Department of Clinical Oncology

Research Areas of LCG

1) Identification of cancer related genes

There are two kinds of cancer related genes, oncogene and tumor suppressor gene.  Cancer development and progression is a multiple-step process caused by activation of oncogene and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor gene. The development of new diagnostic, preventive, and treatment approaches requires well understanding of the mechanisms of the complex multi-step process of tumorigenesis through the characterization of isolated oncogene or tumor suppressor gene.  Application of many cancer related genes in clinical diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and gene therapy have produced a huge profit.

Projects:

1. Isolation and characterization of oncogene eIF-5A2 within a frequently amplified chromosome region at 3q26 in ovarian cancer.  (Fig.1)
   

2. Isolation and characterization of a candidate tumor suppressor gene, BIM1, at 6q16 in malignant melanoma.
   

3. Isolation and characterization of oncogene within a frequent amplified chromosome region at 1q21 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Three candidate oncogenes have been identified and further study is in progression.
   

4. Isolation of oncogene within a frequent amplified chromosome region at 19q13.1 in ovarian cancer. Two candidate oncogenes have been isolated and in characterization now.
   

5. Isolation of tumor suppressor gene at chromosome 17p13.3 in HCC. 
   

6. Characterization of a candidate tumor suppressor gene TAT at 16q22 in HCC.
   

7. Isolation of tumor suppressor gene at short arm of chromosome 8 related to the metastasis in liver cancer.   
   
   

2) Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in solid tumors

It has been known for decades that chromosome rearrangements exist in most if not all human tumors.  Distinct chromosomal abnormalities in tumors lead to the activation of proto-oncogene products, creation of tumor-specific fusion proteins, or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Cytogenetic studies followed by molecular analysis of recurring chromosomal rearrangements have greatly facilitated the identification of genes related to the pathogenesis of cancer.

Projects:

1. Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in HCC by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH).
   

2. Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in ovarian cancer by CGH.
   

3. Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by CGH.  (Fig.2)
   

4. Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in esophageal cancer by CGH.
   

5. Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in colorectal cancer by CGH.
   

6. Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in oral cancer by CGH.
   

7. Identification of recurrent chromosomal alterations in lung cancer by CGH.
   
   

3) Development of new techniques

Biological techniques developed very fast during the last two decades.  Development of new technique can not only facilitate greatly to scientific research but also be widely applied in clinical work such as early diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and treatment. 

Projects:

1. Development of tissue chip (microarray) to study the association between genetic alterations and clinical features in HCC, NPC, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.   (Fig.3)
   

2. Development of painting probes for rapid diagnosis of subtype leukemia.  Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique is widely applied in clinical diagnosis in North America and Europe now.  Development of new FISH diagnostic probes may have a large potential market.
   

3. Development of painting probes for rapid diagnosis of subtype leukemia.  Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique is widely applied in clinical diagnosis in North America and Europe now.  Development of new FISH diagnostic probes may have a large potential market.
   

4. Development of chromosome region-specific multi-color painting probes. Chromosome microdissection is the only available technique to fulfil this work and we are one of few (less than five) laboratories in the World can do this effectively and we may be the only group has such plan.
   

5. Development of proteomics technique. Proteomics is a mass screening approach for protein analysis, a revolution in protein separation, display and characterization. In recent years, proteomics has developed into a powerful technology of protein profiling and opened up new frontiers for biological and biomedical research.
   
   

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