OSCAR

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Omics Approaches to Urological Cancer Diagnosis

• IRAS ID

  277100

• Contact name

  Luis A.J. Mur

• Contact email

  lum@aber.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Aberystwyth University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  10 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Through a collaboration between Aberystwyth University (AU) and the BCUHB Maelor Academic Unit (MAU), the aim of this study is to identify biological indicators known as biomarkers in Urological cancers, using novel methods grouped under the term ‘Omics. This uses “big-data” approaches that investigate the genetic and molecular profile of the patient, related to a particular clinical condition. These analyses use minimally invasive samples such as blood and urine, to improve understanding of the pathologies (causes, effects and diagnosis) of diseases.

  Urological cancers consist of bladder (BC), prostate (PCa), Renal and testicular cancers and are among the ten most common causes of cancer worldwide. Many urological cancers are difficult to reliably diagnose, often requiring an invasive procedure, which can be uncomfortable for the patient. As with all invasive procedures this also carries risks, such as infection and bleeding. Current biomarkers lack accuracy, such as the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test in prostate cancer, which can give inaccurate results, leading to over-diagnosis and potentially unnecessary intensive treatment. Establishing biomarkers in non-invasive samples reduces the risks related to more invasive forms of biopsy. Identification of specific biomarkers associated with various stages of cancer, could also provide greater accuracy than some of the current methods used.
  
  This is also a post-graduate research programme, initially based on a PhD project, but more students are expected to join the programme over time. The students will become skilled in the techniques required in this big data omics approach. This involves not only laboratory skills, but also considerable mathematical skills in the analysis of large amounts of data. This project also focuses on the importance of patient care, the improvement of which must be the aim of the scientific research.

• REC name

  South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  21/SC/0319

• Date of REC Opinion

  1 Oct 2021

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion