Cancer of the back of the nasal airway (nasopharyngeal carcinoma) is particularly prevalent in Southern China, with an incidence some 30-times greater for men than that found in Europe.

Unlike other "scalelike" cell cancers of the head and neck, nasal cancer does not appear to be linked to excess use of tobacco and alcohol. Factors thought to predispose to this tumor include Chinese (or Asian) ancestry, exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus (one of the first viruses to be identified with cancer), and as yet unknown factors that result in very rare familial clusters.

As part of studies into this type of nasal cancer, Professor Tim Jacob, at Cardiff University's School of Biosciences, has been studying the cell physiology of volume regulation, looking specifically at how normal cells control their volume -- or do not control their volume, as in cancer.

During the past year he has been working in parallel with Dr. Liwei Wang in Guangdong Medical College, Guangdong, China. Their joint research has now been awarded three-year funding from the Wellcome Trust under its Collaborative Research Initiative to facilitate research visits and the wider availability of biopsy materials for investigation.

In recognition of his contribution to this collaborative research program, Professor Jacob has been appointed an Honorary Professor at Guangdong Medical College. In presenting the honor, Professor Liang, President of the College, expressed his hope for ongoing and increased research collaboration between the two institutions.

Collaboration on international scientific research is supported under current Chinese state policy and Minister of Science and Technology Zhu Lilan has allocated funds to encourage international scientific co-operation with other countries during the 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-05).

[Contact: Professor Tim Jacob]

24-Jan-2001