White blood cells as a new diagnostic technique for intestinal cancer

VIB-K.U.Leuven scientist Max Mazzone receives FFMI grant worth € 350,000

09-Feb-2011 - Netherlands

The Fournier-Majoie Foundation for Innovation (FFMI) has awarded Max Mazzone of VIB-K.U.Leuven a grant for research into a new method of early detection of colon cancer. The technique could also make it possible to better monitor the development of the disease in patients. Mazzone, in close collaboration with Hans Prenen at the Digestive Oncology Unit of the University Hospital of Leuven, will make use of biomarkers, in this case changes in the genetic material of specific white blood cells, namely monocytes. The grant consists of € 350,000 over a three-year period.

“There is an urgent need for new techniques for the diagnosis and prognosis of colon cancer,” the FFMI said in a statement. “The approach proposed by Mazzone is very promising in terms of selectivity and specificity.”

White blood cells as biomarker for cancer

White blood cells play a significant role in the growth of tumors, the metastasis of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in and around tumors. In addition, they serve a crucial function in combating cancer cells. They form the core of the defense mechanism which the body musters against cancer cells. Mazzone and Prenen will try to link changes in the genetic material of monocytes to the presence and progression of colon cancer. The advantage of this approach is that monocytes are easy to extract from patients. Taking an ordinary blood sample is sufficient.

Specialist in tumor blood vessel formation

Massimiliano (Max) Mazzone is an Italian scientist who heads a laboratory at VIB and K.U.Leuven, under the direction of Peter Carmeliet. He is specialized in blood vessel formation in tumors. His most important discovery are the "phalanx cells", highly streamlined cells on the inside of blood vessels that are needed for improved supply of oxygen. The FFMI grant will help Mazzone to extend his area of research to the diagnosis and prognosis of colon cancer. Thanks to the collaboration with Hans Prenen, clinician specialized in intestinal tumors these findings will hopefully go from the “bench to the bedside”.

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Topic world Diagnostics

Diagnostics is at the heart of modern medicine and forms a crucial interface between research and patient care in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. It not only enables early detection and monitoring of disease, but also plays a central role in individualized medicine by enabling targeted therapies based on an individual's genetic and molecular signature.

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Topic world Diagnostics

Diagnostics is at the heart of modern medicine and forms a crucial interface between research and patient care in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. It not only enables early detection and monitoring of disease, but also plays a central role in individualized medicine by enabling targeted therapies based on an individual's genetic and molecular signature.

10+ products
4 whitepaper
10+ brochures