M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Objective

Develop novel biomarkers and diagnostic strategies for the early detection of occult urinary bladder neoplasia and its progression from intraurothelial preneoplastic conditions to invasive cancer.

Program Description

A multidisciplinary group focused on discovery and development of new markers for early detection of bladder cancer based on identification of molecular and epigenetic alterations in bladder cancer.

Specific Aims

• Perform functional analyses and assessment of identified putative “forerunner genes” (ITM2B, P2RY5, and CHCl L) located contiguously to RBI as novel early detection biomarkers.
• Characterize other predicted forerunner gene on chromosomes 17p13, and 5q22-23 and assess them as potential biomarkers for bladder cancer detection.
• Investigate the contribution of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in the functional inactivation of each of the genes to elucidate a comprehensive view of the role of forerunner genes in the malignant transformation process as potential biomarkers.
• STAKl5/BTAWAurora-A and its interacting genes as biomarkers for bladder cancer.
• Assemble a comprehensive panel of biomarkers based on STKl5/BTAWAurora-A, and similar genes associated with mitotic checkpoints, the forerunner genes (approximately 15 markers) and test there utility in early detection of bladder cancer.

Contact Information

Bodgan Czerniak, MD, Ph.D.
> University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Dept. of Pathology Box 085
> 1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
>

Phone: (713) 794-1025
> Fax: (713) 792-4049
Email: bczernia@mdanderson.org