Cancer Research Continues at CIU Biotechnology Research Center

Professor of Cancer Biology at the Imperial College of London and Cyprus International University (CIU) Biotechnology Research Center (BRC) Chief Advisor Prof. Dr. Mustafa Camgöz stated that the age for breast cancer diagnosis in the TRNC is lower compared to Europe.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Camgöz, the advisor to research studies at the CIU Biotechnology Research Center, stated that cancer cases in the TRNC and in Europe generally show parallelism; however, breast cancer, in particular, is the most widespread cancer in the TRNC saying they reached this conclusion based on their statistical epidemiological studies.

Prof. Dr. Camgöz stated that they started their studies on this matter in the 2000s and said, “These studies need to be repeated. To determine the age for diagnosis, and to know the exact number of cases, it is necessary to count everyone, but you cannot do that. But even if you consider just a section of  the patients’ age of diagnosis, the data will emerge without counting all of them.”

In our present day world, cancer has become part of modern life; Camgöz emphasized that nutrition and environment are among the important causes that can cause cancer and said, “Only 10% of cases are caused by genetic factors. The biggest causes are external factors. Recently, fast food which is cheap and also a source of low-quality nutrition is one of the main causes of not only cancer but also obesity. Obesity also has a direct link with cancer. In Western countries, 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women are diagnosed with cancer. Of course, this does not mean that every cancer patient will die. Especially in early diagnosis, treatment is possible.”

Emphasizing the need to increase studies starting with education and continuing with screening, prevention, and early diagnosis methods, Camgöz said, "We, as individuals and teams, as foundations and as a university (CIU), have been carrying out serious studies in the field of cancer."

Camgöz, pointing out that three important projects are being carried out at the Biotechnology Research Center (BRC) established within the premises of CIU, continued by stating: “Our first project is about new generation drug development and nanotechnology. Since we advocate the concept of living with cancer, the main thing to do is to prevent the spread of cancer. If cancer is stopped and frozen where it started, we can live with it. As long as it doesn't spread. In this project, drugs with anti-cancer properties are being tested.”

Camgöz stated that the second project is about Cadmium (Cd) which is a toxic metal.  In previous studies, high levels of cadmium were observed in Cyprus,  and in this project, they are trying to develop a model-based method and device to extract cadmium from water.

Their final project will be an entirely new one, said Camgöz, and will be focusing on childhood cancers.

Prof. Dr. Camgöz said Neuroblastoma is a very aggressive type of childhood cancer and is directly linked to the nervous system. Although the number of cases is not that high, the treatment is very difficult and it’s a type of cancer with a huge emotional dimension since it is observed in children.  A doctoral candidate is working on a dissertation to find what drugs can be used to prevent this new generation of cancer.

Camgöz said two foundations, Süleyman Cengiz Eminoğlu Foundation (CENGOV) and Cancer Research Foundation, are collaborating on this final project and are supporting it.