Projects / Programmes
Prognostic and predictive factors for response to treatment of breast cancer and other solid tumors
July 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.04.00 |
Medical sciences |
Oncology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B200 |
Biomedical sciences |
Cytology, oncology, cancerology |
breast cancer, solid tumors, predictive factors, prognostic factors, proteases, sentinel node biopsy
Researchers (14)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
The aim of our research programme is to study the best treatment options for different cancers. With the developement of new treatments there is also some emphasis on the research of biological cancer characteristics, which could enable us to identify those patients, that would benefit most from a certain treatment, as early as while setting the diagnosis. In the frame of this study we will research the pronostic factors for the course of the disease and for response to certain treatments, in patients with breast cancer, ventricular cancer and bladder cancer. We intend to research the predictive value of serine protease uPA and its inhibitors PAI-1 and PAI-2 for response to systemic treatment in adjuvant and metastatic setting of breast cancer. The efficacy and toxicity of sentinel node biopsy, compared to complete axilliary dissection and/or radiotherapy of axilla, in patients with operable breast cancer, will be evaluated. In metastatic ventricular cancer we will compare the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapeutic schedules including capecitabine with those, routinelly used, including 5-fluorouracil. Since capecitabine is a cytostatic drug, which is only metabolised into the active substance 5-fluorouracil once it enters the tumor, we expect this treatment to provide a better efficacy as well as lower toxicity. In muscle invasive bladder cancer we will evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of bladder salvage treatment with transurethral resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy with regard to tumor and patient characteristics. We will also research the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with gemcitabine.
Significance for science
New discoveries in molecular oncology of cancer and translation of this knowledge into diagnosis and treatment of various cancers, is one of the most important fields of cancer research nowadays. By researching molecular tumor markers in different solid tumors as well as lymphomas and by evaluating their prognostic and predictive value for response to systemic therapy our new findings will contribute to a better understanding of molecular oncology and improved individualized tailored systemic therapy of cancer.
Significance for the country
Cancer is the major public health issue in whole developed world. With the ageing of the population, a sustained increase in cancer incidence can also be foreseen. Research and new findings in the field of molecular oncology as well as transfer of this knowledge into routine clinical practice are of utmost importance for good cancer control worldwide. Our research programme is structured to allow for research of new prognostic and predictive molecular tumor markers and allows for a rapid transfer of knowledge into routine clinical practice in Slovenia. The importance of our research is based on the fact that more than 10.000 new cancer patients are diagnosed in Slovenia each year and the prevalence of the disease is already around 60.000.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
