Appeal No. 2005-0548
Application No. 09/839,164
We have carefully considered the respective position of the appellants and the
examiner and find ourselves in substantial agreement with that of the examiner.
Accordingly, we affirm Rejections I, II and III.
Background
The specification points out that
Most end-stage cells in renewing systems are short-lived and must be
replaced continuously throughout life. For example, blood cells originate from a
self-renewing population of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSC).
Because the hematopoietic stem cells are necessary for the development of all of
the mature cells of the hematopoietic and immune systems, their survival is
essential in order to reestablish a fully functional host defense system in subjects
treated with chemotherapy or other agents [Specification, p. 1, para. 3].
The present invention is said to be directed to compositions which inhibit stem
cell proliferation. Specification, p. 2, para. 2. The compositions, which include the
alpha chain and the beta chain of hemoglobin, are said to be useful for
regulating stem cell cycle in the treatment of humans or animals having
autoimmune diseases, aging, cancer, myelodysplasia, preleukemia, leukemia,
psoriasis or other diseases involving hyperproliferative conditions. The present
invention also relates to a method of treatment for humans or animals
anticipating or having undergone exposure to chemotherapeutic agents, other
agents which damage cycling stem cells or radiation exposure. Finally, the
present invention relates to the improvement of stem cell maintenance or
expansion cultures for auto and allo-transplantation procedures or for gene
transfer [Specification, p. 1, para. 2].
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