notable multidisciplinary awards include a $16 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for the UC Davis Conte Center to explore how infections in pregnancy lead to disorders in offspring. Principal investigators on this grant are Kimberly McAllister and Cameron Carter.

The Interdisciplinary Research and Strategic Initiatives division within the Office of Research offers support and resources to help teams advance their programs. Some of the notable interdisciplinary research projects include the work of Sheryl Catz, professor at the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Catz received $225,000 from the NIH National Cancer Institute for a project to improve the reach and effectiveness of smoking cessation services targeted to veterans living with HIV.

Diana Farmer, professor and chair in the Department of Surgery at UC Davis Health, also received $9 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Farmer is the principal investigator of the clinical trial, known formally as The CuRe Trial a cellular therapyfor in utero repair of myelomeningocele which uses stem cells before birth to treat the most serious form of spina bifida.

This story was originally written by Neelanjana Gautam and published here.

Note: Where funds are awarded up-front to cover several years, the money is counted in the first year the award was received. Incrementally funded awards are counted as authorized in each year. Reports are based on the principal investigators home school or college.

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Agathos Biologics Receives $900,000 from the North Dakota Bioscience Innovation Grant Program – Yahoo Finance

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:18 am

FARGO, N.D., August 30, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Agathos Biologics, a biotechnology company developing transformational science within a strong ethical and moral framework, today announced the company has been awarded $900,000 from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Bioscience Innovation Grant (BIG) Program. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced that nine grants have been awarded totaling $4.9 million to foster the growth of the bioscience industry in North Dakota. "Advances in bioscience have already transformed many sectors including agriculture and medicine," Goehring said. "These grants will help North Dakota stay on the forefront of bioscience innovation."

Agathos Biologics project funded by ND BIG will focus on challenges that limit patient access to advanced genetic medicines that can significantly impact quality of lifecost, availability, and ethical concerns. Company scientists will create new materials and methods for research and biomanufacturing and use them for drug development, which will address unmet medical needs and increase the availability of genetic medicines to more patients. The company will make these products and services available to the broader biotechnology industry through direct sales and licensing, partnerships, and collaborations.

"We are honored to receive this support from the State of North Dakota and thank the Commissioner and the Committee for their work on behalf of the citizens of the state," said James Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Agathos Biologics. "We founded the company in North Dakota because its business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, and growing biotechnology ecosystem make it an ideal place to expand the company and achieve our goal to develop genetic medicine products and services that positively impact human health and are ethically acceptable to all."

About Agathos Biologics

Agathos Biologics is a biotechnology company pursuing transformational science in biomanufacturing, biologic payload delivery, and cell and gene therapy. Discoveries in bioprocessing and genetic characterization and control have created an abundance of scientific possibilities that can help us all lead better lives. Our mission as the good science company is to create breakthrough products and services within a strong ethical and moral framework that benefits everyone. We believe in science that serves and have a relentless focus on serving our clients, employees, and society. For more information, please visit http://www.agathos.bio.

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James BrownCEO701-415-3395james.brown@agatho.bio

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OU College Of Medicine Researcher Sheds Light On Connection Between Genes, COVID-19 – News On 6

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:18 am

A researcher at the OU College of Medicine has weighed in on a large genetics and COVID-19 study that was recently completed.

The study found 13 genes which could play a role in contracting the virus and how severe someone's battle with COVID-19 could be.

"Some people get COVID and nothing happens, said Dr. Dharambir Sanghera, Professor of Pediatric Genetics at the OU College of Medicine. "And they are asymptomatic. Some people, the disease gets so aggravated, and they get so severely sick they end up in hospitals and sometimes after hospitals people end up dying."

The answer as to why, Sanghera said, could lie in genetics.

"This is the first time we are seeing this association," Dr. Sanghera said.

Some of the genes found could slightly protect people from getting infected, such as having Type O blood, which has been predicted before.

However, 13 were found to predispose some more than others to more severe cases of covid-19, especially genes like obesity

"All the diabetes is also linked to severity of COVID," Dr. Sanghera said.

She said Oklahoma's poor health track record has played a role in the outcomes in the state and in the U.S.

"We are ranked second in chronic respiratory diseases and ranked four in cancer diabetes and obesity," Dr. Sanghera said.

Dr. Sanghera also said more genetic studies need to be completed to understand who is at the highest risk.

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Precision medicine in advanced ovarian cancer: Incorporating homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) genomic instability testing to transform care -…

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:18 am

The treatment landscape for advanced ovarian cancer has evolved from where it was ten years ago, when at that stage it was very much a standard approach of surgery, chemotherapy, and then watch and wait to one where patients receive individualized care based on the unique features of their cancer, said Warner Huh, MD, FACOG, FACS, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. I dont think we have ever seen so many options to help improve clinical outcomes in the modern management of ovarian cancer than we have with the introduction of personalized medicine. To say its been transformative would be an understatement.

Identifying the Right Patients for Personalized MedicineThe introduction of PARP inhibitors for the treatment of certain women with advanced ovarian cancer is one recent example of how personalized medicine is transforming the way the disease is treated. Research has demonstrated that targeted treatment with PARP inhibitor-based regimens shows greater clinical benefit in women with homologous recombination deficient tumors as HRD is associated with an increased sensitivity to PARP inhibition. This group of patients accounts for approximately 50 percent of the advanced ovarian cancer population.

HRD is the functional impairment in a key DNA damage repair pathway that hinders a cell from fixing damaged DNA. Identifying HRD may suggest that a patient is a candidate for an appropriate PARP inhibitor-based regimen, which further blocks remaining DNA repair pathways causing the cancer cells to die. Given the relationship with HRD-positivity and PARP inhibitor regimens, HRD genomic instability testing is an important component of advanced ovarian cancer management.

Advanced ovarian cancer is a tough disease. When I see a patient is HRD-positive, I make sure she understands the results. I use it as an opportunity to share what it may mean for her care, said Dr. Huh. This conversation can also serve as a way to discuss the full treatment path ahead and set expectations for whats to come during different phases of her treatment journey.

Certain mutations that signal the presence of HRD, such as BRCA1/2 mutations, and other markers of genomic instability are identified through comprehensive biomarker testing.

In todays treatment landscape where cancer therapy is becoming increasingly personalized and biomarker-based, every woman diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer should receive HRD genomic instability testing. Knowing that roughly half of our patients are HRD-positive, this testing can identify important information about her tumor which may better inform her treatment plan than testing for a BRCA mutation alone which is present in approximately just 25% of women with the disease, said Dr. Huh.

This puts into perspective the importance of HRD genomic instability testing. Without this test, we are not providing optimal information for informed decision-making about treatment, which is even more crucial given recent advances in medicine have brought us further than before as we aim to offer our patients hope.

However, given the various testing options across tumor types and the overall ongoing evolution in tumor-specific biomarker and genetic testing, gaps in knowledge about HRD genomic instability are complicating the testing landscape and hindering oncologists from consistently conducting the right tests immediately following diagnosis.

Elevating the Standard of Care by Addressing Gaps in KnowledgeAccording to a recent US survey 1 of 230 oncologists conducted by IntegraConnect and sponsored by AstraZeneca, many clinicians often underestimate the prevalence of HRD and the role it plays in treating cancer. The survey, which sought to better understand HRD genomic instability testing habits, barriers to testing and current knowledge gaps, showed that two-thirds of oncologists surveyed thought that fewer than 40 percent of women with advanced ovarian cancer are HRD-positive though the prevalence is much higher at 50 percent.2

The survey also revealed a common misunderstanding about the role of disease markers in ovarian cancer in this rapidly evolving space. Although three-quarters of respondents said that they were extremely or very familiar with HRD testing, 73% incorrectly said that homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene panels found in next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests help identify markers of genomic instability, when in fact, HRD genomic instability and BRCA are the only actionable biomarkers for use of PARP inhibition-based regimens known today.

HRR and HRD are both important features in DNA damage response, but the two terms are often confused. HRR is not a marker of genomic instability and is not a predictive biomarker for who may respond to PARP inhibition so an HRRm gene panel should not be used in place of an HRD test to help inform treatment decisions, said Dr. Huh.

Integrating HRD Genomic Instability Testing into the Full Treatment PlanNow, with a deeper understanding of the underlying biology of advanced ovarian cancer, oncologists have the tools to match the right treatment with the right patient.

Available tests for identifying HRD genomic instability in advanced ovarian cancer include: myChoice CDx from Myriad Genetics; FoundationOne CDx from Foundation Medicine; Caris Molecular Intelligence Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Plus (CGP+) from Caris Life Sciences; and Tempus xT from Tempus. However, 21% of oncologists surveyed did not select any of these HRD testing partners when presented with a list of 12 choices.3

These gaps demonstrate there is still more work to be done to ensure patients receive the right test as soon as possible following diagnosis to inform treatment decisions. One way to approach this is by adding a literal checklist to your clinical routine. In my practice, this checklist includes HRD genomic instability testing and germline testing at the earliest opportunity to ensure we are providing the optimal information to our patients. Simple things can make a big difference and the earlier you conduct HRD genomic instability testing, the better.

Were only at the tip of the iceberg in expanding the clinical utility of precision medicine. We can go even further to improve the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer particularly for the estimated one in two patients with HRD-positive tumors, said Dr. Huh. To sustain progress, the medical community needs to move beyond BRCA testing alone and conduct HRD genomic instability testing at the first opportunity. Without this information, physicians may not be able to optimize treatment decisions based on the patients individuals type of disease.

As we aim to work towards a cure for this devastating disease, we can enhance our care discussions by educating about comprehensive biomarker testing and ensuring that we order the right tests tests at the right time.

Learn more about incorporating HRD testing into clinical practice.

Dr. Warner Huh was compensated for his time associated with this article.

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First-of-its-Kind Study Looks at Link Between Genes and Prostate – News Chant USA

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:18 am

In the United States, one in 9 males will get prostate most cancers and greater than 4 million males are at the moment dwelling with the illness.

Today, on the eve of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Washington School of Medicine introduced theyre collaborating on a first-of-its-kind long-term observational examine to find out how genetic variations can have an effect on affected person outcomes. Dubbed PROMISE (Prostate Cancer Registry of Outcomes and Germline Mutations for Improved Survival and Treatment Effectiveness), this analysis will study how explicit genetic profiles can:

PROMISE researchers are looking for prostate most cancers sufferers nationwide, ages 18+ with particular inherited genetic elements utilizing a saliva DNA take a look at. PROMISE will entry every affected persons medical info by way of their doctor each six months. PROMISE will even survey taking part sufferers each six months about their remedy expertise.

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While genetic info has contributed to advances in remedy of illnesses resembling breast most cancers, it has not been extensively utilized in prostate most cancers. Researchers anticipate that the PROMISE examine will result in necessary new discoveries, new analysis and new remedy therapies.

If we want to better understand prostate cancer, we have to better understand genes, defined Dr. Heather Cheng, PhD, affiliate professor of medical oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine; director of the Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; college member at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; and co- lead investigator of PROMISE. This information is the next step in our collective fight against the disease.

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Dr. Cheng is working intently with Dr. Channing Paller, affiliate professor of oncology and urology at Johns Hopkins University, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center; affiliate director for oncology of the Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Network; and co-lead investigator of PROMISE. They know that prostate most cancers could also be written in some maless genes, however so are directions for locating new therapies and understanding household danger. Together, Dr. Cheng and Dr. Paller will convey extra genetic info to the battle towards prostate most cancers.

How PROMISE works

PROMISE is totally free. Participants proceed with their present healthcare supplier and dont want to go away residence to take part. Registration will be executed on-line and PROMISE will ship a easy, home-based DNA take a look at equipment. Participants present a saliva pattern and return it by way of pre-paid U.S. mail. The equipment will display screen for 30 most cancers danger genes. PROMISE will ship the outcomes and will present a licensed genetic counselor to assist individuals perceive their outcomes. Participants will be taught if theyve any gene mutations that may have an effect on their care plan. The outcomes could inform sufferers of obtainable remedy choices and beforehand unknown dangers of members of the family growing most cancers.

Benefits of becoming a member of the PROMISE examine.

Prostate most cancers sufferers who be a part of PROMISE will:

PROMISE is supported by a gaggle of mission-driven nonprofit organizations. Study administration is offered by The Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium (PCCTC). No pharmaceutical corporations or any business pursuits are supporting this analysis. To be taught extra, go to prostatecancerPROMISE.org.

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NSCLC gene therapy: Success rate, other options, and more – Medical News Today

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:18 am

Gene therapy is a promising new method for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It allows doctors to target specific genes to prevent cancerous cells from growing and spreading.

NSCLC is a common form of cancer. It causes cancerous cells to form in the tissues of the lung. NSCLC is a serious condition. However, many people receive treatment and survive for years.

Treating NSCLC typically involves interacting with multiple specialists and receiving a combination of therapies. Specific treatment plans depend on factors that include the tumor size, type of NSCLC, and the extent of its spread to other organs.

Surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are examples of key techniques that doctors use to treat NSCLC.

Gene therapy is another promising treatment for NSCLC, which targets genes that contribute to the tumor.

There are two main approaches to using gene therapy to treat cancer:

This article focuses on the second approach to NSCLC gene therapy. Read on to learn more.

Getting genes into cells requires making vectors, which are vehicles that scientists engineer to deliver genetic materials. For example, viruses have a natural ability to deliver genetic material into cells and can act as vectors.

Scientists can deactivate parts of the virus that cause infectious diseases. They can then modify the virus to carry genetic material into cancerous cells.

One type of gene therapy for NSCLC targets tumor-suppressor genes, which are the most common gene mutation that contributes to the disease. Another approach involves restoring specific proteins to prevent disease progression.

Other possible applications include inserting genes that:

NSCLC gene therapy is a new form of treatment. However, early results are promising.

A 2017 review suggests that restoring a functional tumor-suppressing gene could slow the growth of cancer cells. Clinical trials have found that inserting tumor-suppressing genes into people who had not responded to other treatments reduced tumor size by up to 50%.

Another review in 2016 suggests that the treatment is more effective when combining NSCLC gene therapy with other therapies, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

According to the American Cancer Society, doctors typically use gene therapy for advanced cancer cases.

NSCLC gene therapy is a new technique. However, it still has to meet rigorous Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards for safety and effectiveness before a doctor can recommend it.

Gene therapies that the FDA approves are safe. However, they can have side effects, such as:

According to the FDA, gene therapies can transform medicine and provide options for people with illnesses that were previously without a cure. However, every treatment has limitations to its effectiveness.

Some limitations to gene therapy include:

Doctors will typically develop a treatment plan with people who have NSCLC depending on their health, age, and other relevant factors. Some common forms of NSCLC treatment include:

Doctors may combine these treatments to maximize their effectiveness. This will involve undergoing multiple treatments at once or back-to-back treatments, or both.

For example, doctors may use a therapy to treat cancer in one part of the body and another therapy to treat where it is spreading.

Doctors typically describe the outlook for people with cancer using the percentage of people alive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. This is the 5-year survival rate. They may further break down 5-year survival rates according to specific NSCLC diagnoses.

According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for people with NSCLC are:

NSCLC is a common form of lung cancer in the United States. Gene therapy for people with NSCLC is a promising new treatment that targets specific genes that contribute to disease progression. There is evidence that gene therapy can slow the growth of tumors in people with NSCLC.

Gene therapy is new, but has the potential to change the way doctors can treat cancer. Scientists and doctors must first overcome limitations, including finding reliable methods to deliver gene therapy.

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NSCLC gene therapy: Success rate, other options, and more - Medical News Today

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BridgeBio Pharma and LianBio Announce First Patient Treated in Phase 2a Trial of Infigratinib in Patients with Gastric Cancer and Other Advanced Solid…

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:18 am

PALO ALTO, Calif. & SHANGHAI & PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LianBio, a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing paradigm-shifting medicines to patients in China and other major Asian markets, and BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBIO) today announced the first patient has been treated in a Phase 2a clinical trial of infigratinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) gene amplification and other advanced solid tumors with FGFR genomic alterations.

Infigratinib is a potent and selective FGFR inhibitor that has demonstrated compelling clinical activity across multiple tumor types with FGFR alterations, said Yizhe Wang, Ph.D., chief executive officer of LianBio. Given the disproportionately high prevalence rate of gastric cancer in China, LianBio is pursuing a region-specific development strategy focused on this area of great unmet need. This study marks LianBios first trial initiation and demonstrates our continued progress in delivering potentially transformational medicines to patients in Asia.

TRUSELTIQ (infigratinib) is an oral selective inhibitor of FGFR1-3 that is approved in the United States for the treatment of patients with previously treated, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangement as detected by an FDA-approved test. It is also being further evaluated in clinical trials based on demonstration of clinical activity in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma with FGFR3 genomic alterations. LianBio in-licensed rights from BridgeBio for infigratinib for development and commercialization in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

The Phase 2a trial is a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study in China designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of infigratinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with FGFR2 gene amplification and other advanced solid tumors with FGFR alterations. The primary endpoint is objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints include duration of response, safety, disease control rate, progression-free survival and overall survival.

Preclinical data have demonstrated the potential infigratinib may have for patients with gastric cancer. These results, published in Cancer Discovery, demonstrated tumor regression in multiple in vivo FGFR2 amplified gastric models.1

We believe that infigratinib could have a meaningful impact for people living with gastric cancer as well as many other cancers with FGFR alterations, and are pleased LianBio is initiating this clinical trial in China where more therapeutic options are needed to match the growing diagnosis rate, said BridgeBio founder and chief executive officer Neil Kumar, Ph.D. On the heels of TRUSELTIQ recently obtaining accelerated approval in the United States, we are hopeful that this trial will yield pivotal results in another subset of cancer patients as we continue to build our portfolio of oncology indications with the aim of reaching as many people in need as possible.

About TRUSELTIQ (infigratinib)

TRUSELTIQ (infigratinib) is an orally administered, ATP-competitive, tyrosine kinase inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) that received accelerated approval from the FDA in the United States for the treatment of adults with previously treated, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or other rearrangement as detected by an FDA-approved test. TRUSELTIQ targets the FGFR protein, blocking downstream activity. In clinical studies, TRUSELTIQ demonstrated a clinically meaningful rate of tumor shrinkage (overall response rate) and duration of response. TRUSELTIQ is not FDA-approved for any other indication in the United States and is not approved for use by any other health authority, including any Chinese or other Asian health authority. It is currently being evaluated in clinical studies for first-line cholangiocarcinoma, urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer), locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, and other advanced solid tumors with FGFR genomic alterations.

About BridgeBio Pharma, Inc.

BridgeBio is a biopharmaceutical company founded to discover, create, test and deliver transformative medicines to treat patients who suffer from genetic diseases and cancers with clear genetic drivers. BridgeBios pipeline of over 30 development programs ranges from early science to advanced clinical trials and its commercial organization is focused on delivering the companys first two approved therapies. BridgeBio was founded in 2015 and its team of experienced drug discoverers, developers and innovators are committed to applying advances in genetic medicine to help patients as quickly as possible. For more information visit bridgebio.com.

About LianBio

LianBios mission is to catalyze the development and accelerate availability of paradigm-shifting medicines to patients in China and other major Asian markets, through partnerships that provide access to innovative therapeutic discoveries with a strong scientific basis and compelling clinical data. LianBio collaborates with world-class partners across a diverse array of therapeutic and geographic areas to build out a broad and clinically validated pipeline with the potential to impact patients with unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit http://www.lianbio.com.

About the LianBio and BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. Strategic Alliance

In August 2020, LianBio entered into a strategic alliance with BridgeBio, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases and cancers with clear genetic drivers, to develop and commercialize BridgeBios programs in China and other major Asian markets. This strategic relationship initially focuses on two of BridgeBios targeted oncology drug candidates: FGFR inhibitor infigratinib, for the treatment of FGFR-driven tumors, and SHP2 inhibitor BBP-398, in development for tumors driven by MAPK pathway mutations. The agreement also provides LianBio with preferential future access in China and certain other major Asian markets to more than 20 drug development candidates currently owned or controlled by BridgeBio. This collaboration is designed to advance and accelerate BridgeBios programs in China and other major Asian markets, allowing BridgeBio and LianBio to potentially bring innovation to large numbers of patients with high unmet need.

BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements we make in this press release may include statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), which are usually identified by the use of words such as anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, projects, seeks, should, will, and variations of such words or similar expressions. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and are making this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements, including statements relating to: the timing and success of the Phase 2a clinical trial of infigratinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) gene amplification, and other advanced solid tumors with FGFR genomic alterations; the planned approval of infigratinib by foreign regulatory authorities in China and the necessary clinical trial results, and timing and completion of regulatory submissions related thereto; and the competitive environment and clinical and therapeutic potential of infigratinib; reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or achieved. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control including, without limitation: the safety, tolerability and efficacy profile of infigratinib observed to date may change adversely in ex-U.S. clinical trials, ongoing analyses of trial data or subsequent to commercialization; foreign regulatory agencies may not agree with our regulatory approval strategies, components of our filings, such as clinical trial designs, conduct and methodologies, or the sufficiency of data submitted; the continuing success of the BridgeBio and LianBio strategic alliance; and potential adverse impacts due to the global COVID-19 pandemic such as delays in regulatory review, manufacturing and clinical trials, supply chain interruptions, adverse effects on healthcare systems and disruption of the global economy; as well as those set forth in the Risk Factors section of BridgeBio Pharma, Inc.s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in subsequent SEC filings, which are available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, each of BridgeBio and QED disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. Moreover, BridgeBio and QED operate in a very competitive environment in which new risks emerge from time to time. These forward-looking statements are based on each of BridgeBios and QEDs current expectations, and speak only as of the date hereof.

1 Guagnano, V., Kauffman, A., Wrle, S., et al. FGFR Genetic Alterations Predict for Sensitivity to NVP-BGJ398, a Selective Pan-FGFR Inhibitor. Cancer Discovery 2 (2012): 1118-1133.

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BridgeBio Pharma and LianBio Announce First Patient Treated in Phase 2a Trial of Infigratinib in Patients with Gastric Cancer and Other Advanced Solid...

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How tall will I be? A guide for parents and children – Medical News Today

Posted: August 31, 2021 at 2:18 am

The height of a childs biological parents can be a good indicator of how tall a child will be, as genetics play a prominent role in determining height. However, this can vary, and siblings with the same parents may all reach different heights. Other factors, such as biological sex, overall health, nutrition, sleep, and exercise, during developmental years all factor into height and growth.

The height a person reaches by adulthood can depend on the genes they inherit from their biological parents, although some factors may mean a child does not reach their full potential height.

Nutrition and overall health during childhood and adolescence also affect human growth and height. Over hundreds of years, the average human height has increased due to improved nourishment in children and a reduction in illness and infections.

This article explores methods people may use to predict height, factors that affect growth in children and adolescents, and when to speak with a doctor if growth becomes a concern.

A combination of genetics and external factors can affect how tall a child will grow.

Health experts believe that 80% of a persons height is genetic. This means the height of biological parents can be an indicator of a childs height, although this is not always a reliable predictor.

Siblings with the same parents can vary in height, and one child in the family may be taller or shorter compared to the rest of the family.

Other factors, such as nutrition, illness, or premature birth, can also play a part in height and growth and may prevent a child from reaching their full potential height.

Learn more about which factors can influence a persons height.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, people may wish to try the following formula for predicting how tall a child will be:

However, note that predictive methods such as these are not concrete, and a childs adult height could change depending on different factors.

Learn how to measure height accurately.

According to the Society for Endocrinology, people can usually expect the following average growth patterns in children and adolescents:

Learn about the signs and stages of puberty.

Most females will have a growth spurt in the year before they start their first menstrual period. Their feet and hands will likely increase in size first, followed by the rest of the body.

Female growth slows down after their first menstrual period, but females will usually still grow 12 in after this time.

According to health experts, males usually have a growth spurt in puberty 2 years after most females. The peak time of growth is before sperm develops, and males will grow about 9 cm a year. Males also usually have longer growth spurts than females.

According to the Society for Endocrinology, there is no set age for when males and females will stop growing. Once a person has gone through all the stages of puberty to reach adult development, their growth will slow down and stop.

Additionally, growth plates in the bones fuse together at this stage, meaning individuals will not grow any taller.

Learn about when male children might stop growing.

Learn about when female children might stop growing.

Adolescents go through puberty at different stages, so variations in growth spurts can be normal. In some cases, going through puberty at a slower rate can be due to an inherited pattern, known as constitutional delay.

If there is too much variation, such as a growth spurt not occurring or females not menstruating by the age of 16 years, then it is important to speak with a doctor for a checkup.

In some cases, unusual growth or development in a young person may be the result of an underlying medical condition, such as:

Treating the underlying condition may help improve growth. In the case of a growth hormone deficiency, people may need treatment with artificial growth hormone.

Although genetics largely determine a persons height, proper nutrition is an important factor in healthy growth and development for children and adolescents.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a balanced and nutritious diet for healthy growth and development includes:

According to a 2018 study, both exercise and good sleep can help increase height, as they elevate the release of growth hormones.

Sometimes, children or adolescents may face peer pressure or bullying for being a different height than those around them. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, or depression.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provides the following advice for parents and caregivers to help young people deal with peer pressure:

Learn more about teen anxiety and depression.

How tall a child or teenager will grow largely depends on the genes they inherit from their biological parents.

Good nutrition, exercise, and sleep also all play an important role in healthy growth and development. Illness, infection, or premature birth may all affect whether a child reaches their potential full height or not.

In most cases, young people will not be able to have much impact on their height other than living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. In some cases, children or adolescents may have a deficiency in growth hormone, which may require medical treatment to resolve.

If a child or adolescent is not growing or developing as expected for their age and biological sex, misses a growth spurt, or females do not have their first period by 16 years, then individuals can consult with their doctor for a checkup.

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How tall will I be? A guide for parents and children - Medical News Today

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