Differential Biomarkers for the Anatomopathological Diagnosis of Malignant Biliopancreatic Neoplasms

• Grant number: 23/01068-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Dorotéia Rossi Silva Souza
• Grantee: Dorotéia Rossi Silva Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ilka de Fátima Santana Ferreira Boin ; Larissa Bastos Eloy da Costa ; Rita de Cássia Martins Alves da Silva
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/21515-3 - Gene Expression and PPAR-¿ Polymorphism in Steatotic Disease Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction and the Relationship with Hepatocellular Carcinoma, BP.IC; 25/01850-5 - Impact of miRNA-221-3p Expression on Inflammatory Pathways in Hepatic and Biliary-Pancreatic Malignant Neoplasms, BP.IC; 23/15551-4 - Molecular Markers for Anatomopathological Diagnosis of Biliopancreatic Malignant Neoplasms, BP.TT

Abstract

Introduction: Biliopancreatic malignancies are the second leading cause of death from digestive tract cancer, after colorectal cancer. Among the main types of cancer of the biliopancreatic system, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (ACDP) stand out, which anatomopathological similarities make it difficult to differentiate about the primary origin of these diseases. In this context, the joint analysis of molecular markers that participate in carcinogenic pathways such as tumor promoters and suppressors, angiogenesis and apoptosis, may contribute with unprecedented in the differentiation of ACDP and CCA. Objectives: To analyze the gene expression of SMAD4, TGF-²1, VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, HIF-1±, PIK3CA and PTEN in patients with ACDP and CCA, as well as the respective proteins, in order to identify potential differential diagnostic markers for these diseases . Casuistry and Methods: 74 individuals will be studied: 30 patients with CCA, 30 patients with ACDP and 14 controls, 7 samples of cystic duct from patients with cholelithiasis and 7 samples of pancreatic tissue from necropsy, all without clinical, biochemical and histopathological signs of CCA and ACDP. Paraffin tissue from CCA and ACDP tumor tissue samples and their respective control, and fresh cystic duct tissue sample will be used for RNA extraction and reverse transcription for gene expression analysis. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis of the respective markers will be performed in tumor tissues and controls. Clinical data will be obtained from electronic medical records. (AU)