Clinical Research Fellow

Department :    Comprehensive Cancer Centre

This Cancer Research UK KHP Centre Clinical Research Fellowship is a three year post to facilitate basic and translational research experience in cancer. The training fellowship is designed to provide a state-of-the-art research experience, within a structured training environment, for future academic clinicians. The post holder will undertake the research project outlined below, leading to the submission of a PhD degree. 

Feasibility of HER2 radionuclide imaging for stratification of breast cancer patients for HER2 directed antibody-drug conjugate therapy 
HER2-targeted treatments and inhibition of HER2-HER3 dimerisation has significantly improved outcomes in patients with early and metastatic breast cancer, with drugs such as trastuzumab, pertuzumab and TDM1. However, access to these drugs is dependent upon a 'positive' HER2 test by IHC; approx. 20-25% of patients. We aim to 
better stratify which patients should receive HER2 targeted therapy, using whole body HER2 imaging and better tissue-based assays, and 
monitor the response to these therapies more dynamically using HER2 imaging and blood-based assays, as described below. 

Our lab has developed a novel assay using a dual- antibody approach and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy(FLIM) and Forster Resonance Energy Transfer(FRET), to characterise HER2/HER3 dimerisation from patient derived tumour micro-arrays which predicts the likelihood of metastatic relapse up to 10 years after surgery(HR=3.91,p=0.003) independent of HER2 expression by IHC+FISH in a multivariate model. We are currently developing this assay to measure HER2-HER3 dimer expression in exosomes extracted from patient-derived serum samples. 

We will aim to develop a novel HER2 DARPin based whole body imaging biomarker assay with clinical and biological validation at the microscopic tumour level using this FRET/FLIM assay. The post holder will design and deliver the relevant prospective clinical trials and work within the National Cancer Imaging Translational Accelerator (NCITA) collaboration. The NCITA addresses the gaps in translation of imaging biomarkers either as tools for clinical trials or to aid clinical decision making. NCITA brings together seven of the leading cancer imaging centers (Cambridge, Imperial, ICR, KCL, Manchester, Oxford and UCL) through a network of imaging dedicated cross-institutional infrastructure. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 3 years. 

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent 

The selection process will include a panel interview, and a presentation. Interviews scheduled to be held on 8th May 2019. 

To apply, please register with the King's College London application portal and complete your application online. 

Grade and Salary :    Clinical Research Fellow, £34,731- 45,409 per annum, plus £2,162 per annum London Allowance 
Job ID :    012946 
Post Date :    16-Apr-2019 
Close Date :    14-May-2019 
Contact Person :    Dr Gargi Patel 
Contact Details :    Gargi.patel@kcl.ac.uk