Aim 1: Early Detection
Evaluate the accuracy of proteomics techniques to identify a protein signature pattern in the serum from patients with gynecologic cancers (ovarian, cervix and endometrial). The predictability of these techniques in relation to recurrence of cancer despite treatment will also be assessed.
Investigators at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Center and Windber Research Institute (WRI) will analyze serum samples to identify serum protein signatures for patients with gynecologic cancer. In addition, profiles for extent of disease, response to therapy, and outcome will also be explored.
Analysis of blood samples taken from gynecologic cancer patients at the time of diagnosis will facilitate the assessment of contemporary proteomics techniques (i.e. SELDI-TOF Q-star) in the diagnosis and early detection of gynecologic cancers.
The team of investigators at the University of Pittsburgh will oversee the SELDI-TOF and Luminex proteomics analysis of samples collected from Walter Reed and Pittsburgh. The Windber Research Institute assist in the identification of proteins using additional techniques in cases that require additional levels of mass spectrometry (i.e. Q-STAR, electron spray, protein sequencing). Multiple projects which focus on the early detection of gynecologic cancer are currently underway:
In addition, the Walter Reed program is currently collaborating with the United States Military Cancer Institute and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology towards the creation of a Tissue Microarray Facility. The Department of Defense maintains the National Repository for the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. This repository contains over three million cases, the majority of which are rare and obscure pathology specimens, since the AFIP serves as an expert referee evaluating over 60,000 cases annually. Tissue microarrays are being built over the next 12 months to provide large numbers of paraffin samples of gynecologic disease to facilitate validation of data generated through other analysis of genes and proteins that appear to be associated with certain gynecologic disease states.
- Serum samples from gynecologic cancer patients contained in existent tissue repositories will provide the material for initial confirmation of accuracy in prediction of different types of gynecologic cancer using various proteomic analysis (i.e. SELDI-TOF and Liminex technologies).
- Serum samples from the Department of Defense Serum Repository (DODSR) will be used in an analysis of serum samples from patients, who within 3-24 months, went on to be diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. Approximately 300 cases among the 30 million serum samples contained in the Department of Defense Serum Repository have been identified in which the serum is available before the diagnosis and at the time of the diagnosis of gynecologic cancer.
- Patients currently on a chemotherapy study at the University of Pittsburgh will provide serum samples that will facilitate identification of a protein profile that is predictive of resistance to therapy. This will enable early detection of aggressive tumors that may require less conventional therapies.
- Serum samples obtained from 2 large population-based studies aimed at screening of cancer will be analyzed by the Gynecologic Disease Program.
