In order to develop an efficient process for large-scale production of recombinant protein, various factors were studied which affect the productivity of Sf-9 (Spodoptera frugiperda) insect cells when using the baculovirus expression system. It was shown that upon infection with the Bac-BRV6L recombinant baculovirus, the level per cell of VP6 (a bovine rotavirus nucleocapsid protein) would drop 10-fold when host cell density at the time of infection increased from 2 x 10(6) to 3 x 10(6) cells/mL. The decrease was found to be totally reversible by culture medium renewal after infection, even when cells were infected at the stationary phase. Recombinant protein production was 4-6 times higher using TNMFH medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) than in IPL/41 serum-free medium. Fine-tuning of infection parameters in a 4-L surface-aerated bioreactor resulted in the production of typically 350 mg/L of VP6 protein, representing more than 25% of total cell proteins.

No abstract

An 11-L helical ribbon impeller (HRI) bioreactor was tested for the culture of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-9) cells. This impeller and surface baffling ensured homogeneous mixing and high oxygen transfer through surface aeration and surface-induced babble generation. Serum-supplemented and serum-free cultures, using TNMFH and IPL/41 media, respectively, grew a similar specific growth rates(0.031 and 0.028 h(-1)) to maximum cell densities of 5.5 x 10(6)-6.0 x 10(6) cells. mL(-1) with viability exceeding 98% during exponential growth phase. Growth limitation coincided with glucose and glutamine depletion and production of significant amounts of alanine. The bioreactor was further tested under more stringent conditions by infecting a serum-free medium culture with a recombinant baculovirus. Heterologous protein production of approximately 35 microg per 10(6) cells was comparable to yields obtained in serum-free cultures grown in spinner flasks and petri dishes. Average specific oxygen up-take and carbon dioxide production rates of the serum-free culture prior to infection as measured by on-line mass spectroscopy were 0.20 micromol O(2).(10(6) cells)(-1) h(-1) and 0.22 micromol CO(2) . (10(6) cells)(-1)h(-1) and increased by 30-40% during infection. Therefore, the mixing and oxygenation conditions of this bioreactor were suitable for insect cell culture and recombinant protein production, with limitation being mainly attributed to nutrient depletion and toxic by-product generation.

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most prevalent form of cancer, with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cscc) being the 2nd most common type. Patients presenting with high-risk lesions associated with locally advanced or metastatic cscc face high rates of recurrence and mortality. Accurate staging and risk stratification for patients can be challenging because no system is universally accepted, and no Canadian guidelines currently exist.    Patients with advanced cscc are often deemed ineligible for either or both of curative surgery and radiation therapy (rt) and, until recently, were limited to off-label systemic cisplatin–fluorouracil or cetuximab therapy, which offers modest clinical benefits and potentially severe toxicity. A new systemic therapy, cemiplimab, has been approved for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic cscc. In the present review, we provide recommendations for patient classification and staging based on current guidelines, direction for determining patient eligibility for surgery and rt, and an overview of the available systemic treatment options for advanced cscc and of the benefits of a multidisci­plinary approach to patient management.

A double helical-ribbon impeller (HRI) bioreactor with a 11-L working volume was developed to grow high-density Catharanthus roseus cell suspensions. The rheological behavior of this suspension was found to be shear-thinning for concentrations higher than 12 to 15 g DW . L(-1). A granulated agar suspension of similar rheological properties was used as a model fluid for these suspensions. Mixing studies revealed that surface baffling and bottom profiling of the bioreactor and impeller speeds of 60 to 150 rpm ensured uniform mixing of suspensions. The HRI power requirement was found to increase significantly for agar suspensions higher than 13 g DW . L(-1), in conjunction with the effective viscosity increase. Oxygen transfer studies showed high apparent surface oxygen transfer coefficients (k(L)a approximately 4 to 45 h(-1)) from agar suspensions of 30 g DW . L(-1) to water and for mixing speeds ranging from 120 to 150 rpm. These high surface k(I)a values were ascribed to the flow pattern of this bioreactor configuration combined with surface bubble generation and entrainment in the liquid phase caused by the presence of the surface baffles. High-density C. roseus cell suspension cultures were successfully grown in this bioreactor without gas sparging. Up to 70% oxygen enrichment of the head space was required to ensure sufficient oxygen supply to the cultures so that dissolved oxygen concentration would remain above the critical level (> or =10% air saturation). The best mixing speed was 120 rpm. These cultures grew at the same rate ( approximately 0.4 d(-1)) and attained the same high biomass concentrations ( approximately 25 to 27 g DW . L(-1), 450 to 500 g filtered wet biomass . L(-1), and 92% to 100% settled wet biomass volume) as shake flask cultures. The scale-up potential of this bioreactor configuration is discussed.