The Cancer and Metabolic Disorders Research Centre encompasses academics from across two Colleges at the University: the College of Science and Engineering, and the College of Psychology, Health, and Social Care. This multi-disciplinary approach to our research couples a highly molecular understanding of cancer, infection and chronic metabolic disease, whilst placing the individual at the centre of their health condition, in order to identify and apply new treatments and technologies in a fully holistic manner.
Our aims
Our expertise sits across cancer, metabolism, forensic science and person-centred care, and these disciplines are explored with greater focus within our three research clusters. Ultimately, we all aim to improve outcomes for patients with cancer and other metabolic disorders, and our unique approaches are brought together within the research centre to build a better understanding of the individual and their healthcare. We enjoy working collaboratively and have strong links with the NHS, charities, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Our research
Biomarkers of Adverse Clinical Outcome in Invasive Breast Cancer: Toward Personalised Management of Breast Cancer Patients
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer related death in the UK, as well as worldwide. Despite advances in breast cancer screening, early detection and increased availability of therapeutic options, the mortality remains high with 20-30% of patients dying within 10 years of breast cancer diagnosis. Patients with breast cancer do not die of the primary tumour in their breast but rather from its spread to other body parts. By anticipating the occurrence of disease progression, proper measures could be pre-planned and cancer could accordingly be cured. Stringent allocation of patients into different risk groups currently relies on patient related and cancer related criteria, with the use of additional costly testing in a substantial number of patients.
For more than a decade of research and in collaboration with co-researchers, Senior Lecturer Mohammed Aleskandarany has used different molecular and histopathological techniques including digital pathology in determining which breast cancers are most aggressive, and which will be less aggressive and will potentially follow a favourable clinical course.
In these studies, large of cohorts of breast cancer patients with long-term clinical follow-up, enrolled into ethically approved research studies, have been extensively studied. A diverse array of cutting-edge research methods have been carried out on archival tissues from these cancers. Different analytical methods, including the big-data analysis approaches, were utilised to identify and validate relevant criteria of potential utility in advancing our understanding of breast cancer progression and clinical management of breast cancer patients.
Investigating the genetics and epigenetic biomarkers associated with obesity and associated co-morbidities
Obesity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Morbidly obese patients are at higher risk of T2DM, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular disease. Weight reduction is therefore a key intervention goal for people with obesity. Under the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, weight loss is achieved through the NHS Tiered Care Weight Management Pathway.
- Tier 1 focuses on behavioural–universal interventions through the reinforcement of healthy eating and physical activity, including public health and national campaigns, delivered by local and regional public health teams.
- Tier 2 involves multicomponent overweight and obesity weight management intervention, delivered in groups with healthy weight specialists.
- Tier 3 uses specialist services, in which higher grades of obesity requiring a wide range of interventions, such as GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment, are considered.
- Tier 4, the final tier, requires bariatric surgery for people with comorbidities in which weight reduction is the highest priority in their care management.
However, the profound weight loss and metabolic improvement observed after the weight loss treatment and surgery varies among the participants. In order to explain the key novel molecules involved in metabolic recovery following weight loss management Dr Aparna Duggirala's research aims to understand the role of genetic variations, epigenetic marks and metabolomic changes.
The research projects include:
- The effects of tier 3 weight loss management drugs on obese patients: This project has shown the metabolomic changes and associated pathways in Tier 3 weight loss management. In this study, administration of liraglutide (GLP1 RA drug) was associated with upregulation of the metabolite Sphingosine metabolism and reduction of IL-6 in super-responders to the tier 3 treatment. Sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) signalling may be key in determining response to treatment with liraglutide. The gene and protein expression of S1P was confirmed on preadipocytes treated/Untreated with liraglutide. We plan to perform future research on identifying the genetic and epigenetic variations in the S1P gene among obese patients who are responders and non-responders to tier 3 weight loss treatment.
- Investigating genetic and epigenetic biomarkers of weight loss after bariatric surgery on obese type 2 diabetes women populations: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity has risen dramatically for decades and is expected to rise further with growing number of sedentary lifestyles. Obesity increases risks of T2D, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Depending on BMI and associated risk factors medical and surgical treatments are available for excess weight loss and T2D remission. Metabolic surgery is an effective way for long-term weight loss and diabetes remission in patients with severe obesity BMI≥39Kg/m2 and T2D. Hormonal, adipokine and gut microbiota changes have been associated with metabolic recovery. The role of molecular factors is well characterised in disease pathology of T2D but less evidence is available on molecular changes before and after a metabolic surgery for T2D remission. One of the molecular factors MicroRNAs(miRNAs) has been reported to show significant regulatory role in adipose tissue. Analysing the microRNA profile before and after metabolic surgery will gain insight into the molecular pathways regulated during excess weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Current project aims to identify the differentially expressed exosomal miRNA in plasma of patients, before and after metabolic surgery.
Join us
If you are interested in joining this research centre, want to find out more or are interested in applying for a PhD in this area, please contact Dr Elizabeth Marsh, Research Centre Lead or Dr Emma Hyde, Associate Professor, Deputy Centre Lead.
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