Epigenetics is defined as heritable alterations in gene expression that are not mediated by changes in the DNA sequence, and aberrant DNA methylation is one of the most extensively studied deregulated epigenetic mechanisms. Aberrant methylation of genes is more common than genetic aberrations in cancer. Although only a minority of these methylation changes are expected to be functionally important (in the sense that they can drive the cellular and clinical behavior of the cancer), several of them have already been shown to be clinically useful by representing biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and direction of therapy.
By methylome sequencing and bioinformatic analyzes, we have identified biomarker candidates for bladder cancer and kidney cancer. The bladder cancer biomarkers are currently under development (https://titan.uio.no/node/2288; https://www.genomeweb.com/molecular-diagnostics/norwegian-team-plans-debut-digital-pcr-based-urinary-bladder-cancer-test-year ) funded by an innovation grant. We are expecting equally promising results from the kidney cancer biomarkers and are recruiting a MSc student who can participate in this project.
In close collaboration with supervisors and members of the research group, the MSc student will select the most relevant candidate biomarkers from the list and design and optimize assays for these regions. The assays will be used for analyzing the DNA promoter methylation status of the selected candidates in cancer cell lines and tissue samples from cancer patients using real-time technology as well as the powerful and absolute quantitative droplet digital PCR platform. Candidates methylated in the vast majority of kidney cancer patients and absent from healthy controls represent promising biomarkers for kidney cancers. The performance of these biomarkers will be evaluated in urine, to reveal whether they are suitable for early and non-invasive detection of kidney cancer.
In Norway, close to 900 patients get kidney cancer every year. Since symptoms are vague, e.g blood in the urine and flank pain, most cancers are detected at an advanced stage, associated with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis for the patient. The most efficient strategy for reducing the mortality rate of kidney cancer would be early detection, qualifying more patients for curative surgery.
Supervisors:
Guro E. Lind, Prof II, IBV UiO & Hege Marie Vedeld (post doc)
Working place: Department of Molecular Incology, Institute for cancer research, Radiumhospitalet (research building), group of Epigenetics.