Mechanistic Investigation of the Causes of Tumour-Induced Lymphocyte DNA Damage

Cancer outcomes are far better if the cancer is caught early, hence the need for earlier diagnosis. The UK does not perform well in terms of cancer survival and Covid-19 has meant later diagnosis for many patients with delays to diagnostic testing e.g. via endoscopy.

Therefore, we need to actively look for new diagnostic approaches to improve detection rates and ultimately survival. There is growing interest in the use of “liquid biopsies” referring to the use of blood tests coupled to biomarkers to diagnose cancer earlier and less invasively. Validated liquid biopsy biomarkers could be deployed in GP surgeries to routinely test patients for early cancer signs and direct patients for follow up diagnostic testing.

We have developed a novel blood-based biomarker whereby we detect changes in DNA (mutations) induced by the developing tumour in normal circulating blood cells. Using this unique approach, we have shown that cancer patient’s blood cells (both red and white blood cells) carry more mutations than age matched controls or healthy volunteers. We urgently need to identify the mechanism involved leading to these mutations. We propose here to carry out mechanistic studies to help us explain what is causing the mutations in the blood cells.