Drug target validation studies using tissue in microfluidic devices
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the role of gene-regulating proteins in glioblastoma tissue biopsies maintained in microfluidic devices to validate novel therapeutic targets
IRAS ID
332923
Contact name
Mark Wade
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
23/YH/0260, REC
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common form of brain tumour. With the current treatment strategies GBM survival remains low, thus new therapies are urgently needed. Epigenetics is a biological mechanism that determines which genes are "switched on/off". In cancer, epigenetic mechanisms are often faulty. Proteins which control epigenetics are thought to offer a new target to treat cancer. A microfluidic device has been developed at the University of Hull, which can maintain GBM tissue biopsies in a viable state for up to 10 days. The aim of the current application is to determine whether specific epigenetic proteins are required for GBM growth and could be novel targets. To do this, GBM tissue will be maintained in the devices and the level/activity of the proteins will be depleted. The effects on cell growth and which genes are switched on/off will then be assessed.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0260
Date of REC Opinion
16 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion