| Research Title: |
Breast carcinogenesis and progression |
| Research program: |
Oncology |
| Project directors: |
Prof. dr. Paul J.van Diest, dr. Marc Vooijs, and Prof. dr. Elsken van der Wall (Internal Medicine) |
Short description
In this programme different aspects are investigated both of sporadic and hereditary breast carcinoma's:
- carcinogenesis
- progression
- diagnostics
A further subdivision into categories
- Upstream and downstream regulation of HIF-1alpha
- Hereditary breast cancer
- HER2 testing
- Breast screening by molecular analysis of nipple aspirates
- Sentinel node
Latest update
The HIF-1alpha program has both fundamental and translational research lines. The fundamental hypoxia research line focuses on novel genes that regulate HIF-1alpha, as well as novel downstream targets of HIF-1alpha. The translational research lines address the clinical relevance of hypoxia associated phenomena in breast carcinogenesis and progression. Further, we develop antibodies to hypoxia related proteins for molecular imaging and therapeutics. Currently, we are also evaluating breast cancer metastases for expression of hypoxia related proteins and hormone receptor conversion.
The hereditary breast cancer program focuses on firmly establishing the genotype and immunophenotype of hereditary breast cancers and its precursors.
In the HER2 program, we work on optimalization of clinical HER2 testing by CISH and MLPA.
In the nipple aspirates program we work on the evaluation and implementation of molecular analysis of nipple aspirates (especially by methylation studies) for early detection of breast cancer in high risk women.