Approved research

Prognosis and evaluation of immune-related diseases - PANAMA

Lay summary

The immune system contributes to three major leading causes of disability and death - cardiovascular disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases, and so adds greatly to the societal diseases burden. Altered signalling within the immune system, specifically through proteins called immune checkpoints which are associated with T-cell activity, has been implicated in disease onset and severity in all three cases.

Considering that all three disease entities can be based on genetic predisposition, whether inherited or acquired, the contribution of genetic variances in immune checkpoints to the development of worsening of cardiovascular disease, cancer or autoimmune disease remains to be fully investigated. Therefore, our research question rings ''Do immune checkpoint-associated genetic variances affect outcome of cardiovascular disease, cancer or autoimmune disease?''.

Using the UK Biobank, the aim to conduct a three-year project with data from over 500.000 individuals. Our first step will be to will integrate comprehensive data, such as genetic, environmental, behavioural factors, laboratory indicators, imaging data and omics data, to discover which genetic variances can contribute to onset and development of cardiovascular disease, cancer of autoimmune disease. Following the identification of these variances, we will set out to determine which factors could improve risk prediction, be potential biomarkers for early diagnosis or prognosis assessment. Additionally, this could provide information on the mechanisms behind the diseases and highlight potential therapeutic targets.