Characterisation of Gene Variants in the Angiogenic Pathway

Angiogenesis plays a key role in the process of tumour growth and metastases. Anti-angiogenic targeted therapies are currently used in a wide range of solid tumors including lung, breast, colorectal, kidney and liver cancer. Somatic variants in genes related to tumorigenesis have been associated with treatment response, whereas germline gene variants have been associated with tumor risk, prognosis and treatment related toxicity. In this study we propose to (1) To characterise the prevalence and clinicopathological associations of germline and somatic variation in genes involved in the angiogenic pathway in healthy donors and unselected cancer patients (2) to examine the association between angiogenic gene variants and outcome in patients receiving anti-angiogenic therapy. Genes related to angiogenesis to be characterised include those encoding platelet derived growth factor receptors, vascular endothelial growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, K-Ras, B-Raf, and c-kit. Results from this study may (1) identify patients who are more likely to respond to anti-angiogenic targeted therapy, thus maximising drug efficacy and (2) to identify further targets for potential anti-angiogenic drug therapies.