ISTM

Dr Luscombe has been interested in research since his undergraduate studies, and he published work whilst a medical student and junior doctor. He took time away from his Specialist Training in Urology and spent 18 months in full-time medical research at the Department of Urology and the Centre of Cell and Molecular Medicine in Keele's Postgraduate Medical School between 1999-2001. During this time he initiated a study based on the hypothesis that UV exposure was associated with prostate cancer risk. For the study he recruited cases and controls, performed laboratory work, and supervised both laboratory technicians and biochemistry students, resulting in an MD from the University of Birmingham. He published four articles from the work, the first and most cited being in the Lancet. Following this publication the work was extensively covered by the popular media; more than 10 articles were published in local and national newspapers, interviews were given to local and national radio, and he gave a television interview to the BBC.

Having recently moved back to Stoke-on-Trent, Dr Luscombe is now looking to expand and diversify his research interests. He has developed links with the Schools of Epidemiology and Cancer Research at Birmingham University to study the molecular epidemiology of prostate cancer, alongside the ongoing prostate cancer study at Keele, providing compatible data for joint analysis.

In addition, so far Dr Luscombe has written two book sections about testicular cancer and healthcare policy, has published 3 letters to the BMJ, has published seven abstracts and has presented in excess of 20 papers to scientific meetings.

ISTM Research theme: 1. Clinical & Diagnostic Science

Research interests and current studies:

Dr Luscombe initiated a study investigating the environmental and genetic risk factors for prostate cancer in 1999, supervised by Prof Richard Strange, being awarded MD for the initial work based at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS). The study is ongoing with approximately 1,000 patients recruited. The project has continued with a Tenovus grant (£50,000) and over £17,000 from a private donor. The results from the study have so far led to over 10 publications including an article in The Lancet. This study forms the basis of a parallel study set up in conjunction with Birmingham University/University Hospital Birmingham with the acronym BiPAS. Dr Luscombe is a lead investigator for BiPAS, which is Cancer Research (UK) funded. It will attempt to first validate the UHNS results and then allow more in depth analysis by doubling the numbers. It is intended to recruit 3,000 patients to the combined group.

The hypothesis underpinning the prostate cancer research is the UV exposure and host response to UV exposure has beneficial effects on prostate health, by reducing risk of cancer. There is a theoretical advantage of UV exposure for other important diseases such as breast and colorectal cancer, as well as recognised deleterious effects on the skin. The complex relationship between benefit and harm forms the basis of a proposed UV programme at UHNS that would recruit patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, MS and various skin cancers. The results of this programme should it go ahead could have significant public health implications.

Dr Luscombe is the centre co-ordinator for a regional CR (UK) sponsored bladder cancer study (BCPP), which is recruiting >2500 patients over the next 3 years and investigating environmental and genetic risk factors for superficial bladder cancer. A part-time research nurse is employed on this project.

Dr Luscombe is also involved in several commercial studies at UHNS.

Peer-reviewed Journal Papers in last 10 years:

Ilie CP, Luscombe CJ, Smith I, Boddy J, Mischianu D, Golash A. Day case laparoscopic nephrectomy: initial experience.. J Med Life. 2011;4(1):36-9. 

Ilie CP, Luscombe CJ, Smith I, Boddy J, Mischianu D, Golash A. Routine day-case laparoscopic pyeloplasty: a paradigm shift? J Endourol. 2011;25(5):797-801.

Ilie CP, Luscombe CJ, Smith I, Boddy J, Mischianu D, Golash A. Day case laparoscopic nephrectomy. J Endourol. 2011;25(4):631-4.

Kommu SS, Eden CG, Luscombe CJ, Golash A, Persad RA. Initial treatment costs of organ-confined prostate cancer: a general perspective. BJU Int. 2011 ;107(1):1-3

Kommu SS, Chakravarti A, Luscombe CJ, Gill I et al. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (less) and notes; standardised platforms in nomenclature. BJU Int. 2009 Mar;103(5):701-2.

Young JG, Luscombe CJ, Lynch C, Wallace DM. Nephron-sparing surgery: a call for greater application of established techniques. BJU Int. 2008;102(10):1389-93.

Rukin NJ, Zeegers MP, Ramachandran S, Luscombe CJ, Liu S, Saxby M, Lear J, Strange RC. A comparison of sunlight exposure in men with prostate cancer and basal cell carcinoma. Br J Cancer. 2007;96(3):523-8.

Rukin NJ, Luscombe C, Moon S, Bodiwala D, Liu S, Saxby MF, Fryer AA, Alldersea J, Hoban PR, Strange RC. Prostate cancer susceptibility is mediated by interactions between exposure to ultraviolet radiation and polymorphisms in the 5' haplotype block of the vitamin D receptor gene. Cancer Lett. 2007; 247(2):328-35

James N, Bloofield D, Luscombe C. The changing pattern of management for hormone-refractory, metastatic prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2006;9(3):221-9.

Moon S, Holley S, Bodiwala D, Luscombe CJ, French ME, Liu S, Saxby MF, Jones PW, Fryer AA, Strange RC. Associations between G/A1229, A/G3944, T/C30875, C/T48200 and C/T65013 genotypes and haplotypes in the vitamin D receptor gene, ultraviolet radiation and susceptibility to prostate cancer. Ann Hum Genet. 2006 Mar;70(Pt 2):226-36.

Luscombe CJ, Cooke PW. Pain during prostate biopsy. Lancet 2004;363(9424):1840-1.

Bodiwala D, Luscombe CJ, French ME, et al. Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene, ultraviolet radiation, and susceptibility to prostate cancer. Environ Mol Mutagen 2004;43(2):121-7.

Bodiwala D, Luscombe CJ, French ME, et al. Associations between prostate cancer susceptibility and parameters of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Cancer Lett 2003;200(2):141-8.

Bodiwala D, Luscombe CJ, French ME, et al. Susceptibility to prostate cancer: studies on interactions between UVR exposure and skin type. Carcinogenesis 2003;24(4):711-7.

Bodiwala D, Luscombe CJ, Liu S, et al. Prostate cancer risk and exposure to ultraviolet radiation: further support for the protective effect of sunlight. Cancer Lett 2003;192(2):145-9.

Luscombe CJ, French ME, Liu S, et al. Glutathione S-transferase GSTP1 genotypes are associated with response to androgen ablation therapy in advanced prostate cancer. Cancer Detect Prev 2002;26(5):376-80.