Micrometastsis projects
1. Research group name/project:
The Micrometastasis group/ Micrometastsis projects
2. Group leader and some key members (incl. from other depts./inst.):
Ø Fodstad (prof), E Hovig (prof), Ø Bruland(prof), K Flatmark (Post doc), R Faye(PhD stud), V.Nygård (PhD stud), S.Tveito (PhD stud),HK Høifødt (chief techn), H Rasmussen (techn), HTN Le (techn)
3. Home address on the internet:
http://radium.no/fodstad
4. Department/Institute:
Dept. of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital
5. Main aim of research group:
Detection, selection and characterization of micrometastatic cells in patient samples.Immunological and molecular characterization of selected target cells. Gene expression profiling of the micrometastatic cells and examining differential gene expression in tumor cells in various tissues from the same patient. Testing new tissue-specific markers for detecting micrometastatic cells in bone marrow.
6. Some important recent results (with a few key references):
We have developed and patented methods for detection, selection and charcterization of micrometastatic cells by the use of immunomagnetic beads and fluorescent latex particles (Fodstad 1996).The methods are being used on projects including bone marrow samples from osteosarcoma, cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma, non small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. For osteosarcoma and cutaneous melanoma the presence of micrometastases correlates with patient survival (R.S.Faye, Clin Can Res, submitted) and therapy response (Ø.Bruland, Cancer Research, submitted). In colorectal cancer a correlation with tumor stage at diagnosis has been shown (K.Flatmark, Clin Can Res. 8,444-449,2002). The limited number of micrometastatic cells from patient samples represent an obstacle for gene expression profiling. To overcome this limitation we have developed a mRNA amplification protocol to generate sufficient RNA from cells selected by immunomagnetic beads for cDNA microarray analysis (V.Nygaard, BMC Genomics 4:11 2003).
7. Methods in current use:
Immunomagnetic detection and selection by immunomagnetic beads,fluorescent microspheres , magnet and direct fluorescense microscopy. Purification of positive selected cells for molecular analysis and microarray studies by CellPick micromanipulation equipment. Microarray production using a Micro Grid II robotic printer (Bio Robotics).Real-time PCR assays.
8. Available equipment:
Micros cellcounter, Zeiss Axiovert inverted microscope w/ CCD camera, Zeiss Axioplan fluorescent microscope w/ CCD camera and computer, prototype CellPick automated micromanipulation equipment etc.
9. Collaborators:
Among Helse Sør hospitals : Uveal melanoma patients from Rikshospitalet HF, chief physician N.Eide.
Collaborators from other countries: Many
10. Some key search words:
Micrometastases, immunobeads, bone marrow, microscopy, mRNA, microarray, gene expression profiling, real-time PCR
The Micrometastasis group/ Micrometastsis projects
2. Group leader and some key members (incl. from other depts./inst.):
Ø Fodstad (prof), E Hovig (prof), Ø Bruland(prof), K Flatmark (Post doc), R Faye(PhD stud), V.Nygård (PhD stud), S.Tveito (PhD stud),HK Høifødt (chief techn), H Rasmussen (techn), HTN Le (techn)
3. Home address on the internet:
http://radium.no/fodstad
4. Department/Institute:
Dept. of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital
5. Main aim of research group:
Detection, selection and characterization of micrometastatic cells in patient samples.Immunological and molecular characterization of selected target cells. Gene expression profiling of the micrometastatic cells and examining differential gene expression in tumor cells in various tissues from the same patient. Testing new tissue-specific markers for detecting micrometastatic cells in bone marrow.
6. Some important recent results (with a few key references):
We have developed and patented methods for detection, selection and charcterization of micrometastatic cells by the use of immunomagnetic beads and fluorescent latex particles (Fodstad 1996).The methods are being used on projects including bone marrow samples from osteosarcoma, cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma, non small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. For osteosarcoma and cutaneous melanoma the presence of micrometastases correlates with patient survival (R.S.Faye, Clin Can Res, submitted) and therapy response (Ø.Bruland, Cancer Research, submitted). In colorectal cancer a correlation with tumor stage at diagnosis has been shown (K.Flatmark, Clin Can Res. 8,444-449,2002). The limited number of micrometastatic cells from patient samples represent an obstacle for gene expression profiling. To overcome this limitation we have developed a mRNA amplification protocol to generate sufficient RNA from cells selected by immunomagnetic beads for cDNA microarray analysis (V.Nygaard, BMC Genomics 4:11 2003).
7. Methods in current use:
Immunomagnetic detection and selection by immunomagnetic beads,fluorescent microspheres , magnet and direct fluorescense microscopy. Purification of positive selected cells for molecular analysis and microarray studies by CellPick micromanipulation equipment. Microarray production using a Micro Grid II robotic printer (Bio Robotics).Real-time PCR assays.
8. Available equipment:
Micros cellcounter, Zeiss Axiovert inverted microscope w/ CCD camera, Zeiss Axioplan fluorescent microscope w/ CCD camera and computer, prototype CellPick automated micromanipulation equipment etc.
9. Collaborators:
Among Helse Sør hospitals : Uveal melanoma patients from Rikshospitalet HF, chief physician N.Eide.
Collaborators from other countries: Many
10. Some key search words:
Micrometastases, immunobeads, bone marrow, microscopy, mRNA, microarray, gene expression profiling, real-time PCR
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