Objective
The main aims of the project are the identification of molecular determinants associated with predisposition, tumour progression and prognosis of human cervical tumours. There exist some previous data concerning expression of certain molecular markers in these tumours. However, these findings, which were partially contradictory, were obtained by investigating different biopsy samples in only a small number of cases. To evaluate the significance of these findings, a simultaneous analysis of several molecular parameters in the same tumour is urgently required.
These investigations will be done on a large number of samples combined with a comparative investigation of the surrounding normal tissue and in conjunction with follow-up studies of the patients. The following factors will be investigated as indicators for different stages of tumour progression: identification of HLA DQA1 and HLA DQ1B genotypes as possible prognostic markers; typing, structure and expression of HPV genomes in tumours to investigate the role of exogenous agents involved in disease initiation and progression; serum antibodies against the viral E7 protein to assess the immune response during disease progression; structural and functional analysis of pS3 and its potential role in tumour initiation and progression; investigation of cellular proto-oncogene expression as a possible prognostic factor.
This project aims to obtain information about the complex relations between different molecular determinants and attempts to identify new molecular markers with diagnostic, stage-specific or prognostic value.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
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69120 Heidelberg
Germany