QUIESCENT V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Tracking non-genetic adaptation to therapeutic intervention for early detection of tumor awakening: the Quintescential Study
IRAS ID
280850
Contact name
Farah Rehman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Oestrogen dependent (ER+) breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, accounting for 70% of breast cancers. Despite improved survival from this disease over the past decade, a proportion of patients still develop distant, incurable metastatic disease even after multi-modal treatment that may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and adjuvant long term endocrine therapy. ER+ breast cancers are characterised by long latency and a steady rate of delayed relapse, which may occur several decades after the original tumour. The fact that these relapse occur so late after initial diagnosis suggest that cancer cells can go through a cycle of dormancy and reawakening but little is known about how this happens and how this can be targeted. It also remains unclear whether this cycle is influenced by treatments taken by the patients. Current methods of monitoring relapse are limited and may only detect cancer cells that have already exited dormancy or re-awakened.
To truly detect early relapse, understanding the nature of dormancy of cancer cells is important. We propose to investigate this process by collecting repeated biopsies of the accessible tumour and a blood sample every 3 to 6 months for up to 3 years in breast cancer patients not undergoing surgery but having endocrine therapy as first line treatment. These patients may not be having surgery due to patient choice, lack of fitness or suitability for surgery or having secondary or metastatic disease. The fact that the tumour is not removed allows us to monitor the real effect of endocrine treatment on individual cancer cells. This will allow us to understand how and what makes cancer cells dormant, and more importantly, what makes them re-awaken.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
20/NS/0090
Date of REC Opinion
21 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion