Project: Development of a personalised non-invasive diagnosis of endometrial cancer using proteomic markers in cervical fluids and clinical data
| Acronym | CytoMARK (Reference Number: ERAPERMED2021-146) |
| Duration | 01/02/2022 - 01/02/2025 |
| Project Topic | Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, and its incidence is increasing. Early detection is crucial since it is directly associated to patient’s survival. Currently, no screening methods are available and diagnosis is a multistep process that includes minimally-invasive and invasive tests. This inaccurate diagnostic process is a burden on our healthcare system, since it is performed on 7M women every year in EU. However, only 10% will have endometrial cancer. The primary goal of this proposal is to advance the development of a non-invasive, objective, and personalized diagnostic tool of endometrial cancer using cervical fluid protein biomarkers and clinical data analyzed by advanced mathematical models. In a previous study we already discovered and verified biomarkers in the cervical fluid to provide a personalized diagnosis of endometrial cancer. In this proposal, we will validate their potential in a cohort of 500 retrospective patients recruited by five hospitals across Spain and coordinated by Vall Hebron Hospital (VHIR, Spain) and with the top-edge technology on targeted proteomics, led by Prof. Gunnar Dittmar (LIH partner, Luxembourg). Molecular markers will be combined with clinical data using machine learning techniques thanks to the USC partner (Spain). The most promising biomarker proteins will be transferred to an antibody technology (ELISA and Electrochemical Immunosensors) by an expert SME company in this field: ICOSAGEN (Estonian SME partner) to develop de novo antibodies, and SolarBiotec (Turkey SME partner) to develop electrochemical biosensors and detector interfaces thereof. Through all the project, Dr. Murat Gultekin (HU partner, Turkey) and VHIR will ensure the clinical validation of the developed non-invasive tool and the valorization of the asset to meet stakeholder’s requirements. The resulting tool is a change in the paradigm on how we manage endometrial cancer and will benefit patients, doctors and the health system. |
| Network | ERA PerMed |
| Call | 4th Joint Transnational Call for Proposals (2021) |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) | Coordinator | Spain |
| 2 | Luxembourg Institute of Health | Partner | Luxembourg |
| 3 | Universidad de Santiago de Compostela | Partner | Spain |
| 4 | Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ | Partner | Estonia |
| 5 | Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine | Partner | Türkiye |
| 6 | SOLAR BIYOTEKNOLOJI ILAC KIMYA VE GIDA SAN TIC LTD | Partner | Türkiye |