The number of women diagnosed with uterine cancer continues to rise each year. Since the early 1990s, there has been almost 55% rise in the United Kingdom (UK). 34% of endometrial cancer can be attributed to obesity. In the obese state, the function of adipose tissue deteriorates resulting in a state of chronic inflammation. Adipocytokine-related signalling pathways promote cancer development by causing inflammation, cell proliferation, DNA damage and by inhibiting apoptosis. The investigators postulate that adipocytokines levels are significantly different in uterine cancer patients of different weight categories and different grade/stage/ type of tumour. Any woman attending the hospital with endometrial cancer and receiving treatment here will be invited to participate in the study. Consent will be sought to obtain 30mls (2 1/2 tablespoons) of venous blood at the time of surgery, on day 1 post-surgery and 3/6 months post-surgery during routine follow-up to check biomarker (adiponectin, leptin, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, Insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2) levels to see if the markers can be used to assess response to treatment. The investigators will also get consent to collect tissue - adipose tissue (after surgery) and uterine cancer tissue and lymph nodes (after histo-pathological evaluation) to assess for biomarkers. The investigators will also obtain blood samples from patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced stage endometrial. All tissues procured will be anonymised and analysed at the oncology laboratory, Leggett building, University of Surrey and later correlated with patients' medical data as well as with tumour grade, stage and type. The investigators will also use archival tissue blocks stored at the same laboratory for analysis (previously consented for use in research). These are anonymised tissue and there is no link to patients' data. The aim would be to ultimately find immuno-stimulatory/ suppressive biomarkers in order to develop novel diagnostic/ prognostic tools.
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Correlation Between Circulating Levels of These Markers and Demographic Characteristics.
Timeframe: Data collected at baseline
Correlation Between Circulating Levels of These Markers (Day 0) and Cancer Characteristics in the Study Population, Using Linear Regresion.
Timeframe: Data collected at baseline (day 0)
The Difference in Circulating Plasma Levels of Adiponectin Between Study and Control Patients
Timeframe: The levels of the markers between the two groups of patients were compared at baseline (day 0) and presented here.
The Difference in Circulating Plasma Levels of Leptin, IGF1 and IGF2 Between Study and Control Patients.
Timeframe: The levels of the markers between the two groups of patients were compared at baseline (day 0) and presented here.
The Difference in Circulating Plasma Levels of IL6 and TNFα Between Study and Control Patients.
Timeframe: The levels of the markers between the two groups of patients were compared at baseline (day 0) and presented here.
Correlation Between the Markers and Study Patients' Obesity Status
Timeframe: Levels of the markers were compared with BMI of the study patients at baseline i.e. Day 0
Correlation Between the Markers and Control Patients' Obesity Status
Timeframe: BMI was measured at baseline only for the control population.