Molecular Pathology
TIssue Microarray sections showing immunocytochemical staining for a variety of prognostic and predictive markers: oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors, markers of proliferation (Ki67 and mcm2) and the Her2 protein by immunocytochemistry and gene amplification by FISH. Click for large version
The Molecular Pathology Group focuses on two main areas:
- tissue banking for research
- and the application of molecular techniques to human tissue to predict response to therapy and prognosis
Tissue Banking for Research
The Chernobyl Tissue Bank (CTB) collects samples of blood and tissue from patients with thyroid tumours who live in the areas of Ukraine and Russia that was contaminated by fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986. The project is coordinated from Imperial by Professor Thomas and the CTB secretariat.
Material from the tissue bank is used in a variety of projects worldwide, some of which are carried out in association with other members of the Molecular Pathology Group. Full details of the projects supported can be found on the CTB website (www.chernobyltissuebank.com).
Professor Thomas is also Scientific Director for the Wales Cancer Bank (www.walescancerbank.com) and for the Research Tissue Bank at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and is involved in tissue collection for translational clinical trials in breast cancer.
Prediction and prognosis in human cancer
Immunocytochemical staining for galectin showing of a small focus of papillary carcinoma within a follicular adenoma
The Human Cancer Studies Group, the research group embedded within the Molecular Pathology Group, uses a variety of technologies to link pathology with molecular phenotype , aetiology, age at presentation and clinical outcome. The Group works exclusively on human tissue provided by the various research tissue banks which we are involved in.
In breast cancer:
Identification of molecular markers in high grade breast cancer that correlate with prognosis and with the age of the patient at diagnosis. Identification of protein markers in tissue and serum for prediction and prognosis.
In thyroid cancer:
Calcitonin mRNA in C cells shown by in situ hybridisation in a section of thyroid
Identification of molecular markers in thyroid cancer that correlate with exposure to radiation and with the age of the patient at diagnosis.
In Hepatobiliary cancer:
Identification of molecular markers in cholangiocarcinoma that could be used as therapeutic targets.
