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Influence of genetic variants in the VEGF-gene on development, response to therapy and risk of de-veloping metastases in colorectal cancer
- Abstract
- Tumor growth generally requires the development and formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a dimeric glycoproteine which is overexpressed in different tumour tissues, plays a key role in the regulation of angiogenesis. Recently it was demonstrated, that VEGF-levels in plasma correlate with the presence and the stage of colorectal cancer.
Several genetic polymorphisms ("single nucleotide polymorphisms ", SNP`s) in the VEGF-gene are known and some of them seem to have an influence on the expression of the VEGF gene and/or a connection with the clinical phenotype of VEGF. A short time ago, the working group for molecular oncology (head: Peter Krippl; M.D.) of the MUG analyzed the role of one this genetic variants, i.e. 936C>T SNP, and was able to show that this SNP is a potential risk factor for breast cancer.
The role of this SNP for colorectal cancer risk is unknown. Furthermore, it is not clear whether other genetic variations in the VEGF gene have an influence on development and/or growth as well as metastazing risk of colorectal cancer. In our case-control study, we would like to answer the question whether there exists an association between VEGF-genotypes and VEGF-haplotypes with colorectal cancer risk. We want to analyze whether VEGF plasma levels are affected by VEGF genotypes or haplotypes, as well.
The answers to these questions could lead to a better understanding of the development of colorectal cancer. Additionally, the knowledge about genetic risk factors could identify persons with hereditary predispositions for this tumour and make it possible to prevent tumour development in a more effective way.
- Keywords
- cancer research
- gene technology
- Darmkrebs
- Genetik
- Genetische Variabilität
- Metastasenrisiko
- Polymorphismus
- Therapie
- VEGF
- Project Leader:
- Hofmann Guenter
- Duration:
- 01.05.2005-30.11.2007
- Type of Research
- applied research
- Staff
- Hofmann, Guenter, Project Leader
- Langsenlehner, Uwe, Co-worker
- Krippl, Peter, Co-worker
- Weitzer, Werner, Co-worker
- Langsenlehner, Tanja, Co-worker
- MUG Research Units
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
- Division of Oncology
- Funded by
- Österreichische Krebshilfe Steiermark, Rudolf-Hans-Bartsch-Straße 15-17, 8042 Graz, Austria
- Project results published
- > Common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the vasc... J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2008; 134(5):591-595
- > Association of a functional single nucleotide poly... Onkologie. 29(S3):138-138.-Gemeinsame Jahrestagung der Deutschen, Österreichischen und Schweizerischen Gesellschaften für Hämatologie und Onkologie; NOV 4-8, 2006; Leipzig, GERMANY. (ISBN: 3-8055-8214-5 )