Dedra A. Cutler and Dr. Kim L. O’Neill, Zoology
Thymidine Kinase 1 (TK1) is an enzyme involved in DNA repair and cell proliferation. Increased cell proliferation results in higher than normal levels of TK1. Because of this relationship, TK1 has recently been identified as a useful marker in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
My current research has had two main objectives. The first was to confirm previous findings that TK1 levels correlate with stage of breast cancer development. My second objective was to help validate a new immunoassay for measuring levels of TK1.
To complete objective number one, serum samples collected from patients at different stages of breast cancer development were assayed using both the immunoassay and the radioassay. While there was a correlation between serum TK1 level and stage of the disease, standard deviations of the values were very large. This deviation was probably due to altered TK1 levels in patients receiving therapy, as well as small sample numbers. More patient information has been requested to better validate this conclusion. The next step in this experiment will be to analyze serum sample of patients that have been diagnosed with breast cancer, but have not started therapy.
To validate the immunoassay and accomplish objective number two, serum samples were first assayed using both techniques. This step verified the correlation between values measured using the two assays. Several repetitions of the immunoassay and the radioassay were then done on each sample to establish whether or not the immunoassay gave more consistent results. This part of the research has not yet been completed due to technical problems.
Research on the two objectives given above has been inconclusive to this point. However, the progress that has been made and the data that has been collected provides a basis for continuing research in the lab. This research has also contributed to a paper that will soon be submitted for publication.
References
- O’Neill KL, Abram WP, McKenna PG. Serum thymidine kinase levels in cancer patients. Ir J Med Science 1986; 155: 272-4.
- Robertson JFR, O’Neill KL, Thomas MW, McKenna PG, Blarney RW. Thymidine kinase in breast cancer. Br J Cancer 1990; 62: 663-7.
