Optimisation of Circulating Tumour Cell Detection in Bone Sarcomas
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimisation of Circulating Tumour Cell Detection in Bone Sarcomas
IRAS ID
147078
Contact name
Kenneth Rankin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
RM&G Manager, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Bone sarcomas are rare but devastating cancers, particularly as they mainly affect children and young adults. Treatment includes multiple rounds of chemotherapy and mutilating limb reconstruction surgery, yet only 55% of patients survive to 5 years.
We aim to develop a blood test that will identify cancer cells that have broken away from the main tumour. These cells circulate in the bloodstream and are believed to be the cells which enable the cancer to spread. Detection, and isolation, of these cells could give doctors and patients important information about the tumour’s ability to spread.
Testing small amounts of blood (20ml/2 tablespoons) for the presence of circulating tumour cells is established in colon, breast and prostate cancer. This allows doctors to predict early on whether a cancer is likely to spread around the body. There has been little work carried out in this area for bone sarcomas.
Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate whether intact, living cancer cells can be detected in small blood samples from bone sarcoma patients.
We will capture these cells and do further investigations to determine the unique 'signature' of bone sarcoma cells. Ultimately, we hope this information will lead to new therapeutic targets for bone sarcomas.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/1314
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion