Mesothelioma cancer cell lines

Another interesting study is referred to as, Adenovirus-mediated Bak gene transfer induces apoptosis in mesothelioma cell lines by Abujiang Pataer, MD, PhD, W. Roy Smythe, MD, Robert Yu, MS, Bingliang Fang, MD, PhD, Tim McDonnell, MD, PhD, Jack A. Roth, MD, Stephen G. Swisher, MD - From the Section of Thoracic Molecular Oncology, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, along with the Department of Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex. - General Thoracic Surgery J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;121:0061-0067.  Here can be an excerpt:  Objective: Conventional strategy to mesothelioma is basically ineffective. We therefore evaluated the novel approach of adenoviral gene transfer with the proapoptotic Bcl-2 loved one Bak in mesothelioma cancer cell lines, that are sensitive and resistance against adenoviral p53.

Methods: Binary adenoviral Bak (Ad/GT-Bak and Ad/GV16) and LacZ (Ad/GT-LacZ and Ad/GV16) vectors were utilized for transduction with the mesothelioma cell lines I-45 (p53 resistant) and REN (p53 sensitive). Protein levels were driven by Western blotting. Apoptosis was assessed by morphologic changes, caspase-3 cleavage, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of subdiploid populations. Cell viability was determined together with the XTT assay. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance along with the Student test.

Results: High numbers of Bak gene transfer were seen after coadministration of Ad/GT-Bak and Ad/GV16 in the mesothelioma cell lines. Apoptosis was induced 1 day after Bak and not LacZ gene transfer ([Bak: I-45, 36%; REN, 25%] vs [LacZ: I-45, 1%; REN, 3%], P

Conclusions: Adenovirus-mediated overexpression in the Bak gene induces apoptosis and decreased cellular viability in p53-sensitive and p53-resistant mesothelioma cells. These data declare that the gene transfer of proapoptotic Bcl-2 loved ones may represent a novel gene therapy technique to treat mesothelioma.

Another interesting study is named, Palliative surgical debulking in malignant mesothelioma : Predictors of survival and symptom control by A. E. Martin-Ucara, J. G. Edwardsa, A. Rengajarana, S. Mullerb and D. A. Waller, -  Department of Thoracic Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK.  Here is definitely an excerpt: Abstract - Objective: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) typically presents with an advanced stage. In the UK surgical intervention has become mostly available tissue diagnosis or chemical pleurodesis. However, the role of debulking surgery in symptom control hasn't been fully explored. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 51 consecutive patients presenting with MM underwent palliative surgical debulking for symptomatic relief (all patients given dyspnoea, 39 also had pain and a couple of had a co-existing pleural empyema). Patients with early disease who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy were excluded. The treatment aims were pleural drainage, lung re-expansion, pleurodesis and pleural debulking for symptom control. If the lung re-expanded after drainage from the effusion a subtotal parietal pleurectomy was performed via Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS). If the lung remained entrapped, a parietal and visceral decortication using VATS or thoracotomy was performed. The changes in subjective dyspnoea and pain scores were recorded at five to six weeks and 3, 6 and yr after surgery. Prognostic factors were analyzed to find out their affect on survival and symptom control. Results: VATS pleurectomy was possible in 17 patients (34%), whilst decortication was required in the rest (three by VATS and 31 by thoracotomy). Median postoperative stay was seven days (range 217) with 30-day mortality of 7.8% (four of 51 patients). Morbidity included postoperative empyema into two patients (4%) and prolonged air-leak in five (9.8%). Overall significant symptomatic benefit was obtained as much as 3 months after surgery but subsequently increasing mortality offset these benefits. Epithelial cell type and shortage of weight loss before surgery were found to predict longer survival and successful symptom control. Conclusions: Debulking surgery features a beneficial role in symptom control for unresectable MM. However, this surgery should be accessible those patients who present with epithelial cell type and before significant weight loss.