Urinary microRNA expression in endometrial cancer patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Urinary microRNA expression in endometrial cancer patients – a feasibility study
IRAS ID
253081
Contact name
K Galaal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
With this study we want to assess if urinary miRNA can be a potential new biomarker in the diagnosis of cancer of the womb. Furthermore, we want to assess the association between miRNA expression and obesity and SES. This study will provide the necessary information for planning a larger, definitive trial.
Cancer of the womb is the most common type of cancer of the female genital tract and the 8th cause of death in females in the United Kingdom. One of the main risk factors for the development of this type of cancer is obesity, which is strongly associated with socioeconomic status (SES).
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs involved in different cellular processes and are associated with the development of cancer such as cancer of the womb. Furthermore, miRNAs play a role in the onset of obesity and obesity-related diseases.
MiRNAs have been shown to be stable in urine, therefore, urine seems the ideal bio-fluid for non-invasive biomarker detection.With a new non-invasive biomarker, patients will be referred to the appropriate specialist early. Furthermore, a urinary diagnostic test will allow for easier access to care and possibly reducing the burden of traveling long distances to the hospital and costs for patients, which is especially important for patients with low SES.
We therefore want to prospectively measure miRNA expression in urine and fixed tissue specimen in endometrial cancer patients and healthy control subjects. Furthermore we will retrospectively assess miRNA expression in fixed tissue specimen from endometrial cancer patients and healthy control subjects. We will determine miRNA expression levels by quantitative realtime-PCR in cooperation with Universitätsfrauenklinik Freiburg.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
19/ES/0007
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion