Altered Tropomyosin Expression in Bladder Cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Altered tropomyosin expression in bladder cancer: a novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis.
IRAS ID
236175
Contact name
Stuart Savill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Over 10,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed in the UK annually. 70% present as limited to the bladder lining, but 30% will have invaded the bladder muscle wall. In 50-70% of patients the tumour recurs within 5 years, with varying severity. Patients with any form of bladder cancer therefore require lifelong surveillance, usually performed by inserting a camera into the bladder and examining the lining. Abnormal growths can then be removed.
Although this method of diagnosis works well, it requires a hospital visit and can be uncomfortable and distressing for the patient. It also carries the risk of side effects such as urinary tract infections, bleeding and pain.
A reliable urine-based test for bladder cancer would be less distressing for the patient and free of side effects. It should also be rapid, cheap and, ideally, able to detect whether the tumour is of a type that can invade the muscle wall. Current tests for bladder cancer are not routinely used because they frequently fail to detect genuine cases whilst giving positive results in people without bladder cancer.
The levels of a family of cell-structure proteins, called tropomyosins, are altered in bladder cancer cells. We would like to measure the levels of each of these proteins in bladder tumours taken directly from patients during surgery and show that changes in bladder cancer can also be detected in urine samples. This will show that differences in urine samples could form the basis of a new diagnostic test for bladder cancer.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
18/WA/0046
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion