BCMet
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Breast Cancer Metastasis
IRAS ID
271851
Contact name
Clare M Isacke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Institute of Cancer Research
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In the UK, breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women (https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/breast-cancer). However, invariably death does not result from the primary tumour in the breast, rather it is caused by secondary (metastatic) tumours which spread to, and colonise, secondary sites in the body. Research in our laboratory is focussed towards understanding how primary breast tumours acquire the additional properties which allow them to invade into the surrounding tissue, enter the circulation, and establish themselves at metastatic sites. A focus in our laboratory is in understanding the role of metastatic microenvironment in promoting or impeding metastatic colonisation. Within this, we have a particular interest in the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving some breast cancers to metastasise to serosal surfaces in the peritoneal and pleural cavities where they can shed into the ascites and pleural fluids. The long-term aim of this study is to identify suitable targets for therapeutic intervention and/or prognostic screening in breast cancer metastasis.
We previously collected 19 samples under CCR/REC 2041 and 2042 ethics between 2002 and 2004 from women with metastatic breast cancer who were undergoing pleural or ascites fluid drains as part of their palliative care. Tumour cells were isolated from these fluids and viably frozen, and are currently stored in liquid nitrogen at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR - CBL) as ‘Existing Holding’ under HTA (as they were collected before 2006). This study would enable us to identify key genes or pathways involved in breast cancer metastasis to the pleura and peritoneal sites.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
20/ES/0033
Date of REC Opinion
23 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion