Young biologist examines changes in breast cancer cells
The development of more effective breast cancer treatments, individually tailored to each patient, is possible with better understanding of the process of invasion and metastasis. This in turn requires the development of methods to identify changes in tumour cells at various stages of its spread.
Aleksandra Markiewicz from the Department of Medical Biotechnology,
Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG-MUG is working on developing
such methods. Graduate student in Chemistry and Biochemistry is one of
the winners of this year's InnoDoktorant grant project.
"Molecular changes allow tumour cells to acquire an invasive phenotype,
which determines the transfer of cells to vessels and the formation of
metastasis in a remote area of the body" - explained the doctoral
student.
The researcher will analyse not only the cells in the
primary tumour and metastases, but also cancer cells circulating in the
bloodstream that may initiate the formation of metastases. As the number
of tumour cells circulating in the blood may be very small, she has to
develop sensitive and specific methods for their detection and
isolation. "Currently used techniques are able to detect only a fraction
of circulating cells, our team is trying to improve it" - she added.
"Breast
cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in women, and
the treatment often turns out to be ineffective, treatment is also
stopped because of side effects. Consequently, there is the formation of
metastases, which are the leading cause of death" - reminded
Markiewicz.
She explained that this is because the classic
prognostic factors, such as tumour size and metastases in lymph nodes,
do not always allow to choose the best treatment options. Current
research may help identify new prognostic factors.
The author of
the doctoral thesis explained that new factors should allow for
individualized treatment of breast cancer by distinguishing between
cases with different prognosis, for which distinct treatment regimens
can be selected. This will increase the effectiveness of the treatment,
reduce side effects in some patients, and may reduce the cost of
therapy.
Research conducted under supervision of Prof. Jacek
Bigda combines the latest discoveries in molecular biology of cancer
with clinical practice. Therefore, you may have a direct impact on the
development of better diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in breast
cancer.
Research is part of a project funded by the National
Centre for Research and Development Leader Programme, "Analysis of
selected molecular factors associated with invasion and metastasis in
patients with breast cancer". (PAP)
last modification: 2011-03-11
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