Methods of controlling proliferation and differentiation of stem and progenitor cells

Patent Number: 7,312,078

Homing of hematopoietic stem cells to their endosteal niche in the bone marrow is dependent in part on expression of the calcium sensing receptor. Since various chelating agents are known to modify calcium levels systemically, one interesting question is whether such chelating agents can be used to modulate stem cell expansion or differentiation ability. The current patent is in the same series as 6887704 and 6962698 which essentially cover the expansion of CD34 positive human hematopoietic stem cells either from the bone marrow or cord blood through the culture in the presence of chelating agents. This technology is currently on the road to commercialization by a joint venture between the assignee Gamida Cell and the pharmaceutical company Teva. The product is called StemEx and is currently in a clinical trial titled "A Multi-Center, Multi-National, Historical Cohort Controlled Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Transplantation of StemEx®, Umbilical Cord Blood Stem and Progenitor Cells Expanded Ex Vivo, in Subjects with Hematologic Malignancies Following Myeloablative Therapy."

View this patent on the USPTO website.