The largest database for cancer family syndromes in the world
Since the creation of IHCC, questionnaires on cancer family history have been collected from 1,258,400 of inhabitants of the West Pomeranian region, of which Szczecin is the main city, or over 80% of regional population. To achieve this penetration, IHCC has obtained the co-operation of the regional branch of the national Health Insurance organisation. The IHCC database constitutes the largest worldwide registry of genetic cancer data. Through 2003, more than 800,000 of individual questionnaires have been examined for genetic susceptibility to cancer by pedigree analyses and DNA testing. More than 100,000 blood samples have been collected from persons identified as high risk. More than 5,000 families with diagnosed cancer family syndromes are now under surveillance performed or supervised by IHCC. IHCC diagnosed until now over 2,150 BRCA1 carriers which is the largest carrier population identified by through genetic screening in the world.
Unique patent portfolio for DNA testing and chemopreventive pharmaceuticals
IHCC researchers discovered that the Polish population presents a relatively high level of genetic homogeneity. This allowed the research team to identify population-specific DNA tests for BRCA1, MSH2 and MLH1 genes. IHCC team has submitted several patents for these tests since 2001. One patent (for BRCA1 test) was granted in Poland in 2003 and nine other patents are pending in Poland and abroad. It is estimated that IHCC tests allow the early diagnosis of breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility for the costs up to 50 times lower than comparable tests by Myriad Genetics. The quality of the data collected and of the methodology developed by IHCC allowed the extension of its research to non-ethnically specific DNA tests. IHCC scientists have identified new genes, associated with to predisposition to cancer. In particular, patent applications have been submitted by IHCC for genes related to the inherited predisposition to cancers of the prostate and colon – mutations of NBS 1 gene are responsible for 10% of familial prostate cancers and mutations of NOD 2 gene are causing 15% of all colorectal cancers occurring at age above 50 years. Development of tests based on these patents would allow to significantly increase the probability of prevention and early detection of these cancers. The third group of patents elaborated at IHCC are for new chemopreventive drugs. Scientists of IHCC patented a new special selenium composition which seeks to reduce efficiently the risk of cancer. Pilot studies strongly suggest that BRCA1 carriers supplemented with new drug experienced five-fold decrease in breast/ovarian cancer risk from around 80% to 15%.
Highly effective research program
Since its inception, IHCC has published more than 250 major research papers in internationally recognised journals (as referenced by PubMed). IHCC plans to pursue and extend its research programme for:
- Genes associated to susceptibility to cancer of all sites,
- Cancer prevention protocols
- New chemoprevention with drugs containing microelements and vitamins.
It is expected that in the next 5 years, at least 15 to 20 patentable discoveries will be achieved by IHCC Extensive network of hereditary cancer centers in Poland IHCC has stimulated the development of genetic cancer diagnostics within public health sector in Poland. At present (early 2005), 23 genetic cancer centers have been set up across all regions of Poland. In addition, IHCC is licensing its tests to private physicians. Some tests are reimbursed by national health insurance and therefore are free to the patients. Other tests, in particular those offered by private physicians, are paid with an average fee of 110 PLN (about 25 euros). The map shows the location of various centers and the range of tests offered by each centers.
International co-operation and recognition
IHCC has established close links with other centers of research in genetic cancer diagnostics across the globe. In particular, it collaborates closely with the teams of Professor Narod at University of Toronto, Canada and of Professor Scott at Newcastle, Australia. Since 2003, IHCC publishes, under the auspices of UICC, the International Journal on Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice, with International Advisory and Editorial boards. The link to the Journal can be find here. IHCC has been involved in several international projects on hereditary cancers. It has coordinated and managed two EU-funded projects:
- Development of network of cancer family syndrome registries in Eastern Europe – 1999-2002
- Identification of new cancer susceptibility genes by linkage analyses in Polish families with aggregation of breast or colorectal cancers – 2004-2006.
IHCC has been recently designated as EU Center of Excellence and Professor Lubinski serves as Expert for the research and development programme of the European Union.