Method of Manufacturing Papilloma Infiltrating Lymphocyte (PIL) Cell Therapy Products as a Treatment for Patients with Chronic Viral Infection(s)

Summary:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for development of papilloma-infiltrating lymphocytes (PIL) as treatment for patients with chronic human papillomavirus (HPV) 6 or 11 infections.

Soluble Antigen-Based ELISA for the Detection of B. malayi Infections

The technology presented is a breakthrough in the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis, specifically targeting the B. malayi pathogen. It encompasses a novel soluble antigen extract used in both IgG and IgG4-based ELISA tests, aimed at detecting the presence of the filarial infection. This innovation serves as a cornerstone for a CLIA-certified reference test, established and utilized in Dr. Nutman's laboratory since the late 1980s.

Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) Infection through Detection of CD153 Expression Level.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection continues to be the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent and poses significant global health challenges. Past research has shown that CD4 T cells are essential for resistance to Mtb infection, and for decades it has been thought that IFN(?) production is the primary mechanism of CD4 T cell-mediated protection.

Tissue Clamp for Repeated Opening and Closure of Incisions/Wounds

Medical clamps currently available are not efficient nor are they sufficiently precise in closure and alignment of the edges of an incision or wound. Many available designs are difficult to use and handle, especially in situations where repeated opening and closure of an incision or wound is required. The functional short-comings of existing clamp designs may result in surgical complications, such as excess loss of fluids and pressure and hemostasis during some procedures.

3-o-sulfo-galactosylceramide Analogs for Targeting Lung Metastases

Summary:

Lung metastases represent a major clinical challenge in advanced cancer, with poor survival rates and no effective therapies to prevent their development. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed C24:2, a first-in-class synthetic 3-O-sulfo-galactosylceramide analog. After lysosomal processing by dendritic cells, C24:2 switches immune specificity to activate type I NKT cells, triggering a potent IFN-γ–mediated Th1 response.

Gene Therapy for Treatment of CRX-Autosomal Dominant Retinopathies

Mutations in the cone rod homeobox (CRX) transcription factor lead to distinct retinopathy phenotypes, including early-onset vision impairment in dominant Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Adeno-Associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated delivery of a CRX cDNA under the control of a CRX promoter region partially restored photoreceptor phenotype and expression of phototransduction genes in an in vitro model of CRX-LCA.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Patients with CEP290-associated Ciliopathies and Unaffected Family Members

Approximately one-third of non-syndromic retinal dystrophies involve a defect in a ciliary protein. Non-syndromic retinal ciliopathies include retinitis pigmentosa, cone dystrophy, cone-rod dystrophy, macular dystrophy, and Leber-congenital amaurosis (LCA). Many CEP290-LCA patients also exhibit auditory and olfactory defects. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) cells were derived from patients with LCA and unaffected relatives. 
The National Eye Institute (NEI) seeks research collaborations and/or licensees for the use of these iPS cells.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC)-Derived Exosomes for the Treatment of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the world’s leading causes of irreversible blindness. There is no cure and vision lost from glaucoma cannot be restored. Glaucoma is associated with fluid build-up in the eye resulting in an increased intraocular pressure (IOP). The pressure may cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and vision loss. Currently, available treatments for glaucoma delay progression by reducing IOP, but no therapies exist to directly protect RGC from degradation and loss.