Weibel-Palade bodies and Golgi apparatus

Biomarkers for cervical cancer

Studies in the Division of Virology on the life cycle of Human Papillomaviruses have provided key information as to how these viruses cause neoplasia and cancer. A spin-off from this work is the rational selection of biomarkers which can be used to identify disease and to predict the risk of progression.

We have been developing one of these markers (E4) with a commercial partner, as a disease severity marker and as an end-point marker for the current HPV vaccine trials. This approach is now attracting the attention of clinical scientists who are familiar with the problems of cytology screening for cervical cancer.

E4 staining (green) identifies HPV infection in a cervical biopsy

E4 staining (green) identifies HPV infection in a cervical biopsy

The protein is abundant in the cells that are taken during the cervical smear test. Cell nuclei are stained in blue. Red shows cells that are driven through the cell cycle by the virus.

Technology Transfer

 

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