Tze Hao Leow

• MBBS (NUMed Malaysia)
• Exploring the Biomarker Potential of Circulating Tumour Cells in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 2^nd commonest cause of cancer death and is rising in the UK. Most patients have liver disease which makes treating the cancer difficult. Standard therapies cause liver failure and to use novel 'targeted therapies', the target needs to be present. Dr Reeves’ group have recently developed a method for detecting circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in the blood of patients with HCC. The aim of this project will be to see if prognostic biomarkers or candidate ‘targets’ such FGFR4 and FGF19 can be detected on CTCs, using Imagestream fluorescent microscopy. This research will be based in the Northern Institute for Cancer research where I will be working on optimising the biomarkers

FGFR4 and FGF19 and detecting the biomarker expression levels of liver cancer cell lines.

 Funding source: Newcastle University

 Supervisor: Dr Helen Reeves