Identification of protein markers for monitoring colon cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identification of protein markers for the monitoring of patients with colon cancer
IRAS ID
195785
Contact name
Edward Parkin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The cancinoembryonic antigen (CEA) currently used for monitoring colon cancer patients is of limited effectiveness particularly in the detection of pulmonary and local recurrences. Levels of the protein may be elevated in conditions other than cancer (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease)and patients with colon cancer may not necessarily have elevated CEA. Thus, there is a need to identify alternative or complementary protein markers to monitor the progress of colon cancer patients. Dr. Parkin’s research group works on proteins that have previously been shown to be elevated in colon tumours and/or cancerous cell lines. These proteins(e.g. Notch1, Jagged1, Jagged2 and the amyloid precursor protein) are all cleaved from the surface of cells to produce a soluble form that may be measurable in the blood of patients. Thus, in the proposed study, we wish to ascertain whether the levels of these proteins in the blood or resected tumour tissue of colon cancer patients correlate with tumour aggressiveness (degree of tumour cell differentiation/pathological stage at resection), patient response to treatment, disease recurrence, and survival endpoints. Studies of this type are likely to yield valuable information regarding protein markers that could be used to more accurately monitor disease and inform as to the most suitable modes of patient treatment.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0190
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion