Molecular profiling and senescence in brain tumours
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular profiling of brain tumours and characterisation of senescence in tumours
IRAS ID
286427
Contact name
Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Brain tumours are a leading cause of death in children and young adults with approximately 400 new cases per year in the UK. Work within our laboratory has previously advanced our knowledge of the underlying biology of craniopharyngioma, a particular type of tumour that affects the pituitary gland. By studying changes in the DNA, and its products, RNA and proteins, we have been able to better understand the processes that have gone wrong in this tumour. This knowledge has led us to identify and test new treatments in the laboratory. The first clinical trial to use this knowledge is now in development.
This project builds on the results of its predecessor (REC14/LO/2265 Molecular characterization of craniopharyngioma). In this project we will continue to study the biology of craniopharygnioma and in addition use the tools developed and lessons learnt, to apply to a wider range of tumour types, mostly, but not limited to, childhood brain tumours. This will be done through accessing tissue samples from a range of existing sources and undertaking a range of analyses, from wide global, so called “omic” analyses, to targeted measurements of specific molecules.
In the predecessor project, we characterised a role of a process called senescence in craniopharyngioma tumorigenesis. Senescence is where cells in the body stop growing/dividing following stresses, such as mutations or treatment such as radiotherapy. Senescent cells undergo changes, such as, how they use nutrients and can release of various signals that can affect other nearby cells, such as, stimulating them to divide. In craniopharnygioma, we found that a small groups of these senescence cells, called clusters, influence surrounding cells. This was further explored using mouse models where we could manipulate the signals sent from the senescent cells. In this project we will characterise the role of senescence in a wider range of tumour types.
Together such knowledge about the biological profiles of tumours and the role of senescence will, in time, hopefully translate to improved care and quality of life for patients.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0707
Date of REC Opinion
3 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion