Propiedad intelectual y salud pública en países en desarrollo: vino viejo en odres nuevos

En el contexto de pandemia por COVID-19, a nivel mundial, las grandes farmacéuticas se sumaron a la carrera por el desarrollo acelerado de una vacuna contra el COVID-19. Sin embargo, los desarrollos mostraron la concentración del diseño y producción de estas vacunas en países desarrollados, acentuando las diferencias entre los países desarrollados o centrales y la periferia/semi-periferia en términos geopolíticos. Con la masificación de los bienes informacionales y la nueva “economía del conocimiento”, se dio un proceso de redefinición de la propiedad intelectual ante la dificultad de apropiación de los conocimientos (tácitos) y numerosos riesgos de piratería. La expansión jurisdiccional de la propiedad intelectual a través del Acuerdo de Aspectos de Propiedad Intelectual Relacionados al Comercio (TRIPS) contribuyó fuertemente a acentuar la dependencia centro-periferia, al alinear y homogeneizar (bajo los parámetros y a favor de los países centrales) las legislaciones en materia de propiedad intelectual de los países en desarrollo pertenecientes a la Organización Mundial del Comercio. En este contexto, las grandes farmacéuticas a nivel mundial concentran el capital, know–how y las patentes, manteniéndose en la frontera tecnológica, a la vez que dependen de las capacidades tecnológicas y de producción de la semi-periferia, intensificando las dinámicas de dependencia. Distintas iniciativas, como la solicitud de exención temporal del TRIPS y la puesta en marcha de un centro de transferencia de tecnologías vacunales en Sudáfrica, buscaron disminuir esas asimetrías entre centro y periferia en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19, con resultados desalentadores. Las empresas propietarias de los derechos de propiedad intelectual asociados a las tecnologías vacunales se negaron a licenciar sus patentes y compartir el conocimiento tácito involucrado en los procesos. A su vez, numerosos países desarrollados miembros de la Organización Mundial del Comercio se negaron a la exención temporal del TRIPS. De esta forma, las regulaciones, las grandes farmacéuticas y los gobiernos de países desarrollados, constriñeron este tipo de iniciativas que intentan lograr un acceso más equitativo a la salud en todo el mundo.In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, transnational pharmaceutical companies worldwide joined the race for the accelerated development of a vaccine against COVID-19. However, the developments showed a concentration of the design and production of these vaccines in developed countries, accentuating the differences between the developed or central countries and the periphery/semi-periphery, in geopolitical terms. With the massification of informational goods and the the new “knowledge economy”, a redefinition process of intellectual property took place, because of the difficulty of appropriation of (tacit) knowledge and numerous risks of piracy. The jurisdictional expansion of intellectual property through the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Aspects Agreement (TRIPS) strongly contributed to accentuate the center-periphery dependence, by aligning and homogenizing (under the parameters, and in favor of, the central countries) the legislations about intellectual property of developing countries belonging to the World Trade Organization. In this context, large pharmaceutical companies worldwide concentrate capital, know-how and patents, remaining on the technological frontier, while depending on the technological and production capabilities of the semi-periphery, thus intensifying the dynamics of dependency. Different initiatives, such as the request for temporary exemption from TRIPS and the launch of a vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa, sought to reduce these asymmetries between the center and the periphery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with dissapointing results. The companies that own the intellectual property rights associated with the vaccine technologies refused to license their patents and share the tacit knowledge involved in the processes. In turn, many developed countries, members of the World Trade Organization, refused the TRIPS temporary exemption. In this way, the regulations, the big pharmaceutical companies and the governments of developed countries, constrained this type of initiatives that try to achieve a more equitable access to health throughout the world.No contexto da pandemia da COVID-19, em todo o mundo, grandes empresas farmacêuticas aderiram à corrida pelo desenvolvimento acelerado de uma vacina contra a COVID-19. No entanto, os desdobramentos mostraram a concentração do desenho e produção dessas vacinas nos países desenvolvidos, acentuando as diferenças entre os países desenvolvidos ou centrais e a periferia/semiperiferia em termos geopolíticos. Com a massificação dos bens informacionais e a nova “economia do conhecimento”, ocorreu um processo de redefinição da propriedade intelectual devido à dificuldade de apropriação do conhecimento (tácito) e aos inúmeros riscos de pirataria. A expansão jurisdicional da propriedade intelectual por meio do Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS) contribuiu fortemente para acentuar a dependência centro-periferia, ao alinhar e homogeneizar (sob os parâmetros e em favor dos países centrais) as leis em propriedade intelectual dos países em desenvolvimento pertencentes à Organização Mundial do Comércio. Nesse contexto, grandes empresas farmacêuticas mundiais concentram capital, know-how e patentes, mantendo-se na fronteira tecnológica, enquanto dependem das capacidades tecnológicas e produtivas da semiperiferia, intensificando a dinâmica de dependência. Várias iniciativas, como o pedido de isenção temporária do TRIPS e o lançamento de um centro de transferência de tecnologia de vacinas na África do Sul, buscaram reduzir essas assimetrias entre centro e periferia no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19, com resultados desanimadores. As empresas detentoras dos direitos de propriedade intelectual associados às tecnologias de vacinas se recusaram a licenciar suas patentes e compartilhar o conhecimento tácito envolvido nos processos. Por sua vez, numerosos países desenvolvidos membros da Organização Mundial do Comércio recusaram a isenção temporária do TRIPS. Desta forma, as regulamentações, as grandes empresas farmacêuticas e os governos dos países desenvolvidos constrangeram este tipo de iniciativas que tentam alcançar um acesso mais equitativo à saúde em todo o mundo.Facultad de Trabajo Socia

Propiedad intelectual y salud pública en países en desarrollo: vino viejo en odres nuevos

En el contexto de pandemia por COVID-19, a nivel mundial, las grandes farmacéuticas se sumaron a la carrera por el desarrollo acelerado de una vacuna contra el COVID-19. Sin embargo, los desarrollos mostraron la concentración del diseño y producción de estas vacunas en países desarrollados, acentuando las diferencias entre los países desarrollados o centrales y la periferia/semi-periferia en términos geopolíticos. Con la masificación de los bienes informacionales y la nueva “economía del conocimiento”, se dio un proceso de redefinición de la propiedad intelectual ante la dificultad de apropiación de los conocimientos (tácitos) y numerosos riesgos de piratería. La expansión jurisdiccional de la propiedad intelectual a través del Acuerdo de Aspectos de Propiedad Intelectual Relacionados al Comercio (TRIPS) contribuyó fuertemente a acentuar la dependencia centro-periferia, al alinear y homogeneizar (bajo los parámetros y a favor de los países centrales) las legislaciones en materia de propiedad intelectual de los países en desarrollo pertenecientes a la Organización Mundial del Comercio. En este contexto, las grandes farmacéuticas a nivel mundial concentran el capital, know–how y las patentes, manteniéndose en la frontera tecnológica, a la vez que dependen de las capacidades tecnológicas y de producción de la semi-periferia, intensificando las dinámicas de dependencia. Distintas iniciativas, como la solicitud de exención temporal del TRIPS y la puesta en marcha de un centro de transferencia de tecnologías vacunales en Sudáfrica, buscaron disminuir esas asimetrías entre centro y periferia en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19, con resultados desalentadores. Las empresas propietarias de los derechos de propiedad intelectual asociados a las tecnologías vacunales se negaron a licenciar sus patentes y compartir el conocimiento tácito involucrado en los procesos. A su vez, numerosos países desarrollados miembros de la Organización Mundial del Comercio se negaron a la exención temporal del TRIPS. De esta forma, las regulaciones, las grandes farmacéuticas y los gobiernos de países desarrollados, constriñeron este tipo de iniciativas que intentan lograr un acceso más equitativo a la salud en todo el mundo.In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, transnational pharmaceutical companies worldwide joined the race for the accelerated development of a vaccine against COVID-19. However, the developments showed a concentration of the design and production of these vaccines in developed countries, accentuating the differences between the developed or central countries and the periphery/semi-periphery, in geopolitical terms. With the massification of informational goods and the the new “knowledge economy”, a redefinition process of intellectual property took place, because of the difficulty of appropriation of (tacit) knowledge and numerous risks of piracy. The jurisdictional expansion of intellectual property through the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Aspects Agreement (TRIPS) strongly contributed to accentuate the center-periphery dependence, by aligning and homogenizing (under the parameters, and in favor of, the central countries) the legislations about intellectual property of developing countries belonging to the World Trade Organization. In this context, large pharmaceutical companies worldwide concentrate capital, know-how and patents, remaining on the technological frontier, while depending on the technological and production capabilities of the semi-periphery, thus intensifying the dynamics of dependency. Different initiatives, such as the request for temporary exemption from TRIPS and the launch of a vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa, sought to reduce these asymmetries between the center and the periphery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with dissapointing results. The companies that own the intellectual property rights associated with the vaccine technologies refused to license their patents and share the tacit knowledge involved in the processes. In turn, many developed countries, members of the World Trade Organization, refused the TRIPS temporary exemption. In this way, the regulations, the big pharmaceutical companies and the governments of developed countries, constrained this type of initiatives that try to achieve a more equitable access to health throughout the world.No contexto da pandemia da COVID-19, em todo o mundo, grandes empresas farmacêuticas aderiram à corrida pelo desenvolvimento acelerado de uma vacina contra a COVID-19. No entanto, os desdobramentos mostraram a concentração do desenho e produção dessas vacinas nos países desenvolvidos, acentuando as diferenças entre os países desenvolvidos ou centrais e a periferia/semiperiferia em termos geopolíticos. Com a massificação dos bens informacionais e a nova “economia do conhecimento”, ocorreu um processo de redefinição da propriedade intelectual devido à dificuldade de apropriação do conhecimento (tácito) e aos inúmeros riscos de pirataria. A expansão jurisdicional da propriedade intelectual por meio do Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS) contribuiu fortemente para acentuar a dependência centro-periferia, ao alinhar e homogeneizar (sob os parâmetros e em favor dos países centrais) as leis em propriedade intelectual dos países em desenvolvimento pertencentes à Organização Mundial do Comércio. Nesse contexto, grandes empresas farmacêuticas mundiais concentram capital, know-how e patentes, mantendo-se na fronteira tecnológica, enquanto dependem das capacidades tecnológicas e produtivas da semiperiferia, intensificando a dinâmica de dependência. Várias iniciativas, como o pedido de isenção temporária do TRIPS e o lançamento de um centro de transferência de tecnologia de vacinas na África do Sul, buscaram reduzir essas assimetrias entre centro e periferia no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19, com resultados desanimadores. As empresas detentoras dos direitos de propriedade intelectual associados às tecnologias de vacinas se recusaram a licenciar suas patentes e compartilhar o conhecimento tácito envolvido nos processos. Por sua vez, numerosos países desenvolvidos membros da Organização Mundial do Comércio recusaram a isenção temporária do TRIPS. Desta forma, as regulamentações, as grandes empresas farmacêuticas e os governos dos países desenvolvidos constrangeram este tipo de iniciativas que tentam alcançar um acesso mais equitativo à saúde em todo o mundo.Facultad de Trabajo Socia

COVID-19 vaccine production coalitions: A Latin American perspective

Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, las grandes farmacéuticas de países desarrollados se sumaron a la carrera por el desarrollo de vacunas, acentuándose la posición desventajosa de los países en desarrollo en la producción global de vacunas. Este trabajo propone analizar las dinámicas de la participación de Argentina y Brasil entre 2020 y 2022 en la producción de vacunas COVID-19, a través del concepto de coaliciones de producción, mediante el análisis de los actores y elementos cognitivos, materiales y simbólicos que las sustentan. En el caso argentino, el contexto de la pandemia permitió una re-legitimación y empoderamiento del sector privado (bio)farmacéutico nacional y del Gobierno, con relaciones más fluidas entre los distintos actores de la coalición. En el caso de Brasil, si bien los imaginarios y culturas institucionales embebidos en políticas transversales de producción pública de vacunas contribuyen al empoderamiento del sector sanitario público respecto a las empresas (bio)farmaceuticas internacionales, se priorizó la producción masiva de vacunas aún con tecnologías importadas. Además, en este trabajo se mencionan algunas enseñanzas en materia de políticas públicas para países en desarrollo, con el objetivo de lograr una mayor resiliencia en su participación en las coaliciones.During the COVID-19 pandemic, large pharmaceutical companies from developed countries joined the race for vaccine development, accentuating the disadvantageous position of developing countries in global vaccine production. This paper proposes to analyze the dynamics of the participation of Argentina and Brazil between 2020 and 2022 in the production of COVID-19 vaccines, through the concept of production coalitions, by examining the actors and the cognitive, material, and symbolic elements that sustain them. In the Argentine case, the context of the pandemic allowed a re-legitimization and empowerment of the national (bio)pharmaceutical private sector and the Government, with more fluid relations between the different actors of the coalition. In the case of Brazil, although the institutional imaginaries and cultures embedded in transversal policies of public vaccine production contribute to the empowerment of the public health sector concerning international (bio)pharmaceutical companies, the mass production of vaccines was prioritized, even with imported technologies. In addition, some public policy lessons for developing countries are mentioned in this paper, with the aim of achieving greater resilience in their participation in coalitions.Fil: Sanmartin, María Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Escuela de Economía y Negocios; ArgentinaFil: Bortz, Gabriela Mijal. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Escuela de Economia y Negocios. Centro de Investigaciones Para la Transformacion.; Argentin

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Biological Carriers for Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 10.0 million cancer deaths in 2020. Despite advances in targeted therapies, some pharmacological drawbacks associated with anticancer chemo and immunotherapeutic agents include high toxicities, low bioavailability, and drug resistance. In recent years, extracellular vesicles emerged as a new promising platform for drug delivery, with the advantage of their inherent biocompatibility and specific targeting compared to artificial nanocarriers, such as liposomes. Particularly, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells were proposed as a source of extracellular vesicles for cancer therapy because of their intrinsic properties: high in vitro self-renewal and proliferation, regenerative and immunomodulatory capacities, and secretion of extracellular vesicles that mediate most of their paracrine functions. Moreover, extracellular vesicles are static and safer in comparison with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, which can undergo genetic/epigenetic or phenotypic changes after their administration to patients. In this review, we summarize currently reported information regarding mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles, their proper isolation and purification techniques - from either naive or engineered mesenchymal stem/stromal cells - for their application in cancer therapy, as well as available downstream modification methods to improve their therapeutic properties. Additionally, we discuss the challenges associated with extracellular vesicles for cancer therapy, and we review some preclinical and clinical data available in the literature.Fil: Sanmartin, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Borzone, Francisco Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Giorello, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Chasseing, Norma Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Senescent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in pre-metastatic bone marrow of untreated advanced breast cancer patients

Breast cancer is the predominant form of carcinoma among women worldwide, with 70% of advanced patients developing bone metastases, with a high mortality rate. In this sense, the bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are critical for BM/bone homeostasis, and failures in their functionality, transform the BM into a pre-metastatic niche (PMN). We previously found that BM-MSCs from advanced breast cancer patients (BCPs, infiltrative ductal carcinoma, stage III-B) have an abnormal profile. This work aims to study some of the metabolic and molecular mechanisms underlying MSCs shift from a normal to an abnormal profile in this group of patients. A comparative analysis was undertaken, which included self-renewal capacity, morphology, proliferation capacity, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and senescence-associated β‑galactosidase (SA‑β‑gal) staining of BM-derived MSCs isolated from 14 BCPs and 9 healthy volunteers (HVs). Additionally, the expression and activity of the telomerase subunit TERT, as well as telomere length, were measured. Expression levels of pluripotency, osteogenic, and osteoclastogenic genes (OCT-4, SOX-2, M-CAM, RUNX-2, BMP-2, CCL-2, M-CSF, and IL-6) were also determined. The results showed that MSCs from BCPs had reduced ,self-renewal and proliferation capacity. These cells also exhibited inhibited cell cycle progression and phenotypic changes, such as an enlarged and flattened appearance. Additionally, there was an increase in ROS and senescence levels and a decrease in the functional capacity of TERT to preserve telomere length. We also found an increase in pro-inflammatory/pro-osteoclastogenic gene expression and a decrease in pluripotency gene expression. We conclude that these changes could be responsible for the abnormal functional profile that MSCs show in this group of patients.Fil: Borzone, Francisco Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Giorello, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Leandro Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Weill Cornell Medical College; Estados UnidosFil: Sanmartin, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Feldman, Leonardo. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Pcia.de Bs.as.. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.; ArgentinaFil: Dimase, Federico. Ministerio de Defensa. Ejército Argentino. Hospital Militar Central Cirujano Mayor "Dr. Cosme Argerich"; ArgentinaFil: Batagelj, Emilio. Ministerio de Defensa. Ejército Argentino. Hospital Militar Central Cirujano Mayor "Dr. Cosme Argerich"; ArgentinaFil: Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Chasseing, Norma Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Número de cromosomas en las células meióticas y la viabilidad del polen de Vanhouttea hilariana Chautems, Vanhouttea brueggeri Chautems y un híbrido interespecífico (Gesneriaceae)

Vanhouttea (Gesneriaceae) is a genus from Brazilian rock mountains. Two species, Vanhouttea hilariana Chautems and Vanhouttea brueggeri Chautems, are very similar, differentiated just by the calyx morphology. The hypothesis of hybridization between these species was suggested by many authors mainly by the observation of individuals in the populations with intermediate morphology. The aim of this work was to determine the chromosome number and to evaluate the meiosis behavior and pollen viability of these two species and the putative hybrid. The analyses of the putative parental and hybrid revealed that all individuals have 2n=26 and a normal meiosis behavior. Nevertheless, although the pollen grains of possible parental has been viable, it was observed around 92.87% of unviable pollen from all putative hybrids analyzed which reinforce the hypothesis of hybridization between V. hilariana and V. brueggeri

Bone marrow/bone pre-metastatic niche for breast cancer cells colonization: The role of mesenchymal stromal cells

Breast cancer is one of the most common oncological pathologies in women worldwide. While its early diagnosis has considerably improved, about 70 % of advanced patients develop bone metastases with a high mortality rate. Several authors demonstrated that primary breast cancer cells prepare their future metastatic niche –known as the pre-metastatic niche- to turn it into an “optimal soil” for colonization. The role of the different cellular components of the bone marrow/bone niche in bone metastasis has been well described. However, studying the changes that occur in this microenvironment before tumor cells arrival has become a novel research field. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to describe the current knowledge about the modulation of the normal bone marrow/bone niche by the primary breast tumor, in particular, highlighting the role of mesenchymal stem/ stromal cells in transforming this soil into a pre-metastatic niche for breast cancer cells colonization.Fil: Sanmartin, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Favaloro. Área de Investigación y Desarrollo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Borzone, Francisco Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Giorello, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Pacienza, Natalia Alejandra. Universidad Favaloro. Área de Investigación y Desarrollo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel. Universidad Favaloro. Área de Investigación y Desarrollo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Chasseing, Norma Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Mesenchymal stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts as a therapeutic strategy for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of death among women. Recent evidence suggests that mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have an essential role in cancer progression, invasion and therapy resistance. Therefore, they are considered as highly promising future therapeutic targets against breast cancer. The intrinsic tumour tropism and immunomodulatory capacities of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells are of special relevance for developing mesenchymal stromal/stem cells-based anti-tumour therapies that suppress primary tumour growth and metastasis. In addition, the utilization of therapies that target the stromal components of the tumour microenvironment in combination with standard drugs is an innovative tool that could improve patients? response to therapies and their survival. In this review, we discuss the currently available information regarding the possible use of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells-derived anti-tumour therapies, as well as the utilization of therapies that target CAFs in breast cancer microenvironment. Finally, these data can serve as a guide map for future research in this field, ultimately aiding the effective transition of these results into the clinic.Fil: Borzone, Francisco Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Giorello, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Sanmartin, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Leandro Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Chasseing, Norma Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Critical molecular mechanisms that modify bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cell behaviour in advanced breast cancer patients

Most of untreated advanced breast cancer patients (BCP, invasive ductal, stage IIIB) develop osteolytic bone metastasis, due to the existence of a pre-metastatic niche (PMN) that favours extravasa tion, migration, and proliferation of tumor cells. We found that bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from BCP have lower cloning, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation capacities than healthy donors (HD) MSC. A conserved pool of functional MSC is essential for preventing the PMN formation.Fil: Borzone, Francisco Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Sanmartin, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Giorello, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Vallone, Valeria Beatriz. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Martinez, Leandro Marcelo. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Piccioni, Flavia Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Batagelj, Emilio. Ministerio de Defensa. Ejército Argentino. Hospital Militar Central Cirujano Mayor "Dr. Cosme Argerich"; ArgentinaFil: Feldman, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Pacienza, Natalia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Chasseing, Norma Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaReunión Anual de Sociedades de Biociencia 2020Buenos AiresArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica SAICSociedad Argentina de Inmunología SAISociedad Argentina de Fisiología SAFI