The use of liquid biopsies as a new opportunity in cancer therapy (Q4302493)
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Project Q4302493 in Germany, Austria
Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
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English | The use of liquid biopsies as a new opportunity in cancer therapy |
Project Q4302493 in Germany, Austria |
Statements
393,896.7 Euro
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656,494.5 Euro
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60.0 percent
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1 July 2017
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30 June 2021
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Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment
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The objective of the planned project is to establish the use of liquid biopsies for therapy management in cancer patients in the Rhine Valley-Lake Constance region. Relevant processes and analysis procedures should be standardised and further developed here, in addition to the areas of application for their deployment. The treatment of cancer has seen enormous progress in the last few years. More and more medicines are available which can attack the tumour through targeted inhibition of the proteins that control tumour growth. However, mutations in the tumour genome hinder the effectiveness of such targeted therapy. Also, resistances to the primary selected therapy arise after a specific treatment duration due to the emergence of new mutations in the tumour cells. However, measuring these newly occurring mutations using tumour biopsies is only possible to a limited extent. Mutations of tumour cells can also be determined in the blood with the use of highly sensitive procedures. Blood tests worked up accordingly are therefore described as liquid biopsies. A liquid biopsy increases the chances of recognising new resistances and being able to adapt the treatment to the dynamic changes as necessary. The use of liquid biopsies in clinics and practices in the Rhine Valley-Lake Constance region for the optimised treatment of cancer has only taken place to a limited extent up to now. The objective of the planned project is to establish the use of liquid biopsies for the therapy management of cancer patients in the Rhine Valley-Lake Constance region, to standardise and further develop appropriate processes and analysis procedures, and to expand the areas of application for their use. This is to be achieved through the improvement of institutional cooperation between clinics, practices and pathology and analysis laboratories based in the region. Patients with metastasised colon, breast or lung cancer will be included by the participating clinics / practices, and liquid biopsies will be collected. Genetic examinations of the liquid biopsies are carried out in the molecular biology laboratory at VIVIT; analyses of the tumour tissues will also be conducted by the pathology labs taking part for comparison purposes. Associations between mutations and resistances to therapy that are already known can be used directly to make treatment decisions. The patients should also prospectively be observed for a period of up to three years, and called in for subsequent checks at prescribed time intervals. This will enable an objective evaluation of the validity of the data collected from liquid biopsies, for progress assessment and possible choice of therapy. The insights obtained from this represent valuable information for the further potential application of liquid biopsies for the treatment of tumour patients. Options for routine examinations of liquid biopsies for cancer patients in the region will also be created through the anticipated insights gained and the standardisation of detection methods. It can be assumed that the examination of liquid biopsies will be accepted as part of the standard repertoire of analysis laboratories specialising in this in the Rhine Valley-Lake Constance region. New insights obtained will be introduced in scientific journals or at specialist conferences and will thereby be made accessible to the public. New clinical issues can also be processed after the project has been completed, thanks to the network of clinics and laboratories involved. The sustainable effect of the project is thereby ensured. The project will thus essentially and sustainably improve the cross-border cooperation of those institutions involved that are located in the programme area, in the field of clinical oncology and personalised medicine. (English)
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