A5091793924- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
- Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
- Ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- BRCA gene mutations in cancer
- Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Phytoestrogen effects and research
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
- Cancer survivorship and care
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Gut microbiota and health
- Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
- Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Medical Malpractice and Liability Issues
- Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
University College London
2016-2025
London Women's Clinic
2015-2024
University College Hospital
2014-2024
Institute for Reproductive Health
2023
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2022
National Institute for Health Research
2014
University of Oxford
2002-2007
Thousands of people worldwide have been conceived using donor gametes, but not all parents tell their children origin. Several countries now allow donor-conceived offspring to potentially know genetic parent if they are informed status. At the same time, personal testing is a rapidly expanding field. Over 3 million already used direct-to-consumer find information about ancestry, and many participating in international genealogy databases that will match them with relatives. The increased...
Despite a myriad of attempts in the last three decades to diagnose ovarian cancer (OC) earlier, this clinical aim still remains significant challenge. Aberrant methylation patterns linked CpGs analyzed DNA fragments shed by cancers into bloodstream (i.e. cell-free DNA) can provide highly specific signals indicating presence. We 699 cancerous and non-cancerous tissues using array or reduced representation bisulfite sequencing discover most OC patterns. A three-DNA-methylation-serum-marker...
The vast majority of epithelial ovarian cancer arises from tissues that are embryologically derived the Müllerian Duct. Here, we demonstrate a DNA methylation signature in easy-to-access Duct-derived cervical cells women with and without (i.e. referred to as Women's risk IDentification for Ovarian Cancer index or WID-OC-index) is capable identifying an absence tumour AUC 0.76 endometrial 0.81. This observation cell WID-OC-index mimics epigenetic program those at becoming cancerous BRCA1/2...
Endometrial cancer (EC) incidence has been rising over the past 10 years. Delays in diagnosis reduce survival and necessitate more aggressive treatment. We aimed to develop validate a simple, noninvasive, reliable triage test for EC number of invasive diagnostic procedures improve patient survival.We developed screen women with suspected using 726 cervical smear samples from without EC, validated 562 cervicovaginal three different collection methods (cervical smear: n = 248; vaginal swab:...
The AMPA receptor subunit glutamate 1 (GluR1 or GluR-A) contributes to amygdala-dependent emotional learning. It remains unclear, however, what extent different amygdala pathways depend on GluR1, other subunits, for proper synaptic transmission and plasticity, whether GluR1-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) is necessary auditory contextual fear conditioning. Here, we dissected the role of GluR1 GluR3 (GluR-C) subunits in receptor-dependent LTP conditioning using knock-out mice ( −/− )....
Abstract The exact timing and contribution of epigenetic reprogramming to carcinogenesis are unclear. Women harbouring BRCA1/2 mutations demonstrate a 30–40-fold increased risk high-grade serous extra-uterine Müllerian cancers (HGSEMC), otherwise referred as ‘ovarian carcinomas’, which frequently develop from fimbrial cells but not the proximal portion fallopian tube. Here we compare DNA methylome ends tube in mutation carriers non-carriers. We show that number CpGs displaying significant...
Abstract Genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to breast cancer development. An epigenome-based signature capturing these components in easily accessible samples could identify women at risk. Here, we analyse the DNA methylome 2,818 cervical, 357 227 matched buccal blood respectively, 42 tissue from with without cancer. Utilising cervical liquid-based cytology samples, develop methylation-based Women’s risk IDentification for Breast Cancer index (WID-BC-index) that identifies an AUROC...
Monitoring treatment and early detection of fatal breast cancer (BC) remains a major unmet need. Aberrant circulating DNA methylation (DNAme) patterns are likely to provide highly specific signal. We hypothesized that cell-free DNAme markers could indicate disseminated cancer, even in the presence substantial quantities background DNA. used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) 31 tissues established serum assays based on ultra-high coverage two independent prospective sets (n =...
Highlights•Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is the endogenous inhibitor of Receptor Activator NF-κB Ligand (RANKL)•RANKL has been shown to be crucially important in progesterone-mediated breast carcinogenesis•Serum OPG regulated by progesterone and low BRCA1/2 mutation carriers•Low serum associated with increased proliferation mammary gland•Antiprogestogens or anti-RANKL antibody (denosumab) may new strategies for cancer prevention carriers.Preventing deadly cancers a high priority 21st century...
Abstract Background Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in premenopausal women. Progesterone drives expansion luminal progenitor cells, to the development poor-prognostic breast cancers. However, it not known if antagonising progesterone can prevent cancers humans. We suggest that targeting signalling could be means reducing features which are promote formation. Methods In healthy women with and without BRCA mutation we studied (i) estrogen levels saliva over an entire menstrual cycle...
BackgroundTo detect uterine cancer, simpler and more specific index tests are needed to triage women with abnormal bleeding a reference histology test. We aimed compare the performance of conventional imaging novel WID-qEC DNA methylation test in terms detecting presence or absence cancers bleeding.MethodsEPI-SURE was prospective, observational study that invited all aged 45 years older attending tertiary gynaecological diagnostic referral centre at University College London Hospital...
Abstract Objectives This study aimed to explore women's experience of menopause care after breast cancer in the UK. Methods An online survey incorporating validated Shared Decision Making SDM-Q-9 questionnaire was disseminated via social media survivors Results A total 1,195 women completed survey. The symptom burden high (99.7%). Fear recurrence dominant concern for 55.6% women, but 44.4% were more concerned about quality life and future risk long-term conditions associated with estrogen...
Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore women's experience menopause care after breast cancer in the UK. Methods This is a thematic analysis free-text comments an online survey that asked women about their cancer. A coding framework used mapped eight domains patient (deductive analysis). An inductive approach identify subthemes within each domains. Results total 1,195 completed survey. Two hundred twenty-six (18.9%) left response questions shared decision making and...
Menopause is a biological process experienced by all people assigned female at birth. A significant number of women experience mental ill health related to the major brain gonadal hormone shifts that occur in their midlife. There poor understanding and management complex issues, with changes receiving little formal attention. The current treatment advice manage this special type same way managed. This leads outcomes for families. Many leave workforce earlier than expected due...
Common genetic susceptibility variants could be used for risk stratification in risk-tailored cancer screening and prevention programmes. Combining with environmental factors would improve stratification. Epigenetic changes are surrogate markers of exposures during individual's lifetime. Integrating epigenetic markers, lieu exposure data, potentially reversible acquired gradually, providing potentials early detection strategies. The tissue-specific stage-of-development-specific, raising...
Abstract Genetically modified mice lacking the L ‐α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate (AMPA) receptor subunit, GluR‐A (GluR1), and deficient in hippocampal CA3‐CA1 long‐term potentiation (LTP), were assessed on a novel, hippocampal‐dependent spatial reference memory, paddling pool escape task. The required to use extramaze cues around laboratory find hidden tube that was constant location at one of 12 possible positions perimeter pool, order from shallow water. knockout...
Abstract Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most prevalent gynaecological in high‐income countries and its incidence continuing to rise sharply. Simple objective tools reliably detect women with EC are urgently needed. We recently developed validated DNA methylation (DNAme)‐based women's risk identification—quantitative polymerase chain reaction test for endometrial (WID‐qEC) that could address this need. Here, we demonstrate stability of WID‐qEC remains consistent regardless of: (i)...
Donor insemination treatment offered in licensed clinics protects the donor, recipient and offspring both medically legally. The Internet has opened up novel, unregulated ways of donating sperm through 'introduction websites' social media forums. Broadly, three categories women use introduction websites: those who want to have a child with no further involvement donor; wish know identity donor from start; intend electively co-parent, that is, bring together donor/father. Donors may choose...