An important area in cancer research is the identification of tumor markers that might improve the early diagnosis of cancer patients and reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been added to the panel of plasma-detected biomarkers thanks to their cancer-specificity, high stability and the availability of assays able to quantify their level. In addition, recent studies report the association between the deregulated expression of several miRNAs and the response to treatments, prognosis and metastatic potential of malignancies. The determination of miRNAs expression in cancerous tissue, however, requires the availability of tissue specimens which may represent a problem in non surgically treated patients. The availability of blood-circulating markers might overcome the limits of tissue sampling being non invasive and repeatable over time. Using a microarray technology, we hereby propose to identify different sets of plasma miRNAs whose levels are indeed associated with each of the following cancer types: breast, gastrointestinal (gastric and colorectum), lung, pancreatic, melanoma, thyroid and hepatocellular. Circulating cancer-specific miRNAs will be compared to the miRNA profile of control populations (age-matched healthy subjects or cirrhotic patients for hepatocellular carcinoma). Cancer-associated miRNAs will be validated in an independent population of patients using a quantitative approach; their correlation with clinical-pathological information will be also investigated. Finally, miRNA levels will be monitored after surgery, according to patients follow-up schedules, in order to verify if they can possibly predict cancer recurrence. This study aims therefore (i) to assay plasma levels of circulating miRNAs as possible markers of increased risk of cancer development, (ii) to define a profile of circulating miRNAs characterizing cancers at different stages and (iii) to assess a panel of circulating miRNAs as possible early predictors of cancer recurrence after curative treatments. If this project will be successful, a new panel of sensitive and specific biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognostic risk assessment will be available.
Progetto triennale AIRC (MFAG 2011). Titolo: Circulating microRNAs as cancer-specific biomarkers
FERRACIN, Manuela
2012
Abstract
An important area in cancer research is the identification of tumor markers that might improve the early diagnosis of cancer patients and reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been added to the panel of plasma-detected biomarkers thanks to their cancer-specificity, high stability and the availability of assays able to quantify their level. In addition, recent studies report the association between the deregulated expression of several miRNAs and the response to treatments, prognosis and metastatic potential of malignancies. The determination of miRNAs expression in cancerous tissue, however, requires the availability of tissue specimens which may represent a problem in non surgically treated patients. The availability of blood-circulating markers might overcome the limits of tissue sampling being non invasive and repeatable over time. Using a microarray technology, we hereby propose to identify different sets of plasma miRNAs whose levels are indeed associated with each of the following cancer types: breast, gastrointestinal (gastric and colorectum), lung, pancreatic, melanoma, thyroid and hepatocellular. Circulating cancer-specific miRNAs will be compared to the miRNA profile of control populations (age-matched healthy subjects or cirrhotic patients for hepatocellular carcinoma). Cancer-associated miRNAs will be validated in an independent population of patients using a quantitative approach; their correlation with clinical-pathological information will be also investigated. Finally, miRNA levels will be monitored after surgery, according to patients follow-up schedules, in order to verify if they can possibly predict cancer recurrence. This study aims therefore (i) to assay plasma levels of circulating miRNAs as possible markers of increased risk of cancer development, (ii) to define a profile of circulating miRNAs characterizing cancers at different stages and (iii) to assess a panel of circulating miRNAs as possible early predictors of cancer recurrence after curative treatments. If this project will be successful, a new panel of sensitive and specific biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognostic risk assessment will be available.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
