University of Texas System

About: University of Texas System is a education organization based out in Austin, Texas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 13901 authors who have published 10925 publications receiving 319328 citations. The organization is also known as: UT System.

Methods and compositions comprising DNA damaging agents and p53

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of tumor suppressor genes in combination with a DNA damaging agent or factor for use in killing cells, and in particular cancerous cells. A tumor suppressor gene, p53, was delivered via a recombinant adenovirus-mediated gene transfer both in vitro and in vivo, in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent. Treated cells underwent apoptosis with specific DNA fragmentation. Direct injection of the p53-adenovirus construct into tumors subcutaneously, followed by intraperitoneal administration of a DNA damaging agent, cisplatin, induced massive apoptotic destruction of the tumors. The invention also provides for the clinical application of a regimen combining gene replacement using replication-deficient wild-type p53 adenovirus and DNA-damaging drugs for treatment of human cancer.

Malignant lymphomas of the thyroid. A clinical pathologic study of 35 patients including ultrastructural observations

Abstract: The clinical and pathologic findings for 35 patients with malignant lymphoma presenting in the thyroid are reviewed. The lymphomas tended to occur in females with a median age of 65 years and clinically were manifested by a mass in the neck. The majority of patients were euthyroid and thyroid scans demonstrated cold nodules. In none of the patients was there clinical suspicion of lymphoma prior to surgery. Thirty-four of the cases were histiocytic lymphomas; the one exception, a patient with nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, had histiocytic lymphoma in a subsequent biopsy of the soft tissues of the neck. Although classified as histiocytic, the lymphomas had the histologic and ultrastructural features of transformed lymphocytes or immunoblasts. Lending possible additional credence to the immunoblastic nature of these lymphomas was the histologic documentation of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis in all 27 cases where residual thyroid parenchyma remained. This relationship suggests possible evolution of thyroid lymphomas from chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and probably is analogous to the malignant lymphomas developing in other altered immune states, including Sjogren's syndrome. In the current study the overall 5-year survival was 54%. Patients under age 65, without local soft tissue extension or regional lymph node involvement, and with stage I disease survived the longest; a nodular histologic pattern also appeared to favorably influence the prognosis. Improved staging procedures and newer modes of therapy appear essential, particularly for those patients with clinical stage II disease and with local extension to soft tissues.