Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

EMT-6 tumor cell killing by decays from 3H and 125I incorporated by adduct formation of radiolabeled sensitizers was studied in vitro. Hypoxic radiosensitizers become covalently bound to cellular molecules after metabolic reduction, and EMT-6 tumor cells can tolerate over 10(9) adducts/cell of misonidazole without loss of colony-forming ability. Cells were incubated under hypoxic conditions in the presence of [3H]misonidazole or [125I]iodoazomycinriboside for various times and the amounts of bound 3H and 125I were determined. Cells were stored as monolayers at 22 degrees C, in suspension culture at 4 degrees C, and frozen in complete medium plus 8% DMSO at -196 degrees C for various times to facilitate the accumulation of radioactive decays before plating in vitro for colony-forming assays at 37 degrees C. At 22 degrees C in monolayer culture, EMT-6 tumor cells tolerated 950 and 1720 decays/cell of 3H and 125I, respectively, without evidence of radiotoxicity. This number of decays/cell over the exposure times used represents 1.54 x 10(6) 3H/cell and 8.4 x 10(4) 125I/cell, respectively. Significant cell killing was detected after similar amounts of isotope decay when cells were held at 4 degrees C. When cells were frozen in the presence of 8% DMSO, they were more resistant to inactivation by isotope decays or by gamma rays than cells in liquid phase at 4 degrees C. These data suggest that selective hypoxic tumor cell suicide by 3H or 125I decays from bound sensitizer at 37 degrees C will be an inefficient process, at least for drugs with specific activities as tested. These data are consistent with data on cell inactivation by isotopes incorporated into cells by other procedures.
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PMID:Killing of EMT-6 cells by decays from isotopes incorporated on sensitizer adducts. 143 7

Of 3450 women tested for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 and HIV-2 between September 1985 and July 1989, 61 were positive (1.8%). Twenty-seven of these (44%) were presumed to have acquired their HIV infection by heterosexual contact and 23 (38%) were intravenous drug addicts. In geographical origin, 23 (38%) of the patients were from the UK and 19 (31%) from Africa. Amongst these 61 women, 2 (3%) have since died, one committed suicide and one was suspected of committing suicide.
Int J STD AIDS 1990 Sep
PMID:Risk factors of female HIV-seropositive patients attending the clinic for sexually transmitted diseases at St Mary's Hospital, London. 204 8

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent malignancy occurring in HIV-positive individuals. AIDS-KS is a more aggressive disease than the classical form, frequently having a rapid clinical course with numerous serious complications. Current systemic treatments for KS, such as chemotherapy and the administration of biological modifiers, are complicated by both the drug resistance of the tumor and the dose-limiting toxicity of the reagents. The relative accessibility of many KS lesions makes the disease a particularly attractive candidate for in vivo gene therapy protocols. In this regard, we are interested in delivering conditionally toxic suicide and/or antiangiogenic vectors to accomplish targeted cell death selectively in AIDS-KS cells. To this end, we examined both cationic lipid- and adenoviral-mediated DNA transfection methods. Using the firefly luciferase reporter gene, we optimized numerous variables known to be important in lipid-mediated DNA transfection, including lipid formulation, the amount of lipid and DNA, lipid/DNA ratio, and cell concentration. Under optimal transfection conditions, approximately 5-25% of KS cells expressed the introduced DNA sequences. Adenoviral-mediated DNA delivery was more efficient than lipid delivery in 4 of 5 primary KS cell lines. Two of the lines (RW248 and RW376) were transduced by adenovirus at frequencies approaching 100%; two cell lines (CVU-1 and RW80) gave efficiencies of 20-35%. Two immortalized KS cell lines (KS Y-1 and KS SLK) were poorly infected, giving a transduction efficiency of <5%. These findings demonstrate that gene transfer into AIDS-KS cells is feasible, and suggest that vector strategies may be permissive for translating gene therapy approaches for the disease.
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PMID:Lipid- and adenoviral-mediated gene transfer into AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma cell lines. 962 96

Two obstacles limiting the efficacy of nearly all cancer gene therapy trials are low gene transduction efficiencies and the lack of tumor specificity. Recently, a replication-competent, E1B-attenuated adenovirus (ONYX-015) was developed that could overcome these limitations, because it was capable of efficiently and selectively destroying tumor cells lacking functional p53. In an attempt to improve both the efficacy and safety of this approach, we constructed a similar adenovirus (FGR) containing a cytosine deaminase (CD)/herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK) fusion gene, thereby allowing for the utilization of double-suicide gene therapy, which has previously been demonstrated to produce significant antitumor effects and potentiate the therapeutic effects of radiation. The FGR virus exhibited the same tumor cell specificity and replication kinetics as the ONYX-015 virus in vitro. Importantly, both the CD/5-FC and HSV-1 TK/GCV suicide gene systems markedly enhanced the tumor cell-specific cytopathic effect of the virus, and, as expected, sensitized tumor cells to radiation. By contrast, neither the FGR virus nor either suicide gene system showed significant toxicity to normal human cells. Both suicide gene systems could be used to suppress viral replication effectively, thereby providing a means to control viral spread. The results support the thesis that the three-pronged approach of viral therapy, suicide gene therapy, and radiotherapy may represent a powerful and safe means of selectively destroying tumor cells in vivo.
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PMID:A novel three-pronged approach to kill cancer cells selectively: concomitant viral, double suicide gene, and radiotherapy. 965 Jun 10

The potential efficacy of prodrug activation of a transduced suicide gene in a cancer cell may be impaired or enhanced by oncoproteins produced by that cell. In the context of a gene therapy protocol for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) we examined whether the Bcr-Abl fusion protein would have either of these effects. Thus, the mechanism of cell killing by transfer of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) and subsequent ganciclovir (GCV) treatment was examined in pre-B (TonB210.1) cells and myeloid cells (32D) and in their BCR-ABL-expressing counterparts. HSV-tk-transduced cell lines, either in the presence or in the absence of BCR-ABL expression, became susceptible to GCV at concentrations which were nontoxic to the nontransduced cells. This susceptibility was represented by apoptotic cell death in all cases. Apoptosis was observed after 24 h of treatment with GCV in the tk-transduced parental cells and in the BCR-ABL-expressing TonB210.1 cells but only after a delay of more than 24 h in the 32Dp210 cells compared to 32D. Cell death in the BCR-ABL-expressing clones was preceded by S- and G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest. Activation of FAS/APO-1 and caspase-8 was observed in all the tk-transduced cell lines after GCV treatment. However, the caspase-8 inhibitor Z-IETD-FMK only partially abrogated tk/GCV-induced apoptosis. A possible role for inhibition of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) expression in the apoptosis induced by GCV was observed in the tk-transduced TonB210.1 cells but not in the 32D or 32Dp210 cells. The data demonstrate that expression of the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein does not block the apoptosis induced by the HSV-tk/GCV system, suggesting that this suicide gene therapy strategy could be considered for the treatment of CML in blast crisis.
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PMID:BCR-ABL-expressing cells transduced with the HSV-tk gene die by apoptosis upon treatment with ganciclovir. 1135 68

Over the last 2 decades, four major therapeutic approaches have drastically changed the prognosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML): 1) allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT); 2) interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) based regimens; 3) donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI); and 4) and the revolutionary BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as STI571 (signal transduction inhibitor 571). Each modality has exploited and targeted different aspects of CML biology, and is associated with different risk-benefit ratios. In Section I of this review, Dr. Melo reviews the molecular pathophysiology of CML and potential new targets for therapy including anti-sense strategies to disrupt the BCR-ABL gene and inhibition of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity. In Section II, Dr. Tura, addresses important questions in the use of IFN-alpha for the treatment of CML, including the mechanism of action and the development of resistance, the optimal dose and duration of therapy and the prediction of response based on clinical features. An approach to the choice of therapy based on the predicted mortality is presented. In Section III Dr. Giralt presents an update on the results of unrelated donor transplantion, donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) and non-ablative stem cell transplantation (NST) in CML. The roles of CD8-depletion, dose escalation and the transduction of suicide genes in treatment with DLI are addressed. Early results of NST in CML show that it is feasible and can result in long-term disease control. In Section IV Drs. Kantarjian and Talpaz review the results of IFN-alpha plus low-dose cytosine arabinoside and other promising modalities for CML including homoharringtonine, decitabine, and polyethylene glycol-interferon. In Section V they present an update on the recent experience with STI571. Objective but transient responses have been seen in 40% to 50% of patients in CML blastic phase. In accelerated phase, the response rate with STI571 exceeds 70%, and these responses are durable. In chronic phase CML, STI571 at 300 mg daily in patients who failed IFN-alpha produces a complete hematologic response (CHR) in over 90% of patients. Early results suggest cytogenetic response rates of approximately 50%, which may be major in approximately 30%. The maturing results with STI571 may soon change current recommendations regarding the relative roles of established modalities such as allogeneic SCT and IFN-alpha. Important questions include 1) whether STI571 therapy alone may be sufficient to induce long-term survival and event-free survival in CML, or whether it needs to be combined simultaneously or sequentially with IFN-alpha and cytosine arabinoside; and 2) what should the indications for frontline allogeneic SCT be in relation to STI571 therapy.
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PMID:Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: Disease Biology and Current and Future Therapeutic Strategies. 1170 37

Switzerland's videotex computer sex education program in French is a telematic service set up in youth centers, schools and post offices, or for a monthly home rental charge of 9 swiss francs. German and Italian versions will be available by the end of 1991. CIAO receives 100 calls a month, or 20,000 screen page consultations. Anonymity is assured for caller and specialist through identification by pseudonym. This article discusses the experience of 2 trained specialists, a social worker and a sex education teacher, who answer questions. 70% of callers are boys, perhaps due to greater familiarity with computers, and to public location and freer attitude talking about sex in a group. Girls may use family planning centers for their questions. The typical boys 13-15 years questions concern anatomy and the size of the penis, breast stimulation, masturbation. Guilt and fear of consequences are communicated. Adolescents tend to focus on relationships, with shyness a typical pattern. There is expressed concern for whether it's OK to sexually explore certain sex zones, and what tells me she's happy. Communication between partners about sex is the difficulty and specialists emphasize asking the girl herself how she feels. With increasing age, the focus is very specific; i.e., premature ejaculation, STD's, homosexuality, but also with concern for knowledge about normal love-making and worry about not wanting it enough. In general, questions tend to be bound by traditional roles and questions on contraception are rare. Condom questions are usually related to AIDs. Questions express self-doubt and honesty, which sometimes focuses on the tragedy of sexual abuse, rape, AIDS, and suicide. Specialists find the work rewarding and helpful in sex education discussions in the classroom; great respect for young people is generated.
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PMID:Switzerland's videotex computer sex education programme. 1234 75

To test the concept that a replication-competent retrovirus carrying a suicide gene could have potential utility in the control of the natural virus infection in mammalian species, we constructed derivatives of a feline leukemia virus (FeLV) that is commonly associated with leukemia-lymphomas in this species. The FeLV, Rickard strain, subgroup A (FRA) genome contained at the 3' end of the envgene, an insert of an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) linked to cDNA sequence of either herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) or a truncated HSV-TK (HSV-ATK) or yeast cytosine deaminase (CD). These constructs were transfected into feline fibroblast cells (H927). The viruses produced were determined to be replication-competent. The stable propagation of the full-length transgene was, however, dependent on the size of the insert, IRES-CD being the smallest in size (1031 bp) exhibiting maximal stability for at least up to six months. The protein products of the transgenes could be detected, despite the appearance of deleted proviruses at late passages. The transduced cells were susceptible to cytotoxic killing when the appropriate prodrug, ganciclovir (GCV), acyclovir (ACV) or 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) was added to the culture medium. H927 cells, infected with another subgroup of FeLV, namely, FeLV-B or FeLV-C, could be superinfected by the FRA-suicide gene viruses and thus, subjected to killing. Interestingly, at an early stage of infection by the parental FRA, H927 cells could also be reinfected by the same subgroup FRA constructs to induce the suicide effect. Among the three constructs, the vector with the CD gene was determined to be superior to others in terms of stability, therapeutic index and bystander effect in the cell culture test system. While the in vivo correlates of the therapeutic effect in the feline model remain to be determined, our results do encourage investigation of the same concept in the control of HTLV and, perhaps even, HIV infection in humans.
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PMID:A potential therapeutic strategy to combat leukemia virus infection. 1267 28

The understanding of the use of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) for graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) post haemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has advanced during the last years. In relapsed leukaemia post-stem cell transplant, DLI can achieve durable remissions in 60-73% patients. Technical improvements in molecular methods of detection of the BCR-ABL transcripts permit the prediction of relapse with increased sensitivity and reproducibility. Use of DLI early at relapse is important since responses to DLI are less likely in the face of bulky or blast-phase disease. Exogenous interleukin-2 may enhance the response to DLI but total cell dose is also relevant to the efficacy of DLI with the effective cell dose (ECD) required being lower in HLA matched unrelated DLI donors compared to siblings. Donor T-lymphocytes target minor histocompatibility (H) antigens and the relative tissue distribution of these may influence the toxicity of DLI, which includes graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Modified methods of delivery such as selective deletion of CD8+ cells or escalating cell dosage regimens have reduced the incidence of serious morbidity due to GVHD without compromising the GVL effect mediated by DLI. These approaches have not removed the risk of GVHD entirely and conditional suicide protocols utilising the HSV-tk or fas receptor derived genes are being developed in the clinic. Since significant morbidity and mortality is attributable to the conditioning regimen used prior to HSCT, awareness of the potency of DLI has driven the development of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens. The purpose of RIC is to enhance tolerisation of the host to the graft while permitting the establishment of donor haemopoiesis. DLI may then be used subsequently to enhance the GVL effect.
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PMID:Donor lymphocyte infusions for patients who relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia. 1269 Nov 39

The state of child and adolescent overall health in the United States evidences the need for both prevention and treatment. Although much time and energy has been spent in recent years discussing and improving health benefit coverage and affordability for children, physical access to services has not kept pace with these changes. This article will introduce four major physical health issues (obesity, diabetes, asthma, and teen pregnancy/STD) and five key mental health issues (suicide, depression, ADHD, aggression, and violence) facing young people today. In an effort to answer the question, "What can be done?" school-based health clinics and their impact on health and educational outcomes are examined.
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PMID:Bridging the gap from availability to accessibility: providing health and mental health services in schools. 1919 36


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