Project description
Circulating microRNAs as novel biomarkers in the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome
The recent developments of liquid biopsy methods and analysis have turned blood-based cancer biomarkers into critical modern tools for cancer prevention and diagnosis. The cell-free non-coding circulating microRNA particles (c-miRs) associated with cancer development have been identified and tested in applications for cancer screening, diagnosis, tumour classification, treatment monitoring, and prediction of the outcome. However, c-miRs have not thus far been investigated in Lynch syndrome cohorts. The EU-funded cmiRCan project aims to use whole serum c-miR clusters from patients with hereditary cancer-associated Lynch syndrome as a biomarker. The interdisciplinary project will combine clinical, cell biological, and bioinformatics research to develop machine learning-based algorithms to diagnose and predict cancer occurrence in the Lynch syndrome patient cohort.
Objective
Blood-based cancer biomarkers have become important research targets and together with the recent development of liquid biopsy methods and analysis, they have become interesting future tools for cancer diagnosis. The cell-free small non-coding circulating RNA particles, namely microRNAs (c-miRs) that associate with cancer development, have been identified and tested to be used for cancer screening, diagnosis, tumor subtype classification, chemo- or radio-resistance monitoring, and outcome prognosis. Here we use whole serum c-miR clusters from patients with hereditary cancer syndrome, called Lynch syndrome, as a biomarker and we develop machine learning-based algorithms to diagnose and predict cancer occurrence in this patient cohort. We also functionally test how these c-miR clusters effect lynch syndrome linked to tumor growth.
This interdisciplinary project combines clinical, cell biological and bioinformatic research and it will reciprocally transfer knowledge between research, Tiina Jokela and host institute, University of Jyväskylä and secondment institutes; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital. The proposed project support researcher Tiina Jokela to also gain transferable independent research skills and support her future career goal to become the leader of her own academic research group in the cancer research field.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panelCoordinator
40100 Jyvaskyla
Finland