W. Roy Smythe, M.D.

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Dr. Smythe was born in Temple, Texas. He attended Baylor University as a Biology Bachelor of Science major and a scholarship athlete. He received his M.D. degree from Texas A&M University in 1989 where he graduated with honors and received the Helen Salyer Anderson Medal for Academic Achievement. He completed a General Surgery residency and a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship in thoracic oncology and molecular biology at the University of Pennsylvania during the period of 1989-1996. He remained at the University of Pennsylvania during the period of 1996-1998 for a Cardiothoracic surgery residency with an emphasis on general thoracic surgery. Dr. Smythe joined the faculty at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery as an Assistant Surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery in 1998.

Dr. Smythe is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the Texas Medical Association and the American Association for Cancer Research.

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Information

W. Roy Smythe, M.D.
Assistant Professor and Assistant Surgeon

Offices:

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 445
Houston, TX 77030-4095
Phone: (713) 792-6933
Fax: (713) 794-4901
E-mail:rsmythe
For appointments please call (713) 792-6161 or (800) 392-1611.

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Education:

• Texas A&M University Medical School, College Station, TX, M.D., 1989
• Baylor University, Waco, TX, B.S., 1984

Hospital Training:

Internship:

• Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1989-1990, Surgery

Residencies:

• Resident, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1996-1998, Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Chief Resident, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Surgery, 1995-1996
• American Cancer Society Oncology Fellow, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1995-1996
• Postgraduate Research Fellow, Harrison Department of Surgical Research, University of Pennsylvania, 1992-1995, Thoracic Oncology
• Resident, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1990-1996, Surgery

Board Certifications:

• American Board of Surgery, 1998
• American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 2000

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Clinical Interests:

 

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Research Interests:

Prodrug gene therapy, apoptosis, mesothelioma, lung neoplasms

Conventional therapies have long been disappointing in terms of improving survival for patients with most thoracic malignancies (non-small cell lung carcinoma, mesothelioma, metastatic sarcoma). It is clear that novel, more effective therapies are needed. Recent advances in our understanding of the biology of these neoplasms at the molecular level, as well as in therapeutic gene delivery systems, provide opportunities to evaluate new approaches to treatment. A number of gene therapy (gene replacement) and gene therapeutic (prodrug) systems are under investigation in our laboratory.

Several proapoptotic adenovirus-mediated gene therapy vectors have been developed in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Research laboratory. These include vectors capable of delivering the p53, Bak, Bax, and mda7 genes. We have recently shown that the addition of differentiating agents such as sodium butyrate can markedly increase cellular killing and apoptosis in a number of thoracic tumor cell lines. This novel combination therapy is now being evaluated in animal models of both non-small cell lung carcinoma and mesothelioma.

Prodrug gene therapy ("gene therapeutics") systems offer an alternative to the gene replacement paradigm. The HSVtk/ganciclovir system is one example. We are currently evaluating a novel prodrug system that couples a relatively common and nontoxic enzyme delivered by an adenovirus in combination with doxorubicin and daunorubicin prodrugs. This system could potentially allow for high local levels of therapeutic drug with little systemic toxicity.

Finally, we are evaluating a number of therapeutic gene delivery systems in a lung perfusion model of metastatic tumor to the lung. The mechanisms of effective and safe gene therapy in this manner are also being evaluated by collaborators with expertise in lung injury and inflammation.

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• Curriculum Vitae

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