NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • A Guide to What We Do
    • Activities during COVID-19
    • Strategic Partnership Board
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Contact Us
    • Stay in Touch
  • Research
        • OUR 20 RESEARCH THEMES

        • Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology
        • Cardiovascular
        • Clinical Informatics and Big Data
        • Diabetes and Metabolism
        • Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Haematology and Stem Cells
        • Imaging
        • Molecular Diagnostics
        • Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies
        • Multi-Morbidity and Long-Term Conditions
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Neurological Conditions
        • Obesity, Diet and Lifestyle
        • Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation
        • Respiratory
        • Stroke and Vascular Dementia
        • Surgical Innovation and Evaluation
        • Technology and Digital Health
        • Vaccines for Emerging and Endemic Diseases
        • Oxford Biomedical Research Centre activities during COVID-19
  • Patient & Public Involvement
    • Getting involved with research
    • Researcher Guidance
    • Post an opportunity for patient and public involvement
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Preparatory Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • What Can We Do For Your Organisation?
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • IP and Licensing
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies > Rare tumour’s ‘fingerprint’ used to develop cheap and reliable new test

Rare tumour’s ‘fingerprint’ used to develop cheap and reliable new test

23 May 2011 · Listed under Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies

Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a cheap and reliable diagnostic test for a rare form of cancer. The test involves screening tumour samples for a particular molecular fingerprint unique to this cancer.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) is a disorder that causes the development of benign but often painful tumours in the skin and, in females, in the uterus. Between one in six and one in ten people affected by the disorder will go on to develop an aggressive form of kidney cancer called papillary renal cell cancer. The condition often strikes people in their 20s.

The disorder is caused by mutations, which may be inherited, in a gene responsible for the production of an enzyme known as fumarate hydratase (FH). This leads to an accumulation within cells of fumarate, which promotes the development of cancer cells.

Now, in a study published in the ‘Journal of Pathology’, an international team of scientists led by researchers at the Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, have identified a particular protein modification that is induced by FH deficiency (and hence an over-abundance of fumarate). This alteration is unique to this type of tumour and can hence be used as a biomarker – a biological ‘fingerprint’ to identify tumours caused by this mechanism.

The researchers have developed a test for this protein modification that can be carried out in under two hours and will identify tumours with FH mutations. This approach is much more cost-effective than genetic testing of all possible cases using DNA sequencing. They show that screening cases of papillary renal cell cancer using this new test allows them to identify undiagnosed cases of HLRCC for genetic testing. They believe this test should be applied in all cases of papillary renal cell cancer to identify people with FH mutations, allowing advice to be provided to their families on their own relative risks of developing the disorder and associated kidney cancer.

Click here for full article.

← ARCII-study in Oxford – the human face of medical breakthrough
Small molecules found to play complex role in cancer metastasis →

News

  • Lymph nodes reveal more about mechanisms of autoimmunity 14 June 2022
  • Conference aims to forge collaborations to tackle dementia 9 June 2022
  • Lung function device wins top chemistry Prize 8 June 2022
See full news archive

News Categories

Month Archives

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at obrcenquiries@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Sitemap
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre