The salivary glycome as a novel diagnostic marker in oral cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study of the salivary glycome as a novel diagnostic marker in oral cancer- glycan fingerprinting
IRAS ID
190679
Contact name
Keith D Hunter
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Developing tests to diagnose diseases early, without the need for painful or unpleasant procedures, is critical in modern medicine. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to do this is to detect molecules in bodily fluids which indicate the presence of disease. Saliva is particularly useful as it can be collected easily and painlessly from most patients, and is known to be altered when disease is present both in the mouth and in other parts of the body. Here, we propose a pilot study to examine changes in sugar molecules attached to proteins (known as glycans) in saliva. Glycans are important in many processes in the body and the amount and type of glycans in cells is altered in diseases such as cancer. We will use a novel technique, developed by our commercial partners, Ludger, to compare glycan levels and types in the saliva of healthy volunteers and patients suffering from oral (mouth) cancer to identify changes which may be developed as a test to detect cancer in its early stages when it can be more easily treated. The involvement of clinicians, laboratory scientists and a commercial partner able to invest in the technology will allow the findings of this pilot study to be easily and rapidly developed into a large clinical trial.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/2090
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion