Research Wiebren Tjalma

Abstract

To date, invasive clinician-collected cervical samples, blood, and vaginal samples are still the primary methods to monitor disease and immune responses to vaccine-preventable genital tract infections. Replacing these samples with a specimen that is non-invasive and can be self-collected at home, such as the initial or first-void urine (FVU) stream, could have major acceptance and feasibility advantages and could drastically facilitate the logistics of clinical trials and future epidemiological studies. Initial results of experiments using FVU samples for immune response monitoring are promising. Nevertheless, overall standardization is essential for FVU to become the ideal genital tract liquid biopsy in vaccine research. With my PhD project, I wish to contribute to this aspect by using Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination as a model. Thereby, I will mainly focus on the immunogenicity of HPV vaccines and the monitoring of immune responses using FVU as a non-invasive liquid biopsy. As this will allow identification of anti-HPV antibodies as a normalized and standardized prediction tool for the immunization status of women, I believe this project will ultimately improve follow-up in HPV vaccination studies and programs. If my project proves successful, and FVU can replace other sample types, applications will largely extend the sexually transmitted infection (STI) field, contributing to the advancement of both personal and public health.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vorsters Alex
• Co-promoter: Tjalma Wiebren
• Fellow: Bell Margo

Research team(s)

• Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a significant problem worldwide, in Belgium, yearly over 200 women die from this disease. Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by an infection with high-risk (hr) types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Traditional screening programs based on cervical smear taking (pap smear) detecting abnormal cells face numerous limitations, urging the need for alternative screening approaches. Detection of hrHPV DNA instead of abnormal cervical cells has proven more sensitive in detecting cervical cancer cases, however, it lacks clinical specificity, i.e. the ability to detect solely those women who require follow-up or immediate referral for colposcopy. Therefore, the major objective of this study is to analyse candidate biomarkers for diagnosis of cervical (pre)cancer and disease monitoring in home-collected first-void (FV) urine samples, followed by translation of the presence of (1) hrHPV DNA and (2) these biomarkers into a novel screening algorithm for cervical cancer. Hereto, we will conduct two clinical trial studies, where women (=30 years) diagnosed with an abnormal pap smear will be asked to provide a FV morning urine sample. In the first study, we aim to identify accurate biomarkers for respectively low-, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. In a second study, multiple samples will be collected over time (longitudinal sample collection) to identify biomarkers that can predict pro- or regression of HPV infection/precancerous lesions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Pierre
• Co-promoter: Tjalma Wiebren
• Co-promoter: Van Ostade Xaveer
• Fellow: Van Keer Severien

Research team(s)

• Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a significant problem worldwide, in Belgium, yearly over 200 women die from this disease. Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by an infection with high-risk (hr) types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Traditional screening programs based on cervical smear taking (pap smear) detecting abnormal cells face numerous limitations, urging the need for alternative screening approaches. Detection of hrHPV DNA instead of abnormal cervical cells has proven more sensitive in detecting cervical cancer cases, however, it lacks clinical specificity, i.e. the ability to detect solely those women who require follow-up or immediate referral for colposcopy. Therefore, the major objective of this study is to analyse candidate biomarkers for diagnosis of cervical (pre)cancer and disease monitoring in home-collected first-void (FV) urine samples, followed by translation of the presence of (1) hrHPV DNA and (2) these biomarkers into a novel screening algorithm for cervical cancer. Hereto, we will conduct two clinical trial studies, where women (=30 years) diagnosed with an abnormal pap smear will be asked to provide a FV morning urine sample. In the first study, we aim to identify accurate biomarkers for respectively low-, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. In a second study, multiple samples will be collected over time (longitudinal sample collection) to identify biomarkers that can predict pro- or regression of HPV infection/precancerous lesions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Pierre
• Co-promoter: Tjalma Wiebren
• Co-promoter: Van Ostade Xaveer
• Fellow: Van Keer Severien

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand Sint-Augustinus Ziekenhuis. UA provides Sint-Augustinus Ziekenhuis research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Tjalma Wiebren
• Fellow: Trinh Xuan Bich

Research team(s)

• Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC)

Project type(s)

• Research Project