New Medical Research from University of Texas, U.S. on Anticoagulation and Cancer Breakthroughs

Strategic Insights -

Pioneering research by investigators at the University of Texas has led to significant breakthroughs in medical science. Studies on anticoagulation therapy and cancer treatment have shed new light on the prevention of postoperative strokes after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and the inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer. According to the research, aggressive anticoagulation therapy may not be effective in preventing postoperative strokes, while a new serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) called headpin has been discovered to block proangiogenic functions in cancer. Furthermore, a study on mouse models of hind limb ischemia has revealed that similar perfusion produces differential necrosis in different mouse strains after ischemia.

Key Takeaways:

  • A study published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that aggressive anticoagulation therapy is not indicated for the prevention of postoperative strokes after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, as the incidence of postoperative strokes is already low.
  • Researchers at the University of Texas have identified a novel serpin called headpin that inhibits angiogenesis in cancer, leading to reduced tumor growth and microvessel density.
  • A study on mouse models of hind limb ischemia demonstrated that similar perfusion produces differential necrosis in different mouse strains, highlighting the importance of understanding genetic background in studying ischemia.
  • The severity of tissue necrosis and restoration of perfusion after ischemia vary depending on the surgical procedure used to initiate ischemia and the strain of mouse used.
  • The loss of headpin expression in cancer was found to be associated with reduced mRNA, protein, and promoter activities of angiogenic factors, including IL-8 and VEGF.
  • The study on headpin expression in cancer also revealed that recombinant headpin protein blocked in vivo angiogenesis mediated by IL-8 and VEGF.

*endogenous and exogenous expression of headpin was associated with reduced tumor growth and microvessel density in a murine flank tumor model.

Statistics:

  • Of the 2,964 coronary artery bypass grafting operations, 576 patients (19.4%) had atrial fibrillation (AF) and 32 patients (1.1%) suffered stroke.
  • In the study on headpin expression in cancer, 6 patients with AF before neurologic event were found to have had strokes that could not have been prevented by more aggressive anticoagulation.
  • The study on mouse models of hind limb ischemia used five different surgical procedures to initiate ischemia and evaluated severity of tissue necrosis using a five-point scale.
  • In a rat corneal assay of neovascularization, recombinant headpin protein blocked in vivo angiogenesis mediated by IL-8 and VEGF.

Sources:

  • A. Kollar, University of Texas, Medical Branch, Dept. of Surgery, Division Cardiothoracic Surgery, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
  • T.D. Shellenberger, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dept. Head & Neck Surgery, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 441, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
  • P.K. Shireman, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, MSC 7741, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.