Research Ina Benoy

Abstract

In this project we want to decrease the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer in women in Ecuador by introducing screening based on self sampling. The project combines state-of-the-art screening practices with empowering women of different ethnic origins, taking into account cultural beliefs and involving traditional and local caregivers as intermediary health workers. To achieve this, we will develop an operational plan to optimize technical aspects of laboratory diagnosis, set up a logistic pathway, educate health workers and study the acceptability of the proposed strategies for the end-users. A strategy for follow up of screening results by means of telemedicine will be developed and introduced.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verhoeven Veronique
• Co-promoter: Benoy Ina

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

One woman out of nine will develop mammary cancer. Though clinical, biochemical and :radiological investigation do not reveal tumour spread, haematogenic dissemination often present at the time of diagnosis will be responsible for morbidity and mortality of this disease. The detection of disseminated tumour cells in the blood stream and/or in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients could lead to a better staging and prognostication of :these patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of bone marrow and lymph nodes for the demonstration of morphologically detectable tumour cells has been used since long. This microscopic methodology, however, has a low sensitivity whereby small numbers of tumour cells can be missed. Molecular biology techniques have a much higher sensitivity, yet a low specificity. The aim of this study is to develop a sensitive and specific molecular biological technology to detect micrometastatic disease in breast cancer patients and to compare the results with those obtained by immunohistochemistry. Tumour cells in peripheral blood and in bone marrow will be detected with RT-PCR amplifying mRNA of cytokeratin-19 (CM19). Using the cDNA sepcific primer/probe set for CK19 and the ABI Prism 7700 Real-Time PCR (TaqmanTM) results will be quantified. In a second phase of the investigation prognostic significance of these parameters with respect to metastasis and survival in operable breast cancer patients will be addressed. In a third part of the study the relationship between presence of disseminated tumour cells and tumour angiogenesis will be investigated.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Marck Eric
• Fellow: Benoy Ina

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

One woman out of nine will develop mammary cancer. Though clinical, biochemical and radiological investigation do not reveal tumour spread, haematogenic dissemination often present at the time of diagnosis will be responsible for morbidity and mortality of this disease. The detection of disseminated tumour cells in the blood stream and/or in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients could lead to a better staging and prognostication of these patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of bone marrow and lymph nodes for the demonstration of morphologically detectable tumour cells has been used since long. This microscopic methodology, however, has a low sensitivity whereby small numbers of tumour cells can be missed. Molecular biology techniques have a much higher sensitivity, yet a low specificity. The aim of this study is to develop a sensitive and specific molecular biological technology to detect micrometastatic disease in breast cancer patients and to compare the results with those obtained by immunohistochemistry. Tumour cells in peripheral blood and in bone marrow will be detected with RT-PCR amplifying mRNA of cytokeratin-19 (CM19). Using the cDNA sepcific primer/probe set for CK19 and the ABI Prism 7700 Real-Time PCR (TaqmanTM) results will be quantified. In a second phase of the investigation prognostic significance of these parameters with respect to metastasis and survival in operable breast cancer patients will be addressed. In a third part of the study the relationship between presence of disseminated tumour cells and tumour angiogenesis will be investigated

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Marck Eric
• Co-promoter: Scharpe Simon
• Fellow: Benoy Ina

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

One woman out of nine will develop mammary cancer. Though clinical, biochemical and radiological investigation do not reveal tumour spread, haematogenic dissemination often present at the time of diagnosis will be responsible for morbidity and mortality of this disease. The detection of disseminated tumour cells in the blood stream and/or in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients could lead to a better staging and prognostication of these patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of bone marrow and lymph nodes for the demonstration of morphologically detectable tumour cells has been used since long. This microscopic methodology, however, has a low sensitivity whereby small numbers of tumour cells can be missed. Molecular biology techniques have a much higher sensitivity, yet a low specificity. The aim of this study is to develop a sensitive and specific molecular biological technology to detect micrometastatic disease in breast cancer patients and to compare the results with those obtained by immunohistochemistry. Tumour cells in peripheral blood and in bone marrow will be detected with RT-PCR amplifying mRNA of cytokeratin-19 (CM19). Using the cDNA sepcific primer/probe set for CK19 and the ABI Prism 7700 Real-Time PCR (TaqmanTM) results will be quantified. In a second phase of the investigation prognostic significance of these parameters with respect to metastasis and survival in operable breast cancer patients will be addressed. In a third part of the study the relationship between presence of disseminated tumour cells and tumour angiogenesis will be investigated

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Marck Eric
• Fellow: Benoy Ina

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project