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Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an important cell-based therapy for various diseases but is limited to patients eligible for apheresis. We developed an alternative mini buffy coat (BC) preparation method using the Spectra Optia® apheresis system and compared its efficacy of white blood cell (WBC) recovery with the standard mini BC preparation method already established for pediatric patients. Methods: Whole blood (450 ± 45 mL) samples were collected from 30 randomly selected healthy volunteer blood donors and divided into two groups. In the first group, WBCs were separated with a fully automated separator device (Compomat G4®). In the second group, BCs were separated with the bone marrow processing program of the Spectra Optia apheresis system. Results: There were no significant differences in total leukocyte counts per product between the two groups. In contrast, lymphocyte counts per product were significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in BCs separated from apheresis. Conclusion: Our novel technique resulted in similar WBC yields but higher lymphocyte yields than the standard mini BC preparation method. This method can serve as an alternative to WBC collection in conventional ECP for adult patients with apheresis contraindications. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:12-15, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes and microvesicles, are released by different cell types and participate in physiological and pathophysiological processes. EVs mediate intercellular communication as cell-derived extracellular signalling organelles that transmit specific information from their cell of origin to their target cells. As a result of these properties, EVs of defined cell types may serve as novel tools for various therapeutic approaches, including (a) anti-tumour therapy, (b) pathogen vaccination, (c) immune-modulatory and regenerative therapies and (d) drug delivery. The translation of EVs into clinical therapies requires the categorization of EV-based therapeutics in compliance with existing regulatory frameworks. As the classification defines subsequent requirements for manufacturing, quality control and clinical investigation, it is of major importance to define whether EVs are considered the active drug components or primarily serve as drug delivery vehicles. For an effective and particularly safe translation of EV-based therapies into clinical practice, a high level of cooperation between researchers, clinicians and competent authorities is essential. In this position statement, basic and clinical scientists, as members of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) and of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, namely European Network on Microvesicles and Exosomes in Health and Disease (ME-HaD), summarize recent developments and the current knowledge of EV-based therapies. Aspects of safety and regulatory requirements that must be considered for pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical application are highlighted. Production and quality control processes are discussed. Strategies to promote the therapeutic application of EVs in future clinical studies are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis of diseased cells is the basic event leading to death in individuals with cancer. Establishment of metastasis requires that tumour cells migrate from the site of the primary tumour into the circulation system, escape from the vasculature and form secondary tumours at novel sites. These processes depend to a large degree on cytoskeletal remodeling. We show here that multiple copies of the short actin-binding module CLIK23 from human or Caenorhabditis elegans calponin proteins effectively inhibit cell motility on two dimensional matrices and suppress soft agar colony formation of metastatic melanoma and adenocarcinoma cells of murine and human origin. Ectopic expression of CLIK23 modules for 30 days results in the formation of multinucleated cells. The repeat displays true modular behaviour, resulting in increased cytoskeletal effects in direct correlation with the increase in number of modules. Our results demonstrate that the role of calponin in the signature profile of metastasising cells is that of a mechanical stabiliser of the actin cytoskeleton, which interferes with actin turnover by binding at a unique interface along the actin filament. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]