The Brady Kohn Research Program
“The Brady Kohn Foundation has been extraordinary in providing us with critically important 'seed' money that subsequently led to clinical trials and more substantial government support for these projects. Such work provides hope to so many”.
John Wagner, MD
Masonic Cancer Center
University of Minnesota
The Brady Kohn Foundation Research Program incorporates 2 main projects at this time:
Project 1
Identification and Isolation of Adult Stem Cell Populations from Umbilical Cord Blood. (11/2004)
Aim:
As an alternative to stem cells derived from embryos and adult tissues, it has been shown that stem cells exist in UCB. The goal of the study is to establish methods of stem cell isolation potentially amenable for clinical use in tissue repair and regenerative medicine.
As an alternative to stem cells derived from embryos and adult tissues, it has been shown that stem cells exist in UCB. The goal of the study is to establish methods of stem cell isolation potentially amenable for clinical use in tissue repair and regenerative medicine.
Project 2
Isolation and Expansion of T Regulatory Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood.
Aim:
It is known that subpopulations of cells in the placenta regulate the immune response during fetal development, preventing immune recognition and rejection. The goal of the study is to establish a method for isolating and expanding T regulatory cells in UCB and using them in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant who are at high risk of immune rejection (manifested as graft rejection or acute graft-versus-host disease).
It is known that subpopulations of cells in the placenta regulate the immune response during fetal development, preventing immune recognition and rejection. The goal of the study is to establish a method for isolating and expanding T regulatory cells in UCB and using them in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant who are at high risk of immune rejection (manifested as graft rejection or acute graft-versus-host disease).
Summary:
As a result of the support provided by the Brady Kohn Foundation Research Fund, we have established new methods for isolating stem cell populations and T regulatory cells. In fact, the first phase I clinical trial has just been completed with UCB derived T regulatory cells, representing a 'first-in-human' study. The second study is underway focused on optimizing the use of T regulatory cells in patients with malignancy.
The future uses of UCB-derived stem cells and T regulatory cells are broad. Because of the novelty of this work and their therapeutic potential, such as in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, etc, as well as blood and marrow transplantation, the work is now supported by multimillion dollar grants and contracts from various governmental and non governmental agencies.
Without question, the Brady Kohn Research Foundation has been key to these successes.
The future uses of UCB-derived stem cells and T regulatory cells are broad. Because of the novelty of this work and their therapeutic potential, such as in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, etc, as well as blood and marrow transplantation, the work is now supported by multimillion dollar grants and contracts from various governmental and non governmental agencies.
Without question, the Brady Kohn Research Foundation has been key to these successes.
John Wagner, MD
Masonic Cancer Center
University of Minnesota
