An exploratory breast lead interval study (EBLIS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to identify biomarkers which offer a lead interval between predicted relapse and pvert disease in post-operative, post-treatment breast cancer patients
IRAS ID
126462
Contact name
Charles Coombes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Research summary
Breast cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death, and the commonest cancer in women, in the Western world. Despite significant advances in terms of screening and early treatment, approximately half of women who have breast cancer later develop spread of the tumours (metastasis), at which point the disease is incurable. We believe that in order to substantially improve patient outcomes, better non-invasive markers are needed for monitoring of response to therapy and prediction of relapse. Breast cancer is most likely to be cured when present in a minimal state, whereas those with more advanced disease are less likely to be, emphasising the need for early and accurate detection of disease relapse. Therefore, the development of blood based tests with clinical relevance for risk estimation of relapse and monitoring of individual response to drug treatment is of great interest.
In this CRUK funded study, we will be taking blood samples from patients who have completed all surgery and/or chemotherapy treatment and are now being followed up by their Clinician by means of 6 monthly visits for up to 5 years. We will take a sample at each visit for up to 4 years (as is covered by current funding), and analyse the DNA within these samples with the aim of establishing whether or not there is a correlation between circulating markers in the blood and disease progression. In women who develop metastatic disease we will also compare circulating blood markers with the metastatic tissue biopsy, and compare primary and metastatic tumour tissue. In this way, we hope to develop a blood test that can be used to monitor breast cancer, and detect relapse, in the future.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1152
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion