Validation of the clinical relevance of kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) as biomarkers in early and late-stage breast and ovarian cancer

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Julia Dorn; Professor Dr. Wilko Weichert, since 8/2015 (†)
• Subject Area: Gynaecology and Obstetrics
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 257020942

Broad scientific interest has focused on the family of kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs), since most of the fifteen KLK family members are supposed to contribute to cancer progression and metastasis. KLKs are hypothesized to predict the course of malignant ovarian and breast disease and response to cancer therapy. Still, harmonized, multicentric validation of the clinical value of the fifteen KLKs for breast and ovarian cancer patients is missing. For this, a joint effort shall be undertaken by clinical partners and pathologists from the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the TU Munich in concert with three external validation partners from Austria and The Netherlands, to allow quantitative assessment and validation of KLK1-15 to provide decisive information about the clinical impact of these novel cancer biomarkers for prognosis and therapy response. This joint approach will allow harmonization of methodologies, tools, reagents, and statistics to assess expression of KLK1-15 by establishing the relevant Standard Operating Procedures. Such a concerted effort has not been conducted yet but is highly needed to support and improve clinical management and patient care of the breast and ovarian cancer patients.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Stefanie Avril, until 8/2015