We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Organ Cells Derived from Stem Cells May Predict Drug Sensitivity

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 Mar 2017
Print article
Image: A transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a mesenchymal stem cell displaying typical ultrastructural characteristics (Photo courtesy of Robert M. Hunt).
Image: A transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a mesenchymal stem cell displaying typical ultrastructural characteristics (Photo courtesy of Robert M. Hunt).
Testing the drug pazopanib on liver-like cells derived from patient-specific stem cells, researchers have shown first proof-of-concept for a new approach that could lead to development of personalized drug-toxicity assays for patients.

Different people react differently to the same drug, yet it is difficult to predict the side effects for an individual in advance. Now, researchers from Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) of A*STAR and the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) have developed an approach to screen for severe side-effects by first testing a drug on stem cells made from the patient’s blood.

“Adverse side-effects from drugs are a major clinical concern, which could and should be preventable. Knowing whether an individual is susceptible to a particular medicine will improve healthcare and treatment outcome,” said Prof. Jackie Y. Ying, executive director at IBN.

In the study, the researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create liver-like cells from the blood of 5 kidney cancer patients. The liver cells were then exposed to the cancer drug pazopanib, which can cause liver damage. Of the 5 patients: 3 were known to react badly to pazopanib, while the other 2 had no side effects.

The results showed that each patient’s iPSC-derived liver cells exhibited the same sensitivity to the drug when compared with their post-treatment data from liver biopsies. Further, using these stem cells, the researchers were able to analyze how the drug caused liver damage, which was previously unknown.

The project was led by Dr. Min-Han Tan and Prof. Hanry Yu of IBN. Researchers at NCCS recruited the kidney cancer patients and provided clinical data and analysis. “Our hypothesis was that liver cells made from the individual’s blood might show similar sensitivity or resistance to pazopanib. This study is the first proof-of-concept that our approach can predict drug-induced liver damage for an individual. Importantly, we were able to figure out how the drug works from the way they react to the liver cells,” said Dr Min-Han Tan. Prof Hanry Yu added, “Currently, new drugs are tested for toxicity using generic liver cells, which cannot model patient-specific reaction. By personalizing liver cells from the blood of individual patients, we can help doctors to prescribe safer and more effective therapies.”

“We are very excited that this study demonstrates an approach that could transform how drug toxicities are evaluated. It also sheds light on the mechanism of a particular side effect of pazopanib, which may lead to ways to overcome it. We are already planning formal clinical trials on this,” said Dr Ravindran Kanesvaran, consultant at NCCS.

This validation in patients suggests that it would be possible to screen personalized stem cells comprising a range of liver, lung, kidney, and heart cells to predict whether the patient would get side-effects from taking a particular drug. The research team will conduct further studies on drugs that affect other types of organs, and hope to work with industry partners to make this technology widely available.

The study, by Choudhury Y et al, was published January 25, 2017, in the journal Scientific Reports.

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.