Adamantinoma is a low-grade primary bone tumour that shares similarities in tumour location, radiologic features, and microscopic characteristics with osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD)-like adamantinoma. However, OFD-like adamantinoma does not progress into distant disease, while approximately 30% of adamantinoma patients, develop recurrence and metastases. Due to the overlapping features of these tumours, the identification of markers that can distinguish between adamantinoma and OFD-like adamantinoma, could be the key to ensure a fast and correct diagnosis.
The project aimed to identify molecules (biomarkers) that can be used to highlight the potential for recurrence and metastasis, as well as to distinguish between adamantinoma and OFD-like adamantinoma; therefore improving diagnosis and achieving a more effective risk stratification of patients. These biomarkers may also act as novel targets to improve metastatic adamantinoma therapy.
What were the aims of this research project?
The team led by Dr Mark Morris at the University of Wolverhampton, has already identified 25 genes that are significantly up-regulated (more abundant) in adamantinoma, compared to OFD-like adamantinoma. In particular, they have observed an enrichment of genes involved in protein signalling (kinase activity) in adamantinoma, compared to OFD-like adamantinoma. This is of particular interest, considering that cases of adamantinoma that respond to kinase inhibitors have already been described.
The next step in the project was to shortlist these targets for biomarker and therapeutic target development and to validate their potential.
Results and conclusions of the study
They analysed 20 potential biomarkers and found that five proteins were present in higher amounts in adamantinoma compared to OFD-like adamantinoma. This indicates that these proteins could serve as valuable diagnostic tools and potential targets for treatment.
Implications for primary bone cancer patients
The researchers hope that by identifying specific biomarkers for adamantinoma this research may lead to improved diagnosis and prognosis for adamantinoma patients. The proteins discovered may also serve as targets for new and exisiting therapies, providing more effective treatment options for those affected by adamantinoma.
Future plans
The team plan to continue investigating these biomarkers and their associated pathways in adamantinomas. By exploring the potential of existing drugs that target these proteins, they hope that this will lead to the development of new ways to treat this aggressive form of bone cancer.
Funding for this pioneering research into adamantinoma has been made possible by The Liz Clarke-Saul Fund.
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