Investigating the tumour microenvironment in prostate cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the cross-talk between tumour cells, bone cells and immune cells in prostate cancer
IRAS ID
214208
Contact name
Paul Townsend
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance Office, University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in UK men. Many men with prostate cancer develop advanced disease which spreads (‘metastasises’) to other parts of the body, predominantly bone, for which there are few effective treatments. In various cancers, it is thought that neighbouring non-cancerous cells (the ‘tumour microenvironment’) can have both pro-cancer effects (e.g. to aid tumour cell survival) and anti-cancer effects (e.g. to promote its immune destruction), depending on the context. Interactions between tumour cells and other cells within its microenvironment are mediated by complex molecular pathways of cell-to-cell signalling which, to date, are poorly understood. The primary aim of our research is to better understand the communication between prostate cancer cells and their neighbouring cells, primarily the cells of the bone (for metastatic disease) and the immune system. More specifically, we are interested in the role of osteoclasts (cells which break down bone) and macrophages (immune cells which generally defend against infection) in prostate cancer progression and metastasis. We are currently developing a co-culture system to grow prostate cancer cells alongside either osteoclasts or macrophages, allowing us to study subsequent molecular changes (i.e. changes in the levels of genes and proteins) and functional changes (e.g. an increase in the rate at which cells replicate) in each cell type. Both osteoclasts and macrophages can be generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which are captured in leukocyte cone filters by the NHS Blood and Transplant Service as a by-product of blood donation. By co-culturing these cells with prostate cancer cells, we can understand how tumour cells interact with their microenvironment and, ultimately, try to identify novel ways to target the disease therapeutically.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0469
Date of REC Opinion
2 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion