Methods of inducing cell differentiation with placental extracts

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of preparing and using placentally-derived stem cells and compositions useful for the treatment of cancer. Said stem cells and compositions function through inducing a “guided differentiation” program in cancer cells, thereby reducing malignancy. Further extension of the invention pertains to augmenting ability of administered cells to induce differentiation through the co-administration of known differentiation inducing agents. Within the context of this disclosure, methods for inducing host responses to cancer are also described.

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         2 . A cell free placental extract, comprising:
 a fraction of a homogenized human placenta supernatant of a molecular weight of about 10-10,000 Da,   wherein said extract is of cellular debris, and   wherein said extract induces differentiation in cancer cells.   
     
     
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         4 . The cell free placental extract of  claim 2 , wherein said fraction of a homogenized human placenta supernatant is of a molecular weight of 300-3,000 Daltons. 
     
     
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         8 . A composition comprising a differentiation inducing cell-free supernatant, suitable for administration to a patient in need thereof, produced by the process comprising:
 homogenizing at least a portion of a human placenta at a neutral pH, resulting in a homogenate;   centrifuging said homogenate forming a cell-free supernatant;   purifying said cell-free supernatant through adsorption on a C-18 column and obtaining a fraction wherein said fraction is between 10 and 10,000 Da; and   filter sterilizing said fraction, thereby obtaining a differentiation inducing cell-free supernatant.   
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein said portion of the placenta consists substantially of chorionic tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 8 , further comprising a histone deacetylase. 
     
     
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         16 . The cell free extract of  claim 2 , wherein homogenized human placenta supernatant is at a neutral pH. 
     
     
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         23 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein said fraction is between about 300 and about 3,000 Da.