Tissue/Fluid Metabolomics in Liver Cancers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Tissue/Fluid Metabolomics in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Colorectal Liver Metastases. Is there a role to be played in developing 'intelligent' technology to aid surgical resection?
IRAS ID
142832
Contact name
Raj Prasad
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and has become a significant health issue with rising levels of alcohol abuse and Hepatitis C virus infection. HCC is characterised by rapid development and early metastasis and is therefore associated with a poor prognosis. Surgical resection offers a potential cure to suitable patients. The liver is also the most common site of metastasis for colorectal cancer (CRLM). Approximately one third of patients with colorectal cancer will develop either synchronous or metachronous liver metastases. Surgical resection is at present considered the only potential cure for CRLM. A cure in both cancers is dependant on a complete resection on histopathological assessment.
At present the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) is used to perform liver resection. Its use is dependant on the surgeons knowledge of where the tumour is located three dimensionally within the liver.
Metabolomics is the study of all metabolites within a biological system and inparticular the change in metabolic characteristics in response to pathophysiological or genetic stimuli.
Metabolomics has currently been used to attempt to identify potential biomarkers for HCC in patients serum and urine that will aid earlier diagnosis. No work has been done on metabolomics in CRLM.
We propose using metabolomics on fluid from the CUSA and tissue samples taken at liver resection as a method of identifying metabolic profiles unique to either CRLM or HCC. Initially with the aim of identifying metabolite profiles unique to HCC or CRLM but with the long term aim of developing a ‘smart’ CUSA that will aid surgical resection.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/1085
Date of REC Opinion
15 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion