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The Methodist Hospital - Research Institute Cohort

The Methodist Hospital-Research Institute
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
6550 Fannin, Suite 901
Houston, Texas 77030
Telephone: (713) 441-3198
E-mail: desresearch@tmhs.org
Contact: Joseph Davis

About the study:

In 1971, the development of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix in young women were linked to in-utero exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES). In 1974, The National Cancer Institute issued a request for proposal to study the problem of cancer detection and prevention in DES-exposed offspring through identification and examination of DES-exposed men and women. Approximately 1435 participants were enrolled into the Baylor DESAD Study.

Prenatal records of physicians and clinics willing to participate in the project were reviewed for identification of pregnancies in which DES was prescribed. These records were linked to delivery data to accomplish identification of live births. Subsets of both exposed and unexposed daughter were “matched”. Participants were also enrolled from women seeking “DES examinations” (walk-in) or from referrals by physician, only if prenatal records documenting exposure to DES were available. Prenatal records from the same sources that indicated no exposure to hormonal medications became the basis for identification of “control” subjects. In 2010, funding was once again awarded in order to obtain current health information from the daughters who participate in the DES Follow-up Study. Sons are not followed at this center.

About the Research Team:

Tri A. Dinh, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, has been in practice at The Methodist Hospital since 2006. He is a member of The Methodist Research Institute. He completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas in 1997. He was a fellow in Gynecologic Oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 2000-03. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology. He is the principal investigator for Methodist for the Gynecologic Oncology Group. He is interested in novel treatment for gynecologic malignancies. In addition, he is active in researching the psychosocial aspects related to the treatment of gynecologic malignancies. In 2010, he assumed the position of Principal Investigator for the DES Follow-up Study from Dr. Raymond H. Kaufman, one of the original Principal Investigators of the study.

Ervin Adam, M.D., Has served as professor of the Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology and in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Adam has been a faculty member for over 40 years. As an Epidemiologist, he has been instrumental in establishing the procedures for data analysis and data storage for the original DESAD project and the current DES Follow-up Study. He has published many research articles in peer review journals. Dr. Adam continues his involvement as Sub-Contractor with The Methodist Hospital-Research Institute.

Joseph R. Davis, has a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University, and has been a Clinical Research Coordinator working in the Texas Medical Center since 1997. He has worked for reputable institutions to include MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, and The Department of Veteran Affairs. Mr. Davis joined the DES follow-up study in 2010 and is responsible for daily management, and supervision of accumulated data collection. As study manager, Joseph is based at The Methodist Hospital-Research Institute.

Carolyn B. Alexander, R.N. Med was a staff member of Baylor College of Medicine De-partment of Obstetrics and gynecology for 31 years, and served as research nurse for the original DESAD study. She continues this roll at The Methodist Hospital – Research Institute. She is primarily responsible for the review and abstraction of medical records received for participants.