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September 2020 patents | Harvard Office of Technology Development – Harvard Office of Technology Development

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October 05, 2020

Harvard faculty David Mooney, Daniel Branton, Marc Kirschner, George Church, Robert Wood, Jennifer Lewis, and Conor Walsh are among the inventors issued U.S. patents in September 2020.

The innovations recognized are as follows:

Pascal Joly, Georg N. Duda, Thomas Schaus, Anke Dienelt, Andrea Sass, David J. Mooney

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for enriching cells with a cell surface marker, comprising an aptamer suitable for specifically binding the cell surface marker, and beads coupled thereto, wherein the aptamer is coupled to the beads in a manner that allows for release of cells expressing the cell surface marker, in the absence of a chemical agent, and production of a cell population enriched for cells expressing the cell surface marker, substantially free of beads and aptamer. Kits comprising the device or components thereof, and methods of cell enrichment, are also provided. In exemplary embodiments, the device contains an aptamer that specifically binds CD31.

Tobias Ritter and Constanze Nicole Neumann

Abstract: Methods for fluorinating organic compounds utilizing a novel organic reagent are described herein. The invention further discloses the utility of this reagent for incorporation of the 18 F isotope into hydroxyl group-containing organic molecules for PET imaging studies. Preparation of the reagents is described along with isolable intermediate structures from reaction of the reagent with a hydroxyl group-containing organic molecule.

Christopher John Russo, Jene A. Golovchenko, and Daniel Branton

Abstract: There is provided a nanometric structure that includes a self-supporting nanometric material having a thickness of no more than about 5 nm. A plurality of nanopores is provided in the nanometric material, and the nanopore plurality has a density of at least about 1000 nanopores/cm2. Each nanopore in the plurality of nanopores has a diameter that is no greater than about 10 nm. The plurality of nanopores is monodisperse in diameter with a variation of about 30%. In a further nanometric structure provided herein there is included a self-supporting nanometric material having a thickness of no more than about 5 nm. A plurality of nanopores in the nanometric material includes at least about 50 nanopores. Each nanopore in the plurality of nanopores has a diameter that is no greater than about 10 nm. The plurality of nanopores is monodisperse in diameter with a variation of about 30%.

Victor Chun Li,Marc W. Kirschner

Abstract: Described herein are methods relating to the differentiation of stem cells to more differentiated phenotypes, e.g. to terminally differentiated cell types and/or precursors thereof. In some embodiments, the methods relate to contacting the stem cells with differentiation factors and halting the cell cycle, thereby increasing the rate of differentiation.

George M. Church, Prashant G. Mali, and Kevin M. Esvelt

Abstract: Methods of modulating expression of a target nucleic acid in a cell are provided including introducing into the cell a first foreign nucleic acid encoding one or more RNAs complementary to DNA, wherein the DNA includes the target nucleic acid, introducing into the cell a second foreign nucleic acid encoding a nuclease-null Cas9 protein that binds to the DNA and is guided by the one or more RNAs, introducing into the cell a third foreign nucleic acid encoding a transcriptional regulator protein or domain, wherein the one or more RNAs, the nuclease-null Cas9 protein, and the transcriptional regulator protein or domain are expressed, wherein the one or more RNAs, the nuclease-null Cas9 protein and the transcriptional regulator protein or domain co-localize to the DNA and wherein the transcriptional regulator protein or domain regulates expression of the target nucleic acid.

George M. Church, Kettner John Frederick Griswold, Jr.

Abstract: A method for making a polynucleotide is provided including (a) delivering one or more reaction reagents including an error prone or template independent DNA polymerase, cations and a selected nucleotide to a reaction site including an initiator sequence having a terminal nucleotide for a time period and under conditions capable of covalently adding one or more of the selected nucleotide to the terminal nucleotide at the 3' end of the initiator such that the selected nucleotide becomes a terminal nucleotide, and (b) determining whether the selected nucleotide has been added to the terminal nucleotide, wherein if the selected nucleotide has not been added to the terminal nucleotide, then repeating step (a) until the selected nucleotide has been added, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the polynucleotide is formed.

David J. Mooney, Alexander Stafford, Rajiv Desai, Kathleen Martinick

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reduced and highly oxidized polysaccharides, such as alginates, that are useful for encapsulating therapeutic or diagnostic agents, or lipid based nanoparticles, e.g., liposomes or virosomes, encapsulating therapeutic or diagnostic agents, prior to their delivery into a subject, as well as methods for making and using them.

Kevin C. Galloway, Robert J. Wood, and Kaitlyn Becker

Abstract: A method of making an actuator having a complex internal shape includes providing a core of a shape that defines an internal cavity of an actuator; molding an actuator around the core, wherein the core occupies the internal cavity of the actuator, the cavity having an opening; generating a pressure differential between an exterior surface of the actuator and the internal cavity of the actuator, wherein the external pressure is less than the internal pressure, to expand the actuator cavity; and removing the core through the opening of the expanded actuator cavity.

Aaron K. Remenschneider, Elliot Kozin, Nicole Black, Michael J. McKenna, Daniel J. Lee, Jennifer Lewis, John Rosowski, David Kolesky, Mark A. Skylar-Scott, and Alexander D. Valentine

Abstract: This disclosure features artificial tympanic membrane graft devices and two-component bilayer graft devices that include a scaffold having a plurality of ribs made of a first material and a plurality of spaces between the ribs filled or made with the first material, a different, second material, a combination of the first and a second materials, or a combination of a second material and one or more other different materials. The bilayer graft devices have two components or layers. One component, e.g., the underlay graft device, can include a projection, and the second component, e.g., the overlay graft device, can include an opening that corresponds to the projection (or vice versa) so that the opening and the projection can secure the two layers together in a "lock and key" manner. This disclosure also features methods of making, using, and implanting the three-dimensional artificial tympanic membrane and bilayer graft devices.

Susan M. Byrne and George M. Church

Abstract: Methods of simultaneously excising large nucleic acid sequences from a target nucleic acid and inserting large foreign nucleic sequences into the target nucleic acid sequence using DNA binding protein nucleases are described.

Kevin Galloway, Conor Walsh, Donal Holland, Panagiotis Polygerinos, Tyler Clites, Paxton Maeder-York, Ryan Neff, Emily Marie Boggs, and Zivthan Dubrovsky

Abstract: A multi-segment reinforced actuator includes (a) a soft actuator body that defines a chamber and (b) a plurality of distinct reinforcement structures on or in respective segments of the soft actuator body. First and second reinforcement structures are respectively configured to produce a first and second actuation motions, respectively, in first and second segments of the soft actuator body when fluid flows into or out of the chamber. The actuation motions are selected bending, extending, expansion, contraction, twisting, and combinations thereof; and the first actuation motion differs from the second actuation motion. The actuator can be used, e.g., to facilitate bending of the thumb with corresponding bending, extending, expansion, contraction, and twisting actuation motions.

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September 2020 patents | Harvard Office of Technology Development - Harvard Office of Technology Development

Enhanced immune reaction resulting from co-vaccination of WT1 helper peptide assessed on PET-CT. – Physician’s Weekly

It has become evident that positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) using 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) (FDG PET-CT) can detect anti-tumor immune response induced by various immunotherapies. To evaluate whether FDG PET-CT could detect anti-cancer immune response caused by cancer vaccine therapy, we performed a retrospective analysis of FDG PET-CT imaging of patients who were treated with Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) vaccine therapy in Osaka University during July 2008 and June 2018. Increased FDG uptakes were detected in WT1-vaccinated skin and their draining lymph nodes during the repeated vaccination. While the FDG uptakes seemed to decrease with time after the cessation of WT1 peptide vaccinations, persistence of FDG uptakes for years in WT1-vaccinated skin were also observed in 2 cases who showed good clinical course. Moreover, the FDG uptakes of patients treated with the combination vaccine of WT1 specific cytotoxic T cell (CTL) and helper peptides were significantly stronger than of those treated with the WT1 CTL peptide alone. Since it is evident that the combination vaccine can induce a more robust anti-tumor immunity than can CTL peptide vaccine alone, the FDG uptakes in WT1-vaccinated skin might reflect the degree of immune response. These results suggest that PET-CT might be a good tool for prediction of anti-tumor immune response induced by WT1 vaccine therapy. Larger scale prospective studies therefore seem to be warranted.

PubMed

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Enhanced immune reaction resulting from co-vaccination of WT1 helper peptide assessed on PET-CT. - Physician's Weekly

Singapore start-up Shiok Meats raises US$12.6 million as alternative protein options take off – The Straits Times

SINGAPORE (BLOOMBERG) - Cell-based seafood producer Shiok Meats of Singapore has received US$12.6 million (S$17.3 million) in Series A funding - the latest alternative protein company to raise money as the pandemic pressures global food supply chains.

The new round of funding will sustain the start-up for at least three years and help finance research, development and its first plant in Singapore, according to chief executive officer and co-founder Sandhya Sriram.

New shareholders include Seeds Capital - the investment arm of Enterprise Singapore - and several venture capital funds. Temasek-backed fund Big Idea Ventures, which was a seed investor, did not take part in the latest round.

Start-ups and food giants around the world are racing to invent and improve alternatives to traditional meat production as consumers become more careful about nutrition and the environment. While fake-meat companies such as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are raising the lion's share of funding as they expand into new markets, other start-ups are working on laboratory-grown alternatives for a potential pool of customers that want to eat real meat and seafood that do not come from living animals.

Shiok Meats has raised US$20.2 million in total funding and a person familiar with the fund-raising said its post-money valuation is about US$50 million. It takes the stem cells from shrimp before multiplying them in a "culture media", a solution filled with nutrients. It is an expensive product used to make things like vaccines that is primarily sold by pharmaceutical and chemical companies. It is also a key reason why Shiok's prawn meat now costs US$3,500 per kg.

The start-up is researching alternative and cheaper plant-based ingredients with the goal of bringing the cost down to US$50 per kg in 2022, when its products will be sold to businesses like restaurants. Challenges remain: Without finalising the recipe, Shiok cannot lock down the exact ingredient suppliers. And the process of acquiring bioreactors - the vessels in which the shrimp meat will grow -will take a year.

"We can see so many new players coming up," Dr Sriram said of the cell-based meat sector. "The next five years will be about who survives, who makes the cut and who is able to support companies like oursmake that step over to large-scale manufacturing."

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Singapore start-up Shiok Meats raises US$12.6 million as alternative protein options take off - The Straits Times

The 50 fastest-growing jobs that pay over $100K – Kenosha News

Many Americans are struggling after the coronavirus pandemic devastated the economy and led to millions of furloughs and layoffs. The younger generation just entering college or preparing for graduationwill enter a marketplace rife with uncertainty. Still, there are plenty of careers that have shown fast growth in recent years and pay salaries of six figures or more.

Stacker breaks down 50 of these industries, the prerequisites for entering those fields, and how those jobs have been affected over the past year. We compiled a list of 50 fastest-growing jobs with average salaries of over $100,000 using 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections (released Sept. 1, 2020) and Occupational Employment Statistics (released March 31, 2020). The jobs are ranked by their 10-year projected employment change, and ties are broken by the projected employment in 2029. Any broad or vague groupings of jobs, as well as jobs that have "all other" in the name, were omitted from the list, as they do not reflect an accurate portrayal of one specific occupation.

The jobs listed in this article include transportation workers, judges and lawyers, and a bevy of STEM jobs (mathematicians, physics professors, and chemical engineers, to name a few). Different physicians and tech industry workers also make several appearances. Many of these professions necessitate postsecondary education or on-the-job training. Of course, more opportunities for lower-income citizens to gain access to these jobs are a growing concern for more Americans, as well as the need to invest in STEM education in communities that dont have the same resources as more affluent communities.

Click through to find out which fast-growing jobs might be of interest to you, a family member, or even a youngster you may know whos planning for the future, and be sure to check out Stackers other articles about the job market.

You may also like: Most popular college majors in America

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The 50 fastest-growing jobs that pay over $100K - Kenosha News

The Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market To Go Strong With 4.2% CAGR Between 2026 – Crypto Daily

New York City, United States The change during the COVID-19 pandemic has overhauled our dependence on pattern setting developments, for instance, expanded reality, computer generated reality, and the Healthcare web of things. The unfulfilled cash related targets are persuading the relationship to grasp robotization and forefront advancements to stay ahead in the market competition. Associations are utilizing this open entryway by recognizing step by step operational needs and showing robotization in it to make an automated structure as far as might be feasible.

Persistence Market Research (PMR) has published a new research report on canine stem cell therapy. The report has been titled, Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market: Global Industry Analysis 2016 and Forecast 20172026.Veterinary research has been used in regenerative and adult stem cell therapy andhas gained significant traction over the last decade.

Canine stem cell therapy products are identified to have gained prominence over the past five years, and according to the aforementioned research report, the market for canine stem cell therapy will expand at a moderate pace over the next few years.

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Though all animal stem cells are not approved by FDA, veterinary stem-cell manufacturers and university researchers have been adopting various strategies in order to meet regulatory approvals, and streamline and expedite the review-and-approval process. The vendors in the market are incessantly concentrating on research and development to come up with advanced therapy, in addition to acquiring patents.

In September 2017, VetStem Biopharma, Inc. received European patent granted to the University of Pittsburgh and VetStem received full license of the patent then. This patent will eventually provide the coverage for the ongoing commercial and product development programs of VetStem and might be also available for licensing to other companies who are rather interested in this field.

The other companies operating in the global market for canine stem cell therapy are VETherapy Corporation, Aratana Therapeutics, Inc., Regeneus Ltd, Magellan Stem Cells, Animal Cell Therapies, Inc., and Medrego, among others.

According to the Persistence Market Research report, the globalcanine stem cell therapy marketis expected to witness a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2017-2026. In 2017, the market was valued at US$ 151.4 Mn and is expected to rise to a valuation of US$ 218.2 Mn by the end of 2026.

Burgeoning Prevalence of Chronic Diseases in Dogs to Benefit Market

Adipose Stem Cells (ASCs) are the most prevalent and in-demand adult stem cells owing to their safety profile, ease of harvest, and use and the ability to distinguish into multiple cell lineages. Most early clinical research is focused on adipose stem cells to treat various chronic diseases such as arthritis, tendonitis, lameness, and atopic dermatitis in dogs.

A large area of focus in veterinary medicine is treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs, which becomes more prevalent with age. Globally, more than 20% dogs are suffering from arthritis, which is a common form of canine joint and musculoskeletal disease. Out of those 20%, merely 5% seem to receive the treatment.

However, elbow dysplasia in canine registered a prevalence rate of 64%, converting it into an alarming disease condition to be treated on priority. Thereby, with the growing chronic disorders in canine, the demand for stem cell therapy is increasing at a significant pace.

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Expensive Nature of Therapy to Obstruct Growth Trajectory

Expensive nature and limited access to canine stem cell therapy has demonstrated to be a chief hindrance forestalling its widespread adoption. The average tier II and tier III veterinary hospitals lack the facilities and expertise to perform stem cell procedures, which necessitates the referral to a specialty vet hospital with expertise veterinarians.

A trained veterinary physician charges high treatment cost associated with stem cell therapy for dogs. Generally, dog owners have pet insurance that typically covers maximum cost associated with steam cell therapy to treat the initial injury but for the succeeding measures in case of retreatment, the costs are not covered under the pet insurance. The stem cell therapy is thus cost-prohibitive for a large number of pet owners, which highlights a major restraint to the market growth. Stem cell therapy is still in its developmental stage and a positive growth outcome for the market cannot be confirmed yet.

About- Persistence Market Research (Healthcare)

Unprecedented access to a world of information has given rise to the empowered, albeit distrustful, consumer. So is the case with healthcare, where the patient has been rendered more informed and conscientious thanks to the extraordinary penetration of the Internet. The discerning patient now demands more affordable, sophisticated, transparent, and personalized healthcare services, creating the need for new models for care.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes

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The Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market To Go Strong With 4.2% CAGR Between 2026 - Crypto Daily

Brazil vets work to heal jaguars burned in Pantanal wildfire – News-Press Now

CORUMBA DE GOIAS, Brazil In 20 years, veterinarian Daniela Gianni had never seen a jaguar burned as badly as Amanaci, a female injured in the wildfires crackling through Brazils vast Pantanal wetlands.

After 13 hours of overland transport, Amanaci arrived for care on Aug. 21 at the NEX Institute in the Brazilian state of Goias, where Gianni and other veterinarians have since been working to heal her.

Amanaci had third-degree burns on the pads of her paws and belly, dead tendons and exposed bone. Her mammaries were swollen with milk, which Gianni said made plain the cause of her severe wounds.

Jaguars can run and hide, they can protect themselves from fire, but this is an animal that spent a lot of time walking on embers, probably to save one or more cubs, Gianni said at her facility on Sunday.

Amanaci was discovered alone and distressed in an abandoned hen house, with no cubs anywhere to be found.

The Pantanal teems with animals and is a popular ecotourism destination. In its dry season, wildlife enthusiasts flock to see the normally furtive felines lounging on riverbanks, as well as giant river otters, caimans and capybaras.

But this year the worlds largest tropical wetlands are fully parched, and have experienced the greatest number of fires since records began being kept in 1998. Pantanal vegetation regenerates quickly once rains fall, but many animals have perished. Others were forced from their habitat or injured, leaving veterinarians scrambling to provide care.

Gianni is the operational coordinator of the NEX Institute, an organization that defends wild cats, and which is using experimental stem cell treatment to tend to jaguars wounds. NEX treated its first feline with stem cells nine years ago, for a fractured front paw. The other two are recent victims of the Pantanal wildfires.

Amanacis first three rounds of injections were with stem cells harvested from the jaguar that NEX treated nine years ago. Amanaci has since had 13 applications, including one on Sunday, all done using her own genetic material.

That really speeds up the healing, Gianni said.

Stem cells have generated excitement for their potential to help both people and animals heal quickly, but more research is needed to determine the effects of treatment, according to Jamie Peyton, chief of the integrative medicine service at the University of California, Davis, veterinary teaching hospital. Peyton in 2018 utilized tilapia skin to heal severe burns of two black bears and a mountain lion cub rescued from California fires after learning about the practice in Brazil for human burn victims.

Stem cells are definitely out there, but its not a standard treatment for wounds just yet because we still need more information, Peyton said by phone, as she tended to animals injured by this years California fires. Its always so exciting when people are thinking outside the box, especially for wildlife.

The Pantanal wildfires have consumed 22% of the biome this year, an area bigger than Belgium, according to a satellite laboratory at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. It is also more than double the 5,625 square miles burned in California this year, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Pantanal is suffering its worst drought in nearly a half century, with temperatures exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

NEX veterinarians bestowed the name Amanaci which means goddess of the waters in the Tupi language on this female. It is one of four individuals that have been rescued from the Pantanal, while another died, according to Panthera, an international wild cat conservation organization that says the habitat of up to 600 jaguars has burned in 2020.

While Amanacis treatment is proceeding well, she may never return to the wild, Gianni said. Amanaci is unlikely to be able to defend herself, run quickly or climb trees. Instead, she will probably live at the institute along with the 23 other jaguars it houses.

She may have no way to survive out there, Gianni said. But were hoping for a miracle.

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Brazil vets work to heal jaguars burned in Pantanal wildfire - News-Press Now

Comprehensive Report on Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market Set to Witness Huge Growth by 2026 | VETSTEM BIOPHARMA, Cell Therapy Sciences, Regeneus,…

Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market research is an intelligence report with meticulous efforts undertaken to study the right and valuable information. The data which has been looked upon is done considering both, the existing top players and the upcoming competitors. Business strategies of the key players and the new entering market industries are studied in detail. Well explained SWOT analysis, revenue share and contact information are shared in this report analysis.

The global Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market size is expected to Expand at Significant CAGR of +4% during forecast period (2020-2026).

The non-invasive stem cell obtaining procedure, augmented possibility of accomplishing high quality cells, and lower price of therapy coupled with high success rate of positive outcomes have collectively made allogeneic stem cell therapy a preference for veterinary physicians. Moreover, allogeneic stem cell therapy is 100% safe, which further supports its demand on a global level.

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Note In order to provide more accurate market forecast, all our reports will be updated before delivery by considering the impact of COVID-19.

Top Key Players Profiled in this report are:

VETSTEM BIOPHARMA, Cell Therapy Sciences, Regeneus, Aratana Therapeutics, Medivet Biologics, Okyanos

This report provides a detailed and analytical look at the various companies that are working to achieve a high market share in the global Canine Stem Cell Therapy market. Data is provided for the top and fastest growing segments. This report implements a balanced mix of primary and secondary research methodologies for analysis. Markets are categorized according to key criteria. To this end, the report includes a section dedicated to the company profile. This report will help you identify your needs, discover problem areas, discover better opportunities, and help all your organizations primary leadership processes. You can ensure the performance of your public relations efforts and monitor customer objections to stay one step ahead and limit losses.

Key Influence of the Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market:

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The report summarized the high revenue that has been generated across locations like, North America, Japan, Europe, Asia, and India along with the facts and figures of Canine Stem Cell Therapy market. It focuses on the major points, which are necessary to make positive impacts on the market policies, international transactions, speculation, and supply demand in the global market.

Global Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market Segmentation:

Market Segmentation: By Type

Allogeneic Stem CellsAutologous Stem cells

Market Segmentation: By Application

Veterinary HospitalsVeterinary ClinicsVeterinary Research Institutes

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Market Penetration:Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Canine Stem Cell Therapy market.

Product Development/Innovation:Detailed insights on the upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the market.

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market.

Market Development:Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies.

Market Diversification:Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Canine Stem Cell Therapy market.

Table of Contents

Global Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market Research Report 2020 2026

Chapter 1 Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market Overview

Chapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Industry

Chapter 3 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers

Chapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by Region

Chapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions

Chapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type

Chapter 7 Global Market Analysis by Application

Chapter 8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis

Chapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers

Chapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders

Chapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis

Chapter 12 Global Canine Stem Cell Therapy Market Forecast

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Sep 24 Getting real with CBD- a veterinary surgeon’s perspective – Jill Lopez

It was about the third week into Bastions recovery from his TPLO surgery, and he was already having a rough time. Bastion was a gregarious yellow Labrador who had injured his stifle about 25 days earlier. Fortunately, his family elected to have the stifle surgically reconstructed. Initially, he was recovering well from surgery, but one day in particular, he returned to the hospital because hed had a brief setback. He was limping far more severely than would be normally expected at that stage of recovery.

The osteotomy from his surgery had not yet completely healed, and he was still in the middle of his prescribed five weeks of strict exercise restriction. His family was trying their best, but Bastion wasnt having it. He was too active at home, and his humans were growing frustrated. Theyd received anti-anxiety medications but werent giving them. Instead, his family had decided to give him CBD oil at home. When I asked why, the client responded, I found CBD oil at the local farmers market, and I figured it would work just as well.

Like Bastion, an increasing number of pets are receiving cannabidiol (CBD) supplements. The popularity of CBD continues to rise, and many clients are incorporating it into the medication protocol for their pets, either as an adjunct or an alternative treatment option. Perhaps the initial interest in the benefits of CBD can be traced back to 1998, or possibly earlier, when scientists at the National Institutes of Health discovered that CBD could protect cells from oxidative stress.

These findings fueled interest in the human medical field and, in large part, that appeal has beentransmuted into veterinary medicine. The regard for this molecule has risen to such levels that in many homes, CBD is being used as the sole treatment option for a variety of medical conditions. Veterinarians are becoming more fluent in the fascinating pharmacology regarding the use of this phytocannabinoid. A recent survey indicated that most veterinarians (61.5%) felt comfortable discussing the use of CBD with their colleagues, but only 45.5% felt comfortable discussing this topic with clients.1

Furthermore, veterinarians and clients in states with legalized recreational marijuana were more likely to talk about the use of CBD products to treat canine ailments than those in other states.2Lastly, CBD was most frequently discussed as a potential treatment for pain management, anxiety, and seizures.1At first glance, the use of CBD has tangential or limited relevance in the world of veterinary surgery. However, as one takes a closer look at the putativeand provenbenefits, it is clear that we are just scratching the surface of its therapeutic benefits.

Pain

Whether you perform surgery within a specialty discipline (oncology, orthopedics, neurology, soft tissue surgery, mixed animal, oral/dental, etc.), or surgery is only a small part of your general practice, every veterinarian endeavors to manage pain aggressively. The first choice for pain relief among many clinicians are the medications that have been more extensively studied, including but not limited to anti-inflammatories, gabapentinoids, opioids, local anesthetics, and other analgesics (acetaminophen, amantadine, Cerenia, etc.). These medications or a combination thereof have been prescribed to treat pain from orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, intestinal surgery, and surgical neuropathic conditions, to name just a few. In the most basic schema, pain is divided into four categories: nociceptive pain (a response to damaged tissue), neuropathic pain (a response to directly-damaged sensory or spinal nerves), centralized pain (the result of pain signals being improperly amplified), and inflammatory pain.1

Cannabinoids may have a role to play inmediatingall four of these types of pain states. When tissue is damaged, histamine, serotonin, TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta, IL-6 andIl -17 6, and interleukin 17 are released.2Cannabinoids bind to the CB1 receptors and attenuate the pain signal by slowing down the release of those neurotransmitters.3This process can take place locally or in the central nervous system.3Cannabinoids have also been shown to inhibit the release of GABA, a well-known neurotransmitter associated with pain.3Although there is a paucity of clinical research on the use of CBD to treat postoperative pain in the veterinary medical setting, there has been heartening research conducted in humans. Indeed, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.

Opioids have long been the go-to option or cornerstone of pain management, but the potential for the adverse events associated with the use of opioids in veterinary patients is universally accepted.38I have seen how distressing it can be for a family to see their pet experiencing any of the unpleasurable side effects of opioids, including urine retention, delayed bowel movements, whining, panting, disorientation, or other manifestations of dysphoria. Those are just some of the challenges that clinicians face when using opioids for chronic pain management. Considering the ongoing consequences of the opioid epidemic, there is a search for pain management solutions that are innovative, prone to less adverse events, and are more effective. As the scientific community begins to evaluate the evidence for use of CBD, it is clear that more research is needed.

Anecdotal reports of CBDs efficacy as a pain reliever are ubiquitous, but more practitioners are turning to scientific data for evidence of CBDs efficacy. A study in 2020 evaluating effects of CBD hemp extract on opioid use and quality-of-life indicators in chronic pain patients found that over half of chronic pain patients (53%) reduced or eliminated their opioids within eight weeks after adding CBD-rich hemp extract to their regimens.5Almost all CBD users (94%) reported quality-of-life improvements.5A recent study evaluating orally consumed cannabinoids for long-lasting relief of allodynia in a mouse model found that cannabinoids reduced hyperalgesia, and a similar effect was not found with morphine.4Mouse vocalizations were recorded throughout the experiment, and mice showed a large increase in ultrasonic, broadband clicks after sciatic nerve injury, which was reversed by THC, CBD, and morphine.4The study demonstrated that cannabinoids provide long-term relief of chronic pain states.4If research shows that use of cannabinoids in animalsspecifically, CBDcan help to decrease the use of opioids for pain management, that would help make more animals comfortable and potentially help to fight the tragic epidemic of human prescription opioid abuse. Further research is needed in a variety of species, specifically, both the canine and feline species.

Bone Healing

Both general veterinary practitioners and veterinary surgeons commonly diagnose and treat fractures. No large retrospective study of fracture incidence in dogs in North America has been published since 1994; however, the findings from that years study are still informative regarding the frequency of bone injuries. The study demonstrated that approximately 24% of all patients in the population studied over a 10-year period were affected by a disorder of the musculoskeletal system, with fractures contributing the largest proportion (over 29%) of all of the diagnoses of the appendicular skeletal system.7Although that research is dated, the conclusions from this study, at the very least, indicate that fractures are commonplace in the clinical veterinary setting.7Fracture repair has gradually become more straightforward due to improvements in technology. Because of these innovations, specialty surgeons and general practitioners who repair fractures have begun to see better surgical outcomes. So whether you primarily stabilize fractures with implants, or if external coaptation of fractures with the intention to refer (or perhaps as the primary means of fixation) is your treatment of choice, all veterinary practitioners aim to help fractured bones heal quickly. Despite these technological improvements, bone healing can be protracted or non-existent with some fractures. There are a variety of options at a veterinarians disposal to kick-start the healing process, but perhaps in the near future, CBD may be added to thatarmamentarium. The effect of CBD in fracture healing has been investigated evaluating bone callus formation in femur fractures in a rat model.8The findings demonstrated enhanced biomechanical properties of healing fractures in those given CBD compared with a control group.8This effect was not found in those given only 9-THC. Moreover, the bone-forming (osteogenic) effects of CBD were weakened when test subjects were given equal amounts of CBD and 9-THC.6Another in vivo research study indicated that when CBD is incorporated into a surface that promotes bone growth (osteoconductive scaffold) it can stimulate stem cell migration and osteogenic differentiation.9Further studies are needed to better evaluate the role of CBD in healing and bone metabolism of companion animals so that these findings can be applied in the clinical setting.

Additionally, cannabis has been shown to be a useful addition in treatment plans to improve bone health in laboratory studies. Studies have endeavored to better understand the role of CB2 receptors in maintaining bone health. CB2 receptors in bone cells have been linked to maintaining bone density and stimulating growth and may therefore have a part in reversing the effects of osteoporosis.10One study evaluating the role of CB2 receptors found that mice whose genes had been altered to remove the CB1 or CB2 receptors developed signs of bone weakness that were far more pronounced than those in the control group.12Another study in 2009 investigated the relationship between CB2 expression and bone disease in humans. It found that people with dysfunctional CB2 receptors have significantly weaker hand bones.11

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects many dogs, large and small. Most often, OA is the consequence of a developmental orthopedic disease that affects a single joint or a pair of joints and, less often, affects multiple joints. It is axiomatic that Mother Nature likes symmetry, thus developmental orthopedic diseases frequently affect both left and right joints. For example, hip dysplasia is reportedly bilateral in >60% of affected dogs,13and elbow dysplasia is bilateral in approximately 50% of affected dogs.14Osteoarthritis occurs secondary to a myriad of primary orthopedic conditions that affect a variety of joints including: the hip (most common causes of OA in the hip: hip dysplasia, Perthes disease); stifle (patellar luxation, cranial cruciate ligament disease, osteochondritis dissecans [OCD]); elbow (elbow dysplasia, elbow OCD, fragmentation of the medial coronoid process, incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle); shoulder (shoulder OCD, developmental shoulder subluxation); tarsus (OCD of the talus), and carpus (carpal laxity, carpal subluxation secondary to chondrodystrophy); andmetacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) jointdegenerative osteoarthritis (digital osteoarthritis).

Cannabinoids were found to treat pain secondary to inflammation in a variety of studies on humans. Some of the most compelling research has shown that cannabis can reduce the inflammation in the joint caused in human patients diagnosed with immune-mediated arthritis.15One study found that cannabinoids could simultaneously reduce the secretion of cytokines involved in inflammation from one type of TH immune cells, which were being under-produced, while also increasing their numbers to correct their scarcity.15Furthermore, in a study in 2003, researchers found that plant-based cannabinoids could suppress the expression of interleukin-1betaone of the most prominent markers for inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritisby as much as 50%.16And finally, in 2006, transdermal applications of CBD were shown to decrease biomarkers that can contribute to neurogenic inflammation in a sample of arthritic rats.17

A report published inThe Journal of PAINand written by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine revealed the results of a large, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study on the positive effects CBD had in the fight against osteoarthritis.18The study was designed with two main goals: The first portion of the research studied the effect CBD had on the inflammatory molecules and cells in mice.18The second portion of the study investigated whether CBD improved the quality of life in dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis. In lab tests and in mouse models, CBD significantly decreased the production of natural chemicals that promote inflammation, and it increased the natural chemicals that fight inflammation.18Essentially, they saw a drop in proinflammatory cytokines and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines.18For dogs with osteoarthritis, CBD significantly decreased pain and increased mobility in a dose-dependent fashion. Importantly, a lower dose of liposomal CBD was as effective as the highest dose of non-liposomal CBD, indicating that the effect of CBD was quicker andmore powerful when CBD was delivered encapsulated in liposomes than without.18Blood samples indicated no significant harmful side effects or adverse events over the 4-week analysis period.18Although this study is very promising, and it supports the safety and therapeutic potential of hemp-derived CBD for relieving arthritic pain in dogs, it is important to consult with your pets veterinarian before giving any supplement or medication.

In the veterinary population, use of cannabidiol and other alternative treatments has the potential to obviate the need for other medications and thus spare patients from adverse effects associated with their use. More likely, the use of cannabinoids could be additive or synergistic in a multimodal treatment strategy and could increase quality-of-life issues associated with painful arthritic conditions.

Intervertebral Disk Disease

As our patients age, discs in their spines undergo degenerative changes. Thus, degeneration of intervertebral discs is inevitable. This process of degeneration is multifactorial, and it involves hypoxia, inflammation, neoinnervation, accelerated catabolism, and reduction in water and glycosaminoglycan content.39The magnitude and severity of disc degeneration can vary widely between patients. The most common locations of clinically relevant disc disease are the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and lumbosacral spine.40Although there are various manifestations of disc disease, broad classifications of Hansen Type I and Type II are typically used to describe the condition. In short, disc material may either extrude (acute herniations) or protrude (chronic herniations), both of which compress the spinal cord, which can ultimately cause pain, paresis, paralysis, and other neurological deficits.40Theprevalence of thoracolumbar disc disease in dogs has been estimated at 3.5%.40Depending on the neurologic examination, diagnosis, severity, prognosis, and other factors, surgery may be recommended to decompress the spinal cord. After surgical decompression,there is a hostof challenges that the patient, the family, and the surgeon may have to work through, including a potentially protracted recovery, recurrence of neurological signs, post-surgical pain, spinal instability, urinary disorders, (cystitis, urinary tract infection, urinary retention, micturition disorders), ascending myelomalacia, and others.41Could CBD play a part in helping to improve those affected by disc disease pre-, intra-, or post-operatively, and what types of spinal disorders could benefit from CBD? A study conducted on the use of CBD in mice with degenerative disc disease showed promise in mitigating the effect of disc damage and wear.19Instead of being ingested orally, CBD was injected at the site of the disc. Researchers investigatedthe effects of cannabidiol intradiscal injection using a combination of MRI and histological analyses.19A puncture was created in the disc, and then CBD was injected into the disc (30, 60 or 120 nmol) shortly after.19The effects of intradiscal injection of cannabidiol were analyzed within 2 days by MRI.17Fifteen days later, the group that received cannabidiol 120 nmol was resubmitted to MRI examination and then to histological analyses after the cannabidiol injection.19They found that cannabidiol significantly decreased the effects of disc injury induced by the needle puncture.19These results suggest that this compound could be useful in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration, perhaps using a novel route of administration. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism for howCBD oil helped alleviate disc damage is still being investigated. The hope is that theneuroprotective properties of cannabidiol can also be found in the study of canine and feline disc disease to ultimately improve functional recovery.

Neuropathic Pain

Fortunately, more effort, research, and attention is being paid to treating pain in veterinary medicine.Nociceptive pain is caused by external pressure, cold, heat, or internal trauma, stimulated by the release of compounds like bradykinin, prostaglandins, or leukotrienes.20Humans may describe this pain as a sharp, aching, or throbbing sensation. In veterinary patients, nociceptive pain may be manifested by limping, sharp movements, lip smacking, panting, vocalization, or, in select cases, no obvious response. The function of nociceptive pain in humans, and presumably in pets, is to alert them that they are injured and hopefully prevent further injury.20

Neuropathic pain, caused by direct damage to sensory or spinal nerves, allows aberrant pain signals to be sent to the brain.21In veterinary patients, a common example of neuropathic pain that I diagnose commonly is sciatic or radial nerve hyperpathia, but lumbar or cervical foraminal radiculopathies can also be relatively frequent causes of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain syndromes are often secondary to intervertebral disc disease, static and dynamic nerve foramen impingement, vertebral instability, recent surgery, trauma, abnormal conformation, abnormal gait, and chronic joint pain.21A classic example of neuropathic pain in humans is diabetic neuropathy.

Unfortunately, there are some challenges to diagnosing and understanding neuropathic pain in the veterinary setting, particularly in the presence of an otherwise normal orthopedic exam. To be sure, neuropathic pain can be evoked by low- or high-intensity stimuli; it can be spontaneous and not stimulus-dependent; it is maladaptive (maintained in the absence of tissue trauma), and it responds poorly to opiates and anti-inflammatory drugs.21

CBD use has shown promise in the treatment of neuropathic pain. In a 2010 study, researchers looked at a sample of diabetic rats and administered daily doses of Cannabis sativa ranging from 25 to 100mg/kg[AC6]of body weight.22After fourteen days, the rats exhibited significant reductions in tingling, heat, and pain in the extremities associated with advanced diabetes.22Another study, from 2015, compared descriptions of spontaneous pain among sixteen patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a randomized, double-blinded setting.23The study subjects were administered four single-dosing sessions of placebo or cannabis. Significant reduction in pain intensity varied directly with the size of their dose.23

As we begin to understand neuropathic pain in animals more clearly, treatment strategies and pharmaceutical alternatives will more adequately address their pain, possibly including the use of CBD or CBD alternatives. Additional research will hopefully actualize the promise and potential that CBD may have in treating the veterinary population in neuropathic pain.

Anxiety

Exercise restriction is a critical component for successful surgical outcomes in many elective orthopedic surgeries. For example, post dynamic stifle stabilization surgery, I frequently recommend a minimum of five to eight weeks of strict monitoring and exercise restriction. This recommendation can be extremely challenging for families, because many of the animals are inclined to be active, are frequently powerful and athletic, and are young and unaccustomed to confinement. Implant failure or a poor surgical outcome overall can many times be ascribed to the challenges related to activity restriction. Difficulties with this process may lead to protracted recovery or even surgical treatment failure, necessitating a second surgical procedure.

Common pharmaceutical strategies employed to help with exercise restriction include the use of Trazodone and Acepromazine.24However, both of these medications can have variable effects depending on the individual, and in some cases, there are undesirable adverse effects (e.g. excessive sedation and paradoxical excitation with Acepromazine,serotonin syndrome with Trazodone, etc.).24

Could CBD or CBD derivatives enhance calmness and alleviate anxiety in animals? Based on CBDs proposed mechanism of action in mitigating anxiety, the answer may be encouraging. Higher levels of natural endocannabinoids in the human body are associated with an antidepressant effect.25Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the central nervous system and play a key part in maintaining our sense of well-being. They are particularly numerous in cells tasked with manufacturing serotonin where it is needed.25

Cannabidiol may also have an effect on the hippocampus, which is a region of the brain responsible for memory and mood. Glucocorticoids are secreted during stress, which may cause the hippocampus to atrophy.26That shrinking process plays a role in diminished memory and depressed mood.26Cannabinoids have shown an ability to counter this process through the phenomenon ofhippocampal neurogenesis(regrowth and development in nerve tissue), which can be activated by the expression of cannabinoid type-1 receptors.26Both natural endocannabinoids and plant-based cannabinoids have both been shown to accelerate this process.26

In another random-controlled trial performed on humans, subjects receiving a 600 mg CBD supplement also reported less subjective anxiety symptoms during public speaking than those whod taken a placebo.27CBD also shows activity specific to the limbic system in the brain. A study evaluating that effect on the limbic system found that CBD administration helped to reduce symptoms in people with social anxiety disorder.28Indeed, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine specifically referenced CBDs effects in a statement about anxiety disorders, there is evidence that cannabidiol is an effective treatment for the improvement of anxiety symptoms, as assessed by a public speaking test in individuals with social anxiety disorders.30

A 2019 study in mice simulated to have an anxiety disorder, (Fragile X Syndromea neurodevelopmental disorder that affects intellectual, social, and physical development due to a mutation of the FMR1 gene) were shown to have fewer anxiety-related behaviors across tests when given CBD.31Furthermore, CBD decreased the anxiety response of all mice tested while not affecting their cognitive performance.31

The potential for CBD to be efficacious in treating anxiety in other species will be important to study, but its use as an anxiolytic and sedative is growing in popularity despite the paucity of research specific to this indication. As previously mentioned, anxiety was one of the most common reasons for veterinarians to discuss CBD.1The most commonly used CBD formulations were oil/extract and edibles1for the putative benefits of relieving anxiety, among others.1As CBD research continues to gain steam, more attention will hopefully be directed towards how the full ensemble of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids seem to complement each other, working through multiple receptors at once, and often enhancing each others signals to the body (entourage effect).

Wound Healing

When it comes to wounds, all medical professionals are generally united in a common purpose: we want wounds to heal faster. Indeed, products that promote or accelerate wound healing have been of interest to veterinarians and physicians since the advent of wound treatment. Wound healing products and topical agents may target different phases of wound healing, including debridement, wound contraction, epithelialization, and granulation. Many products promote the formation of granulation tissue, while others are more effective after granulation tissue has formed (e.g. hyaluronic acid). For this reason, adapting the topical dressing specific to the stage and progress of wound healing is of utmost importance.

CBD has shown efficacy in the maturation phase of wound healing and some inflammatory skin conditions.33In a 2019 study of 20 patients with two most frequent skin disorderspsoriasis (5 patients), atopic dermatitis (5), and resulting outcome scars (10)the subjects were instructed to administer topical CBD-enriched ointment to lesioned skin areas twice daily for three months.33The results showed that topical treatment with CBD-enriched ointment significantly improved the skin parameters and the symptoms associated with the skin condition.33This study concluded that the topical administration of CBD ointment, without any THC, is a safe, effective, and non-invasive alternative for improving the quality of life in patients with some skin disorders, especially inflammatory ones.33Another study in 2019 investigated the potential effect of a Cannabis sativa L. ethanolic extract standardized in cannabidiol as anti-inflammatory agent in the skin.34The study found that the extract inhibited the release of mediators of inflammation involved in wound healing and inflammatory processes occurring in the skin.34The down-regulation of genes involved in wound healing and skin inflammation was at least in part due to the presence of cannabidiol.34The findings provided new insights into the potential effect of Cannabis extracts against inflammation-based skin diseases.

Bacterial infiltration can negatively influence wound healing. Another area in which topical cannabis treatments show a great deal of potential is in the treatment of bacteria-related skin disorders. One study from 1976 indicated that isolates of THC and CBD were effective in reducing samples of staphylococci and streptococci, two bacteria associated with acne.35Another study from 2008 found that the plant-based CBD, CBC, CBG, THC, and CBN were substantially potent against a variety of Staphylococcus aureus strains, which were resistant to the antibiotic methicillin (MRSA).36

However, a recent study perhaps underscores the importance of adjusting topical therapy according to the stage of healing. In 2020, theAustralian Veterinary Journalreported a study on horses with wounds that were created in a laboratory setting and then deliberately contaminated. Each wound was assigned to a treatment group that contained 1% cannabidiol in three different manuka honey formulations.37Treatments were applied topically daily for a total of 42 days. The results indicated that irrespective of the treatment, wounds did not retract as expected in the first seven days after wound creation.37There was no difference in wound area, daily healing rate, or days to complete healing between treatment groups.37This study highlights the importance for continued study on the correct time, concentration, and best practices when using CBD to accelerate wound healing.

Conclusion

Though the overall potential for cannabidiol to address specific surgical conditions is encouraging, strong double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies with large sample sizes are lacking. Based on the research thats available in animal models and among human patients, there are large pockets of convincing research that inspire hope and promise in the use of CBD in veterinary surgery and veterinary medicine writ large. To be sure, the concept of scientific integrative medicine should be considered along with other first-line treatments for veterinary patients. Evidence-based solutions should be prioritized when treating disease, but innovative or novel treatments may have to be considered in patients with neuropathic pain, disc disease, anxiety, or debilitating arthritis.New discoveries in the world of cannabis-based medicine may be just what the doctor ordered for an effervescentLabrador like Bastion.

References:

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Hammell, D.C., et al. (2015) Transdermal Cannabidiol Reduces Inflammation and Pain-related Behaviours in a Rat Model of Arthritis.European Journal of Pain, 6:936-48. DOI:10.1002/ejp.818

Verrico, C.D., Wesson, S., Konduri, V., Hofferek, C.J., Vazquez-Perez, J., et al. (2020) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain.Pain. DOI:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001896

Silveira, J.W., Issy, A.C., Castania, V.A., Salmon, C.E.G., Nogueira-Barbosa, M. H., et al. (2014) Protective Effects of Cannabidiol on Lesion-Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.PLOS One, 9:12. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0113161

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Bergamaschi, M.M., et al. (2011) Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Nave Social Phobia Patients.Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(6):1219-26 DOI:10.1038/npp.2011.6.

Crippa, J.A.S., et al. (2010) Neural Basis of Anxiolytic Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder: A Preliminary Report.Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25:1 DOI:10.1177/0269881110379283.

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Pamplona, F.A., da Silva, L.R., & Coan, A.C. (2018) Potential Clinical Benefits of CBD-Rich Cannabis Extracts Over Purified CBD in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Observational Data Meta-analysis.Frontiers in Neurology, 9. DOI:10.3389/fneur.2018.00759

Palmieri, B., Laurino, C., Vadal, M. (2019) A therapeutic effect of CBD-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars.La Clinica Terapeutica, Mar-Apr, 170(2):e93-e99. DOI: 10.7417/CT.2019.2116.

Sangiovanni, E., Fumagalli, M., Pacchetti, B., Piazza, S., et al. (2019) Cannabis sativa L. extract and cannabidiol inhibit in vitro mediators of skin inflammation and wound injury.Phytotherapy Research. DOI:10.1002/ptr.6400

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Appendino, G., et al. (2008) Antibacterial Cannabinoids From Cannabis Sativa: A StructureActivity Study.Journal of Natural Products, 71(8):1427-430. DOI:10.1021/np8002673

McIver, V., Tsang, A., Symonds, N., Perkins, N., et al. (2020) Effects of topical treatment of cannabidiol extract in a unique manuka factor 5 manuka honey carrier on second intention wound healing on equine distal limb wounds: a preliminary study.Australian Veterinary Journal. DOI:10.1111/avj.12932

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Jeffery, N.D., Levine, J.M., Olby, N.J., et al. (2013)Intervertebral disk degeneration in dogs: consequences, diagnosis, treatment, and future directions. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 27 (6):1318-33.

Balducci, F., Canal, S., Contiero, B., et al. (2017)Prevalence and Risk Factors for Presumptive Ascending/Descending Myelomalacia in Dogs after Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disk Herniation. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine,31 (2):498-504.

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Sep 24 Getting real with CBD- a veterinary surgeon's perspective - Jill Lopez

Environmental Court to Hear Closing Arguments in East Maui Water Rights Case – Maui Time

Sierra Club sues Board of Land and Natural Resources for its failure to protect East Maui streams from exploitation

Judge Jeffrey Crabtree of the Hawaii Environmental Court will be hearing closing arguments in the Sierra Club of Hawaiis case against the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The Sierra Club sued the Board of Land and Natural Resources for authorizing an increase in the amount of water taken out of the East Maui watershed. The Board of Land and Natural Resources has continuously issued temporary permits to Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation for access to 13 streams in the East Maui watershed without knowing or mitigating the harm caused by their use of these streams to water land in Central Maui.

The Hawaii Environmental Court took evidence in this case in the first of its kind virtual trial held over a two and half week period in August and is now hearing closing arguments.

For permission to record the hearing, contact the court clerks office ahead of the hearing at 808-539-4105.

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Environmental Court to Hear Closing Arguments in East Maui Water Rights Case - Maui Time

Advances in the Treatment of Mantle Cell Lymphoma are Greatly Improving the Long-Term Outlook for PatientsAdvances in the Treatment of Mantle Cell…

When James Landon received a mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) diagnosis in 2017, he was told his disease was indolent, meaning it was slow growing and didnt need to be treated right away, especially since he was feeling fine.

But that changed in 2019. Landon, 50, an attorney in Tucson, Arizona, started to feel tired all the time. His physicians discovered that his white blood cell count was sky-high and his spleen was enlarged.

The first-line treatment for MCL has long been high doses of chemotherapy, often followed by a stem cell transplant. But when Landon traveled to The University of Texas MD Anderson CancerCenter in Houston to explore his options, he was offered an alternative: an experimental regimen combining the drugs Imbruvica (ibrutinib) and Rituxan (rituximab). Imbruvica blocks a protein called Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), which is a driver of MCL, and Rituxan is an antibody that targets overactive B cells of the immune system that have been implicated in the disease.

Five months after starting the combination four Imbruvica pills every morning and once-weekly infusions of Rituxan Landons positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed no evidence of disease. If he stays clear, hell undergo a short course of chemotherapy and then move to a maintenance therapy of one year of Ibrutinib and two of Rituxan.

Having this option has been fantastic, in my opinion, because the drugs so far have worked well for me, with no toxicity, says Landon, who adds that he has plenty of energy to work full time and play with his 10-year-old son.

BTK inhibitors and immunotherapy are among the newer therapeutic options for patients with MCL that are greatly improving the outlook for long-term survival. In addition to these targeted drugs, Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel) the first cell-based gene therapy for MCL in patients who havent responded to or who have relapsed following other kinds of treatment was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July and is a one-time personalized treatment made from patients own immune cells.

We now have several good nonchemotherapy options for treating MCL, says Dr. Anthony Nguyen, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine and a medical oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada. We may be able to tell patients we can treat them without toxic chemotherapy, which can be reassuring, particularly for older patients.

MCL is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) thats characterized by the overproduction of a protein called cyclin D1. In about 85% of patients, that overproduction is caused by a genetic abnormality called reciprocal chromosomal translocation, which can be detected with diagnostic testing of tumor samples. MCL accounts for about 6% of all NHL diagnoses and is more common in men than in women, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The standard first-line treatment for MCL is high-dose chemotherapy, often with a four-medicine regimen called hyper-CVAD, followed by a stem cell transplant with a patients own cells or with those from a donor. The regimen often puts patients into long-term remissions, but the side effects including nausea, mouth ulcers and kidney damage can be difficult or even dangerous, particularly for patients with other illnesses.

The newer medicines and cell therapy were approved by the FDA to treat patients with MCL who dont respond to chemotherapy and transplants or who relapse. But as physicians gain more experience with these therapies, theres a growing interest in using them earlier in the treatment process to not only improve the chances of long-term remissions, but also to improve the quality of life for patients by sparing them from harsh side effects.

The FDA approved the first BTK inhibitor to treat MCL, Imbruvica, in 2013, based on a study showing an overall response rate (meaning the disease responded to treatment) of 68% and a complete response rate (the disappearance of all signs of cancer) of 21%. The average period that patients lived without their disease progressing was more than a year, and side effects were mild stomach upset and fatigue.

The more recently approved BTK inhibitors Calquence (acalabrutinib) and Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) have improved on those response rates. Patients receiving Brukinsa in a late-stage trial, for example, had an overall response rate of 89% and a complete response rate of 59%.

Another targeted treatment, Venclexta (venetoclax) is also being studied in MCL. Venclexta targets the protein BCL2, which promotes cell survival and is abnormally elevated in MCL helping to drive progression of the disease. In a small trial of Venclexta, 75% of patients with relapsed MCL responded to the drug, 21% of whom had complete responses. Theres even more interest in studying BCL2 inhibition in combination with BTK blockers. In a recent study of Venclexta combined with Imbruvica, the median progression-free survival time was 29 months.

This is an extremely promising combination, says Dr. Abhijeet Kumar, assistant professor in the division of hematology and oncology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Kumar is an investigator in an ongoing trial of Venclexta and Imbruvica in MCL.

There is, however, a risk of increased side effects when targeted treatments are combined. Imbruvica can cause bleeding, for example, and both drugs can lower neutrophil (a type of white blood cell) counts. Venclexta is also known to cause tumor lysis syndrome, a rapid release of tumor cells into the bloodstream that can endanger the kidneys and other organs. Still, so far, the combination seems to be well-tolerated, Kumar says.

Another two-drug treatment for MCL that has generated enthusiasm among oncologists treating the disease is dubbed R-squared because it combines Rituxan with Revlimid (lenalidomide), a drug that works by boosting the immune systems T cells and natural killer cells, which work together to attack cancer.

In a study of R-squared in 38 patients with newly diagnosed MCL, the progression-free survival rate after three years was 80% and overall survival reached 90%. The response is durable, says Dr. Bijal Shah, an associate member in the department of malignant hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center and one of the study investigators. During the R-squared trial, patients typically stayed on the combination for three years and then took Revlimid alone as long as the disease remained stable.

Similar benefits have been seen with a combination of Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid and chemotherapy, a regimen called VR-CAP. Velcade is a targeted drug that works by disrupting the growth of MCL cells and prompting them to die.

In a trial of patients with untreated MCL, adding Velcade to Revlimid and chemotherapy extended progression-free survival by 37%. The addition of Velcade more than doubled the median duration of response to 41 months.

Both R-squared and VR-CAP have moved into the frontline treatment setting, Shah says. With that, were able to see really pronounced clinical benefits. Weve seen very long remissions, he says.

Several other combination strategies also are being investigated for MCL, including some that incorporate the drug Treanda (bendamustine), which works by causing DNA damage to cancer cells. In one study, combining Treanda with Rituxan improved progression-free survival rates over chemotherapy in patients with MCL or indolent NHL. More than 15 studies are now underway combining Treanda with Rituxan and other MCL treatments.

Even though targeted and combination treatments have extended survival times in MCL, most patients eventually relapse. Now theres a new option for those patients: Tecartus, a personalized therapy made from a patients own immune cells. The one-time treatment was approved by the FDA to treat patients who have not responded or have relapsed following other kinds of treatment.

Tecartus is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy similar to Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), a CAR-T cell therapy approved by the FDA in 2017 to treat some types of large B-cell lymphomas. Like Yescarta, Tecartus targets CD19, a protein thats prevalent in cancerous B cells. Tecartus is made by extracting T cells from the blood of the patient with MCL and genetically modifying those cells to recognize and attack the cancer. In addition, the cells are put through an enrichment process designed to prevent them from wearing down before they are infused back into the patient.

In the clinical trial that led up to the approval, 87% of patients responded to Tecartus and 62% went into remission. Side effects, which included the immune overreaction known as cytokine release syndrome and neurological events, were manageable during the clinical trial, says Dr. Michael Wang, a professor in the department of lymphoma and myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and one of the clinical trial investigators.

Experience with previously approved CAR-T cell treatments led to the widespread use of anti-inflammatory medications such as interleuken-6 inhibitors and steroids to treat cytokine release syndrome, Wang says. We have a variety of supportive measures to manage the side effects, he says.

With the approval of Tecartus, Wang says oncologists can envision a flattening of the survival curve in MCL. Its an option for people who become resistant to targeted therapies and chemotherapy, he says. Its very possible we will be able to put some people into long- term remissions.

Bob Brixner, a 20-year survivor of MCL, has been watching all the new developments with interest. When he received an MCL diagnosis in 2000, he had no choice but to endure chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant with his own cells. When he relapsed in 2004, he was prescribed a more intense chemotherapy regimen, followed by a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor.

Hes grateful the second treatment put him in a long-term remission, but he still remembers the brutal side effects, which included extreme fatigue and a bout with pneumonia. And with the transplants, my immune system didnt come back 100%, says Brixner, 70, a retired Chicago public schoolteacher. Nowadays if I catch a cold, instead of lasting a week, it will last three.

Brixner advises all newly diagnosed patients to ask a lot of questions about their treatment choices and to get a second opinion. I think its really important to be an informed patient, he says, especially since there are so many new choices. Some patients may not have to go through what I did, he says. Im delighted.

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