New research conducted at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Cancer Institute suggests that lung cancer stem cells can be successfully isolated and grown in a preclinical model. Such a process could provide a new method for investigating immunotherapy treatment options that target lung cancer stem cells. Increasing evidence supports the idea that cancerous tumors have a population of stem cells, also called cancer-initiating cells, that continually regenerate and fuel cancer growth, explains Dr. John Morris, lead author of the study and professor at the UC College of Medicine. These cancer stem cells may also have the highest potential to spread to other organs. The researchers stated that current research models provide limited information in the interaction between cancer stem cells and the immune system. They claim this makes it virtually impossible to study therapies that utilize the bodys immune system to fight off cancer. The new study, published this week in PLOS One, successfully isolated lung cancer stem cells that can be used in a mouse model with full immune system function. The researchers used a tumorsphere assay test to accomplish this feat, allowing them to enrich their samples to isolate cancer stem cells. The research team now hopes to … Continue reading →

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX) and its recently formed subsidiary BioTime Acquisition Corporation (BAC) jointly announced today that they have entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Geron Corporation. The LOI contains broad terms of a potential transaction through which Geron would contribute to BAC its intellectual property and other assets related to Gerons discontinued human embryonic stem cell programs. BioTime would contribute to BAC $5 million in cash, $30 million of BioTime common shares, warrants to purchase eight (8) million common shares of BioTime at a pre-specified price, rights to use certain human embryonic stem cell lines, and minority stakes in two of BioTimes subsidiaries. In addition, a private investor would invest $5 million in cash in BAC. Following consummation of the potential transaction, Geron stockholders would receive shares representing 21.4% of the common stock of BAC as well as warrants to purchase 8 million shares of BioTime common stock at a pre-specified price. BioTime would own approximately 71.6%, and a private investor would own approximately 7.0% of the outstanding BAC common stock for their $5 million investment. BioTime would also receive warrants that would enable it to increase its ownership in BAC by … Continue reading →