NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

esistance is frequent, perhaps exceeding 75% of cases, especially for recurrent ovarian cancers. Despite the high frequency
of TGF beta resistance that occurs in ovarian cancers, thus far, no clinically useful agents, which target the signaling pathways
of any of the TGF beta superfamily members, have been developed for this disease. Accordingly, there is a great need to
develop TGF beta-based agents and indicators for the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Further, TGF beta
and some of its signaling components can function as tumor suppressors. We have identified a novel TGF beta signaling
component (km23) that is altered in 42% of ovarian cancer patient tumors. km23 mediates growth inhibition and other TGF
beta responses. A deletion mutant in the Drosophila homologue of km23, similar to the truncation of km23 we identified in
ovarian cancer patient samples, resulted in an increase in mitotic index, suggesting that km23 may function as a tumor
suppressor. We are in the process of developing anti-cancer diagnostics and therapeutics using km23 as the target.
DTIC
Cancer; Cells (Biology); Diagnosis; Neoplasms; Ovaries
20040111675 Jackson (Henry M.) Foundation, Rockville, MD
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Cognitive- Behavioral Treatment for PTSD in Women
Engel, Charles C.; Oct. 2003; 6 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-01-1-0674
Report No.(s): AD-A425803; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
This study is a randomized clinical trial comparing two types of individual psychotherapy for treating PTSD in 384 female
veterans and active duty personnel at 11 sites. The treatments are a trauma-focused approach, Prolonged Exposure Therapy,
and an approach focused on current needs and problems, Present Centered Therapy. Each site will enroll 32 patients over the
36 months of active recruitment in the study. The hypothesis is that Prolonged Exposure therapy will be more effective than
Present Centered Therapy for the treatment of PTSD in female veterans and active duty personnel. The study has entered the
randomized phase. There are no conclusions to date.
DTIC
Disorders; Females; Mental Health; Therapy
20040111676 California Univ., San Francisco, CA
Preclinical Mouse Models of Neurofibromatosis
Shannon, Kevin M.; McClatchey, Andrea; Parada, Luis; Giovannini, Marco; Jacks, Tyler; Nov. 2003; 46 pp.; In English;
Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-02-1-0638
Report No.(s): AD-A425805; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
This report describes the third year of research effort by a Consortium of investigators who are working to develop,
characterize and utilize strains of mice that accurately model tumors that develop in persons with NFl and NF2. This
Consortium has made substantial progress toward accomplishing the goal of generating models of NF1 and NF2- associated
tumors for biologic and preclinical therapeutic trials and of exploiting these mice to address biologic and preclinical questions.
The Consortium organized a successful conference on the pathologic classification of murine NF- associated neural tumors.
Many of the novel strains that have been developed have been shared widely with the research community. The investigators
have collaborated closely and have shared expertise and reagents extensively. This NF Consortium has been admitted to the
Mouse Models of Human Cancer Consortium of the National Cancer Institute and is participating fully in the activities of the
group. The current award will support these collaborative studies through 2OO5.
DTIC
Cancer; Clinical Medicine; Fibrosis; Mice
20040111677 Kenya Medical Research Inst., Nairobi
Military-Relevant Infectious Diseases Endemic to Kenya: Epidemiology Immunology Pathophysiology Treatment and
Prevention
Koech, Davy K.; Mar. 2004; 14 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-02-2-0022
Report No.(s): AD-A425808; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Growth in operations continued particularly in the field sites in Nyanza and the Rift Valley Provinces during the second
year of the Cooperative Agreement. State-of-the-art clinical research facilities were opened in Kombewa (November 2003)
and Kericho (March 2004) for malaria and HIV/AIDS intervention studies, respectively. Kericho now has a new maternal and
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