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DNA database: Leeds patients to help new tumour gene bank
Cancer patients are to help build a pioneering DNA database to help develop the next generation of treatments.
Leeds patients are being asked to give a tumour sample as part of the first stage of Cancer Research UK’s £5.5m Stratified Medicine Programme.
Eventually the nationwide scheme aims to establish a world-class NHS genetic testing service so doctors will be able to match patients with the most effective treatments.
Professor Andrew Hanby, lead researcher at the Leeds Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) which is based at the University of Leeds, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this exciting initiative, which will give Yorkshire people the chance to play a key part in making targeted treatments available for cancer patients across the UK. We are extremely grateful to all these patients who, by contributing to this research, are allowing us to take great strides towards beating cancer.”
The Leeds ECMC is among six centres across the country aiming to recruit 9,000 patients in total from 20 hospitals, including Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital. The Leeds scientists will focus on melanoma, breast, ovary and bowel cancers.
Tumour samples will be sent to genetic testing labs to extract DNA and analyse it for molecular faults linked to cancer. Then researchers will be able to compare how successful treatments are at tackling specific faults within cancer cells.
One of the first patients to take part in Leeds is Angela Hutson, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2000.
Tests showed the tumour was malignant melanoma, the more serious type of skin cancer, which had spread. Although the cancer spread further and she needed surgery and treatment in Leeds, since 2006 she has had no signs of cancer.
The 44-year-old said: “When I was told I had cancer, my little girl was just a baby and I didn’t think I would even see her start nursery school. But she is now 11 and I have just watched her start high school.
“This new programme of research is very exciting for people like me and I jumped at the chance to have the test and take part. I was told I was quite a unique case, so it’s good to think that knowledge gained from my DNA could help other people in the future.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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