The investigation of primary central nervous system lymphoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The investigation of the biology of primary central nervous lymphoma
IRAS ID
188031
Contact name
Shireen Kassam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King;s College Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare but aggressive cancer. Most patients die of their disease. In recent years treatment has improved such that some patients are able to achieve durable remissions. However, 20-30% of patients fail to respond to treatment and their prognosis is dismal. The understanding of the biology of the disease has lagged behind improvements in clinical care. The laboratory studies that have been performed are small and further confirmatory studies are needed. We aim to investigate the biology of this lymphoma with the hope that a better understanding will eventually result in better treatments. The study will use surplus diagnostic biopsy material from patients with PCNSL. The specimens will be obtained from the neuropathology/histopathology department of King’s College Hospital. Specimens will be pseudonymised. In addition, tumour samples will be obtained from the King's College London Brain Bank, which has ethical approval to store brain tissue from patients who have died from PCNSL.
The tumour tissue will be used to investigate expression of novel protein markers, interactions between the tumour cells and its microenvironment and DNA will be sequenced to identify genetic alterations and mutations. A variety of techniques will be used including, microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and DNA sequencing.
We also aim to identify novel markers in a variety of body fluids that could aid diagnosis and help monitor patients receiving treatment for PCNSL. The body fluids involved will include blood, plasma, vitreous, bone marrow and cerebrospinal fluid. These samples will be obtained from the King's College London Haemato-oncology tissue bank.
Laboratory findings will be correlated with clinical outcomes.
At the end of the research specimens will be either used up entirely in the research process or returned to the current holder of the specimens if there is any residual material.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2013
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion