NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

20040111649 Monash Univ., Clayton
Stem Cells in Prostate
Risbridger, Gail; Mar. 2004; 16 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-03-1-0151
Report No.(s): AD-A425754; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
This project aims to identify adult prostate stem cells, using tissue recombination techniques. To date, we have initiated
studies utilizing mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cells as outlined in the original statement of work. We have made
progress towards directing differentiation of these ES cells into prostate lineages. We have shown pathologically and
histologically that the resultant tissue recombinants have several characteristics of mouse and human prostate. Specifically, we
have demonstrated tissue differentiated from human ES cells that have all the hallmarks of human fetal prostate. We are
currently refining the technique in the hope of getting tissues that are immuno-positive for the unequivocal marker of mature
prostate, within Australia and further findings will be presented in the coming months at several international meetings.
DTIC
Embryology; Prostate Gland; Stem Cells
20040111650 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Development, Optimization, and Evaluation of CAD System for Breast Cancer
Qian, Wei; Jun. 2004; 14 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-01-1-0395
Report No.(s): AD-A425755; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
This is the third year (final) year of the training program, and this is also a significant year of our training program. During
this year, based on this summer training program’s experience and research accomplishment, we created a new training system
called ‘The Cognitively-based Hypermedia System for CAD-Assisted Mammography Interpretation". This training
system successfully got funding support for pre- doctoral training program from Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation,
Starting from May 1st of 2004. This training program plans to involve the trainee in an interdisciplinary environment with the
integration of breast cancer imaging scientists, clinicians, cognitive scientists, and educational technology professors. The
project is built on the foundation of cognitive psychology, medical science, instructional technology, and information science,
which embrace theories and methods in human learning, cognition, information processing, and instructional design. The
research project also relates to the subject areas of CAD schemes, technology, and mammography interpretation. Therefore,
the project is to meld different disciplines, use collaborative methods and find better solutions to the early detection of breast
cancer.
DTIC
Cancer; Computer Aided Design; Computer Techniques; Diagnosis; Education; Mammary Glands
20040111652 Virginia Univ., Charlottesville, VA
Nuclear Imaging for Assessment of Prostate Cancer Gene Therapy
Pan, Dongfeng; Apr. 2004; 7 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-02-1-0261
Report No.(s): AD-A425757; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
Combination of the cytotoxic viral hymidine kinase (tk) and the prodrug, acyclovir (ACV) has been reported to inhibit
the growth of the C4-2 tumor, a subline of LNCaP. However, it remains unsolved to non-invasively detect the in vivo
distribution, expression and persistence of the toxic gene as well as to evaluate the therapeutic effect. In this project, we will
develop a nuclear gene imaging approach to assist the cytotoxic gene therapy study for prostate cancer. The distribution,
expression, and persistence of the prostate specific Ad-PSA-tk in the C4-2 tumor xenograft model will be non-invasively and
repeatedly determined in vivo by tracing the radiolabled TK substrates with a SPECT imaging modality. To synthesize a
radiolabled TK substrate, 2’-Keoxy- 2’fluoro-5- ?3-OXON,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ethylenediaminato Tc- 99mtechnetium(V)
-1(E) -propenyl)uridine, for TK detection using a small animal gamma detector. In last report of 2003 which covers form
September of 2002 to March of 2003, we reported our efforts to synthesize fragments A and B. In this report, we successfully
linked the radiometal chelator with fluorothymidine. We will characterize the structure of the final tracer and test the
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the tracer in next research year. Also, the Adenoviral vectors with reporter genes
of tk and luciferase were constructed. The luciferase gene expression in live mouse model was non- invasively imaged and
the result was posted in 2003 Annual Meeting of ASGT (American Society of Gene Therapy).
DTIC
Cancer; Gene Therapy; Imaging Techniques; Positrons; Prostate Gland; Tomography
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